How to measure your bed
to buy the
right bedding online
The wrong size is the number one reason for returns in online bedding. It's not the website's fault — it's that the bed and mattress hide three numbers that almost no one knows by heart. Here's how to find them in five minutes, once and for all.
To measure your bed and choose the right bedding online, you need three mattress measurements — not frame measurements: width, length, and height. The width determines the nomenclature (single, double, queen, king). The length confirms the format. The mattress height determines the pocket depth of the fitted sheet — and it's the most often overlooked measurement, especially for tall mattresses and those with toppers.
| Nomenclature | Mattress size | Fitted sheet | Recommended minimum pocket depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SingleSingle bed | 90 × 200 cmvar. 80×190, 90×190 | 160 × 220 cm | 20–25 cm | Always check the length — 80×190 is still common in older beds |
| Large SingleExtra single | 120 × 200 cm | 180 × 220 cm | 22–28 cm | Common in guest rooms. Often confused with double — measure |
| DoubleStandard Italy | 160 × 200 cm | 240 × 270 cm | 25–30 cm+topper: 30–35 cm | Most common size — Don't take for granted: always check |
| Queen SizeLarge / EU King | 180 × 200 cm | 260 × 280 cm | 25–32 cm+topper: 33–38 cm | Growing popularity — Standard in new constructions. Frequent error |
| King SizeSuper maxi / US King | 200 × 200 cmvar. USA: 193×203 | 280 × 290 cm | 28–35 cm+topper: 35–42 cm | Beware of US variant — 193×203 cm (US queen) ≠ European king |
The three mattress measurements you need to know before making any purchase
Buying bedding online without measuring the mattress is like buying shoes online by guessing the size. It might work, but it's not guaranteed. The mattress has three dimensions that determine three different bedding choices — and just one wrong measurement can result in unusable items.
A tape measure and five minutes are all you need. Here are the three measurements and why each one matters.
Width — determines the commercial nomenclature
Measure the mattress from edge to edge horizontally. 90 cm = single. 120 cm = large single. 160 cm = double. 180 cm = queen. 200 cm = king. This number decides which "format" of bedding to buy.
Place the tape measure on the mattress surface, not on the frame — the frame can be wider or narrower than the mattress itself
Length — confirms the format, reveals non-standard variations
Measure the mattress from one end to the other vertically. The standard Italian length is 200 cm for most modern beds, 190 cm for some older models. Different lengths (195, 210 cm) indicate special variations that require custom bedding or searching for specific formats.
Beds with high headboards sometimes have a shorter mattress to compensate for the occupied space — still measure the mattress, not the total structure
Height — the measurement almost no one considers, and which causes 60% of problems
Measure the mattress from the support surface (slats or base) to the top surface. Not from the floor — the distance from the floor is irrelevant for bedding. Modern memory foam or latex mattresses often measure 22–30 cm. If you use a topper, measure with the topper on — it is the final contact surface.
The complete guide for mattresses over 28 cm high: fitted sheets for 30 cm high mattress
If you have these three measurements written down somewhere — even on your phone — you will never make a wrong purchase. Width for the format. Length for variations. Height for the fitted sheet pocket depth. Once measured, the bed doesn't change: keep the numbers.
How to calculate the right pocket depth for fitted sheets
The fitted sheet is the component most often mistaken when buying online. Not for width or length — but for pocket depth. The pocket is the "bag" that wraps around the mattress at the four corners: if it's too shallow, the sheet comes off at night; if it's too deep, it bunches up and becomes baggy.
The calculation is simple. The mattress height must be less than the pocket depth stated by the manufacturer — with a margin of at least 3–5 cm. Here's the formula:
heighte.g. 28 cm
margin3 – 5 cm
requirede.g. 31 – 33 cm
Practical example: 28 cm memory foam mattress + 5 cm topper = total height 33 cm. Minimum pocket required: 33 + 5 = 38 cm (deep pocket). A sheet with a 25 cm pocket will not work on this bed — it would come off within the first night.
Modern memory foam, latex, or pocket spring mattresses often measure between 22 and 32 cm. Add a topper and the total height easily exceeds 35 cm — a threshold beyond which a "deep pocket" is needed, which most standard bedding does not reach. Before buying online: always look for the pocket depth in the product's technical specifications.
Three mistakes that lead to wrong sizing even for those who think they know
Three mistaken assumptions that generate 90% of returns in online bedding.
Trusting the bed's nomenclature without measuring
"I have a double bed" does not automatically mean 160×200 cm. Many beds sold as "double" are queen (180×200) or, in older houses, 160×190. Commercial nomenclature is indicative, not precise. Measuring the mattress is the only way to be sure of the size.
Forgetting the topper when measuring height
Those who have a topper use it every night — it is part of the actual height of the bed. Yet almost everyone measures only the bare mattress and then wonders why the fitted sheet comes off. Always measure with the topper on: that's the height that matters for the pocket depth.
Buying "double" for a 180×200 cm bed
180×200 is a queen bed — not a standard double. A double sheet on a queen bed is too narrow: it doesn't cover the sides, the fitted sheet doesn't reach the bottom edges. In new constructions, 180×200 is now almost the norm — always check before clicking "add to cart".
How to find mattress measurements without moving it from the bed
Measuring the mattress does not require moving it. A tailor's tape measure or a rigid 1-meter tape measure is enough for all three dimensions — you just need to know where to place them.
- Width and length: measure directly on the top surface of the mattress, from edge to edge. Do not go under the mattress, do not measure the bed structure.
- Height: place the tape measure vertically on the side of the mattress, from the support surface (slats/base) to the top surface. If you use a topper, leave it on and measure up to its surface.
- If the mattress is still in its original packaging: look at the label — the dimensions are almost always printed (e.g., "160×200×25 cm"). The third number is the height.
- If you can't measure: search for the mattress model online with its name and brand — the manufacturer's technical sheet always provides the exact dimensions.
Write down your mattress's three measurements in your phone's Notes app or a shared memo with anyone living with you. The next time you buy bedding — for yourself, as a gift, for a second home — you'll have the numbers handy without having to go back to the bedroom with a tape measure. It takes thirty seconds and saves you a return.
Now that you have the measurements, finding the right bedding is easy.
100% bamboo viscose bedding sets available for single, double, queen, and king sizes. Fitted sheet pocket depth up to 40 cm (deep pocket) for tall mattresses and configurations with toppers. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 verifiable.
Frequently asked questions
How do you measure a bed to buy sheets?
The mattress is measured in three dimensions: width, length, and height. The width determines the commercial nomenclature (single 90 cm, double 160 cm, maxi 180 cm, king 200 cm). The length confirms the format. The height of the mattress — measured from the sleeping surface, not from the floor — determines the necessary pocket depth for a fitted sheet. Always measure the mattress, not the bed frame.
What pocket depth is needed for a 30 cm high mattress?
For a 30 cm high mattress, you need at least 33–35 cm of pocket depth, which is the mattress height plus 3–5 cm margin. If you add a 5 cm topper, the total height becomes 35 cm and the necessary pocket depth becomes 38–40 cm (deep pocket). Always measure with the topper in place if it is part of the normal bed configuration.
Where is the mattress height measured?
The mattress height is measured on the side, from the support surface (bed base or slats) to the top surface. It is not measured from the floor. If the bed has high legs or a storage box, the height from the floor is not relevant — only the height of the mattress itself, and of the topper if present, matters.
Is a double bed always 160×200 cm?
No. The standard Italian double bed is 160×200 cm, but there are very common variations: the maxi (180×200 cm), increasingly common in new constructions, the king size (200×200 cm) and 160×190 cm formats in older homes. Do not trust the seller's nomenclature — always measure the mattress before buying bedding online.
Five minutes with a tape measure transform buying bedding online from a gamble to a certainty. Width, length, height of the mattress — three numbers worth writing down. Looniva bedding is available in all standard sizes and in deep pocket version for high mattresses: once you have your numbers, finding the right set is a matter of a few clicks.
You have the measurements.
Choose your bedding.
100% OEKO-TEX bamboo viscose bed sets for every size. Fitted sheet pocket up to 40 cm for high mattresses. Soft from first use, no ironing, with verifiable certification on my.oeko-tex.com.