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Choosing a mattress size is an important aspect of your next bed purchase. There are six standard mattress sizes, as well as a handful of less common sizes. If you’re a single adult, or if you’re purchasing a bed for a child, the best options will likely be twin, twin XL, or full.
The two more spacious options include twin XL and full, both of which offer unique advantages and disadvantages. If you’re trying to decide between twin XL vs full, this guide will cover everything you need to know.
Twin XL
Full (AKA Double)
Dimensions
38” wide, 80” long
54” wide, 75” long
Surface Area
3,040 square inches
4,050 square inches
Best For
Single sleepers over 6’ tall; growing children and teens
Single sleepers under 6’ tall; couples on a tight budget
Benefits
Ample legroom (same length as a queen)
Versatile and “future-proof” for rapidly growing children
Feels very spacious for a single sleeper
Can be used by couples
Drawbacks
Insufficient space for couples, parents with small children
Less common size, so accessories are harder to find & more expensive
Cramped for sleepers over 6’ tall
Can feel cramped for couples
Scroll L – R for more details
Find Your Mattress
Answer 5 Easy Questions To Discover Your Perfect Mattress
What position do you sleep in?
Side
You normally wake up sleeping on your side
Back
You normally wake up sleeping on your back
Stomach
You sleep lying flat on your stomach
Do you experience any pain while sleeping?
Back and / or Side Pain
I often have back and/or side pain after waking up and into the day
Neck and / or Shoulder Pain
I often have neck and/or shoulder pain after waking up and into the day
Little to No Pain
I rarely experience any pain from sleep
Do you have any material preferences?
Innerspring
I prefer a more traditional coil-based mattress
Foam
I prefer a coil-less design made of memory foam, latex, and fabric.
No preference/ Other
I don't mind any material as long as I feel good sleeping
Do you sleep hot?
Yes
You tend to heat up at night and wake up sweaty often
No
You never have issues being too hot during the night
Do you sleep with a partner?
Yes
We'll recommend beds that have superior motion isolation to account for partner movement during the night
No
Motion isolation is less of a factor in our mattress recommendations
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The twin XL mattress dimensions (38 inches wide, 80 inches long) are best suited for single sleepers who are over 6 feet tall, or growing children and teens who may exceed 6 feet eventually. A twin XL is insufficient for couples and parents with small children sharing the bed.
The full mattress dimensions (54 inches wide, 75 inches long) are more versatile. A full, or double, mattress is a good choice for a single adult under 6 feet tall who wants a more spacious feel. Fulls can also be used for couples, although some may find them a bit cramped. For perspective, a full mattress is 6 inches less wide and 5 inches shorter than a queen, the most popular size choice for couples.
The table above provides a quick summary, but there are many factors you should consider before making your selection.
Which Size is Best for You?
Before choosing between twin XL vs full, here are some important factors to keep in mind:
Cost & Availability – Do you have a budget in mind for your mattress purchase? In general, you can expect to spend significantly more for a full than a twin XL. For cheap mattress models, expect to pay $200-$300+ more for a full, while luxury fulls may carry a price premium of $500 or more over the cost of a comparable twin XL. On the other hand, twin XL beds and accessories are less popular, and therefore have less availability and selection overall.
Sleeping Partners – Do you share your bed with a partner, child, or pet? If so, a twin XL will likely be too small. Even a full will feel cramped for some couples, but provides a good solution for single parents with small children or pets. If you’re a single sleeper with a small pet sharing the foot of the bed, a twin XL may actually be a better option, because of its additional leg room.
Height & Sleep Position – How tall are you? If you or your partner are taller than 6 feet, you will likely find that a full feels cramped in terms of leg room. For single sleepers, a twin XL may be a better option. For taller couples, upgrading to a queen mattress may be necessary.
Bedroom Dimensions – What are the dimensions of the room you plan to use the new bed in? Both sizes should fit well in most spaces, but the twin XL size is more conducive to narrow rooms. We recommend measuring the space you plan to place the bed in, and ideally allowing for around 24 inches of extra space between the bed and each surrounding wall or piece of furniture.
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Logan Foley
Certified Sleep Coach
Logan has extensive experience testing sleep products and producing sleep content. She is also a Certified Sleep Science Coach.
The twin XL mattress dimensions (38 inches wide, 80 inches long) are best suited for single sleepers who are over 6 feet tall, or growing children and teens who may exceed 6 feet eventually. A twin XL is insufficient for couples and parents with small children sharing the bed.
Cost & Availability – Do you have a budget in mind for your mattress purchase? In general, you can expect to spend significantly more for a full than a twin XL. For 
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