Buying a mattress without knowing the sizes is like ordering shoes without knowing your foot size. You'll probably get it wrong. Here's the complete guide to mattress sizes in South Africa, in centimetres, not guesswork.
The Standard South African Mattress Size Chart
South Africa has its own sizing conventions. They don't always match international standards, so don't rely on what you read on a UK or US website. These are the sizes we manufacture and sell every day:
| Size Name | Width (cm) | Length (cm) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 91 | 188 | Kids, students, single sleepers in small rooms |
| Three Quarter | 107 | 188 | Teenagers, single adults who want more space |
| Double | 137 | 188 | Couples in smaller rooms, solo sleepers who move around |
| Queen | 152 | 188 | Couples who want space without a massive bed |
| King | 183 | 188 | Couples who want maximum space, bigger master bedrooms |
Which Size Suits Who
A Single is fine for a child or a student in a small room. Once someone hits their mid-teens and starts growing, a Three Quarter makes more sense. It gives you an extra 16cm of width without taking over the room.
A Double is the most common size in South African homes. It works for a couple, but only if neither person is a restless sleeper. If you or your partner moves around a lot at night, you're going to feel it.
A Queen is where most couples should land. It's not much wider than a Double on paper, but 15cm makes a real difference when you're sleeping. Queen is the sweet spot between comfort and space.
A King is for people with a proper master bedroom. It's almost two Singles side by side. If you have kids or pets who end up in your bed at night, this is the one you want.
If you have narrowed it down to one size, we have a dedicated buying guide for each of the four most popular options, with current prices and the ranges available in that size: single mattresses, double mattresses, queen mattresses and king mattresses. And if any term in those guides is unfamiliar, from high-density foam to pocket springs, our mattress glossary explains the common mattress vocabulary in plain language.
What to Measure Before You Buy
Don't guess. Go measure your room before you order. Here's what to check:
Floor space: Measure the length and width of the room. You need at least 60cm clearance on either side of the bed to walk comfortably. Less than that and the room will feel like a corridor.
Existing base or frame: If you already have a base, measure it before ordering the mattress. A mattress that doesn't match your base is a problem, it'll hang over the edge or leave gaps.
Doorways and access: This matters more than people think. Can you get the mattress through the door and around the corner? Foam mattresses roll and compress, which makes delivery easier. But it's still worth checking.
A Note on Non-Standard Sizes
Some older beds were built to non-standard dimensions. If you have a custom frame, an antique bed, or a built-in base, don't assume it matches any of the sizes above. Measure it. Then call us and we'll tell you what we can do.
We manufacture our mattresses in-house in South Africa, which means we're not locked into fixed stock. If you need a custom size, we can talk.
Ready to Order?
Now that you know the size you need, take a look at our Comfort Foam Mattress, our most popular mattress, available in all standard South African sizes, delivered free nationwide. If you need the base as well as the mattress, our beds for sale in South Africa guide shows complete bed set prices for every size.