Ask for a three-quarter mattress almost anywhere else in the world and you'll get a blank look. Ask for one in South Africa and every bed shop knows exactly what you mean. The three-quarter is one of our market's quiet local specialities - the in-between size that solves a problem the standard single-or-double choice can't.
I manufacture mattresses, and the three-quarter is a size we build in three of our four ranges because South Africans keep asking for it - with good reason. Here's the full guide to what it is, who it's for, and how to buy one properly.
What "three-quarter" means in South Africa
A standard South African three-quarter mattress measures 107cm wide by 188cm long - squarely between the single (91cm) and the double (137cm). The name comes from it being roughly three-quarters the width of a double. Why the in-between width earns its place:
- 16cm more than a single - the difference between a child's bed and a bed a teenager or adult can genuinely stretch out in alone.
- 30cm less than a double - which is exactly what makes it fit rooms, flats and cottages where a double would swallow the floor space.
- One sleeper, properly. The three-quarter is a one-person size with breathing room - it's not a couple's bed, and any honest seller will tell you so.
See the Active Foam Three-Quarter - Our Firmest, R3,799 →
Who the three-quarter is actually for
After fifteen-plus years of building this size, these are the buyers it keeps solving problems for:
- Teenagers who've outgrown a single - the classic upgrade that doesn't demand a bigger room.
- Single adults in compact bedrooms, flats and garden cottages - real stretch-out space where a double won't fit.
- Guest rooms - a more generous welcome than a single, in nearly the same footprint.
- Anyone replacing an old three-quarter - SA homes are full of three-quarter bases and headboards that deserve a properly specified new mattress, not a "close enough" single.
One warning from the factory floor: because the three-quarter is a less common size, linen takes slightly more hunting than single or double - South African retailers do stock it, but check before you assume. And as always, buy against South African dimensions; imported size charts don't include this size at all.
Our three-quarters: three ranges, published specs
We build the three-quarter in three of our four ranges, all in our own facilities in Gauteng, the Free State, Cape Town, East London, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga:
- Comfort Foam Three-Quarter - R2,799. Firm entry-level, 50 kg/m³ published density, 3-year written warranty.
- Active Foam Three-Quarter - R3,799. Our firmest mattress: 50 kg/m³ high-density core, 10-year warranty. The teenager-proof option.
- Revive Memory Foam Three-Quarter - R5,399. Breathable open-cell memory foam over a high-density core, 10-year warranty.
And the honest note: the Mr Mattress Hybrid coil mattress is not made in three-quarter - its Bonnell coil core starts at double width. If you want springs at 107cm we're not your factory for that one; if you want firm, durable support in this size, the Active Foam is the strongest thing we build here.
The same rule applies at 107cm as at any width: never buy without a published foam density. It's the number that decides both the feel and how many years the mattress lasts. Every three-quarter we make ships free anywhere in South Africa with a 365-night home trial.
Shop the Active Foam Three-Quarter →
Regional guides
Shopping regionally? See our three-quarter mattress guides for Gauteng, Cape Town and KZN, or the national three-quarter mattress South Africa guide. Weighing it against the smaller size? Read the single mattress guide. Sleeper taller than 1.85m? Any three-quarter can be made extra-length to order at 15% above the standard price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best three-quarter mattress in South Africa?
For most buyers, the Mr Mattress Active Foam Three-Quarter - our firmest mattress, 50 kg/m³ published high-density core, R3,799, 10-year warranty and 365-night trial. The Comfort Foam (R2,799, 50 kg/m³) is the budget pick and the Revive Memory Foam (R5,399) the contouring pick.
What size is a three-quarter mattress in South Africa?
107cm wide by 188cm long - between the single (91cm) and the double (137cm). It's a size largely unique to the South African market, so imported size charts won't list it.
Is a three-quarter bed big enough for two people?
No - honestly, it's a one-person size. At 107cm, two adults would have less than 54cm each. It's ideal for one teenager or adult who wants more room than a single; couples should look at a queen.
Written by Andries Taljaard, founder of Mr Mattress. 15+ years making mattresses in South Africa.