King Size Bed Dimensions: Complete Guide (US, UK, Ireland)
Anyone who’s tried squeezing a bed frame into a bedroom that looked bigger on the showroom floor already knows the feeling: a ‘king’ in Dublin is a different beast from a ‘king’ in Boston, and getting the dimensions wrong means sheets that don’t fit or a mattress that crowds the door. This guide lays out the exact king size bed dimensions across Ireland, the UK, and the US, so you can measure once and buy with confidence.
US King (Standard): 76 in × 80 in (193 cm × 203 cm) ·
UK King: 60 in × 78 in (152 cm × 198 cm) ·
Irish King: 150 cm × 200 cm (5 ft × 6 ft 6 in) ·
Super King (Ireland/UK): 180 cm × 200 cm (6 ft × 6 ft 6 in)
Quick snapshot
- US King: 76 × 80 inches (BedInABox, mattress retailer)
- Irish King: 150 × 200 cm (IKEA Ireland, global furniture retailer)
- UK King: 60 × 78 inches (Nectar Sleep, mattress brand)
- Super King (Ireland): 180 × 200 cm (Dreams Ireland, bedding retailer)
- Exactly when “king” became a standard size
- Whether 180×200 cm is universally called super king
- Retail variations in European king naming
- Retail tables sometimes list UK king as 60×80 inches instead of 60×78 inches, causing confusion
- No significant recent change; dimensions have been stable for decades
- Market trend: super king sizes growing in popularity in Ireland/UK
- Expect more Irish retailers to offer 180×200 cm as default “super king”
- International travellers will need better conversion guidance
Four regional king sizes, one pattern: the label “king” means different dimensions depending on where you buy. Below is the full breakdown.
| Region | Label | Dimensions (cm) | Dimensions (inches) | Dimensions (feet/inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | King | 193 × 203 | 76 × 80 | 6′4″ × 6′8″ |
| United States | California King | 183 × 213 | 72 × 84 | 6′0″ × 7′0″ |
| United Kingdom | King | 152 × 198 | 60 × 78 | 5′0″ × 6′6″ |
| Ireland | King | 150 × 200 | 59 × 79 | 5′0″ × 6′6″ |
| Ireland/UK | Super King | 180 × 200 | 71 × 79 | 6′0″ × 6′6″ |
The catch: an Irish king is nearly 20 cm narrower than a US king — a meaningful difference for anyone sharing a bed.
What is the actual size of a king-size bed?
US King dimensions
- The standard US king mattress measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, according to BedInABox (US mattress retailer).
- In metric: 193 cm × 203 cm.
- That is roughly 1.3 times the width of a US queen (60″ × 80″).
A US king is so wide (76″) that it requires a bedroom at least 12 feet by 12 feet to fit comfortably without crowding other furniture.
UK King dimensions
- The UK king is 60 inches wide by 78 inches long (152 cm × 198 cm), as documented by IKEA UK (furniture retailer).
- Naturalmat (UK mattress brand) confirms the same dimensions.
- Unlike the US version, the UK king is closer in width to a US queen (60″).
UK king buyers get a longer bed than a US queen (198 cm vs 203 cm), but lose 16 inches of width compared to a US king.
Irish King dimensions
- Ireland’s standard king is 150 cm × 200 cm (5′0″ × 6′6″), according to IKEA Ireland (same source as above).
- Caseys Furniture (Irish retailer) describes it as a “5-foot bed.”
- Dreams Ireland (bedding retailer) lists identical dimensions.
The implication: the Irish king is slightly narrower than the UK king (150 cm vs 152 cm) and 2 cm longer (200 cm vs 198 cm). That 2 cm difference matters for fitted sheets bought across the border.
What size is a king bed in Ireland?
Irish King dimensions
- Confirmed: 150 cm × 200 cm (5 ft × 6 ft 6 in) per IKEA Ireland and Dreams Ireland (see above).
- This is narrow enough that two average adults (each ~50 cm shoulder width) share about 50 cm of space — tighter than a US king’s 76 cm per person.
Comparison with UK King
- Irish king: 150 cm × 200 cm.
- UK king: 152 cm × 198 cm.
- Difference: Irish is 2 cm narrower but 2 cm longer.
A UK king mattress imported into Ireland will be 2 cm too short and 2 cm too wide for standard Irish bed frames — enough to cause poor fit and sheet bunching.
Why this matters: Irish buyers ordering from UK online retailers often discover the mismatch only after delivery.
What size is a King size bed in feet?
Feet and inches conversion for king sizes
- US King: 6 ft 4 in × 6 ft 8 in (76″ × 80″).
- UK King: 5 ft 0 in × 6 ft 6 in (60″ × 78″).
- Irish King: 5 ft × 6 ft 6 in (150 cm × 200 cm).
- Super King (Ireland/UK): 6 ft × 6 ft 6 in (180 cm × 200 cm).
- US California King: 6 ft 0 in × 7 ft 0 in (72″ × 84″).
One conversion pattern: the Irish king is 12 inches narrower and 2 inches shorter than the US king — a difference of nearly a third of the bed’s width.
| Size | Width (ft) | Length (ft) | Width (in) | Length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US King | 6.33 | 6.67 | 76 | 80 |
| UK King | 5.0 | 6.5 | 60 | 78 |
| Irish King | 5.0 | 6.5 | 59 | 79 |
| Super King (IRE) | 6.0 | 6.5 | 71 | 79 |
The trade-off: a super king in Ireland (180 cm wide) gives you an extra 30 cm of width over a standard Irish king, but still falls 13 cm short of a US king’s width.
What size bed is 180×200 cm?
180×200 cm as king size in some regions
- 180×200 cm is not a standard US king (193×203 cm), per Dochara.
- In continental Europe, 180×200 cm is often marketed as “king” or “grand lit.”
180×200 cm as super king size
- In Ireland and the UK, 180×200 cm is the standard super king size, according to IKEA Ireland (see above).
- Dreams Ireland lists super king as 180 × 200 cm.
- For context, an 180×200 cm bed gives each sleeper roughly 90 cm of personal width — comparable to a US king’s 96.5 cm per person.
Irish shoppers seeking the closest equivalent to a US king should buy a super king (180×200 cm), not a standard Irish king.
In short, 180×200 cm is the super king in Ireland, offering space close to a US king.
What is 200×230 bed size?
200×230 cm as a super king or custom size
- 200×230 cm is larger than any standard king size in Ireland, the UK, or the US.
- Common in European custom bedding, this size is sometimes called “emperor” or “super king plus.”
- No major Irish or UK retailer lists 200×230 as a standard size.
The implication: anyone shopping for a 200×230 cm bed in Ireland will likely need a custom frame and bespoke bedding — a significant cost premium.
Is 160×200 a king-size?
160×200 cm as a queen or small king
- 160×200 cm is not a standard US king (193×203 cm) or UK/Irish king (150-152×200 cm).
- In the US, 160×200 cm would fall between a queen (152×203 cm) and a king.
- In some European countries, 160×200 is called “king” or “grand lit,” creating confusion for international buyers.
An Irish buyer seeing “160×200 king” from a German retailer might expect a size similar to their domestic king — but it’s actually 10 cm wider, requiring different sheets and a larger frame.
The takeaway: 160×200 cm is not a standard king in Ireland or the UK; always verify against local dimensions.
King size bed comparison table
Four common king sizes across three English-speaking markets, one clear takeaway: the label is a local convention, not a global standard.
| Market | Label | CM | Inches | Relative to US King |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | King | 193 × 203 | 76 × 80 | Reference |
| USA | California King | 183 × 213 | 72 × 84 | −10 cm width, +10 cm length |
| UK | King | 152 × 198 | 60 × 78 | −41 cm width, −5 cm length |
| Ireland | King | 150 × 200 | 59 × 79 | −43 cm width, −3 cm length |
| Ireland/UK | Super King | 180 × 200 | 71 × 79 | −13 cm width, −3 cm length |
Why this matters: a US king (76″ wide) gives each sleeper 13 inches more personal space than an Irish king — the difference between a restful night and elbowing your partner.
“A standard UK king mattress is 150 cm x 200 cm (5’0\” x 6’6\”).”
“Irish king size bed measures 150 cm × 200 cm (5’0\” × 6’6\”).”
“The US king mattress is 76 inches x 80 inches (193 cm x 203 cm).”
“A UK and Ireland king is closer in size to a US queen than to a US king.”
BedInABox, US mattress retailer
en.wikipedia.org, andsotobed.co.uk, mybedframes.co.uk, getlaidbeds.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between king and California king?
A US king is 76″ × 80″ (wider, shorter). A California king is 72″ × 84″ (narrower, longer). California kings suit tall sleepers; standard kings suit couples who want more width.
What are the recommended room dimensions for a king size bed?
For a US king (76″ × 80″), a minimum room of 12 ft × 12 ft (3.7 m × 3.7 m) allows walking space on both sides. For a super king (180×200 cm), aim for at least 13 ft × 12 ft (4 m × 3.7 m).
Do king size beds require different sheets than queen?
Yes. US queen fitted sheets (60″ × 80″) will not fit a US king (76″ × 80″). Similarly, Irish king sheets (150×200 cm) differ from UK king sheets (152×198 cm) — check the exact cm dimensions before buying.
What is the history of king size bed dimensions?
The US king standard emerged in the mid-20th century as mattress manufacturers adopted 76″ × 80″. The UK and Irish standards evolved separately from imperial bed frame traditions — the “5-foot” bed being a direct reference to frame width.
Are king size beds available in custom sizes?
Many European and bespoke makers offer custom dimensions. However, standard sheets and frames are not available for custom sizes — you’ll need tailored bedding and likely a custom bed frame.
How to measure a king size bed mattress?
Measure width at the widest point and length from head to foot. For fitted sheets, also measure mattress depth (typically 8-14 inches). Always measure in cm for European retailers.
How does a king size bed compare to a queen?
US queen: 60″ × 80″. US king: 76″ × 80″. The king adds 16 inches of width. Irish queen: typically 120×200 cm. Irish king: 150×200 cm, adding 30 cm of width.
What size sheets fit a king size bed?
Sheet labels must match the exact cm or inch dimensions. US king fitted sheets (76″ × 80″) will not fit a UK king (60″ × 78″). Irish king sheets (150×200 cm) are narrower than UK king sheets (152×198 cm).
For anyone shopping across borders, the choice is simple: an Irish king (150×200 cm) is tight for two, while a super king (180×200 cm) comes closest to US comfort. Measure your room first, then the label. For a quick conversion from your bedroom dimensions to a different unit, the sq m to sq ft conversion tool can help you visualise whether a 12 ft × 12 ft space is large enough for your target size. And after you’ve chosen, check how often you should replace sheets — see our guide on how often to change bed sheets to keep your new king bed fresh. For Irish buyers, the verdict: skip the standard king unless you sleep alone — invest in a super king for the space you actually want.
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