Mattress Topper Sizes: Width, Length, Thickness and Weight
Topper dimensions for every bed, what each thickness does, how much a topper weighs and adds to bed height, and how to keep it and the sheets in place.
A mattress topper is cut to the same width and length as the mattress: queen 60 × 80 in (152 × 203 cm), full 54 × 75 in (137 × 191 cm), twin 38 × 75 in (97 × 191 cm) and king 76 × 80 in (193 × 203 cm). Thickness ranges from 1 to 4 in (2.5 to 10 cm), with 2 and 3 in the most common.
- Queen topper
- 60 × 80 in
- Full topper
- 54 × 75 in
- Common thickness
- 2–3 in (5–8 cm)
- Queen 3 in weight
- About 33 lb (15 kg)
On this page
Mattress topper size chart
Toppers follow the mattress size names exactly. Brands differ only in whether they cut the topper to the full nominal size or 0.5 to 1 in smaller, so that it does not hang over a mattress with rounded edges.
| Size | Inches | Centimeters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 × 75 | 97 × 191 | Bunk beds need a check of the label limit first |
| Twin XL | 38 × 80 | 97 × 203 | The usual dorm topper |
| Full (double) | 54 × 75 | 137 × 191 | Same as a full mattress |
| Queen | 60 × 80 | 152 × 203 | The most common topper size |
| King | 76 × 80 | 193 × 203 | One piece, or two twin XL for a split king |
| California king | 72 × 84 | 183 × 213 | Not interchangeable with king |
Mattress widths, lengths and international sizes are all on the mattress size chart. If your mattress is older or imported, measure it rather than trusting the size name: a European 160 × 200 cm mattress is 63 × 78.7 in, wider than a US queen topper.
Topper thickness: 1, 2, 3 or 4 inches
Thickness decides how much the topper changes the bed. Thin toppers adjust the surface; thick ones change how far you sink.
| Thickness | Metric | Effect | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.5 cm | Slight softening, mostly surface feel | A mattress that is nearly right; a cooler or warmer surface |
| 2 in | 5 cm | Noticeable cushioning, still supportive | Back and stomach sleepers on a firm mattress |
| 3 in | 7.6 cm | Clear change in feel; shoulders and hips sink in | Side sleepers on a firm mattress |
| 4 in | 10 cm | Close to adding a new comfort layer | Very firm mattresses, guest beds, futons |
Toppers of 5 or 6 in exist, but at that point the topper behaves like a thin mattress and adds enough height to cause problems with sheets and guardrails. A topper also cannot correct a sagging mattress: it drapes into whatever dip is underneath it.
Toppers, pads, protectors and featherbeds compared
The four products look alike in a store but differ in thickness and purpose.
| Product | Typical thickness | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress protector | Under 0.25 in (6 mm) | Waterproof or stain barrier; no comfort change |
| Mattress pad | 0.5–1.5 in (1.3–4 cm) | Quilted fiber layer, usually with a fitted skirt |
| Topper | 1–4 in (2.5–10 cm) | Foam, latex or fiber layer that changes firmness |
| Featherbed | 2–5 in (5–13 cm) when lofted | Feather-filled baffle box; compresses well below its lofted height |
A common stack is the topper on the mattress, a protector over the topper, then the fitted sheet. The protector keeps the topper clean, since most foam toppers cannot be washed.
How much a topper weighs
Weight depends on volume and density. Memory foam toppers are typically 3 to 5 lb/ft³ (48 to 80 kg/m³). The figures below are calculated at 4 lb/ft³ (64 kg/m³), a common mid-range density. Latex is usually heavier per inch, and fiber toppers much lighter.
| Size | 2 in thick | 3 in thick |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 13.2 lb (6.0 kg) | 19.8 lb (9.0 kg) |
| Twin XL | 14.1 lb (6.4 kg) | 21.1 lb (9.6 kg) |
| Full | 18.8 lb (8.5 kg) | 28.1 lb (12.8 kg) |
| Queen | 22.2 lb (10.1 kg) | 33.3 lb (15.1 kg) |
| King | 28.1 lb (12.8 kg) | 42.2 lb (19.2 kg) |
| California king | 28.0 lb (12.7 kg) | 42.0 lb (19.1 kg) |
A 3-in queen topper occupies 8.3 cu ft (236 L), so it is bulky as well as heavy. It ships rolled and, like a boxed mattress, takes 24 to 72 hours to recover its full thickness after opening.
Fitting a topper: sheets, height and staying in place
- Sheet pocket: add the topper thickness to the mattress depth, then 1 to 2 in. A 10-in mattress plus a 3-in topper fits a 15-in pocket; a 12-in mattress plus 3 in needs 16 to 17 in. Pocket sizes are on the sheet size chart.
- Bed height: a 3-in topper raises the sleeping surface by about 3 in, less once compressed. Check the result against your frame and nightstands; total bed height is worked through in the mattress depth guide.
- Sliding: foam grips better than fiber. Toppers with corner straps or a zippered cover stay put; a non-slip rug pad between topper and mattress also helps.
- Adjustable bases: foam and latex toppers bend with the base. Thick fiber toppers bunch at the hinge.
- Split king: use two twin XL toppers if each side moves independently, or one king topper on a fixed king.
- Comforter drop: a topper eats into the overhang, so a comforter that just covered the mattress may stop short; see the comforter size chart.
Cutting a topper for odd-sized beds
RV short queens (60 × 74 in), antique three-quarter beds (48 × 75 in) and metric mattresses rarely have toppers made for them. Foam and latex toppers can be cut to size:
- Measure the mattress top and subtract 0.5 in from each dimension so the topper sits just inside the edge.
- Mark the line on the topper with a marker and a long straight edge.
- Cut with an electric carving knife, keeping the blade vertical. Scissors crush foam and leave a ragged edge.
- Start from the smallest size that is larger. A queen topper trims to an RV short queen with one 6-in cut at the foot.
Toppers with fabric covers, fiber fill or feathers cannot be cut without the filling escaping.
Where not to use a topper
Never put a topper on a crib mattress. Federal rules cap crib mattresses at 6 in thick, and any added soft layer is a suffocation and fall risk. On a top bunk, a topper counts toward the maximum mattress thickness printed on the bed's label, which keeps the guardrail at least 5 in above the sleeping surface.
A topper is also a poor match for air mattresses, which shift under it; air beds are better covered with a fitted mattress pad sized to the inflated dimensions. See the air mattress size guide and, for frames and slats under the mattress, the bed frame guide.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a full size mattress topper?
A full (double) topper is 54 × 75 in (137 × 191 cm), the same as a full mattress. Some brands list it 0.5 to 1 in smaller in each direction so it sits inside the mattress edge.
Can I put a queen topper on a full mattress?
It will overhang by 3 in on each side and 5 in at the foot, and the overhang curls down and pulls on the fitted sheet. Foam toppers can be trimmed to 54 × 75 in with an electric carving knife; fiber and feather toppers cannot.
Is a 2 or 3 inch topper better?
A 2-in (5 cm) topper changes the surface feel and adds some cushioning. A 3-in (7.6 cm) topper is thick enough to soften a firm mattress noticeably for side sleepers. Neither will fix a mattress that sags; a topper follows the dip underneath it.
What sheets do I need with a topper?
Add the topper thickness to the mattress depth and add 1 to 2 in. A 12-in mattress with a 3-in topper needs a fitted sheet pocket of 16 to 17 in, which is sold as deep pocket.
Are topper sizes the same in Europe?
European toppers are sold in metric mattress sizes such as 90 × 200, 140 × 200 and 160 × 200 cm. A US queen topper (152 × 203 cm) is 8 cm narrower than a 160 × 200 cm mattress and 3 cm longer.