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King vs queen bed, what is the difference between the 2?

When buying a mattress, you must choose the right size according to your requirements. King and queen beds are the most popular sizes, and for a good reason because these mattresses are suitable for most couples.

And even if you won’t be sharing your bed with anyone, this size seems to be the right option for any bedroom, excluding that for your kids (also check 10 amazing mattresses for kids). But should you go for a king or a queen? 

In this guide, we will compare both these sizes and see which one of them is suitable for whom. 

Comparison Table

King Bed Queen Bed
Length 80 inches 80 inches
Width 76 inches 60 inches
Surface area 6080 square inches 4800 square inches
Price Expensive Cheaper
Accommodation 2 adults  1 taller adult and a fur-baby or pet
Suitability Couples Taller adults and couples with fur-babies
Ideal room size 13 feet x 13 feet 10 feet x 14 feet
Usage Placed in master bedrooms Suitable for smaller master bedrooms and guest rooms

What’s a King Bed?

A king bed is the right option for you to consider if you love to sleep on a surface that has a luxurious and majestic feel (also check the top rated luxury mattresses). Of course, it’s a large-sized bed, and you will be sharing this with your partner.

king vs queen bed size

Due to its large size, you will have ample space to share and still have some personal space. This bed will give you that royal vibes, but it will be a suitable option if you have a large enough room. 

Fitting it into a smaller room will make it difficult to move around for you across the space. This bed fits most of the needs of sleeping as a couple, and if you are petite enough, you can fit a small child or pet with you. 

Who Should Use a King Bed?

A king bed is an ideal choice for larger rooms. Placing them in a smaller room will make it more congested. Moreover, they are ideal for couples who like their personal space. 

In some cases, this bed size can accommodate a small child. If you are looking to provide your bedroom with a luxurious feel, then this is the right size for you. King beds are suitable for slightly obese people (check 10 amazing mattresses for overweight people). 

These beds are certainly not the right size for plus-size couples if you don’t want to compromise on personal space. King-size beds are primarily for larger rooms and those who tend to move around a lot during sleep. 

Pros of a King Bed

  • King beds are great when it comes to larger sleeping areas. 
  • They provide you with enough personal space on the bed too. 
  • They work great if you or your partner sleep like a starfish. 
  • You can fit in a small child or a pet with you. 
  • They give your bedroom a lavish look. 
  • Ideal for couples. 

Cons of a King Bed

  • King beds are not that easy to move around your room. 
  • They can make your small bedroom feel more congested. 

What’s a Queen Bed?

King beds might have their presence and advantages, but going for the queen size is not a total loss either. On the contrary, it is a pretty popular choice among all sizes for a reason. 

Queen-size beds are compact enough while still providing you with enough leg room. Couples can have relatively lesser personal space here, but it is still pretty good enough. 

Of course, it won’t allow one of you to sleep with full extension of legs and arms, but couples will have an opportunity to sleep and snuggle together. Queen beds can fit in smaller rooms, too, and you can quickly move around without feeling any congestion.

Who Should Use a Queen Bed?

Queen beds are suitable for smaller rooms. If you have a smaller room, you can go with a queen bed, allowing you to go for a larger sleep area, even in a smaller room. 

If, as a couple, you like to snuggle and sleep, then this bed is a pretty good option to consider. But it won’t be able to accommodate a child or a pet with you on the bed. 

You might be giving up on personal space due to its narrow design, but there is still plenty of legroom. This bed is suitable for those who don’t share it with anyone. 

Pros of a Queen Bed

  • Queen-size beds are compact, and that’s why they are suitable for smaller rooms. 
  • They are narrower than King size beds but still have enough space. 
  • They are best suited for people who sleep along and move around a lot. 
  • Couples who like to snuggle will benefit from this size.
  • Much more affordable than a king-size bed. 
  • Much easier to move compared to a king-size bed. 

Cons of a Queen Bed

  • The sleep surface is smaller than a king-size bed. 
  • Not much personal space is there. 
  • A queen bed is not for you if you have a restless sleep partner.

how much bigger is a king than a queen

What’s the Difference Between King vs. Queen Bed?

There are several differences between these two popular sizes. The most significant one is that a king bed is bigger than a queen bed with a narrower design. Let’s have a look at various aspects of how these two sizes differ from one another. 

Size 

A king bed measures 80 by 76 inches in size and has a surface area of 6080 inches. It means that there is plenty of space for couples. Even if one of you sleeps like a starfish with arms and legs fully extended, this bed size will work out well for you. 

However, the same can’t be said for a queen’s bed. If you want to share this bed with your partner who sleeps restlessly, you are in for an uncomfortable night. But a queen bed is a good choice. But it does come with plenty of legroom, and you both can get a restful night’s sleep to snuggle up. 

Price

King bed being the larger of the two, definitely comes with a higher price tag. However, king beds are pretty large-sized beds, and they come with plenty of coverage. Prices tend to range from $650 to $2500 depending upon the brands and the materials used to construct this bed. 

On the other hand, a queen bed comes with a much cheaper precise tag. Prices can range from $450 to $2000, reasoning on the brand and the materials used in the construction (check 10 great mattresses under $2000). But larger size is the main contributing factor to a higher price tag for king beds.

Accommodation

Larger in size, king beds have enough room for couples, and they can bring in a child, a fur-baby, or even a pet with them and still have plenty of space. 

But the same can’t be said for queen beds. These beds have enough room for couples, but they won’t be able to move around freely. So, this bed can only accommodate an adult and a child at maximum. 

But if you tend to sleep restlessly and move around a lot, and of course, you don’t want to share your bed with anyone, then a queen bed would be a better choice for you to consider. 

Suitability 

Being larger, king beds are suitable for couples who prefer their own personal space on the bed while sleeping. This bed will work well for you if you want to sleep with a child with you or a pet. King beds are great for anyone who tends to move around during sleep (also check the top rated mattresses for sex). 

Queen beds are only suitable for couples if they like to snuggle. If they need more personal space, then queen size is not an ideal choice for them. However, this bed size is a good option for an adult and a child. This is a more compact version of the king size with a narrower design. 

Ideal room size

King beds are bigger, so they are suitable for larger rooms. The ideal room size for placing a king-size bed is 13 feet by 13 feet. 

This is the best room size for king beds because you will have enough space to move around the room without feeling congestion. Queen beds, on the other hand. Are suitable for smaller rooms. These rooms should measure 10 feet x 14 feet in size. 

If you place a king-size bed in a smaller room, there won’t be much space left to move around. When you place a queen-sized bed in a larger room, the bed itself will look pretty small, and it won’t give you that luxurious look. 

But you will have plenty of space for other furniture. So it all depends upon your priorities, whom you want to decorate your room with, and whether it is the master bedroom in your home or just a guest room. 

Usage

As we have just mentioned, king-size beds are suitable for the master bedroom of your home. These bedrooms are much larger than other rooms in your home, and this is where a king-size bed should go, as you will have enough space to move around the room. 

Queen beds are meant for smaller rooms, or you can place them in your guest room. They will feel pretty small if you let them in a larger bedroom. Not that it’s bad because your room will look more spacious this way. 

But your bed in your bedroom is the star, and if you want to make it look lavish, you should consider going for the king size. But the decisions must be made based on the right size based on your room size. You can make your bedroom feel more spacious with a smaller bed and can feel it in with more furniture this way.

Key Takeaways: King Vs. Queen Bed Differences

1. Overview of Bed Sizes

  • Popular Choices: King and queen beds are the leading choices for most adults due to their balance of space and comfort.

2. Breaking Down the Dimensions

  • King Bed:
    • Size: 80 inches in length by 76 inches in width.
    • Area: 6080 square inches.
    • Ideal Room Size: 13 feet x 13 feet.
    • Usage: Best placed in master bedrooms.
    • Accommodation: Suitable for 2 adults or even a small child/pet.
  • Queen Bed:
    • Size: 80 inches in length by 60 inches in width.
    • Area: 4800 square inches.
    • Ideal Room Size: 10 feet x 14 feet.
    • Usage: Fits well in smaller master bedrooms and guest rooms.
    • Accommodation: Perfect for a taller adult and a fur-baby or just two adults.

3. Diving Deeper into the King Bed

  • Benefits: Offers a lavish and royal feel, provides abundant personal space, accommodates couples with a possibility of a small child or pet.
  • Best For: Those with larger rooms and couples who value personal sleeping space.
  • Cons: Can congest smaller rooms and can be challenging to move.

4. Exploring the Queen Bed

  • Benefits: Compact, adequate for snuggling couples, can fit into smaller rooms, easier to move.
  • Best For: Solo sleepers, couples who prefer closeness, and those with limited bedroom space.
  • Cons: Limited personal space, may not accommodate additional sleepers comfortably.

5. Financial Considerations

  • King Beds: Typically more expensive due to their size, with prices ranging between $650 to $2500.
  • Queen Beds: More affordable than their king counterparts, with prices ranging between $450 to $2000.

6. Making the Choice

  • Space & Comfort: King beds are spacious and luxurious but need a larger room. Queen beds are more compact but can still comfortably accommodate two adults.
  • Budget: King beds are generally more costly than queen beds.
  • Usage and Room Size: Consider the room size and usage before choosing between king and queen.

Conclusion:

Both king and queen-size beds are trendy among all sizes. However, buying queen size is the most popular of them all. It is suitable for couples and has enough leg room for taller people. 

It works for an adult and a child, so it is pretty versatile in this regard; queen beds are cheaper and lighter, making them much easier to move. 

King beds have a more luxurious look and feel and are suitable for larger rooms. They have plenty of sleeping space and are ideal for those who sleep restlessly (also check the best selling mattresses). There is plenty of personal space as well.

King vs queen bed FAQs

What size bed do most couples sleep on?

Most couples sleep on a queen bed as a king bed is a suitable option for much larger rooms. However, everything will feel more congested if you have a king bed in an ambler room. This king-size bed can accommodate a child, and most couples prefer to sleep in two; this is where a queen-size bed comes in. That’s why queen-size beds are the most popular in terms of sales.

What is the most popular bed size?

Both king and queen are the most popular bed sizes. But queen size is more popular than king size because it is ideal for couples. There is plenty of legroom for taller people, and some personal space is available for each individual too.

Can I put a king mattress on a queen frame?

It's not a matter of “can” but of “should.” You can put a king mattress on a queen-size frame. Now, should you do that? Yes, you can do that too. But you must ensure that you have an adjustable bed frame that you can switch from queen to king size. If that can’t be archived, then you won’t be able to fit a king mattress on a queen-size bed frame because the width doesn’t match, and you will have to purchase a new bed for your king mattress.