The Short Answer
No — in the UK, a king size bed is bigger than a queen. A UK king measures 150 x 200cm, while what UK retailers call a "queen" is usually the 4ft small double at 120 x 190cm. That makes the king 30cm wider and 10cm longer.
The confusion comes from American terminology, where a queen (152 x 203cm) sits between a full and a king. If you've watched US TV or shopped on an American website, you'd reasonably assume a queen is a large bed. In the UK it isn't — it's one of the smaller options.
Why "Queen" Is Such a Confusing Word in the UK
There is no official queen size in British bed standards. The word gets used in two completely different ways:
- As a name for the 4ft small double (120 x 190cm) — also called a three-quarter bed. This is the most common UK usage and it's what you'll usually find if a British retailer lists a "queen".
- As a name for the European 160 x 200cm size — sometimes marketed as a "euro queen", which is actually wider than a UK king.
Because the same word describes beds 40cm apart in width, never order by name alone. Always check the centimetres.
UK King vs US King
These are not the same bed, and the gap is significant.
- UK king: 150 x 200cm (5ft x 6ft 6in)
- US king: 193 x 203cm (76in x 80in)
A US king is 43cm wider — closer to a UK super king (180 x 200cm) than to a UK king. Meanwhile a US queen at 152 x 203cm is almost identical to a UK king in width, just 3cm longer.
So if you're moving from the States and want the same feel as your old queen, order a UK king. If you had a US king, you want a super king.
UK Double vs EU Double
A UK double is 135 x 190cm. A European double is 140 x 200cm — 5cm wider and, more importantly, 10cm longer.
That extra length is the single most common problem with imported flat-pack frames. A UK 190cm mattress sitting in a European frame built for 200cm leaves a 10cm gap at the foot of the bed, and European fitted sheets will be loose on a UK mattress. If you've bought a bed frame abroad or from an EU-based online retailer, measure the internal frame before ordering a mattress.
UK Single vs Continental Single
Both are 90cm wide, so people assume they're interchangeable. They aren't:
- UK single: 90 x 190cm
- Continental/EU single: 90 x 200cm
The width matches but the continental version is 10cm longer. This matters for taller teenagers — a continental single gives real extra legroom without taking up any more floor width. It also matters if you're buying two singles to zip-link into a super king, since the halves must match your intended mattress length.
International Bed Size Conversion Table
| UK Size | UK Dimensions (cm) | Closest US Equivalent | Closest EU Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Single | 75 x 190 | Twin – 96.5 x 190.5 | — |
| Single | 90 x 190 | Twin – 96.5 x 190.5 | EU Single – 90 x 200 |
| Small Double ("Queen") | 120 x 190 | Full/Double – 137 x 191 | EU Small Double – 120 x 200 |
| Double | 135 x 190 | Full/Double – 137 x 191 | EU Double – 140 x 200 |
| King | 150 x 200 | Queen – 152 x 203 | EU King – 160 x 200 |
| Super King | 180 x 200 | King – 193 x 203 | EU Grand King – 180 x 200 |
Two things stand out. First, EU sizes are consistently 10cm longer than their UK counterparts. Second, the UK super king and the EU grand king are the one pair that match exactly at 180 x 200cm — making it the most internationally interchangeable size available.
What This Means When You're Buying
- Buying bedding from a US site? A UK king needs US queen fitted sheets, not US king.
- Bought a frame in Europe? Check the internal length before ordering a UK mattress — you'll likely need a 200cm mattress, not 190cm.
- Saw a "queen" listed by a UK retailer? Assume 120 x 190cm unless the listing states otherwise.
- Tight stairs or a narrow landing? Divan bases split into two halves, which is why they fit into flats that a one-piece frame can't reach.
Shop by Size
Every size we sell is listed in UK dimensions, so there's no guesswork:
- Single Beds — 90 x 190cm
- Small Double Beds — 120 x 190cm
- Double Beds — 135 x 190cm
- King Size Beds — 150 x 200cm
- Super King Beds — 180 x 200cm
Once you've settled on a size, the next decision is the base. Our guide to ottoman vs divan ottoman vs divan beds covers which storage type suits which room, and if you're working with limited floor space, our small bedroom storage ideas guide has practical layout advice.