A double bed is 135cm wide by 190cm long (4ft6 × 6ft3) — the most common bed size in UK homes. A small double, sometimes called a queen in the UK, is narrower at 120cm (4ft) with the same 190cm length.
Table of contents
- Double and small double dimensions
- Room size needed
- Which should you choose?
- Why "queen size" is confusing in the UK
- Frequently asked questions
Double and small double dimensions
| Size | Centimetres | Feet | Width per person | Duvet size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small double | 120 × 190 | 4'0" × 6'3" | 60cm | 200 × 200cm |
| Double | 135 × 190 | 4'6" × 6'3" | 67.5cm | 200 × 200cm |
What room size do you need?
With 60cm walkways on both open sides, a double bed frame (roughly 150 × 205cm) suits a room from about 2.7m × 2.65m. A small double works in rooms from around 2.55m wide — which is why it is the go-to for box rooms and older terraced houses.
Remember the UK's minimum legal double bedroom is 11.5m² under the Nationally Described Space Standard — tight, but a double still fits with careful planning.
Which should you choose?
Choose a double for two adults sharing regularly. 67.5cm each is not generous, but it is the practical minimum for couples.
Choose a small double for a solo adult who wants room to spread out, a teenager outgrowing a single, or a guest room where floor space matters more than width.
If your room can take it, a king at 150 × 200cm is the bigger comfort jump for couples.
Why "queen size" is confusing in the UK
In the UK, "queen" has no official standard — retailers use it loosely for small doubles (120cm) or occasionally for kings. In the US it means 152 × 203cm. Always buy by centimetres, not by name.
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Browse the collection →Frequently asked questions
What size is a double bed in feet?
4ft6 wide by 6ft3 long (135 × 190cm).
What is a small double bed?
120 × 190cm (4ft × 6ft3) — 15cm narrower than a standard double.
Is a small double big enough for two people?
Occasionally, yes — but at 60cm each it is tight for regular sharing.
What duvet fits a double bed?
A double duvet at 200 × 200cm covers both double and small double.
Every UK size is listed in our bed sizes guide.