Quick Answer: Canadian and American mattress sizes use identical dimensions. The confusion is in the names: Canada uses "single" and "double" more often, while the US prefers "twin" and "full." A Canadian double and an American full are the same 54 x 75 inch mattress.
7 min read
Complete Naming Comparison
Here is every standard bed size with its Canadian name, American name, and actual dimensions. The measurements are identical in both countries.
| Canadian Name | American Name | Inches (W x L) | Centimetres (W x L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Twin | 38 x 75 | 97 x 190 |
| Single XL / Twin XL | Twin XL | 38 x 80 | 97 x 203 |
| Double | Full | 54 x 75 | 137 x 190 |
| Queen | Queen | 60 x 80 | 152 x 203 |
| King | King / Eastern King | 76 x 80 | 193 x 203 |
| California King | California King / Western King | 72 x 84 | 183 x 213 |
Queen, king, and California king use the same names in both countries. The confusion only exists at the smaller sizes: single vs twin, and double vs full.
Why Canada and the US Use Different Names
The naming divergence is a product of marketing history, not engineering.
Single vs Twin: Before the mid-20th century, both countries called a one-person bed a "single." American manufacturers began using "twin" in the 1940s and 1950s to market pairs of single beds as a matched set for a couple's bedroom. The term "twin beds" (two identical beds side by side) became the standard American label, while Canada continued using "single" for decades. Today, most Canadian retailers use both terms, with "twin" appearing more in online listings and "single" persisting in older brick-and-mortar stores.
Double vs Full: "Double" was the original name in both countries. It referred to a bed that was roughly double the width of a single. When the queen size was introduced in the 1960s, American retailers needed a way to distinguish the smaller bed. "Full" emerged as a more appealing name than "double," which had started to sound old-fashioned. Canada kept "double" as the primary label, though "full" is now used by Canadian retailers that import American product lines or operate cross-border (like Amazon.ca).
The Marketing Behind "Full"
"Full" was a deliberate rebranding. American mattress marketers in the 1960s and 1970s wanted to suggest that a 54-inch bed was a complete sleeping solution, even as the queen was becoming the new couple's standard. "Double" implied it was simply twice a single, which felt inadequate. "Full" implied completeness. The terminology stuck in the US but never fully displaced "double" in Canada, where naming conventions change more slowly in consumer goods. According to the International Sleep Products Association, the queen surpassed the double/full as the bestselling mattress size in North America by the early 1990s.
The Dimensions Are Identical
This is the most important point: there is no physical difference between a Canadian mattress and an American mattress of the same nominal size. A Canadian "double" and an American "full" are both 54 x 75 inches. A Canadian "single" and an American "twin" are both 38 x 75 inches. Sheets, frames, protectors, and bedding from either country fit interchangeably.
If you order a mattress online from a US retailer, or if you are moving across the border, your existing bedding will fit. The only thing that changes is what the packaging calls it.
Quick Conversion Reference
- Canadian "single" = American "twin" = 38 x 75 in
- Canadian "double" = American "full" = 54 x 75 in
- "Twin XL" = same in both countries = 38 x 80 in
- "Queen" = same in both countries = 60 x 80 in
- "King" = same in both countries (also called "Eastern King" in the US) = 76 x 80 in
- "California King" = same (also called "Western King" in the US) = 72 x 84 in
Cross-Border Shopping Tips
If you are buying a mattress or bedding from a US retailer and shipping to Canada, or vice versa, here is what to watch for:
Size names on packaging. A US sheet set labelled "full" is identical to what a Canadian store labels "double." You do not need a conversion. If the US product says "twin," it is the same as a Canadian "single."
Currency and pricing. US online retailers sometimes ship to Canada but list prices in USD. Factor in the exchange rate and potential customs duties on orders over $20 CAD.
Shipping dimensions. Mattresses shipped across the border in a box (bed-in-a-box brands like Casper, Purple, Tuft and Needle) are the same physical product. The size label on the US site will say "full" and the same mattress on a Canadian site would say "double."
Warranty and returns. Buying from a US retailer while living in Canada can complicate returns and warranty claims. Many US mattress brands do not offer free return shipping to Canada. If you are in Ontario, buying from a local retailer gives you the advantage of in-person returns and local warranty service.
Shopping for Mattresses Near the Border
Customers in Brantford, Hamilton, and the Niagara region sometimes consider buying mattresses from US stores in Buffalo or Niagara Falls, NY. The dimensions will be identical, so a "full" bought in Buffalo is the same as a "double" bought in Brantford. However, mattress warranties are often country-specific, and returning a defective mattress across the border is a logistical headache. For Canadian warranty protection and local support, buying from a Canadian retailer is usually worth the peace of mind.
European Sizes Are Actually Different
While Canadian and American sizes are identical, European sizes are genuinely different. This matters if you shop at IKEA, Zara Home, or other European-origin retailers in Canada.
| Size Name | Canada/US (cm) | Europe (cm) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single/Twin | 97 x 190 | 90 x 200 | European is narrower, longer |
| Double/Full | 137 x 190 | 140 x 200 | European is slightly wider, longer |
| Queen | 152 x 203 | 160 x 200 | European is wider, slightly shorter |
| King | 193 x 203 | 180 x 200 | European is narrower, slightly shorter |
European mattresses from IKEA sold in Canadian stores are typically manufactured to Canadian/North American dimensions. But if you order sheets or bedding from a European brand that ships internationally, check whether they use European or North American sizing. A European "king" (180 x 200 cm) is 13 cm narrower than a Canadian king (193 x 203 cm), which means the sheets will not fit.
UK Sizes Are Different Too
The UK uses its own sizing system that does not match either North American or Continental European standards. A UK "double" is 135 x 190 cm (close to but not identical to the Canadian 137 x 190 cm). A UK "king" is 150 x 200 cm, which is closer to a Canadian queen (152 x 203 cm) than to a Canadian king. If you are importing bedding from UK retailers, measure carefully.
Mattress dimensions are standardized within countries but can vary by 1 to 2 cm between manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Canadian double the same size as an American full?
Yes. Both measure 54 x 75 inches (137 x 190 cm). The names are different but the dimensions are identical. Sheets, frames, and bedding labelled "double" in Canada and "full" in the US are interchangeable.
Is a Canadian single the same as an American twin?
Yes. Both are 38 x 75 inches (97 x 190 cm). "Single" is the traditional Canadian term, "twin" is the American term. Most Canadian retailers now use both names.
Why does Canada use different bed size names than the US?
Canada retained the older British-influenced terminology ("single" and "double"), while American manufacturers adopted new marketing terms ("twin" and "full") starting in the 1940s to 1960s. The actual mattress dimensions are identical in both countries. The name differences are purely a result of marketing history.
Can I use American sheets on a Canadian mattress?
Yes. Because the dimensions are identical, a "full" sheet set from the US will fit a Canadian "double" mattress perfectly. The same applies to all other sizes: twin = single, queen = queen, king = king. The only concern is pocket depth, which varies by brand regardless of country.
Are IKEA mattress sizes different from Canadian standard?
IKEA mattresses sold in Canadian stores are manufactured to North American dimensions. However, IKEA bedding and accessories may use European sizing in some product lines. Always check the centimetre measurements on the product page. If you need help matching bedding to a Canadian standard mattress, visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street in Brantford or call (519) 770-0001.
Any Size, Any Name, We Can Help
Whether you call it a double or a full, a single or a twin, we carry them all at our Brantford showroom. Family-owned since 1997, helping families across Ontario find the right mattress.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic ComfortCare Dalton & Albany mattress
- Whitney two-sided bamboo mattress
- Somnia 3.0 support pillow
Or compare our mattresses in our Brantford showroom.