Difference Between Single and Twin Bed: What Canadian Retailers Actually Call These Sizes

The Same Mattress, Two Different Names

If you have ever walked into one Canadian furniture store asking for a "single" and walked into another asking for a "twin," you already know the confusion this causes. Both words describe a mattress that is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. But depending on where you shop in Canada, you may encounter either term or occasionally both listed together on the same product tag.

Understanding the difference between single and twin bed naming is not about learning two different products. It is about understanding why Canadian retail sits at an intersection of two linguistic traditions, one inherited from British Commonwealth culture and one imported from American commercial practice, and how major retailers have navigated that intersection in ways that differ from one another.

This guide explains which major Canadian retailers use which term, why the divergence exists, and exactly what to ask for when you walk into any Canadian store to avoid confusion at the counter.

The Dimensions: Identical Regardless of the Name

Before diving into the terminology differences across retailers, let us lock in the one thing that does not change: the physical measurements.

Term	Width (inches)	Length (inches)	Width (cm)	Length (cm)	Common In
Single	38"	75"	97 cm	190 cm	Canada, UK, Australia, most Commonwealth markets
Twin	38"	75"	97 cm	190 cm	United States, increasingly used in Canada

The size is the same. The name is the variable. Any product sold as "single" is physically identical to any product sold as "twin," provided both are standard North American sizing. The only meaningful size variation in this category is the twin XL or single XL, which extends the length to 80 inches (203 cm) while keeping the 38-inch width.

Why Canada Has Two Words for the Same Mattress

Canada's bilingual, multicultural identity extends into its retail vocabulary in ways that are not always obvious. The bedding industry is one area where the country's historical connection to Britain and its geographical proximity to the United States have created genuine terminology divergence within the same market.

The word "single" in the context of beds comes from British English, where it has been standard for well over a century. A single bed was simply a bed for one person, as opposed to a double bed for two. This vocabulary arrived in Canada through British settlement patterns and was reinforced through Commonwealth trade relationships that shaped early Canadian retail culture.

The word "twin" arrived from American commercial practice. As American mass-market furniture manufacturing expanded after World War II and American retailers began distributing products into Canada, the twin terminology came along with the supply chain. Canadian retailers who sourced heavily from American wholesalers adopted American size names because their supplier catalogues used those names, and changing the labels at the retail level added cost and complexity.

The result is a market where both terms are in active use, where neither is wrong, and where savvy shoppers know to verify dimensions rather than relying on names alone.

How IKEA Canada Labels This Size

IKEA Canada uses "Single" as the primary label for the 38-inch-wide mattress across its Canadian stores and on the Canadian version of the IKEA website. This aligns with IKEA's European naming convention, where "single" is the universal term for this width in markets across the continent.

On the IKEA Canada product pages, you will see bed frames and mattresses listed as "Single" with dimensions given as 38 inches x 75 inches or in metric as 97 cm x 190 cm. The IKEA single mattress lineup includes multiple firmness options and materials, all sharing that 38-inch-wide footprint.

One important IKEA-specific note: some IKEA bed frame models are designed only for IKEA mattresses or require specific slat systems that may not be compatible with standard mattresses from other retailers. If you buy an IKEA frame, it is worth confirming mattress compatibility before purchasing from a different retailer. The size will match, but the slat spacing or support system may differ.

IKEA also carries a "Single/Twin" XL option in some markets, where the extra-long 80-inch version is labelled with both terms side by side to capture both naming traditions among its shoppers. This dual-labelling approach reflects the same market reality that many Canadian retailers navigate.

How The Brick Labels This Size

The Brick, one of Canada's largest furniture and mattress retailers, has historically leaned toward "Twin" as its primary size label, reflecting the strong American influence on its wholesale supply chain. The Brick sources mattresses from brands like Simmons, Sealy, and Serta, all of which use American size nomenclature in their product lines.

You will often find Brick product listings that say "Twin/Single" or include both terms in the description, particularly for newer listings that have been updated to accommodate customers searching with either term. This dual-labelling reflects the chain's awareness that Canadian shoppers use both terms and that excluding either creates lost sales when customers assume the product they want is not available.

In practice, if you walk into a Brick store and ask for a "single mattress," you will be shown the same products as if you asked for a "twin mattress." The sales team at any experienced retailer understands both terms refer to the 38-inch size.

How Other Major Canadian Retailers Label This Size

Retailer	Primary Term Used	Notes
IKEA Canada	Single	European naming tradition; metric dimensions prominently displayed
The Brick	Twin (or Twin/Single)	American supply chain influence; dual-labelled on newer listings
Sleep Country Canada	Twin	Primarily American brand portfolio; twin is standard across their website
Leon's	Twin or Single/Twin	Varies by brand; dual-labelling common on Canadian-sourced products
Canadian Tire	Twin	Product mix heavily American-sourced; twin is standard
Wayfair Canada	Twin	American parent company; all size names follow US convention
Structube	Single	French-Canadian company with European design influence; uses single
EQ3	Single	Canadian-founded; uses single in line with domestic convention

The pattern that emerges is fairly consistent: retailers with European brand heritage or Canadian founding tend to use "single," while retailers whose supply chains are primarily American use "twin." Retailers that straddle both worlds often use dual labels.

What to Ask For When Shopping in Canada

If you want to eliminate any possibility of confusion, the most reliable approach when shopping for a mattress in any Canadian store is to state the dimensions directly rather than using a size name. "I am looking for a 38-inch wide mattress" or "I need a 97 centimetre wide mattress" communicates your needs unambiguously regardless of which naming convention the store uses.

If you prefer to use a size name, both "single" and "twin" are universally understood in Canadian mattress and furniture retail. Any salesperson with basic product knowledge will know what you mean either way. The confusion risk is higher in other contexts, such as when ordering online from mixed Canadian-American marketplaces where search filters may use one term but not the other.

When searching online, use both terms. Search for "single mattress Canada" and you will find IKEA, Structube, and EQ3 results prominently. Search for "twin mattress Canada" and you will find Sleep Country, The Brick, and Wayfair results prominently. The products are physically identical; only the search results differ based on how each retailer has labelled their inventory.

The Metric Factor: Why Centimetre Labels Help

Canada officially adopted the metric system in the 1970s, though the bedding industry has been slow to convert entirely. Most Canadian mattress retailers still advertise dimensions in inches, with centimetre equivalents sometimes listed in fine print or product specifications.

IKEA is the notable exception, prominently displaying metric dimensions on all product labels and often listing metric first. This is consistent with IKEA's global practice and with its European origins. The 97 cm x 190 cm label on an IKEA single mattress is the clearest unambiguous size description you will find in most Canadian stores.

When comparing products across retailers, converting to metric can actually eliminate confusion because it removes the naming variable entirely. A mattress that is 97 cm wide is a single/twin regardless of what name appears on the box. A mattress that is 137 cm wide is a double/full. The numbers do not change based on cultural context.

Cross-Border Shopping: When You Bring a US Mattress into Canada

Some Canadians living near the American border purchase mattresses from US retailers for price reasons or product availability. If you are doing this, the "single" label on a Canadian frame and the "twin" label on an American mattress refer to the same dimensions. They will be compatible.

The compatibility check that actually matters is the mattress thickness relative to your frame's slat height, and the mattress length relative to the frame's interior length. As long as you are comparing 38-inch-wide products, the name on either side of the border does not change the physical reality.

One practical caution: if you are ordering sheets or a mattress protector from a Canadian retailer to use with an American-purchased mattress, search under "twin" on Canadian sites that use American labelling (like Wayfair Canada), and under "single" on Canadian sites that use Commonwealth labelling (like IKEA Canada). Both will produce products that fit a 38-inch-wide mattress.

The IKEA Mattress System and Canadian Frame Compatibility

IKEA Canada sells bed frames and mattresses as a coordinated system, but the mattress dimensions are standard and will work with most non-IKEA frames. An IKEA single mattress at 97 cm x 190 cm will fit any standard Canadian or American twin/single frame that accommodates a 38-inch by 75-inch mattress.

The reverse is not always true: a non-IKEA mattress on an IKEA frame works in most cases, but some IKEA frame models have proprietary slat systems or unique leg heights that require specific mattress thicknesses. Always verify the recommended mattress depth range for any IKEA frame before purchasing a mattress from a different retailer to use with it.

For guidance on pairing a mattress with a bed frame, including which mattress types work best on slatted versus solid base systems, the team at Mattress Miracle can offer practical recommendations based on your specific frame and mattress combination. You can also explore our mattress size guide for Canada for a broader comparison of all standard sizes.

Why This Naming Difference Matters for Bedding Purchases

The single/twin naming confusion becomes most consequential when you are purchasing bedding accessories from a different retailer than where you bought your mattress. Sheet sets, duvet covers, and mattress protectors are all labelled by the name the retailer uses, which means a "single fitted sheet" from IKEA and a "twin fitted sheet" from The Brick are the same product cut to the same dimensions.

If you are shopping at a retailer that only uses one term and you search only for the other, you may not find the product you need even though it exists in that retailer's inventory. Always cross-reference with the other term if your initial search returns no results.

Mattress protectors are particularly important to get right, because they are fitted to the mattress and need to match both width and mattress thickness. A single/twin mattress protector will be labelled differently across retailers, but the product dimensions should be 38 inches wide. Confirm the pocket depth as well, since a 12-inch-deep mattress requires a protector with at least 12 inches of skirt depth to stay in place. For help choosing the right mattress protector for a twin or single bed, the Mattress Miracle blog covers the key specifications.

A Practical Shopping Checklist for Canadian Buyers

When you are shopping for a single or twin mattress in Canada, keep this checklist in mind to avoid the most common naming-related mistakes:

Confirm the dimensions in inches or centimetres, not just the size name. A 38-inch-wide (97 cm) mattress is what you want regardless of the label.

If shopping online, search under both "single" and "twin" to see the full range of available products across retailers that use different naming conventions.

When buying a frame separately from the mattress, confirm the frame's interior dimensions rather than relying on matching size names from different retailers.

When buying sheets or a mattress protector, verify that the product specifies a width of 38 inches (97 cm) or lists compatibility with "single/twin" rather than assuming the name alone guarantees a fit.

If the mattress is an XL (80-inch or 203 cm length), make sure every accessory you buy is also specified for XL, since standard single/twin bedding will be too short for an XL mattress by 5 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a single bed the same as a twin bed?

Yes. A single bed and a twin bed are exactly the same size: 38 inches wide by 75 inches long (97 cm x 190 cm). The difference is only in the name. Canadian retailers typically use "single" while American retailers use "twin."

Does IKEA call it a single or a twin?

IKEA Canada labels this size as "Single" in their Canadian stores and on the Canadian version of their website. Their European naming convention uses "single," which aligns with Canadian retail practice. The IKEA single mattress measures 38 inches wide by 75 inches long.

What does The Brick call a twin/single mattress?

The Brick typically lists this size as "Twin" in their Canadian stores, reflecting the cross-border influence of American wholesale supply chains. Some Brick listings will also include "Single/Twin" to accommodate both naming conventions.

Why do some Canadian stores say "twin" and others say "single"?

The difference reflects each retailer's supply chain and cultural roots. Retailers with European heritage or Commonwealth-influenced purchasing tend to use "single." Retailers sourcing heavily from American wholesale networks tend to use "twin." Both terms refer to a 38-inch-wide mattress.

What should I ask for in a Canadian mattress store?

Either "single" or "twin" will be understood by any experienced Canadian mattress retailer. If you want to be completely clear, simply state the dimensions: a 38-inch-wide mattress, or a 97 cm wide mattress.

8 min read

Visit Our Brantford Showroom

We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.

Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON , (519) 770-0001

Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.

Whether you call it a single or a twin, we carry it and we can help you find the right mattress and frame combination for your space without the naming confusion.