Quick Answer: An Olympic mattress usually means the Olympic Queen (66 x 80 inches), which is 6 inches wider than a standard queen but 10 inches narrower than a king. It is a niche, non-standard size with limited bedding availability in Canada. For most shoppers, a standard queen or king offers far better value and much easier accessory shopping.
In This Guide
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You have been searching for an "olympic mattress" and getting mixed results. Some sites say it is 66 x 80 inches. Others confusingly call it an Olympic King. A few call it something else entirely. It is one of the murkier corners of mattress sizing, and it is worth sorting out before you start shopping, because buying the wrong size can mean expensive headaches down the road.
We have been helping Brantford families find the right mattress since 1997. That is nearly four decades of questions about sizing, and "olympic queen" comes up more than you might expect. Usually because someone is replacing a mattress in an older bed frame, or they found a reference to it in a furniture catalogue and are not sure what they are dealing with.
This guide answers everything plainly. We will cover what the olympic mattress actually is, how it compares to every standard Canadian size, who genuinely needs one, the real-world downsides, and what most people end up buying instead.
What Is an Olympic Mattress?
The term "olympic mattress" most commonly refers to the Olympic Queen, a size that measures 66 inches wide by 80 inches long. That is 6 inches wider than a standard queen (60 x 80") and 10 inches narrower than a standard king (76 x 80"). Length is the same across all three.
You may also see the term "Olympic King" floating around. In some older North American furniture catalogues, Olympic King was used as an alternate name for what we now simply call a standard king (76 x 80"). That usage has largely faded, and today "olympic king" is rarely used in Canada or the United States.
Occasionally, the term turns up in the context of California King comparisons, or in RV and marine mattress specifications where unusual dimensions are more common. But for the purposes of this guide, "olympic mattress" means the Olympic Queen unless noted otherwise.
A Brief History of Non-Standard Mattress Sizes
Mattress sizing in North America was far less standardised before the 1990s. Individual manufacturers produced their own dimension variations, leading to sizes like the Olympic Queen, the Three-Quarter (48 x 75"), and the Short Queen (60 x 74") that addressed specific furniture or housing contexts. As the industry consolidated and big-box retail standardised inventory, most of these variations disappeared from mainstream shelves. The Olympic Queen never fully vanished because some older bed frames still exist that were built to accommodate it.
Olympic Mattress Dimensions at a Glance
| Size Name | Width (inches) | Length (inches) | Width (cm) | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38" | 75" | 97 cm | 191 cm |
| Twin XL | 38" | 80" | 97 cm | 203 cm |
| Double (Full) | 54" | 75" | 137 cm | 191 cm |
| Queen | 60" | 80" | 152 cm | 203 cm |
| Olympic Queen | 66" | 80" | 168 cm | 203 cm |
| King | 76" | 80" | 193 cm | 203 cm |
| California King | 72" | 84" | 183 cm | 213 cm |
Notice the Olympic Queen sits squarely between a standard queen and a king in width, but shares the same 80-inch length as both. It is not a small difference. Six inches of extra width is meaningful when you are sleeping next to someone. But compared to a king, you are still 10 inches narrower.
Olympic Queen vs. Standard Sizes: The Real Comparison
When someone mentions an olympic mattress in our showroom, the first thing we do is compare it side by side with standard sizes. Here is what that looks like in practical terms.
Olympic Queen vs. Standard Queen
The standard queen (60 x 80") is the most popular mattress size in Canada. It fits most master bedrooms comfortably, works with the widest selection of bedding, and is the most affordable size in most product lines.
The Olympic Queen adds 6 inches of width, which gives each person sleeping on it an extra 3 inches of personal space. If you are a couple who has tested a standard queen and found it tight, that extra room is noticeable. The catch is everything else: bedding is harder to find, frames are less available, and prices for the mattress itself are typically higher because it is a specialty size that fewer manufacturers produce at scale.
Olympic Queen vs. King
A king mattress (76 x 80") is 10 inches wider than an Olympic Queen. If the goal is more sleeping space for couples, the king is almost always the better choice. The sheet sets, bed frames, duvets, and other accessories for a king are easy to find at every department store and home retailer in Canada. You also get substantially more room per person than you would on an Olympic Queen.
The only scenario where Olympic Queen wins over king is if the bedroom simply will not fit a king but an Olympic Queen would fit. That is a narrow window, and in many cases it is worth re-evaluating the bedroom layout rather than committing to a non-standard size.
Olympic Queen vs. California King
The California King (72 x 84") is actually narrower than a standard king but 4 inches longer. It is designed for very tall sleepers. An Olympic Queen is narrower still (66 inches vs. 72 inches) but shorter at 80 inches. If leg room is the issue, the California King is a better solution than an Olympic Queen.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "Over the years I have seen maybe a handful of people come in specifically needing an Olympic Queen, and almost always it is because they have a specific older frame they want to keep. For everyone else shopping for more room, I tell them to go king. The accessories alone make it worth it."
Who Actually Needs an Olympic Queen?
This is a short list, honestly. The olympic mattress is not a size you would choose starting from scratch. It is a size you need when an existing constraint forces your hand.
Situations Where Olympic Queen Makes Sense
Genuine Use Cases for an Olympic Queen
- Older bed frames built to 66" width: Some furniture produced in the 1970s through 1990s was sized for Olympic Queen dimensions. If you have a family heirloom or antique frame you want to preserve, you may need to match its width.
- Certain RV and boat berths: Some recreational vehicles and marine vessels have sleeping berths that measure 66 inches across. A standard queen will not fill the space properly, and a king will not fit at all.
- Very specific new construction: Occasionally a custom-built bedroom niche or built-in headboard was installed to Olympic Queen spec. Rare, but it happens.
- Hospitality and institutional use: Some older hotel and motel furniture sets were built around Olympic Queen dimensions and require replacements in kind.
Outside of these cases, the Olympic Queen is a solution looking for a problem. Most shoppers who find the standard queen cramped are better served by moving up to a king than by seeking out a non-standard specialty size.
When to Skip the Olympic Queen Entirely
You are shopping for a new mattress and want more room than a queen. You do not have a specific frame or space that forces the 66-inch width. In that case, there is no practical reason to choose an Olympic Queen. A standard king gives you more width, better bedding selection, and far more product choice across every price point.
You are replacing a mattress in a room that has not been measured yet. Measure first. Many couples assume their room will not fit a king and are surprised to find it does. A king needs roughly a 10 x 10 foot room to feel comfortable, though 10 x 12 is ideal. If your room qualifies, stop there and skip the specialty size entirely.
The Bedding Problem Nobody Warns You About
Here is the part that catches people off guard. Even if you find an olympic mattress, you will be searching a long time for sheets that fit it properly.
Standard queen sheets are designed for a 60-inch wide mattress. Put them on a 66-inch Olympic Queen and they will be too tight to tuck, they will pull off the corners, and the fitted sheet will never sit flat. You will need sheets explicitly labelled for Olympic Queen, which are not stocked at most Canadian retailers.
The Bedding Supply Chain Reality
Walk into any department store in Brantford, Hamilton, or anywhere else in Ontario and look at what sheet sizes they carry. You will see twin, double, queen, and king. Maybe California King at larger stores. Olympic Queen sheets, if they exist on the shelf at all, will be a single option from a single brand, likely at a premium price.
Online options exist, but they come with their own complications: longer delivery times, difficulty returning products that do not fit, and the ongoing challenge of finding matching pieces (fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillowcases, duvet cover) from the same line in the same colour.
This is not a minor inconvenience. It is a recurring cost and hassle that continues for as long as you own the mattress. New duvet cover? Special order. New sheet set? Special order. Guest coming and you need a second set? You get the idea.
Practical Tip: Measure Before You Commit
If you already own an older bed frame and are not sure of its exact size, measure the interior sleeping surface (rail to rail, head to foot) before shopping. Bring those measurements to our showroom. We can tell you right away whether it is a true Olympic Queen dimension, a standard queen, or something else. Many frames that seem unusual turn out to be standard sizes once measured properly.
Other Accessories That Do Not Fit
It is not just sheets. Mattress protectors, toppers, and heated mattress pads are also sized to standard dimensions. Finding these in a 66 x 80 inch format adds another layer of difficulty to the Olympic Queen ownership experience.
Bed frames are perhaps the most significant issue. A standard queen bed frame will be too narrow. A standard king bed frame will be too wide. You will need a frame specifically designed for the Olympic Queen, which narrows your selection considerably and typically means a higher price for fewer options.
What to Buy Instead: The Better Alternatives
We want to help you sleep well, and sometimes that means steering you away from something that sounds appealing but creates ongoing problems. Here is what we would suggest instead, depending on what is driving your interest in an olympic mattress.
If You Want More Room Than a Queen
Go king. The standard king at 76 x 80 inches gives each person 38 inches of personal space, compared to 33 inches on an Olympic Queen. That is a more meaningful difference than the 30 inches per person on a standard queen. The accessories are universally available, the selection of mattresses is enormous, and you will never have trouble finding a bed frame or a sheet set.
Our mattress collection includes several king options. The Restonic ComfortCare King, for example, features 1,440 individually wrapped coils, giving it excellent motion isolation for couples who move around at night. At $2,051, it represents solid value for a king size mattress.
If Your Room Cannot Fit a King
Stay with a standard queen and invest in quality. A better mattress in a standard queen, with a properly fitted protector and quality sheets, will improve your sleep more than adding 6 inches of width on a lower-quality mattress. Our Restonic ComfortCare Queen at $1,619 with 1,222 individually wrapped coils is a strong choice for couples in rooms where a king is not practical.
Also worth reconsidering: bedroom layout. Many Brantford homeowners have moved a dresser, repositioned a desk, or removed a piece of furniture and found they suddenly had room for a king. It is worth a second look before committing to a specialty mattress size.
If You Are Tall and Need More Length
The Olympic Queen does not help here. It is the same 80-inch length as a standard queen and king. If you are over 6 feet and finding standard lengths tight, a California King at 84 inches long (though narrower at 72 inches wide) might be the right call. Twin XL is another option for a solo sleeper who needs the extra length at a lower price point.
If You Have an RV or Boat
Specialty sleeping spaces like RVs and boats often use non-standard dimensions. In those cases, you may genuinely need an Olympic Queen or another custom size. We would suggest taking exact measurements of the berth and calling Brad directly at (519) 770-0001 to discuss what is available and what might need to be custom ordered.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "When someone comes in asking about an Olympic Queen, I always ask what is behind the question. Nine times out of ten, what they really need is a king, and they just had not considered whether the room could accommodate it. We measure it out together and usually find a way to make a king work."
| Goal | Olympic Queen | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| More room for couples | 66" wide (33" per person) | King: 76" wide (38" per person) |
| Bedding availability | Very limited, specialty order | Queen or King: widely available |
| Bed frame options | Specialty sizing required | Queen or King: hundreds of options |
| Extra length for tall sleepers | 80" (same as queen/king) | California King: 84" |
| Replacing old 66" frame | Correct choice | N/A (only real use case) |
Mattress Sizing for Brantford Bedrooms
Brantford homes range from compact wartime bungalows in East Brant to newer two-storey builds in West Brant and Echo Place. The bedroom sizes vary considerably, and it is worth thinking through what realistically fits in your specific room before falling in love with a particular size.
Sizing Guide for Common Brantford Bedroom Types
Older Brantford homes, particularly those built in the 1940s through 1970s, often have master bedrooms in the 10 x 10 to 10 x 12 foot range. A queen fits comfortably, and a king is possible if the room is 10 x 12 or larger. Newer builds in subdivisions like Wynfield and Royal Highland often have larger masters (12 x 14 or bigger) where a king feels natural. Semi-detached and townhome bedrooms, common in developments near Fairview Drive and Wayne Gretzky Parkway, typically suit a queen best. If you are unsure, bring your room dimensions to our showroom at 441 1/2 West Street and we will work through it together.
How to Measure Your Bedroom for a Mattress
Before visiting any mattress store, take five minutes to measure your bedroom. You will want to know the following before you walk in the door.
What to Measure Before You Shop
- Room dimensions: Length and width of the bedroom floor.
- Door clearance: The width of the door and the turning radius into the room. A king mattress is 76 inches wide and needs to navigate hallways and corners during delivery.
- Window placement: Windows affect where a headboard can sit. A mattress under a window is workable but consider airflow and light.
- Existing furniture: If keeping a dresser, desk, or wardrobe, measure those footprints and subtract from available floor space.
- Walking clearance: Plan for at least 24 inches of clearance on either side of the bed and at the foot. This is the minimum for comfortable movement. Thirty inches is better.
Once you have those measurements, compare them against the mattress dimensions in the table above. It quickly becomes clear which sizes are realistic for your room and which would feel cramped. Our team is happy to look at your measurements and give a practical opinion before you buy anything.
Delivery Logistics for Larger Mattresses
At Mattress Miracle, our white glove delivery service includes professional setup, careful positioning, and packaging removal. Our team wears shoe covers and protects your floors throughout. For larger mattresses like kings, we navigate the delivery route carefully, checking doorways and stairwells in advance when possible.
We deliver throughout Brantford and the surrounding area, including Paris, St. George, Cainsville, and Mount Pleasant. Extended delivery covers Hamilton, Burlington, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, and beyond. Call us at (519) 770-0001 to discuss delivery specifics for your address.
Choosing the Right Firmness When You Upgrade
If you are moving up from a standard queen to a king (the choice most people land on after researching olympic mattresses), it is a good opportunity to reconsider firmness as well. Sleeping preferences can change over time, and a mattress that felt right ten years ago may not be the right choice now.
General Firmness Guidelines
What the Research Says About Firmness and Back Pain
A 2008 study by Jacobson et al. published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that medium-firm mattresses were associated with reduced low back discomfort compared to mattresses rated very firm or very soft. The study observed improvements in both sleep quality and daytime pain levels when participants switched to a medium-firm support surface. This aligns with what we see in our showroom: most people feel best on medium or medium-firm, though side sleepers and those with hip or shoulder pain often do better on a slightly softer surface.
Firmness is also a couple's issue. If one partner sleeps on their back and the other on their side, their ideal firmness levels may differ. A mattress with individually wrapped coils, like the Restonic ComfortCare line, handles this better than foam-only mattresses because the coils respond independently to each person's weight and position.
What We Carry at Mattress Miracle
Our showroom carries a curated selection of mattresses in standard Canadian sizes. The Restonic ComfortCare is our most recommended line for couples, with models ranging from queen ($1,619 with 1,222 coils) to king ($2,051 with 1,440 coils). The Restonic Luxury Silk & Wool Queen ($1,395) is worth considering for temperature regulation, featuring 884 zoned coils and natural wool and silk fibres that help manage heat during the night.
We also carry the Sleep In line of Canadian-made flippable mattresses, which offer a dual firmness option. One side is firmer, the other softer, so you can adjust to your preference over time without buying a new mattress. That is a practical and economical feature for couples who discover their preferences have diverged.
For adjustable bases, our adjustable bed collection pairs well with any of these mattresses. An adjustable base lets each partner set their own incline, which can be especially helpful for those dealing with snoring, acid reflux, or lower back issues. If either of those applies to you, it may be worth reading our guide to adjustable beds before you decide.
Practical Tips If You Genuinely Need an Olympic Size
If you have read this far and confirmed you genuinely need an olympic mattress, here is how to approach the search sensibly.
How to Shop for an Olympic Queen Mattress
- Confirm the frame dimensions first: Measure the interior rail-to-rail width of your frame precisely. "Around 66 inches" is not close enough. Confirm it is exactly 66 inches before ordering a specialty mattress.
- Source bedding at the same time: Do not buy the mattress and assume you will find sheets later. Find the sheets first, confirm availability in your preferred materials and colour, then proceed with the mattress.
- Check the return policy carefully: Non-standard sizes often have more restrictive return policies than standard sizes. Read the fine print before purchasing.
- Consider a custom mattress maker: Some regional mattress manufacturers in Ontario can produce custom-sized mattresses to order. Lead times vary, but the result is a mattress sized exactly to your frame without compromise.
- Factor in the total cost: Add up the specialty mattress, specialty sheets, specialty mattress protector, and (if needed) a specialty frame. Compare that total to the cost of a quality standard-size setup. The gap is often smaller than expected when you run the real numbers.
And if at any point you are unsure whether your frame is actually an Olympic Queen size or something slightly different, bring the measurements to us. We have seen frames labelled "Olympic Queen" by a furniture maker that measured 64 or 68 inches, not the standard 66. Confirming the actual measurement before ordering anything saves a great deal of frustration.
When to Replace Your Mattress, Whatever the Size
Since we are on the topic of mattresses, it is worth covering the question that often comes up alongside size questions: how do you know when it is time for a new one?
Most quality mattresses last 8 to 10 years with regular use. Some higher-end models last longer, particularly those with denser coil systems or natural materials. The clearest signs it is time to replace yours:
Signs Your Mattress Needs Replacing
- Visible sagging or body impressions: If you can see where you sleep by the depression in the surface, the support structure has likely broken down.
- You wake up sore: Morning back pain, stiff hips, or neck ache that resolves after you have been up for an hour are often mattress-related.
- You sleep better elsewhere: If you consistently sleep better in a hotel or guest room, your mattress is the likely culprit.
- Increased noise: A squeaking or creaking mattress (or foundation) often signals worn coils or a deteriorating support structure.
- Allergies that have worsened: Older mattresses accumulate allergens over time. If your sleep-related allergy symptoms have increased, your mattress may be a contributing factor.
A good mattress protector extends mattress life by protecting against moisture, allergens, and surface wear. Rotating your mattress regularly (head to foot, not flipped unless it is a flippable design) also distributes wear more evenly and helps it maintain its support longer. If you are unsure whether your current mattress is worth keeping or time to replace, come by the showroom and we are happy to give an honest opinion.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Olympic mattress?
An Olympic mattress most commonly refers to the Olympic Queen, which measures 66 inches wide by 80 inches long. It is 6 inches wider than a standard queen but 10 inches narrower than a king. The term "Olympic King" was historically used as an alternate name for what is now simply called a standard king (76 x 80"). Today, the Olympic Queen is the primary use of the term in Canada.
What is the difference between an Olympic queen and a standard queen?
A standard queen mattress measures 60 x 80 inches. An Olympic queen measures 66 x 80 inches, adding 6 inches of width for an extra 3 inches of personal space per person. The length is identical at 80 inches. The significant trade-off is that standard queen bedding, frames, and accessories are widely available, while Olympic queen accessories typically require specialty ordering.
Can I find Olympic queen sheets at regular stores in Canada?
In most Canadian retail stores, Olympic queen sheets are not stocked. Sheet sets are produced for standard sizes: twin, double, queen, and king. For Olympic Queen, you will typically need to order online from specialty bedding retailers. This means planning ahead for replacements, longer delivery windows, and fewer colour and material options than you would have with standard sizes.
Does Mattress Miracle carry Olympic queen mattresses?
Mattress Miracle focuses on standard sizes that pair with the widest range of bedding, frames, and accessories available in Canada. Our most popular sizes are queen (60 x 80") and king (76 x 80"). If you need an Olympic Queen for a specific frame or space, call Brad directly at (519) 770-0001 to discuss options. We are happy to point you in the right direction even if the answer is not on our showroom floor.
Who should consider an Olympic queen mattress?
The Olympic Queen is best suited to shoppers replacing a mattress in a specific frame or space (older bed frame, RV berth, marine vessel, or custom-built bedroom niche) that was built to a 66-inch interior width. For everyone else, a standard queen or king will offer more product choice, better bedding availability, and a simpler overall ownership experience.
Sources
- Jacobson, B.H., Boolani, A., & Smith, D.B. (2008). Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 8(1), 1-8. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan, A., Fess, P., James, D., Murphy, J., Myers, J., Rooney, M., Taylor, J., & Torii, A. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health, 1(4), 257-267. doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Okamoto-Mizuno, K., & Mizuno, K. (2012). Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 31(1), 14. doi.org/10.1186/1880-6805-31-14
- Haex, B. (2004). Back and Bed: Ergonomic Aspects of Sleeping. CRC Press. ISBN: 9780203501405.
- Gordon, S.J., Grimmer-Somers, K., & Trott, P. (2009). Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical stiffness, headache and scapular/arm pain. Journal of Pain Research, 2, 137-145. doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S6949
- Defloor, T. (2000). The effect of position and mattress on interface pressure. Applied Nursing Research, 13(1), 2-11. doi.org/10.1016/S0897-1897(00)80013-0
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441 1/2 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 -- 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON -- (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm.
Come in and let our team help you find the right mattress for your needs. No pressure, no commission.
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Related Reading
- The Complete Canadian Mattress Sizes Guide
- Queen vs. King Mattress: Which Size Is Right for You?
- California King vs. King: What Is the Difference?
- Why a Mattress Protector Is Worth It
- Restonic Mattresses at Mattress Miracle: A Closer Look
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Not sure which size actually fits your bedroom and your budget? Come in and we will help you measure, compare, and decide without pressure. We have been doing this since 1997 and we are happy to take the confusion out of mattress sizing, olympic or otherwise.