Choosing between a twin and full mattress seems straightforward until you start measuring your room, comparing prices, and wondering if that extra width is worth it. At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, we help customers navigate this decision daily. The right choice depends on who will sleep in the bed, the room size, your budget, and how long you plan to keep the mattress.
Quick Answer: A full mattress (also called double) is 16 inches wider than a twin, measuring 54 inches wide by 75 inches long versus 38 by 75 inches. Full beds work better for single adults and guest rooms, while twins suit children, bunk beds, and small spaces. Both are 75 inches long, so taller sleepers should consider a twin XL or queen instead.
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Twin vs Full Dimensions
Understanding the exact measurements helps you visualise how each mattress fits your space. Here are the standard Canadian mattress dimensions.
| Mattress Size | Width | Length | Surface Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38" (97 cm) | 75" (191 cm) | 2,850 sq in |
| Twin XL | 38" (97 cm) | 80" (203 cm) | 3,040 sq in |
| Full (Double) | 54" (137 cm) | 75" (191 cm) | 4,050 sq in |
| Full XL | 54" (137 cm) | 80" (203 cm) | 4,320 sq in |
| Queen | 60" (152 cm) | 80" (203 cm) | 4,800 sq in |
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The sixteen-inch width difference between twin and full is substantial. A full mattress provides 42 percent more sleeping surface than a twin. For a single sleeper, this translates to room to spread out, change positions, and keep a pillow from falling off the bed.
Both standard twin and full mattresses are seventy-five inches long. This works for sleepers up to about five foot nine inches tall. Taller individuals will find their feet hanging off the edge. If you are over five foot ten, consider a twin XL or full XL, or step up to a queen for the eighty-inch length.
Canadian Mattress Standards
Canadian and American mattress dimensions are essentially identical for standard sizes. However, some European imports and specialty beds may vary slightly. At Mattress Miracle, all our mattresses follow North American sizing standards. This means your standard twin sheets from any Canadian retailer will fit our twin mattresses, and full sheets will fit our full mattresses. We stock both sizes in our Brantford showroom for immediate pickup or local delivery throughout Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and the Greater Toronto Area.
Key Differences
Beyond dimensions, several practical differences affect your decision.
Width and Sleeping Space
A twin offers nineteen inches of width per person. A full offers twenty-seven inches. For context, a queen provides thirty inches per person when shared. So a full gives a single sleeper nearly as much width as they would have in a shared queen bed.
This extra space matters for adults who move during sleep, read in bed, or have a pet that joins them. Children rarely need the extra width, which is why twins dominate kids' rooms.
Room Size Requirements
A twin bed fits comfortably in rooms as small as seven by ten feet. A full needs at least ten by ten feet to allow walking space and furniture placement. In smaller rooms, a full can feel cramped and make opening dressers or closet doors difficult.
Weight and Mobility
Twin mattresses weigh significantly less than full mattresses. A twin foam mattress might weigh forty to fifty pounds, while a full hybrid could weigh eighty to one hundred pounds. If you move frequently or like to rotate your mattress yourself, this matters.
Bedding and Accessories Cost
Full bedding costs slightly more than twin bedding, typically ten to twenty percent more for sheets and comforters. The selection is identical, nearly every bedding collection includes both twin and full sizes. Mattress protectors and pads follow similar pricing patterns.
Who Should Choose a Twin?
Twin mattresses work best for specific situations and sleepers.
Children and Pre-Teens
For children up to twelve or thirteen years old, a twin provides plenty of space. Kids do not need the extra width of a full, and twins leave more floor space for play areas and storage. Most parents find twins adequate until their child hits a growth spurt in the early teen years.
Bunk Beds and Trundles
Twin size dominates the bunk bed market. The narrower width makes bunk beds safer and more stable. Trundle beds, which slide out from under another bed, also almost always use twin mattresses. If you are buying for a bunk or trundle, twin is typically your only option.
Small Bedrooms and Guest Rooms
Rooms under one hundred square feet simply cannot accommodate a full bed with other necessary furniture. A twin leaves space for a dresser, nightstand, and walking room. In multi-purpose guest rooms that double as offices or craft spaces, twins make more sense.
Taller Teenagers and Single Adults
If the sleeper is over five foot nine, skip the standard twin and go straight to twin XL. The extra five inches of length prevents feet from dangling off the edge. Twin XL is the standard size for university residence halls across Canada, including at McMaster, Laurier, and Waterloo.
Budget-Conscious Buyers
Twins cost less at every quality level. Our Restonic ComfortCare twin starts at eight hundred seventy-five dollars, while the full version is nine hundred fifty dollars. That seventy-five dollar difference, plus slightly cheaper bedding, makes twins the economical choice.
Who Should Choose a Full?
Full mattresses, also called double beds, suit a different set of needs.
Single Adults
Most single adults sleep better on a full. The extra sixteen inches of width allows sprawling, side sleeping with bent knees, and comfortable reading positions. Dorothy often tells adult customers that they will appreciate the space upgrade every single night.
Teenagers
Once a teenager hits fourteen or fifteen, a full makes sense. They are larger, they have homework and devices that take up bed space, and a full can transition with them to their first apartment. Many parents view a full as a long-term investment that avoids a second purchase during the teen years.
Guest Rooms
For guest rooms that occasionally host couples, a full works better than a twin. While tight for two adults long-term, a full accommodates couples for a weekend. Two people on a twin is nearly impossible for anyone but small children.
Co-Sleeping Parents
Parents who occasionally have a child crawl into bed find a full more practical than a twin. The extra space prevents the elbow-to-the-face scenario that twins practically guarantee.
Price Comparison
Here are actual prices from our Restonic collection at Mattress Miracle in Brantford:
| Model | Twin Price | Full (Double) Price | Price Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ComfortCare (Dalton/Albany) | $875 | $950 | +$75 |
| Revive Reflections ET | $1,785 | $2,095 | +$310 |
| Revive Tiffany Rose/Jasmine | $1,745 | N/A | - |
| Revive St Charles/Elizabeth | $1,895 | N/A | - |
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The price gap widens as you move up the quality scale. Entry-level mattresses show modest differences of seventy-five to one hundred dollars. Premium and luxury models can cost three hundred to five hundred dollars more for the full size.
Factor in bedding costs too. A full sheet set costs roughly fifteen to twenty-five dollars more than twin. Over five to ten years, this difference is minor compared to the sleep quality improvement.
Room Size Requirements
Before buying, measure your room and plan the layout.
Minimum Room Sizes
| Bed Size | Minimum Room | Ideal Room |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 7' × 10' | 8' × 10' |
| Full | 10' × 10' | 10' × 12' |
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These minimums assume a basic bedroom layout with the bed, one nightstand, and a dresser. If you want a desk, reading chair, or additional storage, add two to three feet to each dimension.
Walking Space Guidelines
Leave at least twenty-four inches of clear walking space around three sides of the bed. You need enough room to make the bed comfortably and walk around without squeezing. In tight spaces, consider pushing one side of the bed against a wall. This works for children but makes changing sheets more challenging.
Brantford Neighbourhood Considerations
In older Brantford homes near the downtown core or in neighbourhoods like Holmedale and Grandview, bedrooms often run smaller than new construction. We frequently help customers from these areas who need to maximize tight spaces. If you are unsure whether a full will fit, bring your room measurements to our showroom. Talia can help you visualise the layout and may suggest a twin XL as a compromise between length and width.
Accessories and Bedding
Both twin and full sizes enjoy wide bedding availability. You will find sheets, comforters, mattress protectors, and blankets in both sizes at any major Canadian retailer.
Sheet Sizing
Twin fitted sheets measure approximately thirty-nine by seventy-five inches. Full fitted sheets measure approximately fifty-four by seventy-five inches. The fitted sheet pocket depth varies by mattress thickness, so check your mattress height before buying sheets.
Comforter and Duvet Sizing
Twin comforters typically measure sixty-six by eighty-six inches. Full comforters measure approximately eighty by ninety inches. Some manufacturers label their comforters "full/queen," creating one size that works for both. These tend to look slightly small on queens and slightly large on fulls, but function fine.
Mattress Protectors
A waterproof mattress protector extends your mattress life and protects your warranty. We stock protectors for both twin and full sizes at our Brantford location. A quality protector costs between fifty and one hundred twenty dollars depending on materials and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a full bed the same as a double bed?
Yes, full and double are two names for the same mattress size. Both measure fifty-four inches wide by seventy-five inches long. The term "double" originated from the idea that the bed is twice the width of a single twin bed. "Full" became the more common term in North America over time, though "double" still appears in some product descriptions and older homes. When you see either term, you are looking at a fifty-four by seventy-five inch mattress.
Will twin sheets fit a full bed?
No, twin sheets will not properly fit a full bed. Twin fitted sheets are designed for a thirty-eight inch width, while full mattresses are fifty-four inches wide. The twin sheet will not stretch to cover the full mattress and will pop off the corners. Similarly, full sheets on a twin bed will bunch up and create uncomfortable lumps. Always buy sheets that match your mattress size exactly.
Can two adults sleep comfortably on a full bed?
Two adults can sleep on a full bed, but it will be tight. Each person gets approximately twenty-seven inches of width, the same as a crib mattress. For comparison, a queen gives each person thirty inches. Many couples find full beds acceptable for short stays or guest situations, but for nightly use, most prefer a queen or larger. If you are buying a bed for a couple, we recommend upgrading to at least a queen unless space constraints absolutely prevent it.
Should I get a twin or full for my teenager?
For most teenagers, we recommend a full mattress. The extra width accommodates growth spurts, provides space for homework and devices, and can transition to their first apartment. However, if the bedroom is very small or if budget is tight, a twin XL offers the length a growing teen needs at a lower price point. Brad often suggests that parents consider how long the mattress needs to last. A twin might suffice for a thirteen-year-old who will leave for university in five years, while a full makes more sense for a fifteen-year-old who will live at home longer.
How much bigger is a full than a twin?
A full mattress is sixteen inches wider than a twin. Both are the same length at seventy-five inches. This gives the full forty-two percent more sleeping surface area than the twin. In practical terms, a full provides enough extra width for an adult to spread out comfortably, while a twin offers just enough space for a single sleeper to lie straight.
Do you deliver twin and full mattresses to Hamilton and Toronto?
Yes, Mattress Miracle delivers to Hamilton, Burlington, Mississauga, Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, London, Barrie, Oshawa, and everywhere in between. Our white glove delivery includes setup in your room of choice, packaging removal, and basic bed frame assembly if needed. For twin and full mattresses purchased in-store at our Brantford location, we typically deliver within three to five business days throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Visit Mattress Miracle Brantford
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
Still unsure whether a twin or full suits your situation? Visit our Brantford showroom and test both sizes. Bring your room measurements and a list of who will sleep in the bed. Brad, Dorothy, and Talia have helped Ontario families choose the right mattress size since 1987. We stock both twin and full mattresses for immediate pickup or local delivery.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Try before you buy. Our sleep experts will help you find the perfect match for your needs and budget.
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON N3R 3V9
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon–Wed 10–6 | Thu–Fri 10–7 | Sat 10–5 | Sun 12–4
Related Reading
Sources
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- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7