The difference between a Twin XL size mattress and a full size mattress can be confusing. So what’s the difference? 

Well, a twin xl mattress is longer than a Full by 5 inches; however, it is more narrow by 16 inches. A full size mattress is therefore wider by 16 inches, but shorter by 5 inches. A twin xl mattress is more suitable for a single sleeper and taller sleeper; such as tall teenagers, adults that sleep alone and like compact sleeping beds, or who live in smaller spaces, such as a studio or small one bedroom. A full size mattress is better for adults who like to have a bit more space, and who are preferably under 5 feet and 9 inches tall. 

What is a Twin XL size? 

A twin xl mattress is 38 inches wide x 80 inches long. In comparison, a standard twin size mattress is the same width (38 inches), but it’s 5 inches shorter, 75 inches. A twin bed is great for kids, bunk beds and single sleepers who are under 5’9. 

A twin xl bed is best for taller teenagers, single adults or anyone with limited space.

At Overstocksheetclub, we offer a wide range of beautiful twin xl bedding. Our sheet sets include: 1 Twin XL Fitted Sheet 39” x 80” x 16”, 1 Twin Flat Sheet 69” x 100”, and 2 Queen Pillowcases 20” x 28”.

The fitted sheet is 1 inch longer than the mattress to allow extra space for mattress pads and toppers, as well as thicker mattresses.

PROS:

• Good for:

1. Tall teenagers
2. College students who live in dorms or studios
3. Single adults who like to sleep in a small sleeping space or who have small bedrooms

• Longer by 5 inches than a full size bed
• Cheaper than bigger size mattresses

CONS:

• Only good for one person

 

What is a Full size? 

A full size mattress is 54 inches wide x 75 inches long. A full size bed is great for young adults, couples who like to cuddle or spoon, and guest bedrooms. Keep in mind, a full size mattress is best for individuals who are under 5'9.

At Overstocksheetclub, we offer a wide range of beautiful full bedding. Our sheet sets include: 1 Full Fitted Sheet 54” x 75” x 16”, 1 Full Flat Sheet 92” x 100”, 2 Queen Pillowcases 20” x 28”.

PROS:

• Great for teenagers and single adults who are under 5'9
• Good for couples who like to cuddle and spoon each other
• Good for singles who move around in bed

CONS:

• Not as good for tall people, or anyone over 5'9
• Takes more space in a room than a Twin XL

 

OTHER MATTRESS SIZES:

Depending on your space, budget, and whether you sleep alone or with someone, you might want to consider different size beds. Here are mattress dimensions / mattress measurements that might be useful for you to know about:

Twin

A Twin mattress (also called a single bed) is 38 x 75 inches. They're the smallest standard bed size. They're great for kids. If your kids share a room, getting a bunk bed for them can be a great option! Bunk beds are two beds stacked on top of each other. They are functional if your kids sleep together, because it takes less space in a room than two beds side by side. The size of a Standard, Single or Twin bunk bed is 75 inches x 39 inches x 65 inches. So you'll want to use Twin size mattresses to fit onto the bunk bed.

Twin XL

Twin XL size mattresses are 38 x 80 inches. They have an additional 5 inches in length compared to a regular twin, so it's a great option when your kid is a bit older and growing too tall for a Twin size bed. A Twin XL can also be a good option for a teenager.

*Note that twin sheets and twin xl sheets are the same. Whether you have a regular twin size bed or a twin xl bed, you'll want to get twin xl sheets.

Full

A Full size mattress (also called double bed) is 54 x 75 inches. A full size is better for a teenager who moves around; however, it is shorter than a Twin Xl so it's not as good for a tall person. Both options are great for smaller spaces such as studios or small one bedroom.

Queen

A Queen mattress size is 60 x 80 inches. A queen size bed is great for adults who sleep alone, have a mid-size bedroom, or like to cuddle with their partners.

King

A King mattress is 76 x 80 inches. A king size bed is great for couples who move around a lot, who like more space in bed, and who have kids or pets who take up space. King size beds are suitable for families.

California King

A California King size mattress (also called Cal King) is 72 x 84 inches - 4 inches narrower than a regular King, but 4 inches longer. So if you're more than 6 feet tall, or you share a bed with a taller person, you might want to consider a Cal King bed.

Split King

A Split King size mattress have two Twin XL mattresses (38 x 80 inches).

Split Cal King

There's also Split Cal King mattresses. Split California Kings are (also called Split Cal King) two Twin XXL mattresses (36 x 84 inches).

We at Overstocksheetclub offer sheet sets for all bedding sizes, including Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Split Cal King, Split Top Queen, and Split Top King.

FAQ: Where can I buy the best mattresses?

• Sleep number
• Saatva
• Casper
• Purple
• Nectar

Twin XL vs Full: the dimensions side by side

Before anything else, the numbers. These are the standard mattress dimensions used across the US market, and the whole twin XL vs full decision falls out of them.

Mattress size	Width	Length	Surface area	Sleeps
Twin	38 in	75 in	19.8 sq ft	One
Twin XL	38 in	80 in	21.1 sq ft	One
Full	54 in	75 in	28.1 sq ft	One comfortably, two tightly
Queen	60 in	80 in	33.3 sq ft	Two

So the twin XL vs full trade is five inches of length against sixteen inches of width. A twin XL mattress gives one tall sleeper room for their feet; a full mattress gives one average-height sleeper room to sprawl. Neither is larger in every direction, which is exactly why the comparison confuses people. In surface area the full wins by about a third, but every square inch of that gain sits on the sides rather than at the foot of the bed.

One dimension note worth knowing: sources disagree slightly on full width, because some manufacturers build to 53 inches rather than 54. Fitted sheets are cut with enough tolerance to cover both, so it rarely matters in practice — but it explains why two size guides can quote you different figures for the same bed.

Twin XL or full: how to choose

Five factors decide it. Work through them in this order and the choice usually makes itself.

1. Height. This is the single biggest factor. A twin XL is 80 inches long, the same length as a queen or a king. A full stops at 75. If the sleeper is over about six feet tall, a full size mattress will leave their heels hanging off, and no amount of extra width fixes that. Tall teenagers and tall single adults should take the twin XL almost automatically.

2. Who sleeps in it. A twin XL bed is a one-person bed, full stop. A full size mattress can take two adults, but each gets 27 inches of width — narrower than a standard crib mattress is long, and about the width of a twin cot each. Couples who share nightly should skip both sizes and look at a queen. For an occasional guest or a partner who stays over now and then, a full is workable.

3. The room. Measure before you buy, and leave at least 24 to 30 inches of walking space on the sides you need to access. In a small bedroom or a studio, the twin XL's narrow footprint is the whole point: it provides sleeping length without eating the floor. In a room of 10 by 10 feet or larger, a full fits comfortably with space for a nightstand and a dresser.

4. College dorm rules. Most US college dorms issue twin XL beds, and many will not allow you to swap the mattress at all. If the bed is going into a dorm, the decision has already been made for you — buy twin XL bedding and do not guess. This is also the most common reason people search twin XL vs full in the first place.

5. Cost. Across mattresses, frames and bedding, twin XL is generally the cheaper of the two, though the gap is smaller than most people expect. The bigger budget difference shows up later: twin XL sheets and comforters are a less common retail size, so the selection is thinner and the per-set cost can run higher than for a full. Factor the bedding in, not just the mattress.

The part most size guides skip: the sheets

We sell sheets rather than mattresses, so this is the section we can speak to first-hand. The short version: twin XL and full bedding are not interchangeable, in either direction.

A twin XL fitted sheet is cut for a 38 by 80 inch mattress. A full fitted sheet is cut for 54 by 75. Put full sheets on a twin XL and you get 16 inches of loose fabric bunching along the sides, plus a fitted sheet that is five inches too short to reach the corners at the foot — it will pop off during the night. Put twin XL sheets on a full and they simply will not stretch over it. The one place people do successfully size up is the comforter: a full or queen comforter on a twin XL bed drapes further down the sides, which many dorm students prefer, as long as the bed is not lofted with rails to catch it.

The other number to check is pocket depth. Mattress heights have crept up over the last decade, and a sheet cut for a 12-inch mattress will not stay on a 15-inch one with a topper. Buy for the depth you actually have. Our own Twin XL sheet sets and Full sheet sets are both cut deep for that reason. Free shipping applies over $75.

For anything beyond sizing — weave, fibre, thread count and what actually makes a sheet feel good — start with our Bed Sheets 101 guide, or read percale vs sateen if you are deciding between a crisp sheet and a smooth one.

Twin XL vs full: frequently asked questions

Will twin XL bedding fit a full?

No. A twin XL fitted sheet is 16 inches narrower than a full mattress and will not stretch over it. Flat sheets and comforters sized for twin XL will also leave a full bed uncovered at the sides. The reverse — full bedding on a twin XL — technically goes on, but the fitted sheet is five inches too short in length and will pull off the corners.

Can two people fit on a twin XL?

Not comfortably. A twin XL bed provides 38 inches of width in total, so two adults would have 19 inches each. It is a single-sleeper mattress. Two twin XL mattresses pushed together, however, make a split king — that is the standard way couples get adjustable bases on each side.

Is a full just two twins?

No, and this is a common misconception. Two twin mattresses side by side measure 76 inches wide, well over a full's 54. Two twins make a king-width bed, not a full.

Which is better for a tall person, twin XL or full?

Twin XL, without question. At 80 inches it is five inches longer than a full and matches the length of a queen and a king. Length is the one thing a full cannot offer, and it is the reason twin XL exists as a standard size at all.

Is a twin XL cheaper than a full?

Usually, but not by much, and the saving can reverse once you buy bedding. Twin XL is a less common retail size than full, so sheet and comforter selection is narrower and prices are not always lower. Budget for the whole set, not just the mattress.