A twin bed, also known as a single bed, is a narrow bed that can sleep one person. These single sleepers are the most compatible choice for bunk beds and daybeds. While a full- or queen-size bed is a better fit for larger rooms (like master bedrooms), twin beds are a more common choice for children’s rooms, college dorm rooms, and home guest rooms because of their size. There are two types of twin beds: a standard twin and a twin XL. 

- A __standard twin__ bed measures 38-inches wide and 75-inches long, a little less than half the size of a king-size mattress (76 inches x 80 inches). 
- __Twin XL__ mattresses have five extra inches of length, measuring 38-inches wide and 80-inches long, making them a better choice for taller individuals than the standard twin bed. (This extra-length means that a twin XL mattress cannot fit a standard twin bed frame.)

While a standard twin-size bed and a twin XL share the same 38-inch width, there are a few differences between the two [mattress types](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-mattresses), such as: 

- __Length__: The mattress dimensions of a standard size twin bed is 38 inches by 75 inches, whereas the twin XL is 38 by 80 inches—the same length as a queen or king-size bed. Pushing two twin XL mattresses together can create a standard king bed. 
- __Usage__: A standard twin bed is a common choice for children’s bedrooms, where a twin XL is a popular choice for dorms or guest rooms because it has more legroom. 
- __Price__: Twin XL beds are usually more expensive than a standard twin, which can influence which kind of mattress you buy. 

Whether you purchase a twin or twin XL bed will largely depend on a few factors, such as: 

- __The room size__: If you need a mattress for a guest room, dorm room, or small studio apartment, measure the amount of available living space to determine which will make a better fit. If you have extra space to spare, a twin XL-size mattress may be a better choice because it can accommodate taller sleepers. 
- __The size of the sleeper__: Smaller children may fit comfortably on a standard twin, but taller adolescents, teenagers, or college students may require a longer mattress, making the twin XL a more appropriate choice. 
- __Your budget__: A twin XL can be more expensive than a regular twin, which can affect which mattress you buy. If you just need a small, inexpensive sleeper without the extra length, a twin-size mattress may be the best mattress for affordability. However, if you have the room and the budget, an extra-long twin is a more worthy investment. 

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From innerspring to latex to memory foam, mattresses come in many shapes, sizes, and firmnesses. There are small mattresses available for infants and young children and larger mattresses for single adults or couples. The type of mattress you buy depends on your spatial and comfort needs. Learn more about the two different types of twin beds and how to determine which is right for you.

From innerspring to latex to memory foam, mattresses come in many shapes, sizes, and firmnesses. There are small mattresses available for infants and young children and larger mattresses for single adults or couples. The type of mattress you buy depends on your spatial and comfort needs. Learn more about the two different types of twin beds and how to determine which is right for you.

Twin vs. Twin XL Beds: Learn the Key Differences

A twin bed, also known as a single bed, is a narrow bed that can sleep one person. These single sleepers are the most compatible choice for bunk beds and daybeds. While a full- or queen-size bed is a better fit for larger rooms (like master bedrooms), twin beds are a more common choice for children’s rooms, college dorm rooms, and home guest rooms because of their size. There are two types of twin beds: a standard twin and a twin XL. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">A standard twin bed measures 38-inches wide and 75-inches long, a little less than half the size of a king-size mattress (76 inches x 80 inches). </li><li class="">Twin XL mattresses have five extra inches of length, measuring 38-inches wide and 80-inches long, making them a better choice for taller individuals than the standard twin bed. (This extra-length means that a twin XL mattress cannot fit a standard twin bed frame.) </li></ul>

What Is a Twin Bed?

While a standard twin-size bed and a twin XL share the same 38-inch width, there are a few differences between the two <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-mattresses' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-mattresses","linkCopy":"mattress types","category":null}'>mattress types</a>, such as: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Length: The mattress dimensions of a standard size twin bed is 38 inches by 75 inches, whereas the twin XL is 38 by 80 inches—the same length as a queen or king-size bed. Pushing two twin XL mattresses together can create a standard king bed. </li><li class="">Usage: A standard twin bed is a common choice for children’s bedrooms, where a twin XL is a popular choice for dorms or guest rooms because it has more legroom. </li><li class="">Price: Twin XL beds are usually more expensive than a standard twin, which can influence which kind of mattress you buy. </li></ul>

What Is the Difference Between Twin and Twin XL Beds?

Whether you purchase a twin or twin XL bed will largely depend on a few factors, such as: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">The room size: If you need a mattress for a guest room, dorm room, or small studio apartment, measure the amount of available living space to determine which will make a better fit. If you have extra space to spare, a twin XL-size mattress may be a better choice because it can accommodate taller sleepers. </li><li class="">The size of the sleeper: Smaller children may fit comfortably on a standard twin, but taller adolescents, teenagers, or college students may require a longer mattress, making the twin XL a more appropriate choice. </li><li class="">Your budget: A twin XL can be more expensive than a regular twin, which can affect which mattress you buy. If you just need a small, inexpensive sleeper without the extra length, a twin-size mattress may be the best mattress for affordability. However, if you have the room and the budget, an extra-long twin is a more worthy investment. </li></ul>

How to Determine Whether You Need a Twin or Twin XL Bed

Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of Why We Sleep and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.

Want to Learn More About Catching Those Elusive Zs?

From innerspring to latex to memory foam, mattresses come in many shapes, sizes, and firmnesses. There are small mattresses available for infants and young children and larger mattresses for single adults or couples. The type of mattress you buy depends on your spatial and comfort needs. Learn more about the two different types of twin beds and how to determine which is right for you.

From innerspring to latex to memory foam, mattresses come in many shapes, sizes, and firmnesses. There are small mattresses available for infants and young children and larger mattresses for single adults or couples. The type of mattress you buy depends on your spatial and comfort needs. Learn more about the two different types of twin beds and how to determine which is right for you.
