Is a King Single Bed Right for You?

A king single is 107cm wide and 203cm long, which makes it 16cm wider and 15cm longer than a standard single. It suits one situation particularly well, and that's a solo sleeper who needs length more than width.

This guide covers the exact dimensions, who the size suits, and when a double makes more sense.

Quick Facts

What size is a king single bed in NZ?

A king single mattress measures 107cm wide by 203cm long. In millimetres, that's 1070mm by 2030mm, which is the figure you'll see on base and frame listings.

The length is the part people miss. At 203cm, a king single matches a queen, king and super king, so it fits anyone up to about 195cm tall.

Bases are built to the same dimensions, so a king single mattress sits properly on any standard king single base without overhanging the edges.

A few NZ retailers list slightly different figures, such as 105cm by 202cm. It's a small gap, but it's enough to matter when you're buying fitted sheets, so check the measurements on the product page. For the other five NZ sizes, our NZ bed size guide has the full table.

Who is a king single bed actually for?

Teenagers are the most common buyers. A king single suits a kid who's outgrown a single but whose room can't take a double. It'll see them through from about ten years old into adulthood, which is why it tends to be the size parents buy once rather than twice.

Taller adults sleeping alone are the other clear fit. The 203cm length is the same as a queen, so you get the legroom without giving up half the floor space.

It's also a practical size if you're flatting or moving often. A king single fits rooms a double won't, and it's light enough for two people to carry up a stairwell on moving day.

There's one trade-off worth knowing before you buy. Standard single sheets won't fit a king single. You'll need king single bedding, which is less common on the shelf and usually costs a bit more.

Will a king single fit your room?

A good rule is to leave 70cm of clearance on any side you need to walk down. A king single at 107cm wide works in a room from roughly 2.5m by 3m, which covers most second bedrooms in a Kiwi home.

Watch the length rather than the width. At 203 cm, a king single is 15cm longer than a single, and that matters when the bed sits between a wall and a wardrobe, or under a window.

Measure the wall the bed will sit against before you order, rather than the middle of the room.

Getting it into the room is rarely a problem at this size. A king single base fits through standard doorways and up most stairwells in one piece. That isn't true once you get to a king or super king.

Can an adult sleep on a king single?

Yes, comfortably, as long as you're sleeping alone. At 107cm wide, you get noticeably more shoulder room than a single. The 203cm length keeps your feet on the mattress rather than hanging off the end.

That makes it a reasonably long-term bed for one person. Plenty of adults in smaller flats sleep on one year-round without any issue.

For two adults, no. A king single is 31cm narrower than a double and 46cm narrower than a queen. Two people on 107cm works for a night on the spare bed, not for a year.

If the bed will ever be shared, even occasionally, start at a double.

Should you choose a king single or a double?

It comes down to whether you need width or length. A double is 31cm wider but 15cm shorter. A tall sleeper is better off in a king single, even though the double sounds like the bigger bed.

Price won't decide it either way. King single sets start at $479 and double sets at $489. We've been buying direct from New Zealand factories since 1978, which is how both sizes stay within ten dollars of each other.

Go with a king single if the sleeper is over about 180cm, the room is tight, or the bed is for one person long term. Our king single mattress and base sets cover four options in that size.

A double makes more sense if two people will ever share it, or if the sleeper is average height and wants room to spread out. Our double mattress and base range is the place to start.

Still not sure which size to go for?

If you're weighing up a king single against a single or a double, give us a call. We can talk through what fits your room and what's in stock.

Call us on 09 444 9356 or email sales@bedwarehouse.net.nz.