Best Bed for Tall People: Long Single, Long Double & Californian King Explained
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If your feet hang off the end of the bed, or you sleep curled up because stretching out means hitting the footboard, you already know the problem. Plenty of tall Kiwis put up with it for years because they assume longer beds are hard to find or only come in huge sizes.
They aren't. New Zealand has several standard bed sizes built with extra length, from a long single that fits in a small bedroom to super king and Californian king for tall couples. The trick is knowing which one suits your height, your room and whether you sleep alone.
The short answer: most tall people should look for a bed that is 202 cm long. In New Zealand, that includes long single (91 x 202 cm), king single (105 x 202 cm), long double (139 x 202 cm), queen (152 x 202 cm), king (167 x 202 cm), super king (180 x 202 cm) and Californian king (202 x 202 cm). Standard single and double beds are only 191 cm long and aren't recommended for people taller than about 185 cm. For tall solo sleepers in smaller rooms, a long single or king single works well. Tall couples usually suit a king or super king. If you are taller than standard lengths allow, a custom-length frame is an option. At Cambridge Beds & Furniture in Morrinsville, you can lie on all of these sizes in person. Call 027 823 4445.
NZ bed sizes compared by length
Here are the sizes in our range, sorted by length, with the width and who each size suits best.
| Bed size | Width x length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 91 x 191 cm | Children and shorter adults; not recommended over about 185 cm |
| Double | 139 x 191 cm | Guest rooms and shorter solo sleepers |
| Long single | 91 x 202 cm | Tall teenagers and tall adults in small rooms |
| King single | 105 x 202 cm | Tall solo sleepers who want more width |
| Long double | 139 x 202 cm | Tall solo sleepers, or couples in a room too small for a queen |
| Queen | 152 x 202 cm | Couples where one or both are tall |
| King | 167 x 202 cm | Tall couples who want more room |
| Super king | 180 x 202 cm | Tall couples who share with kids or pets, or want lots of space |
| Californian king | 202 x 202 cm | Tall sleepers who want the widest bed available |
These dimensions come from our bed size chart for NZ mattresses.
One thing surprises many people: in NZ, the Californian king isn't longer than a queen, king or super king. They are all 202 cm long. The Californian king is a square bed, extra wide rather than extra long. If length is your only issue, a king or super king gives you the same legroom for less floor space.
How long should a bed be for your height?
A common rule of thumb is to choose a mattress around 10 to 15 cm longer than your height. That leaves room for your pillow at the top and stops your feet hanging over the end when you stretch out.
| Your height | Shortest recommended mattress length |
|---|---|
| Up to about 175 cm | 191 cm (single or double) is usually fine |
| About 176 to 185 cm | 191 cm can work, but 202 cm is more comfortable |
| Over about 185 cm | 202 cm (long single, king single, long double or larger) |
| Close to or over 190 cm | 202 cm minimum; consider a frame with no footboard |
| Taller than standard lengths allow | A custom-length frame and mattress |
These are guides, not hard rules. Pillow size, how you sleep and how much you move around all change how much length you need.
Long single: the space-saving option for tall sleepers
A long single is the same width as a standard single (91 cm) but 11 cm longer, at 202 cm.
Best for: tall teenagers who have outgrown their single, tall adults in small bedrooms, sleepouts, and farm or staff accommodation where rooms are tight.
Pros:
- Fits rooms where a king single feels too wide.
- Gives taller sleepers full-length support.
- Often a cost-effective way to add legroom.
Cons:
- Only 91 cm wide, which feels narrow for larger adults.
- Long single sheets aren't as easy to find as standard single sheets in some shops.
Browse our long single mattresses and beds to see the range.
King single: more width for a tall solo sleeper
A king single is 105 cm wide and 202 cm long. It is wider than a long single and the same length.
Best for: teenagers who are still growing, tall adults sleeping alone, and guest rooms for single visitors.
King single is one of the most popular sizes for teenagers, because it lasts from early high school well into adulthood. If you are deciding for a child, our comparison of king single and single sizes for kids explains when the upgrade makes sense.
See our king single bed range for current options.
Long double: the overlooked size for tall sleepers
A long double is 139 cm wide and 202 cm long. It is the same width as a standard double but 11 cm longer.
Best for:
- A tall person sleeping alone who wants a roomy bed without the width of a queen.
- Couples in older homes with small master bedrooms, where a queen leaves no space to walk around.
- Replacing an old double without losing floor space.
The long double doesn't get much attention, but it solves a lot of problems in older Waikato villas and bungalows where bedrooms were built for doubles. You get the extra length of a queen in a bed 13 cm narrower.
The trade-off is that 139 cm is snug for two adults, especially if one is broad-shouldered. Test it together before you decide. Browse our long double beds and mattresses.
Queen, king and super king for tall couples
If you share a bed and either of you is tall, queen, king and super king all give you 202 cm of length. The difference is width.
- Queen (152 cm) suits most couples and fits most master bedrooms.
- King (167 cm) gives each person more room, which helps if one partner moves a lot.
- Super king (180 cm) suits tall, broad couples, or families where kids end up in the big bed.
If you are deciding between the first two, our comparison of queen and king beds for couples covers the details, and our king bed dimensions and room size guide shows how much floor space you need. You can also see our super king beds.
Californian king: the widest bed in the range
At 202 x 202 cm, the Californian king is the biggest standard bed we sell.
Best for:
- Tall couples who want maximum space.
- Families who share the bed with kids for morning cuddles or movie nights.
- Large master bedrooms where a king looks lost.
Things to think about:
- It needs a big room. Leave space to walk around both sides and the end.
- Check that it fits through doors, hallways and stairs before buying.
- Bedding in this size is less common than queen or king, so check what you need is available.
Remember that it isn't any longer than a king. Choose it for width, not legroom. See our Californian king beds in NZ.
Frame choices that matter for tall people
The mattress size is only part of the story. The frame changes how much usable length you get.
Skip the footboard. A footboard stops your feet stretching past the mattress edge. Many tall people prefer a headboard-only frame or an ensemble base with a headboard, so their feet can hang off slightly without hitting anything.
Watch the headboard thickness. A thick, padded headboard can push the mattress forward and stick out into the room. This matters in tight rooms.
Think about height. Taller people often find a slightly higher bed easier to get in and out of. Frame and base height both play a part.
Leave room for the pillow. Your pillow sits on the mattress, not beyond it. A deep pillow or two stacked pillows can take 15 cm or more off the length you actually sleep on. If you are borderline for length, try a slimmer pillow, or push the bed so the pillow can tuck partly against the headboard.
Check the frame length. Some frames add several centimetres of length around the mattress. Measure the whole bed, not just the mattress, when planning the room.
Room size: will a longer bed fit?
Before choosing a size, measure the room. As a rough guide, leave around 60 cm of walking space on each side you use and at the end of the bed. Remember to allow for doors, wardrobes and drawers opening.
| Bed size | Mattress footprint | Rough minimum room size with walkways |
|---|---|---|
| Long single | 91 x 202 cm | About 1.6 m x 2.7 m if one side is against a wall |
| King single | 105 x 202 cm | About 1.7 m x 2.7 m if one side is against a wall |
| Long double | 139 x 202 cm | About 2.6 m x 2.7 m |
| Queen | 152 x 202 cm | About 2.8 m x 2.7 m |
| King | 167 x 202 cm | About 2.9 m x 2.7 m |
| Super king | 180 x 202 cm | About 3.0 m x 2.7 m |
| Californian king | 202 x 202 cm | About 3.3 m x 2.7 m |
These figures are mattress dimensions plus walkways, before allowing for the frame and other furniture. A bigger frame or a bulky headboard needs more space. Measure your own room and bring the numbers to the showroom.
Firmness for taller and heavier sleepers
Tall people often weigh more simply because they are bigger. More weight compresses a mattress further, so many tall sleepers find a slightly firmer mattress gives better support.
The right firmness still depends on your sleeping position. Side sleepers need some give at the shoulder and hip, while back and stomach sleepers usually want more support. If you also deal with a sore back, our mattress guide for lower back pain explains how to test for support.
Many of our mattresses come in long single, long double and Californian king as well as standard sizes, so you can usually find the comfort level you like in a longer size.
Buying for a tall teenager
Teenagers can grow fast, and a bed that fits at 13 often doesn't at 16. If your teenager is already tall for their age, or both parents are tall, it makes sense to buy a 202 cm bed now rather than replacing a single in a couple of years.
A king single is the most common choice. It fits most kids' bedrooms, gives room to grow and is a sensible size to take to a first flat later. If the bedroom is small, a long single gives the same length in a narrower footprint.
Choose a supportive mattress rather than the cheapest option. Teenagers sleep a lot, and a mattress that sags quickly won't last until they leave home.
When one partner is tall and the other isn't
Many couples have a big height difference. The tall partner needs length; the shorter partner might not notice. The good news is that every bed from queen up is 202 cm long, so the length question is easy. The real question is width, and how each of you likes the mattress to feel.
A taller, heavier partner often sinks further into the mattress than a lighter partner. Test together to find a support level that suits both of you. A pocket spring mattress can help, because the springs respond to each person separately and reduce how much you feel each other move.
Mistakes tall people make when buying a bed
Assuming Californian king is the longest. In NZ, it is the same length as a queen or king. Choose it for width, not length.
Ignoring the footboard. A footboard can cancel out the extra length you paid for. Look for frames without one, or with a low one.
Forgetting about bedding. Long single and long double sheets aren't stocked everywhere. Check before you buy, or buy bedding with the bed.
Buying too soft. Taller, heavier bodies compress soft mattresses more, which can lead to sagging and back strain.
Not measuring the room. A longer bed needs more floor space. Measure the room and the way in before you choose.
Not lying on it. The only way to know whether a bed is long enough is to stretch out on it.
What if you are taller than a standard bed?
For most people, 202 cm is plenty. If you are very tall and still find your feet hanging off a king or super king, a custom bed frame built to a longer length is worth considering.
Bear in mind that a longer frame also needs a longer mattress, which will be a custom size. Custom mattresses cost more, take longer to make, need custom bedding and aren't covered by our 60-Night Comfort Guarantee. Our guide to custom bed sizes when a standard bed won't fit explains the process and the trade-offs. You can also start a conversation through our made-to-measure bed enquiry.
Bedding tips for longer beds
Longer beds need the right bedding, or you lose some of the benefit.
- Fitted sheets: buy sheets made for the exact size. A standard single fitted sheet won't stretch over a long single properly.
- Duvets: choose one wide or long enough to cover your feet. Some tall people size up their duvet.
- Pillows: a larger pillow takes up more mattress length, which matters if you are borderline for length.
- Protector: a waterproof mattress protector in the right size protects your mattress and is required for our comfort guarantee.
Our bedding range includes pillows and accessories to go with your new bed.
Spare rooms and tall guests
If you regularly have tall visitors, the spare bed matters too. Many spare rooms have an old double that is 191 cm long, which leaves taller guests with their feet over the end.
Swapping a guest double for a long double keeps the same width but adds 11 cm of length, so it fits the same room. For a small spare room or sleepout, a long single or king single gives tall guests room to stretch out without taking over the space. If you are setting up a room before summer visitors arrive, our guide to sofa beds, trundles and spare beds for guests compares the options.
Staff and farm accommodation is worth thinking about the same way. Long single or king single beds suit a wider range of heights, so you don't need to replace beds every time someone new moves in.
Buying a longer bed on a budget
Longer sizes don't have to cost a fortune. A long single or long double often costs less than going up to a queen or king. You can also spread the cost with Afterpay, GEM Visa, Finance Now or Q Mastercard, and most applications are approved quickly in store. We can provide WINZ quotes for eligible customers too.
Delivery from our Morrinsville showroom is free within 10 km and on orders of $2,999 or more, with distance-based rates from $59 beyond that.
Try longer beds at our Morrinsville showroom
The best way to know if a bed is long enough is to lie on it. Stretch out on your back and your side, put your arms above your head, and see whether your feet still have room.
Cambridge Beds & Furniture
199 Thames Street, Morrinsville 3300
Phone: 027 823 4445
Email: info@cambridgefurniture.co.nz
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm
We serve tall sleepers across Morrinsville, Cambridge, Hamilton, Matamata, Te Aroha and the wider Waikato. Bring your room measurements, and our team will help you compare long single, long double, king and Californian king side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bed size for a tall person in NZ?
Look for a bed that is 202 cm long. That includes long single, king single, long double, queen, king, super king and Californian king. Standard single and double beds are only 191 cm long and aren't recommended for people over about 185 cm tall.
How long is a long single bed in NZ?
A long single mattress in NZ is 91 cm wide and 202 cm long. It is the same width as a standard single but 11 cm longer, which suits tall teenagers and tall adults in small rooms.
What is the difference between a double and a long double?
Both are 139 cm wide, but a long double is 202 cm long while a standard double is 191 cm. The long double gives taller sleepers 11 cm more length without needing the extra width of a queen.
Is a Californian king longer than a king in NZ?
No. In NZ, the Californian king is 202 x 202 cm and the king is 167 x 202 cm. They are the same length. The Californian king is wider, so choose it for space, not extra legroom.
What bed size is best for a tall teenager?
A king single (105 x 202 cm) or long single (91 x 202 cm) suits most tall teenagers. King single gives more width and lasts into adulthood, while long single fits smaller bedrooms.
Can I get a bed longer than 202 cm?
Yes, with a custom bed frame built to a longer length. You would also need a custom-length mattress, which costs more, takes longer and isn't covered by our 60-Night Comfort Guarantee. Ask our team about custom options.
Where can I buy a long double or Californian king bed near Hamilton?
Our showroom at 199 Thames Street, Morrinsville, stocks long single, long double, king single, super king and Californian king sizes. It is a short drive from Hamilton, Cambridge and Matamata. Call 027 823 4445 to check what is on the floor.