How Thick Should Your Mattress Be?

By Stefan Gheorghe

| Updated on May 9, 2025

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Mattress thickness plays a key role in comfort, support, and sleep quality. Choosing the right height depends on your body weight, sleep position, health needs, and bedroom setup.

Thickness	Range	Best For
Low Profile	2–5 inches	Infants, foldaway beds, trundles
Slim Profile	5–8 inches	Kids, bunk beds, limited mobility, small spaces
Standard	8–12 inches	Most adults, all sleep positions, best all-around choice
Thick	12–16 inches	Plus-size sleepers, side sleepers, couples
Extra Thick	16+ inches	Heavier adults, deep pressure relief, large bedrooms

Key Mattress Layers

Support Layer (Base): Foundation for alignment and durability. Should make up ~50% of total height.
Comfort Layer: Provides pressure relief. Should be at least 2–3 inches.
Transition Layer (Optional): Found in hybrids and premium mattresses for targeted support and motion control.

How to Choose the Right Thickness

1. By Body Weight

Sleeper Type	Recommended Thickness
Under 130 lbs	8–10 inches
130–230 lbs	10–12 inches
Over 230 lbs	12–14+ inches

2. By Sleep Position

Sleep Style	Ideal Thickness
Side Sleepers	12–14 inches
Back Sleepers	10–12 inches
Stomach Sleepers	8–10 inches
Combo Sleepers	10–12 inches

3. By Health Needs

Joint/back pain: Thicker beds with cushioning layers
Limited mobility: Go for a thinner mattress (easier to get in/out of bed)

4. By Bedroom Setup

Small room: Avoid tall mattresses that overwhelm space
Low bed frames: Match with thinner mattress
High bed frames: Can handle thick mattresses without being too tall

5. If Sharing a Bed

Choose 12 inches or more for long-term durability and shared weight support

Choose a thicker mattress if:

You’re a side sleeper or over 230 lbs
You sleep with a partner or pets
You want deeper support and durability

Choose a thinner mattress if:

You have mobility concerns or a small space
You’re under 130 lbs
You’re on a tighter budget