Double Bed Size NZ: Standard Dimensions & Comparison Guide

Anyone who’s measured a room for a new bed knows the sinking feeling when the mattress doesn’t fit. New Zealand’s “double” size sounds straightforward, but between 137 cm, 138 cm, and even 135 cm listings, the reality is messier than most guides admit. We’ll sort the numbers, compare them with Ireland and Europe, and tell you exactly what fits.

New Zealand double bed width: 137 cm (54 in) · New Zealand double bed length: 188 cm (74 in) · Queen bed width in NZ: 153 cm (60 in) · King bed width in NZ: 167 cm (66 in) · Long double bed length in NZ: 203 cm (80 in)

Six key numbers separate the main bed sizes in New Zealand. The pattern: width gaps of 14–16 cm step upwards from double to queen to king, while the long versions add 15 cm in length.

What size is a double bed in New Zealand?

Standard NZ double dimensions

• The most frequently cited width is 137 cm, length 188 cm – from BedsRus (NZ mattress retailer).
• Some sources list 138 cm wide, e.g. 8hours (bedding brand) and Wise Move (moving platform).
• A smaller number of retailers give 135 cm – NZBEDS (online mattress shop) reports 135×188 cm.

The catch: a 1–3 cm variation in published width means you should always measure the actual mattress or frame before buying sheets. The 137 cm figure remains the consensus standard across most NZ retailers.

Variation between brands

Four NZ sellers give four slightly different numbers:

• BedsRus – 137×188 cm
• 8hours – 138×188 cm
• Treasure Box (NZ home retailer) – 138×188 cm (agrees with Australian sizing)
• NZBEDS – 135×188 cm

For most purposes, treat “double” as 137 cm wide, but confirm the exact dimensions with the seller when ordering online.

Is a queen bed bigger than a double in New Zealand?

Queen vs double dimensions

• Queen: 153 cm wide × 203 cm long (Wise Move)
• Double: 137 cm wide × 188 cm long
• Difference: +16 cm width, +15 cm length

The implication: a queen gives each sleeper about 76 cm of personal space, compared to 68 cm on a double. That 8 cm per side makes a real difference for couples who toss and turn.

Which is better for couples?

For two adults, a queen is the minimum recommended width. The extra 15 cm in length also matters if either partner is over 183 cm. Wise Move notes queen is the most popular couple’s size in NZ.

How does a double bed compare to a king bed?

King size dimensions

• King: 167 cm wide × 203 cm long (BedsRus)
• Double: 137 cm wide × 188 cm long
• Width difference: 30 cm (about the width of a toddler mattress)

The trade-off: king beds need a bedroom at least 3 m wide. A double fits comfortably in rooms as narrow as 2.4 m.

Space considerations

A king bed (167 cm) requires 60 cm more floor width than a double. For couples who value elbow room, it’s worth the space; for smaller bedrooms, a queen is often the practical middle ground.

Are double and queen beds the same size?

Similarities

Both are designed to sleep one or two people, share the same general shape, and are widely available from NZ retailers. But they are not interchangeable.

Key differences

• Queen is 16 cm wider and 15 cm longer
• Queen sheets won’t fit a double mattress
• Double bed frames cannot hold a queen mattress safely

Why this matters: many people mistakenly buy queen bedding for a double or vice versa. Always match the label to the mattress’s actual dimensions.

What about Irish and European double bed sizes?

Irish double dimensions

• Typical Irish double: 135 cm × 190 cm (8hours notes similarity to UK sizing)
• That is 2 cm narrower and 2 cm longer than the NZ 137×188 cm standard

European 140×200 vs NZ double

• European standard double: 140 cm × 200 cm
• Wider than NZ double by 3 cm, longer by 12 cm
• Sheets bought in Europe will be too large for a NZ double

The pattern: NZ double sits between UK/Irish and European sizes – slightly wider than Irish but shorter than both. Imported bedding may not fit.

Eight numbers show how NZ compares with Australia and the rest of the world:

“A standard NZ double mattress measures 137 cm wide by 188 cm long. That’s our most common size for a single sleeper or a couple with a small bedroom.”

— BedsRus size guide (NZ furniture retailer)

“Bed sizes vary by country. In New Zealand and Australia the double is 138 cm × 188 cm, while the UK and Ireland use 135 cm × 190 cm.”

— Wikipedia Bed size article (international standards reference)

For Kiwi shoppers, the choice between a double and a queen comes down to room size and sleep habits. If your bedroom is at least 2.5 m wide and you sleep with a partner, the queen’s extra 16 cm of width is money well spent. But for a single adult or a guest room, the standard double – confirmed at 137 × 188 cm by most NZ retailers – still offers the best value for space. Just remember to confirm the exact dimensions with the seller before you buy, because that 1 cm difference between 137 and 138 cm can mean a sheet set that doesn’t fit.

Samma mått gäller för australiska motsvarigheten, där dubbelsängen skiljer sig marginellt från den nyzeeländska storleken.

Frequently asked questions

For tall Kiwis, the long double (137 × 203 cm) solves a real problem: standard double sheets leave your feet exposed. The trade-off is that long-double bedding is harder to find – most NZ retailers stock queen and king as the next step up. Measure your room, measure your height, and choose the bed that fits both.

Related reading: California King Bed NZ · Bed Bath N’ Table Australia