Olympic Queen vs Queen Bed: What’s The Difference?
The main difference between a queen and an Olympic queen mattress is the width. The length is the same although an Olympic queen is six inches wider. Standard Queen-size mattresses measure 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. Whereas Olympic queen mattresses measure 66 inches wide and 80 inches long.
They say bigger is better, but is the saying always true for beds and mattresses? Do the extra six inches on an Olympic queen bed make that much of a difference? Or are queen-size beds enough? We'll take a look at the pros and cons of each option and help you decide which is the best mattress choice for you.
What Is A Queen Mattress?
A queen-size bed measures 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. It’s the most popular mattress size in the US by far, being the mattress of choice for a whopping 47 percent of Americans.
But what makes the queen so popular? For one, it’s a great option for couples. Queen-size beds are wide enough to comfortably accommodate two sleepers. Compared to queens, full beds can technically fit two people but leave most couples feeling cramped and uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, larger king-size beds require much more floor space – they’re best suited to bedrooms that are at least 12 x 12 feet in size. Queen-size beds, on the other hand, can fit in most 10 x 10-foot rooms and still allow space for furniture.
Pros Of A Queen Mattress
- It can comfortably fit two sleepers: Queen-size beds are ideal for couples who want a little wiggle room to stretch out and have some personal space.
- It doesn’t take up too much floor space: This is rather subjective as not all bedrooms are the same size. That said, queen beds leave you with more room to walk around, have furniture, etc. when compared to king-size and Olympic queen-size beds.
- It’s a popular size: The queen bed’s popularity means it’s virtually everywhere. You can find queen-size mattresses of every thickness and material in basically any mattress shop. Queen-size beddings, blankets, comforters, duvets, and other bedtime essentials are also readily available in most stores.
Cons Of A Queen Mattress
- It may not be ideal for heavier and larger couples: If you (and/or your partner) are on the heavier side, you may find that a queen-size bed just isn’t big enough to accommodate two sleepers.
- Co-sleeping with kids or pets may be uncomfortable on a queen bed: Whether you have little ones who like to snuggle with you at bedtime or extra cuddly furbabies, a queen-size bed may not provide enough space for everyone.
Who Should Get A Queen Mattress?
Most couples will find that a queen-size bed is just what they need. It’s wide enough to accommodate two sleepers with just enough room to stretch out. As such, queen-size beds are ideal for couples in which one or both people are restless or hot sleepers. It’s also a good bed size for couples with different sleep patterns and preferences as there’s enough space for both to sleep in the way they need.
Queen-size beds are also good for people who have average-sized bedrooms. They work best in bedrooms that measure 10 x 10 feet. If you were to use an Olympic queen or king-size bed in such a room, you may not have a lot of space left for furniture and walking around.
What Is An Olympic Queen Mattress?
Olympic queen beds are specialty beds that measure 66 inches in width and 80 inches in length. They are six inches wider than standard queen-size beds, Olympic queens provide a bit more room for an extra sleeper, like a small child or a pet.
Pros Of An Olympic Queen Mattress
- It’s wider than a queen, offering more space in bed: With an additional six inches of bed space, couples have more room to stretch out, get personal space, and even accommodate an extra sleeper – albeit a small one.
- It’s only slightly more expensive than a queen bed: Unlike king-size beds, which are far more expensive than queens, Olympic queens are just about the same price or slightly more expensive than the cost of a standard queen mattress.
- It can fit in most bedrooms that can accommodate a queen bed: Given that they’re only six inches wider, Olympic queens don’t take as much space as much larger king-size beds. Still, some may find that the extra six inches do make a 10 x 10 bedroom feel significantly smaller.
Cons Of An Olympic Queen Mattress
- It’s not a standard bed size. Very few manufacturers have Olympic queen beds in stock. More often than not, you will have to pre-order an Olympic queen (which can take a while) or have one custom-made.
- Olympic queen beddings and accessories are harder to come by: Olympic queen bed sheets, comforters, and other accessories are not as readily available and tend to be more expensive than queen bedding.
Who Should Get An Olympic Queen Mattress?
If you’re looking for something bigger than a queen-size bed but don’t have enough room for a king, an Olympic queen is a good compromise. It affords couples a bit more space to move around and even lets pets and little ones climb into bed without feeling cramped.
However, if you don’t want to hassle yourself by scouring specialty stores and online shops for the right-sized bedding, perhaps you’re better off settling for a standard queen.
Other Variations Of The Queen-Size Mattress
The Olympic queen isn’t the only non-standard variation of the popular queen-size bed out there. Here are a few more:
California Queen Mattress
Measuring 60 inches in width and 85 inches in length, California queens are just four inches longer than standard queen beds. These types of beds are ideal for taller couples who don’t want to spend on a king or California king bed.
Short Queen Mattress
Short queen beds measure 60 inches wide by 75 inches long, putting them somewhere in between a full bed (54 x 75 inches) and a queen bed (60 x 80 inches). Short queens are a popular choice for RV users – in fact, they’re often called RV queen beds by RV mattress manufacturers. These beds are a great space-saving alternative for those who still want a bed that’s wide enough to fit two sleepers.
Split Queen Mattress
A split queen mattress is exactly as its name suggests – a queen-size mattress split into two. The two mattresses are 30 inches in width and 80 inches in length each and measure up to a standard queen when put together.
These types of mattresses are often custom-made for couples who have vastly different sleeping styles. The beds are often connected via a metal bar in the bed frame or an elastic attachment and can be separated if needed.
You can also purchase adjustable split queen bed frames that allow you to customize either side of the bed via remote control. This lets you change the height of the head/foot of the bed and use various modes.
Get The Royal Treatment Whatever Mattress Size You Choose
When choosing between a queen, Olympic queen, king, or any other bed size for that matter, always consider the number of users, their sleeping preferences, the size of your bedroom, and of course, the level of comfort it provides.
But while size definitely matters, the right type of bed is the one where you feel most comfortable. All Purple mattresses are equipped with a special GelFlex Grid, a comfort layer with 1,400+ vents that keeps the mattress temperature-neutral. Adaptive, supportive, and flexible, Purple mattresses will have you snoozing in no time.
Check out our product page to learn more about the bed frames and mattresses we have to offer!
If you’re still undecided on the right bed size for your bedroom after reading this blog, be sure to check out our other comparison guides below:
Olympic Queen vs. Queen FAQs
Will regular queen sheets fit an Olympic queen mattress?
No, regular queen sheets will not fit an Olympic queen mattress. Standard queen-size bed sheets are smaller than Olympic queen sheets by six inches. While similar in length, you’ll have a hard time fitting your sheets over the sides of your mattress.
You can use king-size sheets on an Olympic queen bed, but if you’re using fitted sheets, you might find that they’re a bit loose in the corners and sides. You can use suspenders for a better fit.
Can two adults fit in a queen-size bed?
Yes, two adults can easily fit in a queen-size bed. Queen-size beds can fit most adult couples with no issue. However, if you are on the heavier side, you may find a queen-size bed a bit cramped. If you need more room, Olympic queens offer an extra six inches of space.
Can an Olympic queen mattress fit a queen bed frame?
Not all Olympic queen mattresses will fit in standard queen bed frames. Most bed frames are about a half inch to two inches bigger than standard mattress sizes. However, some bed frames may have enough allowance on the sides to accommodate Olympic queen mattresses, especially floating bed frames.
About the authors
April has nearly a decade of writing experience, with 3+ years specializing in sleep content. Her work has been covered by sites like BuzzFeed, Entrepreneur, and Money Under 30. She has an M.A. in Magazine, Newspaper, and Online Journalism from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Communication Studies. As a self-proclaimed expert in all things cozy, she sleeps better at night, knowing her writing helps others sleep in comfort, too.
Kristen Olson-Turner is the Senior Director of mattresses, where she has spent 10+ years understanding customer needs and integrating solutions into Purple products for better sleep and comfort.