Ask three furniture shops in Pakistan for a king size mattress and you can get three different measurements. Ask a bedding shop what size sheet fits it, and you get a fourth answer. This is not dishonesty — there is simply no enforced national standard, and local carpenters, factory brands and imported mattresses all work to different numbers.
So the useful thing is not the name of the size. It is the inches.
The sizes most commonly used
| Name | Usual size (inches) | Also sold as |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 42 × 78 | 36 × 75, or 39 × 75 if imported |
| Double / full | 54 × 78 | Sometimes 60 × 78 |
| Queen | 60 × 78 | Super queen 66 × 78 |
| King | 72 × 78 | Up to 72 × 80 |
| King XL | 78 × 84 | Uncommon |
Two disagreements cause most of the trouble. Single is quoted as anything from 36 to 42 inches wide, and imported mattresses are often 39 — enough that locally bought bedding sits loose. And double is sometimes listed at 54 and sometimes at 60, which is the full difference between a double and a queen.
The measurement everyone forgets
Depth. It is not part of the size name and it changes the bedding requirement more than the width does.
- A thin foam mattress may be 5 inches deep.
- A standard spring or foam mattress is usually 6 to 8 inches.
- A pillow-top or imported mattress can be 10 to 12 inches.
Every extra inch of depth takes two inches out of the sheet — one on each side. A king sheet that fits a 6 inch mattress perfectly will barely tuck on a 12 inch one, and will pull off the corners in the night.
Working out your sheet size
- Measure the mattress width, length and depth in inches. Measure the mattress, not the bed frame.
- Sheet width = mattress width + (2 × depth) + 12 inches for tuck.
- Sheet length = mattress length + (2 × depth) + 12 inches.
- Add another 3 to 5 inches for shrinkage, since cotton loses two to seven percent in the first few washes — see do bedsheets shrink.
Worked example: a 72 × 78 king mattress, 8 inches deep. Width: 72 + 16 + 12 = 100 inches. Length: 78 + 16 + 12 = 106. So a sheet of roughly 90 × 100 inches, the common Pakistani king size, gives you a workable tuck on the sides but not a generous one — which is exactly why people find their sheets pulling loose.
Our bed sheet size guide covers this from the bedding side, and the takht and diwan guide covers furniture that has no standard size at all.
Choosing a size for the room
- Leave at least 24 inches between the bed and the wall or almirah on the sides you walk down, or the room becomes difficult to use.
- Check the almirah doors open with the bed in place. This is discovered too late more often than you would think.
- Measure the doorway and stairs before buying. A king mattress is flexible; a king bed frame is not.
- Two people on a double get 27 inches each — about the width of a baby's cot. A queen or king is worth the room it takes.
- In a tight room, a smaller bed with space around it feels larger than a big bed filling the floor — our small bedroom guide covers the rest.
Before you buy a mattress
- Get the size in inches in writing on the invoice, not just the word "king".
- Ask the depth, so you can buy bedding that fits.
- Check the warranty conditions. Many require a supportive base and a protector; sagging between wide slats is a common reason a claim is refused.
- Buy a protector the same day. It is the only way to keep a new mattress clean from the first night — see our mattress protectors and how to make a mattress last longer.
- Measure the old one first if you are replacing it, so your existing bedding still works.
If your bedding does not fit
A sheet slightly too large can be tucked away and is never a problem. A sheet too small cannot be fixed. Sheet grippers or elastic suspenders clipped underneath will hold a borderline sheet in place, and a protector underneath adds friction that helps. If it is genuinely too small, move it to a smaller bed, a takht or a guest room rather than throwing it away.
Our crystal cotton king sets list their exact measurements, cost Rs 2,399 for a 3 piece set, and ship free across Pakistan with cash on delivery — and if you are unsure which size suits your mattress, send us the measurements on WhatsApp at 0332 3447976 before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard king size mattress in Pakistan?
Usually 72 × 78 inches, though some are made up to 72 × 80. Always check the inches rather than relying on the word "king".
What size is a single bed in Pakistan?
Most commonly 42 × 78 inches, but some are 36 × 75, and imported singles are often 39 inches wide. Measure before buying bedding.
What is the difference between queen and double?
A queen is usually 60 inches wide and a double 54, though some shops call a 60 inch mattress a double. Six inches is the difference between comfortable and cramped for two people.
Why does my bedsheet not fit my mattress?
Usually mattress depth. Every extra inch of depth takes two inches out of the sheet's width. A deep or pillow-top mattress needs a noticeably larger sheet.
How do I calculate the bedsheet size I need?
Mattress width plus twice the depth plus about 12 inches for tuck, and the same for the length. Add three to five inches more to allow for shrinkage.
