# Youth Mattress Sizes
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Youth Mattress
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A "youth" size mattress measures 33 inches wide by 66 inches long. This is right in between the size of a crib mattress and a twin mattress. It is ideal for children who are less than 4 feet tall. Look carefully at measurements before purchasing a youth mattress. Many companies that sell beds use "youth" as an adjective to describe the style of bed or intended occupant when the bed actually uses a crib, twin or double mattress.
Crib and Toddler Bed
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A crib mattress needs to measure at least 51-5/8 inches long by 27-1/4 inches wide. This ensures that it will fit in a standard crib without leaving too much space between the mattress and the crib frame, which can be a safety hazard. A toddler bed uses the same size mattress as a crib but is designed to allow a toddler to safely climb in and out. Some cribs have side guards that allow you to convert the crib to a toddler bed at the right time. Other toddler beds are entirely separate from cribs. Most children outgrow a crib-sized mattress when they are about 3 feet tall.
Twin
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Twin beds, also known as single beds, are the size of choice for most families. The twin mattress measures 38 inches wide by 74 inches long and sleeps youth comfortably. Most bed frames designed for youth, including bunk beds, hold a twin-sized mattress. Once your child is more than 5 feet 6 inches tall, he might prefer to sleep in a longer bed.
Other Sizes
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Youth can sleep on other slightly less common sizes of mattresses as well. If the child has a large room, you could get a double mattress, which measures 53 inches wide by 74 inches long. This size is perfect for sleepovers because your child and a friend can sleep comfortably together. Plus, some cribs convert into a headboard and footboard for a double mattress. Another youth mattress size is the twin XL, which is still 38 inches wide, but 79 inches long. These extra five inches of length make it much more comfortable for taller youth. This size is commonly found in college dormitories. Some youth furniture offers other non-standard mattress sizes, especially for futons or chairs that fold out into mattresses.
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