The Standard Height of a Bed & Mattress From the Floor

Most Common Height

• Though set standards for bed height do not exist, some particular heights are much more common than others, due either to their ergonomic nature or because they happen to be the internal standard for one or more major bed manufacturer. The most common height today is 25 inches. A person sitting on a bed of this height will be able to rest his feet flat on the floor, but his legs will be fairly extended while doing so.

Platform Beds

• A platform bed is one built with wooden panels or slats along the bottom to support the mattress, which means that no box spring is required. Though they generally provide more storage space than their traditional counterpart, due to the open sides of the frame, most platform beds are actually set at a lower height than those that use box springs. The most common height for a platform bed is 18 inches, usually allowing a person sitting on it to have her legs bent at a 90-degree angle.

Antique Beds

• Styles change over the years, but often the nostalgia of an earlier era or the mystique of one earlier yet beckons --- hence the antique industry. Antique beds are usually made of wood and often engraved with intricate designs. The four-poster bed with canopy is another common antique style. Not only were beds more heavily embellished in olden time, but they were higher as well. The most common height for an antique bed is 36 inches. When sitting on such a bed, a person's legs will almost certainly not reach the floor.

Hospital Beds

• The beds used in hospitals are almost always of adjustable height, with heads and feet that can be raised independently for a more comfortable posture. While the bed dimensions and height of the railing are prescribed specific values, the height can vary significantly, often set to accommodate the standing height of the nurse or caregiver. The average height of a hospital bed in low position is approximately 20 inches, though a bed of this height would likely be raised somewhat during everyday use.