Shorty Mattress

Shorty Mattresses — Standard Size and Made to Measure

A shorty mattress is shorter and narrower than a standard single — the classic shorty mattress size is 175cm x 75cm (5'9" x 2'6"), making it a practical choice for children's beds, bunk beds, cabin beds, compact caravan singles and custom van conversion platforms where a full-length single simply will not fit. We also make short mattresses to any bespoke length — if you need a mattress shorter than the standard 190cm but your required length is not the standard 175cm shorty size, we cut to your exact measurements at no extra cost. A short mattress at 160cm, 165cm, 170cm or any other length is exactly the same process for us as making a standard shorty.

We have been manufacturing bespoke mattresses for over 40 years and our shorty range draws on the same materials and build quality as our caravan mattress range — reflex foam, memory foam, Novotex latex foam and pocket sprung, all available in a shorty or short mattress size. Whether you need a straightforward replacement for a children's shorty bed, a non-standard short mattress for a campervan sleeping platform, or a bespoke length for an unusual bed frame, you are in the right place.

What Size Is a Shorty Mattress?

The standard shorty mattress size is 175cm long by 75cm wide — often expressed in imperial as 5 foot 9 inches by 2 foot 6 inches. This makes a shorty mattress 15cm shorter and 15cm narrower than a standard UK single mattress (190cm x 90cm), which is a meaningful difference in a small bedroom, a bunk bed with tight safety rail clearance, or a compact bed platform in a caravan or campervan.

Mattress Type	Length	Width	Common Use
Shorty Single	175cm (5'9")	75cm (2'6")	Children's beds, bunk beds, compact caravan singles
Standard Single	190cm (6'3")	90cm (3'0")	Standard UK single beds
Small Single	190cm (6'3")	75cm (2'6")	Narrow single beds, some caravan singles
Bespoke Shorty	Any length	Any width	Custom van builds, odd-size bed frames, caravans

If your bed frame is not exactly 175cm x 75cm — perhaps it is 170cm x 70cm, or 180cm x 76cm — we will make your mattress to those exact dimensions. A shorty mattress that is even a centimetre too long can be difficult to fit into a bunk bed frame with fixed ends, and a mattress that is too narrow leaves a visible gap. Made to measure costs no more than standard with us.

Who Needs a Shorty Mattress?

Children and teenagers are the primary market for shorty mattresses. A shorty bed and mattress is a sensible choice from around age four through to the early teenage years — compact enough to leave floor space in a smaller bedroom, but providing a proper sleeping surface rather than a toddler bed. Many children's bunk beds, cabin beds and mid-sleepers are built to shorty dimensions, so when the original mattress wears out a shorty replacement is the only correct fit.

Caravan owners frequently need shorty mattresses for compact fixed single beds at the rear of the caravan. Shorter tourers — particularly in the sub-6 metre range — often have single beds that fall short of the standard 190cm single length. If you have a caravan with a fixed single that is noticeably short and the standard single mattress you ordered hangs over the end, a shorty or bespoke-length mattress is what you actually need. See our full range of caravan single mattresses if you need help identifying the right size for your caravan.

Van converters and campervan owners regularly need shorty-sized mattresses where the available sleeping platform is constrained by the length of the van load area, wheel arch positions or the need to fold the bed away. A standard single is frequently too long to work practically in a campervan conversion and a shorty — or a bespoke size close to shorty dimensions — is the right solution. See our campervan mattresses page for more on bespoke van conversion mattresses.

How Thick Should a Shorty Mattress Be?

Thickness depends on where the mattress is being used. For bunk beds, cabin beds, mid-sleepers and high-sleepers the safety rail height is the critical constraint — the mattress must sit low enough that the rail provides meaningful protection. As a general rule, keep bunk bed mattresses to a maximum of 16cm thick. This ensures the top of the mattress sits below the safety rail height on most standard bunk and cabin beds. If in doubt, measure the distance from the bed base to the top of the safety rail before ordering.

For the top bunk specifically, or for spare beds that see occasional use, a 10–13cm foam mattress is a practical choice — lightweight enough to handle easily when changing bedding and perfectly comfortable for children and occasional guests. For a child's main sleeping mattress on a lower bunk or cabin bed, 13–16cm gives better support and longer lasting comfort. For adults using a shorty mattress — perhaps in a caravan or van conversion — 15cm or above is recommended for proper spinal support.

Shorty Mattress Types — Which Is Right for You?

Shorty Mattress Firmness — A Practical Guide

For children up to around age ten, a medium firmness is the most appropriate choice — soft enough to be comfortable but firm enough to support a growing spine without the mattress collapsing under them over time. Very soft mattresses are not recommended for younger children from a postural support perspective.

For teenagers and adults using a shorty mattress, firmness preference becomes more personal. Side sleepers generally find medium or medium-soft options more comfortable as they allow the shoulder and hip to sink slightly rather than being pushed out of alignment. Back and front sleepers typically benefit from a firmer surface that keeps the spine in a neutral position. If you are unsure, call us and we will talk through the options for your specific situation.

Are Shorty Mattresses Suitable for Adults?

The standard shorty mattress length of 175cm accommodates adults up to approximately 5 foot 7 inches comfortably. Beyond that height, feet will overhang the end and the mattress becomes impractical for regular use. For adults under 5'7", a shorty mattress is perfectly usable as a main sleeping mattress provided the thickness and foam grade are appropriate — a 15–20cm mattress in a higher density foam or pocket sprung will give better support than the thinner options designed for children's bunk beds.

For caravan and van conversion use, if the available sleeping platform is shorty length but the occupant is taller, a bespoke length mattress between 175cm and 190cm is often the most practical solution — not quite a standard single but long enough for the person using it. We can make any length in between.

Shorty Mattresses for Caravans and Campervans

The term shorty mattress is used in the caravan world to describe any single mattress shorter than the standard 190cm length — not just the precise 175cm domestic size. A caravan shorty mattress might be 170cm, 175cm, 180cm or any other length depending on the specific caravan model and floor plan. If you have a fixed single bed in a caravan that is clearly shorter than a standard single, the right approach is to measure the bed base and order to those exact measurements rather than assuming the standard 175cm shorty size will fit.

For campervans and van conversions, the sleeping platform length is determined by the van body and the conversion layout. Shorty dimensions frequently appear in smaller vans — Volkswagen Caddy conversions, Citroën Berlingo campers, Vauxhall Vivaro layouts and similar — where the load area constrains the available sleeping length. If your platform is 175cm or shorter, a shorty mattress is the practical solution. If it falls between standard sizes, we make to your exact measurements.

Short Mattress — When You Need Something Shorter Than Standard but Not Necessarily 175cm

The term short mattress covers a broader need than the standard 175cm shorty size. Anyone whose bed, caravan, campervan or sleeping platform is shorter than a standard single — but whose required length is not exactly 175cm — needs a short mattress made to measure. This is precisely what we do.

A short mattress at 160cm suits a child's compact cabin bed that falls below shorty dimensions. A short mattress at 168cm fits a caravan rear single where the floor plan simply does not allow the standard 175cm length. A short mattress at 170cm works for a van conversion where the load area constrains the sleeping platform. In every case the solution is the same — measure the bed base, give us the length and width, and we cut the mattress to those exact dimensions. The price is the same whether you need 175cm or 160cm or anything in between.

The word shorty is commonly used informally to describe any short mattress, regardless of whether it matches the precise 175cm standard size. If you have searched for a shorty mattress and your actual requirement is a non-standard short length, you are still in the right place — we make both. The only question is what size you need, and we can help you establish that if you are unsure.

For short mattresses needed in caravans specifically, see our caravan single mattresses page which covers the full range of compact caravan single bed configurations. For campervans and van conversions, see our campervan mattresses page.