When shopping for mattresses, you’ll see several mattress thicknesses for most brands. The same is true for Purple. We have four models, and each one is a different thickness.

Purple mattresses are unique, thanks to the patented Purple Grid™. The Hyper-Elastic Polymer material gives each Purple mattress a Universal Firmness rating, which gives most users a good night’s sleep.

Two factors to consider when choosing a mattress are sleeping position and body type (size and weight). These determine which mattress firmness is best for you. Most sleepers prefer medium to medium-firm mattresses, but many others prefer a firmer or softer mattress.

If you are reading bed in a box reviews and researching how to buy a mattress , be sure to consider mattress thickness. Purple has four mattress models, each with a different height. The original Purple® Mattress has a support foam base, while the three hybrid mattresses are encased wrapped coil bases.

A mattress’s thickness is also referred to as its height or depth. There are reasons why mattresses have varying heights. As a general rule, mattresses using the same materials are firmer when thinner and softer when thicker. Hybrid mattresses are usually thicker than their all-foam cousins to allow for coil height. When the materials in a mattress change, it can affect the height of a mattress. This is why Purple® Mattresses are available in four different mattress depths.

Here are some of the most common questions that shoppers have about mattress thickness.

The Purple® Hybrid Premier™ with 4” Purple Grid™ works well for all sleeping positions, including back and stomach sleepers, thanks to the responsive wrapped coil support. Thanks to the greater pliability and conforming properties of the 4” Purple Grid™, it is also suitable for sleepers over 250 lbs. as well as petite sleepers.

The Purple® Hybrid Premier with 4” Purple Grid™ is 13-inches thick. It is the deepest Purple mattress and also the softest. It differs from the other hybrid models by having a 4-inch thick Purple Grid™ comfort layer.

The Purple® Hybrid Premier with 3” Purple Grid™ provides comfort and support for all types of sleepers. It is also recommended for larger and heavier persons because of the support of the coils, while also accommodating petite persons because the higher grid is more pliable. This makes it a great choice for couples who have different firmness preferences.

At 12” high, the Purple® Hybrid Premier™ with 3” Purple Grid™ is suitable for everyone. It differs from the Purple Hybrid™ only in the thickness of the Purple Grid™ comfort layer. With a 50% higher grid, it is effectively more pliable, making it a little less firm than the Purple® Hybrid.

The Purple® Hybrid is recommended for back sleepers and stomach sleepers, but is also suitable for side sleepers, combo sleepers, and those who toss and turn. It is a great choice for average-sized and heavy people. The individual wrapped coils make this model and the Hybrid Premier mattresses suitable for big and tall sleepers since they provide more support. This model is also suitable for older youth and teenagers.

This model is also suitable for children and youth. The twin size is recommended for children, while the twin XL and full sizes are great for older children and teenagers.

The Purple® Mattress is suitable for all sleeping positions, including side sleepers and combo sleepers. This model works well with petite sleepers and is a good choice for those who are average size. The transition layer adds flexibility and support beneath the polymer grid. It is not recommended for persons weighing over 250 pounds.

The original Purple® Mattress is 9.25-inches deep. It has a foam-encased 2” Purple Grid™ comfort layer. Underneath the open-cell comfort layer, a 3.5” transition layer of high-density polyurethane foam (1.8-lb) sits atop a 4” base layer of 2.0-lb polyurethane foam. Foam encasement around the grid has been added for edge support. Its firmness is medium to medium-firm.

How high do I want my bed?

Most people prefer the top of their mattress to be about 25 inches from the floor. At this height, you can sit on the edge of the bed with your feet on the floor. Shorter people may want a lower bed, while those who are taller may prefer more height. When mattress shopping for couples, always go with the preferences of the shorter person.

After you have chosen your Purple® Mattress, choose a bed frame or mattress foundation that matches your preferred bed height after adding the thickness of your mattress. Keep in mind that mattress thickness is also related to mattress firmness and density. In general, you can expect a softer mattress to be thicker and a firmer mattress to be thinner if they have the same materials. However, the opposite is actually true for an air mattress since both the height and the firmness are increased by raising pressure in the air chambers.

How do I measure mattress thickness?

Using a ruler for better accuracy, measure from the bottom of the mattress to the crown, which is higher than the top seam. If you have a pillow top mattress, you can lay a yardstick across the mattress with the end sticking over the edge, so it is level with the crown. Then, measure from the bottom of the mattress up to the yardstick.

To determine overall bed height, measure the height of the foundation or box spring, if you have one. If the mattress you want to buy is thicker than your current one and you want the same overall height, then you’ll need to adjust the bed foundation.

How thick is an average mattress?

For mattresses that are not hybrids, 9-10 inches is the average thickness. The standard mattress thickness of a hybrid model is 11 to 13 inches. Purple mattresses are considered to be average in thickness.

Average thickness is also specific to mattress types. For example, the average futon mattress is thin compared to most bed mattresses, as is a daybed mattress, bunk bed mattress, sofa bed mattress, and mattresses specifically made for young children. Inflatable guest beds are very thick compared to bed mattresses, as they are commonly designed to come close to standard bed height while sitting directly on the floor.

How many inches high is a standard mattress?

The height of a standard mattress can vary, depending on who you ask. On average, the standard thickness of a mattress is 9 to 12 inches. 6 to 8 inches is considered slim or low, and less than 6 inches is very low. Mattresses 12 to 15 inches are high or thick, and those over 15” are very high.

Mattress Thickness Rating

Very Thin Mattresses: Under 6″

Thin Mattresses: 6″ to 8″

Standard Mattresses: 9″ to 12″

Thick Mattresses: 12″ to 15″

Very Thick Mattresses: 15″ to 20″

Extremely Thick Mattresses: 20″ and over

Mattress thickness size is only one dimension of a mattress. Horizontal dimensions for each mattress size are standardized. Full size is always 54” wide x 76” long, regardless of how thick or thin it is, while mattress thickness depends on the specific model.

How deep is a standard mattress?

For mattresses, depth and height are simply other ways to refer to the thickness of a mattress. For example, the dimensions of a full-size Purple® Mattress are 54” wide by 76” long by 9.25” deep.

How much thickness is required for a mattress?

A mattress needs to be thick enough to provide both support and pressure relief at the same time. All-foam mattresses can be thinner with high-density foam in the base. Hybrid mattresses are thicker in order to house the effective wrapped coils and well-performing comfort layers.

What is a good mattress thickness?

Choosing the right mattress thickness depends on your specific needs and the type of mattress you buy. Purple has four mattresses, each with a different thickness: 9.25”, 11”, 12”, and 13”. A good mattress thickness provides the comfort and support you need at the right overall bed height. A few mattress brands have mattresses that are over 18 inches thick, which is way too high for most people.

Another consideration is durability. As a general rule, thicker mattresses can last a little longer, because they have more components to share the stress. You can also consider using a mattress protector to help your mattress last longer.

Mattress Thickness Guide

The term “mattress thickness” means the same thing as saying “mattress height” and “mattress depth.” Unless your mattress is sitting directly on the floor, it is only part of the overall height of your bed. Simply put, it is the vertical dimension of a mattress.

Mattress thickness should not be confused with mattress size. The mattress size is determined by the horizontal dimensions: width and length. The thickness of a mattress depends on the model. For any given model, every size has the same thickness, no matter if it’s a twin-size, queen-size, or full-size mattress.

Before you choose a mattress, be sure to take the mattress thickness into account. Purple has four mattresses, and each has its own thickness by design. Hybrids are thicker than the foam-based original Purple® Mattress, and the three hybrids are differentiated by the thickness of the Purple Grid™. If you’re shopping for a quality mattress and want a great night’s sleep, you can find the right mattress thickness with Purple.