There are tons of reasons to put two twin beds together. For instance, if you sleep with a partner who has completely different mattress preferences than you, it can be really hard to get comfortable at night. Some couples decide to put two twin beds together in one frame so that they can each choose a mattress that works for them. Other sleepers like to get two twin mattresses to use in an adjustable bed frame. And other folks use two twin beds to save money on the cost of a king size mattress!
Whatever you’re using your two twin beds for, you’ll want to make sure you know your mattress dimensions so you don’t have extra space in your bed frame.
Do Two Twin Beds Make a King?
Two standard twin beds pushed together do not make a king size bed. A standard twin mattress is only 75 inches long. A standard king size mattress is 80 inches long. If you’re planning to use two twin size beds to create a king mattress, you should use two twin XL mattresses. These beds are 80 inches long and will fit side by side on a traditional king size box spring or bed frame.
|
Mattress Size |
Dimensions |
|
Twin |
38” x 75” |
|
Twin XL |
38” x 80” |
|
King |
76” x 80” |
|
Split King |
Two 38” x 80” pieces |
What is a Split King Bed?
Split, or dual, king beds are standard size king mattresses that are split down the middle and sold in two pieces. Each half of a split king mattress is the size of an extra long twin bed. They are most commonly sold to couples with different firmness preferences and sleepers who use adjustable bed frames.
The perk of buying a split king mattress is that your mattress retailer will ensure each side of the bed is exactly the same height. This will make it easy to roll around your entire sleep surface without hitting a divot in the middle. Certain queen mattresses and California king mattresses also come in split options, which is great for sleepers who only have enough room for a queen size bed or who want even more sleeping space than a standard king bed offers.
Interested in a split king? Check out the best king size mattresses of 2024 to see some split king options.
How to Connect Twin XL Mattresses to Make a Split King Bed
While you can buy a split king mattress online, some shoppers prefer to purchase two twin XL beds instead to save money. If you don’t mind a slightly shorter bed, you can also combine two standard twin size mattresses to get a larger bed. So, how do you combine these beds into one?
- First, choose your new mattress! If you’re combining single beds from two different brands, make sure that each bed is the same height. If one mattress is taller than the other, your new bed will be uneven. You should also keep in mind that one mattress may wear out more quickly than the other if you go this route. For instance, a memory foam mattress will start to sag sooner than a hybrid mattress. We recommend purchasing the same type of mattress for each side of the bed, even if you purchase from different brands or choose different firmness levels. Check out the best twin XL mattresses here if you need help finding the best mattress for your needs.
- Next, place both beds next to each other on a standard king size bed frame or box spring. If you’re looking for an adjustable bed instead, our best adjustable bed bases and frames article is a great place to start.
- After arranging your mattresses on a frame, you’ll want to consider adding a king size mattress topper or bed bridge. A bed bridge is a piece of foam you’ll put between the two mattresses to ensure you don’t notice any gap between them. A mattress topper will go on top of both beds at once to prevent gapping. Our 10 best mattress toppers of 2024 is a great place to start looking for a topper.
- Finally, add some king size sheets to your new bed and hop in for a nap! Upgrading the entire master bedroom? Check out the best sheets of 2024 here.
FAQs
Do two twin beds make a king?
No, two twin beds do not make a king bed. Twin beds are 5 inches shorter than king size mattresses, so will make a shorter mattress. But, two twin XL beds will make a king bed. They are 38 inches wide by 80 inches long, and combine to be the length and width of a standard king size mattress.
Can two twin beds be put together?
Yes, two twin beds can be put together. They will be the width of a king bed (76 inches), but slightly shorter in length. If you don’t mind a little extra space near your headboard or at the foot of the bed, you can combine two twin beds in a king size bed frame. Alternatively, you could push two twin size box springs together and attach a king sized headboard.