Average Bedroom Size: Master & Standard (with Mattress Sizes)

Whether you’re getting a new bed, redesigning, or remodeling, it’s helpful to know what the average bedroom size is in the US. From Master to Standard and Guest, here’s everything you need to know about average bedroom sizes.

 

Average bedroom size is probably not a topic you’re bringing up during Happy Hour (at the bar or over Zoom!). But it’s surprisingly important as far as understanding how to navigate the homeowner or renter territory. In fact, you may be surprised yourself to find out that there are actual legal minimums for the bedroom — in terms of total size, windows, and more.

 

Plus, the average bedroom size will depend on the average home size, and that can vary pretty widely from home to townhouse, condo to apartment, not to mention the geographical area in question. (Fun fact: Colorado has the largest average home size, and Massachusetts has the smallest!)

 

Given the amount of time we all spend in our bedrooms (at least a third of our lives, if not more), it makes sense to have a solid grasp of the subject. If you’re renovating or getting a new mattress in the near future, the value of bedroom size knowledge goes up significantly. 

 

Now, let’s take a look at all the info and data that you need to know as far as it pertains to average bedroom size in America. From master bedroom to standard bedroom and guest bedrooms, we’ve got you covered. Scroll on to discover all you never knew you needed to know about the average size of bedrooms in this country, and around the world too.

What Are the Average Bedroom Sizes in an American Home?

In American homes, there are typically two different types of bedrooms: master (or owner’s) bedrooms, and standard bedrooms (traditionally used for guest or children’s rooms). So, when we’re discussing average bedroom size in America, we need to know which particular room we’re talking about.

 

Secondly, it’s important to consider what you want to put in a given bedroom. This information is needed in order to figure out the amount of space you’ll need for everything (on average).

 

No matter what the average is, you will need to consider your own wants and needs to determine what bedroom size works best for you.

Thirdly, and just as important, average home size across the different areas in the United States will play a significant role as well. The larger the home, the larger the average size of bedrooms in houses in that geographical area of the USA. Naturally, the reverse is also true. The smaller the home, the smaller the average bedroom size in that US location.

 

Finally, the needs of the homeowner or renter (YOU!) are more important than any “average” that may exist. In other words, no matter what the average is, you will need to consider your own wants and needs and determine what bedroom size works well for you (and, if applicable, your partner and family).

 

Keeping all that at top of mind (or as much as possible — it’s a lot to think about!)...

 

Here's the average bedroom size in American homes. The sizes are broken down by type of bedroom, with a few frequently asked questions following (see even more FAQs near the bottom of this page).

 

Master Bedroom (Owner’s Bedroom, Primary Bedroom)

The master bedroom — sometimes referred to as the owner’s bedroom or the primary bedroom — is just what it sounds like.

 

This room is always the largest bedroom in the house or apartment. It is also usually where the bed of the homeowner or primary renter resides. In an “en suite,” this would also include their bathroom. Many master bedrooms in houses in North America include a walk-in closet as well, meaning that there is enough space to physically walk into the closet.

 

Bedrooms have a legal minimum size requirement of 70 sq. ft. This would work out to 7 feet by 10 feet (7x10).

 

What is the average master bedroom size? The average size of a master bedroom in American homes is about 14 feet by 16 feet (or 14x16), which works out to 224 square feet (or 224 sq. ft.). That’s a little over a tenth of the total square footage in an average American house (see list by country below).

 

Standard Bedroom 

A standard bedroom, generally speaking, is any bedroom that is not the master bedroom. These are often used as kids’ bedrooms or guest bedrooms. They are also frequently utilized as home offices, home gyms, and multipurpose rooms. (If you're a podcaster or TikTok celebrity, you probably use your guest bedroom for these purposes too!)

 

Funny enough, it’s a bit of a misnomer to call these rooms “standard” bedrooms, because there is no one-size-fits-all standard, per se. Instead, there is a range of sizes, with an average standard bedroom size coming somewhere in the middle of it all.

 

 

 

What is the average standard bedroom size? The average size of a standard or guest bedroom in American homes is somewhere between 132 sq. ft. and 144 sq. ft. This works out to 12 feet by 13 feet (12x13), or 12 feet by 14 feet (12x14). As a percentage of total home square feet, a standard bedroom takes up about 7% of the square footage space in a house.

 

There are standard sizes for each type of mattress. You can trust that a twin mattress from one brand is the same size as it is for another.

 

But wait, there’s more…

 

Even though this is the "middle ground" of sorts, there is quite a wide range for standard bedrooms.

 

Here are a few other common guest bedroom or children’s bedroom sizes:

 

• 10 x 10 (100 sq. ft.)
• 10 x 11 (110 sq. ft.)
• 11 x 12 (132 sq. ft.)
• 12 x 12 (144 sq. ft.)

 

See what we mean? There’s as much as 40+ square footage difference in all those “standard” bedroom sizes!

 

This is just one more example of where the average can be a helpful guide, but it can’t tell you exactly how big your bedrooms need to be. Only you can do that. (Motivational enough for you? 😉)

 

Do bedrooms have to be a certain size? What is the legal requirement for a bedroom?

One very common question that architects and interior designers or decorators get has to do with zoning and architectural legality. In other words: what is the legal requirement for bedroom size?

 

Or, to put it another way… 

 

Do bedrooms have to be a certain size? Yes, bedrooms do have a legal minimum size requirement, of 70 square feet (70 sq. ft.). This would work out to 7 feet by 10 feet (7x10). One wall would be 7 feet long, and the other wall would be 10 feet long.

 

As you might imagine, that’s not a ton of space, especially once you put a bed and chest of drawers in the room. On top of that, bedrooms are legally required to have at least one exit point (sometimes called by its fancypants name “egress”). This can be a door to the outside, but it’s often a window, which itself needs to be a certain size.

 

As one source in California writes, “According to the International Residential Code, a bedroom window can be between 24 and 44 inches from the floor, it needs at least 5.7 square feet for the opening, and it must measure no less than 24 inches high and 20 inches wide (R310.1).”

 

That’s a long answer to a short question. AKA, bedrooms do have a minimum size requirement, but they also have other minimums that must be met in order to be considered a true bedroom in many areas.

Average Home and Bedroom Sizes in Other Countries (Outside the USA)

So far, we have been dealing entirely with American homes and average bedroom sizes in the US. But, what if you live outside the United States, or you want to purchase a home in another country? In either case, you’ll likely want to know the average bedroom size in other countries.

 

With that in mind (and because we like to consider ourselves citizens of the world), here are the top 10 countries by average house size around the world.

 

(Note: The list is in size order by square feet, to make it easier to gauge the size and square footage differences around the globe. The data comes from Statista, 2017.)

 

• Australia: 2,032 sq. ft.
• USA: 1,901 sq. ft.
• Canada: 1,792 sq. ft.
• UK: 1,590 sq. ft.
• France: 1,556 sq. ft.
• Germany: 1,477 sq. ft.
• Mexico: 1,416 sq. ft.
• Spain: 1,314 sq. ft.
• Brazil: 1,288 sq. ft.

 

Minimum Bedroom Size by Bed/Mattress Sizes

Some good news: there are standard sizes for each and every type of mattress.

 

In other words, you can trust that a twin mattress from one brand is the same as it is for another.

 

To calculate your ideal room size, take into account all the items that you want to put into the room and then measure those items. Add a little extra space for walking around and you should have a good idea of what your own “ideal room size” might be.

 

Depending on what size bed you need, you'll want to know what the mattresses sizes are. But you'll also need this information to make sure the mattress in question will fit in your bedroom as well.

 

Here are the standard mattress sizes in the United States.

 

Crib (Baby's Bed)

Crib size: 27 inches by 52 inches (27” x 52”)

Twin Mattresses

Twin mattress size: 38 inches by 75 inches (38” x 75”)

Twin XL mattress size: 38 inches by 80 inches (38” x 80”)

Full Mattress

Full mattress size: 54 inches by 75 inches (54” x 75”)

Queen Mattress

Queen mattress size: 60 inches by 80 inches (60” x 80”)

King Mattresses

King mattress size: 76 inches by 80 inches (76” x 80”)

California King mattress size: 72 inches by 84 inches (72” x 84”)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average standard bedroom size in Arizona?

The average size of a home in Arizona is roughly 1,763 to 1,879 square feet. Since standard bedrooms typically take up about 7% of a home’s total space, the average standard bedroom size would be somewhere in the range of 123 to 131 sq. ft.

What is the average bedroom size in California?

The average home size in the state of California varies significantly because the state is so large and has so many geographical differences from one area to the next. So, instead, we’ll focus in on the Bay Area of San Francisco, where homes are about 1,150 square feet in size. Again, since standard bedrooms typically take up about 7% of a home’s total space, the average standard bedroom size would be roughly 80 sq. ft.

What is the average home size in the USA?

According to a leading mortgage lender, “In 1973, the earliest year for which U.S. Census data is currently available, the average square footage of a house in the U.S. was 1,660 square feet. By 2015, the average square footage of a home increased to a whopping 2,687 square feet, although since then, it’s begun to drop. In 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the average square footage of a house dropped to 2,301 square feet.”

Which states have the largest and smallest average sized homes?

On average, Massachusetts has the smallest home size, and Colorado has the largest home size.

Is a 12x12 bedroom small?

The simple answer is yes, a 12x12 “box-shaped” room is going to be on the smaller side. The main issue is that you’re going to have trouble fitting a mattress and bedframe into that space, and still have any room left over for other furniture.

Is 10x10 big enough for a bedroom?

Yes, but only for a twin or full mattress. A queen will not quite fit with comfortable room to make your way around the bed.

How many square feet is 12x12?

To calculate square footage, you multiply the length times the width. So, 12 x 12 = 144 sq.ft. For another quick example: to calculate a 10x10 room, you'd do the same math — 10 x 10 = 100 sq. ft.

What is the ideal room size?

The ideal room size will vary depending on your needs. For instance, a room for a young child may not need much space: a twin bed, a small chest of drawers, and a closet, for example. But a master bedroom will likely need to be much larger: a queen or king size mattress, multiple chests of drawers, desk, nightstands, chaise or chair, TV stand, etc. To calculate your ideal room size, take into account all the items that you want to put into the room and then measure those items. Add a little extra space for walking around and you should have a good idea of what your own “ideal room size” might be.

What’s considered a small room?

The idea of a “small room” or “small bedroom” will depend on the needs of the room and the geographical location of the home or apartment. In some cities, like San Francisco, California, the average bedroom size in apartments will be much smaller than it is in a city like Phoenix, Arizona.

What is a good size kid bedroom?

As per usual, "average" will depend on the area. But in the United States, on average, kid bedroom size is roughly 11 ft. x 12 ft. This works out to 132 sq.ft.. That being said, a children's bedroom can fit snugly inside a 10x10 bedroom (See 10x10 Q&A above.).

Can a room be a bedroom without a window? Is it OK to have a bedroom without windows?

For better or worse, there is not just one answer to this question. It will depend on the state/city/county in which your home resides. You will need to check the Building Code for your local jurisdiction. If you have specific questions, speak to a contractor, real estate agent, city official, or other housing professional that specializes in your area.

 

Conclusion

If you had a nagging question about bedroom space, we hope you got it answered right here. We’ve covered average bedroom size, master and standard (with mattress sizes), along with a wide variety of other specific questions.

 

Of course, a bedroom is only as good as the stuff you put inside the bedroom! That’s why we recommend filling your bedroom with an organic mattress, all-natural bedding, and a sumptuous pillow that’s fit for royalty.

 

Create an oasis at home that you look forward to at the end of every day — and for every good night.

 

Check out our gorgeous collection of organic mattresses and see which ones pique your interest.

 

If you have any questions (any at all!), get in touch with a complimentary Virtual Visit.

 

Our bedding specialists have seen and heard it all, and they will have answers to all your bedding questions.

 

You can also reach out to us via email at richard@sleep365.com or via chat on the website.

 

However you want to chat, we’re here for you. See you real soon!