You’re staring at your bedroom floor with a tape measure, feeling like Goldilocks. The Queen feels a bit too cramped when the dog decides to sprawl out, but a standard King looks like it’s going to swallow your nightstands whole. It’s a common frustration. Most people assume the jump from a 60-inch wide Queen to a 76-inch wide King is the only path forward. You’ve probably asked yourself, is there a mattress size between queen and king that doesn't require a construction crew to remodel your master suite?
The short answer? Yes. But it’s not what you’ll find at a big-box clearance center on a Tuesday morning.
In the standard American mattress hierarchy, there is technically a "missing" size. However, the bedding industry has birthed a few specialty dimensions—the Olympic Queen and the California Queen—to bridge that gap. Finding them is the tricky part. Most shoppers get stuck because they’re looking for a "Small King," which isn't really a thing in the way they imagine.
The Olympic Queen: The Hidden Middle Ground
If you want the most honest answer to is there a mattress size between queen and king, you have to look at the Olympic Queen. It measures 66 inches wide by 80 inches long.
Think about that for a second.
A standard Queen is 60 inches wide. A King is 76 inches wide. The Olympic Queen sits right in the pocket at 66 inches. It gives you an extra six inches of "elbow room" compared to a Queen without the massive 16-inch jump to a King. It’s perfect for couples who need just a little more breathing room but are dealing with a bedroom that's maybe 10x12 or 12x12.
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Why haven't you heard of it? Well, it’s mostly a specialty item now. Simmons originally championed the size, but it didn't catch on with mass-market retailers who prefer the efficiency of stocking the "Big Three" (Twin, Queen, King). This means if you buy one, you’re also embarking on a quest to find specific sheets and bed frames. You can't just walk into a Target and grab a set of Olympic Queen linens off the shelf. You're looking at custom orders or niche online boutiques like Brooklyn Bedding or specialized linen manufacturers.
Why the California King Isn't the Answer You Think
There’s a massive misconception that the California King sits "between" the Queen and the King.
Nope.
In terms of total surface area, the California King is actually smaller than a standard Eastern King. It’s 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. It’s narrower but longer. If you’re asking is there a mattress size between queen and king because you’re tall, then the Cal King is your best friend. If you’re asking because you want more width than a Queen but less than a King, the Cal King is a weird compromise. It’s still 12 inches wider than a Queen. It’s still a beast of a mattress.
The Reality of Non-Standard Sizes
Let’s be real. Buying a non-standard size is a bit of a headache.
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I’ve talked to people who hunted down an Olympic Queen only to realize they had to spend $200 on custom-sewn Egyptian cotton sheets because nothing else fit. It’s a commitment. You also have to consider the bed frame. A standard Queen frame won’t support the extra width, and a King frame will have awkward gaps. You’ll likely need an adjustable base or a platform bed specifically built for those 66-inch dimensions.
Some people try to DIY this by pushing two smaller mattresses together. It never works. The "seam" in the middle is a nightmare, and the math doesn't quite add up to that perfect middle ground you’re hunting for.
The European King and Other Outliers
If you’re shopping in the UK or Europe, the terminology shifts entirely. An "International" or "European King" is often closer to our Queen, measuring about 63 inches wide. It’s a confusing mess of centimeters and inches.
In the U.S., some boutique manufacturers like FloBeds or custom mattress makers can literally cut foam to any size you want. You could technically order a "Prince" size that’s 68 inches wide if you really wanted to. But then you’re back to the sheet problem. Honestly, most people who go down this rabbit hole eventually realize that the struggle of finding accessories outweighs the benefit of those extra few inches.
Practical Steps for Choosing the Right "In-Between"
Stop measuring just the bed. Measure the "walk-around" space.
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Designers usually recommend at least 24 to 30 inches of space on either side of the bed. If a King leaves you with 15 inches, you’re going to be shimmying past your dresser every morning. That’s miserable.
If you’re determined to find that middle ground:
- Check Specialty Online Retailers: Look specifically for "Olympic Queen" (66x80). Brands like Brooklyn Bedding have historically offered these in their "custom" or "expanded" lines.
- Investigate the RV Market: RV mattresses often come in "Short Kings" or "Three-Quarter" sizes. A Short King is often 72x75. It’s wider than a Queen but shorter. If you’re not tall, this might actually fit your room better.
- Consider a Split Queen: This won't give you more space, but it makes moving the bed into tight apartments way easier.
- Source Your Linens First: Before you drop $1,500 on a 66-inch wide mattress, find a website that sells 66-inch wide fitted sheets. If you can’t find a color you like, don't buy the bed.
The search for is there a mattress size between queen and king usually ends in one of two ways: you either commit to the specialty Olympic Queen and the lifestyle of ordering custom linens, or you realize that a high-quality Queen with better edge support feels bigger than a cheap Queen that sags at the sides.
Sometimes, it's not the inches that matter; it's how much of the mattress you can actually use without rolling off. A "hybrid" mattress with reinforced coils around the perimeter can give you back those 3 or 4 inches of "usable" space that soft foam mattresses lose when you sit near the edge.
If you are set on more space but can't fit a King, look for an Olympic Queen from a specialty manufacturer. Ensure you have a source for 66"x80" sheets and a compatible heavy-duty platform base before purchasing. For those with long rooms but narrow widths, verify if a California King (72"x84") provides enough clearance for your walkways compared to a standard King.