Standard Bed Height in Australia: How High Should Your Bed Be?
Standard bed height — Australian beds typically sit 50–63 cm from floor to mattress top. Our team explains the right height for your knee, hip and back — plus what to do if your bed is too low or too high.
James on our team measured every bed in his extended family one Christmas (he was bored). The range was 38 cm to 71 cm. There is no fixed “standard” Australian bed height — but there is a comfortable range, and there are heights that cause back pain. Here’s the practical version.
The comfortable range (Standard bed height)
For most Australian adults, the top of the mattress should sit between 50 and 63 cm from the floor. That’s the height where you can sit on the edge of the bed with your feet flat and your knees at roughly a right angle.
Bed components
| Component | Typical height |
|---|---|
| Bed base / frame | 30–45 cm |
| Mattress | 20–35 cm |
| Total (top of mattress) | 50–80 cm |
By body height
A taller person sitting on a low bed has knees higher than hips, which strains the lower back. Match height roughly to leg length:
| Your height | Ideal mattress-top height |
|---|---|
| Under 160 cm | 45–55 cm |
| 160–175 cm | 50–60 cm |
| 175–185 cm | 55–65 cm |
| 185 cm+ | 60–70 cm |
What pushes you outside the range
Mattress-in-a-box brands (Koala, Ecosa, Eva, Sleeping Duck) typically include the 25–30 cm mattress, which on a 35–40 cm base puts you in the 60 cm range — fine for most. Older traditional brands (Sealy, Sleepmaker) make taller mattresses (35 cm+) that on a tall ensemble base put the top closer to 75 cm. Add a pillowtop and you’re at 80+ cm — too tall for short adults and people who get up at night.
If your bed is too low
- Bed risers ($30–$80 from Bunnings or Kmart) lift each corner by 8–15 cm.
- A taller bed base — most online brands sell 30 cm and 45 cm options.
- A thicker mattress topper — adds 5–8 cm.
If your bed is too high
- Switch the bed base to a low-profile platform (15–20 cm).
- Use a thinner mattress (some online brands sell 18 cm slim options).
- If you’re elderly or have knee issues, a 45–50 cm total height is much safer for getting in and out at night.
Why it matters
Hannah on our team’s short take: the wrong bed height shows up most often in early-morning lower-back pain and difficulty getting up at night. Both fixable in a weekend with risers or a base swap.
For independent guidance on sleep and wellbeing, the Sleep Health Foundation is a good starting point.
