Extra-long mattress: Which size for body heights of 190 cm and taller?

Anyone over 1.85 meters tall knows the problem: your feet extend beyond the edge of the mattress, or you unconsciously sleep with slightly bent knees to stay within the sleeping surface. Neither is a good long-term solution – the hard edge presses on the Achilles tendon, and a permanently bent leg posture strains the hip flexors and lower back. The standard length of 200 cm dates back to a time when average heights were significantly lower; today, men in Switzerland are on average around 178 cm tall, many well over 190 cm. Extra-long mattresses are therefore no longer a niche product, but a sensible standard solution for a significant portion of the population. This guide shows you what length you really need, what sizes are available, and what subsequent decisions are linked to the bed, slatted frame, and bedding.

The short answer: The mattress should be at least 20 cm longer than your body height. From a height of 185 cm, an extra length of 210 cm is advisable; from 195 cm, 220 cm is more appropriate. Common extra-long sizes are 90x210, 100x210, 140x210, 160x210, 180x210, as well as 180x220 and 200x220 cm. For a custom length, expect a surcharge of 20 to 50 percent and significantly longer delivery times. Important: The bed frame, slatted frame, fitted sheet, and duvet must also be purchased in extra length – plan for this budget from the outset.

How much length you really need

The common rule is body height plus 20 centimeters. This reserve is not a luxury, but has specific reasons: you rarely lie perfectly straight, the pillow takes up 8 to 15 cm at the head end, and when lying on your back, your feet stretch upwards, which requires additional space. If you mainly sleep on your stomach, you should calculate about 25 cm, because your feet will then extend flat over the edge. An example calculation: for a body height of 192 cm, the rule of thumb gives 212 cm – so the suitable choice is 220 cm, not 210. For 186 cm, 210 cm is comfortably sufficient. Test this on your current mattress: lie down in your relaxed sleeping position and have someone measure the distance from the top of your head to the top edge of the mattress and from your heels to the bottom edge. If there is less than 5 cm at the bottom, the mattress is too short. Also note: if two people sleep together and only one person is tall, the entire sleeping surface still needs to be extra long. An overview of standard sizes in Switzerland can be found under Mattress sizes in Switzerland.

Available Extra-Long Sizes

Please note: 200x220 is usually made up of two 100x220 mattresses. This has the advantage that both people can choose independently and the mattresses can be rotated individually – more on this under Mattress for couples and Mattress 180x200.

Bed frame, slatted frame and room planning

The mattress is just the beginning. An extra-long bed frame is rare in standard retail and often a custom-made item; carpentry work in Switzerland costs between 1500 and 4000 Swiss francs depending on the design. System beds with variable side rail lengths or models from Scandinavian manufacturers that offer 210 cm as standard are cheaper. The slatted frame must also fit – here the selection is better, many manufacturers offer 210 and 220 cm as standard. Also plan the room: a bed with a 220 cm sleeping surface plus headboard and footboard quickly takes up 235 to 245 cm of wall length. In old Swiss apartments with 2.6 m wall length, this becomes tight. Also measure accessibility: Does the mattress fit through stairwells, doors and curves? A 220 cm long mattress can be delivered rolled for foam models, but must be able to be unfolded to its full length at the destination. And allow 60 to 80 cm of free space on at least one long side – advice on this is provided by Choosing the right bed frame.

Extra-long bedding and accessories

This is the point most often forgotten when buying. A fitted sheet for 100x200 will not fit a 100x220 – it will tear at the corners or slip off. When buying, pay attention to the specified depth: For a 22 cm high mattress plus a 6 cm topper, you need a sheet with at least a 30 cm depth. For duvets: In Switzerland, 160x210 and 200x210 are common large formats; for very tall people, 200x220 is sensible so that their feet are not exposed at night. Not all providers carry duvet covers in these sizes – check availability before ordering the duvet. An extra-long mattress protector or encasing is also not standard everywhere; if you are allergic, clarify this beforehand. For the initial purchase of extra-long bedding, realistically budget 200 to 400 Swiss francs more than for standard sizes. An overview of Swiss duvet sizes is provided by Duvet for summer and winter, and for sheet selection, The right fitted sheet helps.

Common mistakes when buying an extra-long mattress

Ordering only the mattress. Without a suitable slatted frame, the mattress will rest on the side rail at the foot end or sag – creating indentations exactly there. Not checking accessibility. Spring core and latex mattresses cannot be rolled; getting a 220 cm model through a narrow stairwell is a real problem. Letting the return period expire. Custom-made products are often excluded from the right of return – read the conditions before ordering and prefer providers who carry extra lengths as part of their regular assortment. Calculating too tightly. Someone who is 193 cm tall and opts for 210 cm saves 200 francs and is annoyed for ten years. Forgetting the width. Tall people usually also have broader shoulders; 90 cm width is often too narrow for a person over 190 cm tall, 100 cm is the better choice. Ignoring the headboard. A high upholstered headboard can effectively reduce the sleeping surface by 10 to 15 cm if the pillow abuts against it.

Alternatives if extra length is not possible

Not every apartment can accommodate a 220 cm bed. If space is the limit, there are pragmatic interim solutions. A bed without a footboard allows the feet to extend over the edge if necessary, without a hard rail pressing – in combination with a 200 cm mattress, this is often sufficient for people up to about 190 cm. An extension topper – a 20 cm wide piece of foam of the same height at the foot end – is a makeshift solution, but it leaves a noticeable gap and only works for calm sleepers. A diagonally placed bed in a corner can sometimes gain the missing centimeters, but it takes up a lot of space. And finally: some people are fine with 200 cm because they sleep on their side with slightly bent legs – in this case, width is more important than length. Before investing in an expensive custom-made product, test your actual sleeping posture for a few nights and measure. A good trial sleep phase helps immensely, as shown in Mattress trial sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions about Extra-Long Mattresses

From what height do I need an extra-long mattress?

As a rule of thumb, the mattress should be at least 20 centimeters longer than you are. From a height of about 185 centimeters, an extra length of 210 centimeters is advisable; from 195 centimeters, 220 centimeters is more appropriate. Stomach sleepers should allow for a 25-centimeter reserve.

What extra-long sizes are available?

Common sizes are 90x210, 100x210, 140x210, 160x210 and 180x210 centimeters, and in the longer version 90x220, 100x220, 180x220 and 200x220 centimeters. Large double beds are usually made up of two single mattresses, for example, two 100x220 for a 200x220 bed.

How much does an extra-long mattress cost?

Expect a surcharge of 20 to 50 percent compared to the standard size. In addition, there are follow-up costs for slatted frames, bed frames, and bedding in extra-long sizes, which can quickly amount to several hundred Swiss francs. Plan the entire budget from the outset.

Does normal bedding fit an extra-long size?

No. A fitted sheet for 200 centimeters in length will tear at the corners or slip off. Also, pay attention to the pocket depth: For a 22-centimeter high mattress plus a topper, you need at least 30 centimeters of pocket depth. The duvet should also be designed for 210 or 220 centimeters in length.

Do I, as a tall person, need a firmer mattress?

Not necessarily. The crucial thing is that the mattress adapts to your body and keeps your spine straight – not a specific firmness level, which is not standardized anyway. More important than firmness for tall people are the correct length and sufficient width of at least 100 centimeters.

What to do if there's no space for an extra-long mattress?

A bed without a footboard allows your feet to extend over the edge without a pressing edge. A greater width can also help if you sleep on your side with slightly bent legs. Extension pads at the foot end are a makeshift solution, but they leave a noticeable gap.