Bed Frame Height Guide: What's Standard and How to Go Higher or Lower
Everything you need to know about bed height — why 24-25 inches became the standard, and how to adjust it for your body and preferences.
In This Article
People ask me about bed height more than you'd think. Usually it's because they bought a thick new mattress and now their bed feels too tall. Or they're getting older and struggling to get in and out. Or they want that modern low-profile look.
Here's the thing — there's a standard bed height for a reason, and once you understand it, you can decide if you want to stick with it or go higher or lower.
Why I Know About Bed Setups
20+ years picking up beds in every configuration imaginable — I've seen what works and what doesn't.
What's the Standard Bed Height?
The standard total bed height — from the floor to the top of your mattress — is about 24-25 inches. That's roughly knee height for most adults.
Here's how you get there with a traditional setup:
| Component | Height |
|---|---|
| Bed frame | 7-8" |
| Box spring | 9" |
| Mattress | 10-12" |
| Total | 24-25" |
This has been the standard for decades. A metal bed frame holding a box spring holding a mattress. Simple.
Why 24-25 Inches Is the Standard
It's not random. When you sit on the edge of a bed that's 24-25 inches tall, your feet sit flat on the floor with your knees bent at about 90 degrees — level with your hips.
This matters for two reasons:
Getting Out of Bed Is Easier
When your knees are at 90 degrees, you can stand up using your leg muscles. You're not pushing yourself up from too low or dropping down from too high. For most adults, this is the sweet spot.
It Works for Average Height People
The average adult knee height is somewhere between 18-24 inches. A 24-25 inch bed puts most people right in that comfortable range.
The 90-Degree Rule
That said, "average" doesn't help everyone. If you're 5'2", a 25-inch bed might feel too tall. If you're 6'4", it might feel too short. The 90-degree knee rule is what matters — not hitting exactly 25 inches.
Platform Beds Changed Everything
The traditional setup assumed you needed a box spring. Modern mattresses — memory foam, latex, hybrids — don't need box springs. They're designed to sit on a flat surface with proper slat support.
Platform beds have built-in slat support, so you skip the box spring entirely:
| Component | Height |
|---|---|
| Platform bed frame | 14-18" |
| Box spring | 0" (not needed) |
| Mattress | 10-12" |
| Total | 24-30" |
This is why platform beds have become so popular. Same total height range, cleaner look, one less component to buy.
How to Make Your Bed Lower
A lot of people want a lower bed. Maybe they like the modern minimalist look. Maybe they have a really thick mattress and don't want to climb into bed. Maybe they're shorter and the standard height feels too tall.
Here are your options:
Switch to a Low-Profile Box Spring
Standard box springs are 9 inches. Low-profile versions are only 5-6 inches — same support, just shorter. This alone drops your bed 3-4 inches.
Use a Bunkie Board
Bunkie boards are only 1.5-2 inches thick. They were originally designed for bunk beds but work great when you want minimal height. Your bed frame needs to support slats or a solid surface for this to work.
Get a Low-Profile Platform Bed
Some platform beds sit as low as 4-8 inches off the ground. Add a 10-inch mattress and your total height is only 14-18 inches. This is that modern Japanese-inspired look. See my guide to 17 minimalist low profile bed frames for specific recommendations.
Skip the Frame Entirely
You can put a mattress directly on the floor or on a very low platform. Total height becomes just the mattress thickness — 10-14 inches. I see this a lot with younger people going for the minimalist aesthetic.
Quick Reference for Low Beds
| Setup | Approximate Total Height |
|---|---|
| Low platform bed (6") + 10" mattress | 16" |
| Frame + bunkie board + 10" mattress | 18-20" |
| Frame + low-profile box spring + 10" mattress | 22-23" |
| Standard setup | 24-25" |
Who Should Avoid Low Beds
Seniors or anyone with mobility issues. Getting up from a low bed requires a lot of leg strength and puts stress on knees and hips. If getting out of bed is already difficult, going lower will make it worse. The National Institute on Aging recommends bed heights that allow easy standing for fall prevention.
How to Make Your Bed Higher
Some people want a taller bed. Maybe they're tall and the standard height feels too low. Maybe they want storage space underneath. Maybe they have mobility issues and a higher bed is actually easier to get in and out of.
Here are your options:
Use Bed Risers
These are blocks that go under your bed frame legs, instantly adding 2-8 inches of height. They're cheap ($15-40), easy to install, and you don't have to replace anything. Most risers come in 3-inch, 5-inch, or 8-inch options.
Get a Taller Bed Frame
Some frames are designed to sit higher — 12-16 inches instead of the standard 7-8 inches. Storage bed frames with drawers underneath are usually in this category.
Use a Standard Box Spring
If you currently have a low-profile box spring or platform bed and want more height, switching to a standard 9-inch box spring adds 3-4 inches.
Get a Thicker Mattress
Mattresses range from 8 inches to 16+ inches. Going from a 10-inch mattress to a 14-inch mattress adds 4 inches to your total bed height.
Quick Reference for Tall Beds
| Setup | Approximate Total Height |
|---|---|
| Standard setup | 24-25" |
| Standard setup + 3" risers | 27-28" |
| Standard setup + 5" risers | 29-30" |
| Tall frame (12") + box spring + 12" mattress | 33" |
| Storage bed (18") + 14" mattress | 32" |
A Note on Bed Risers
Check the weight capacity before you buy. Cheap plastic risers might only hold 300 pounds each. If you have a heavy mattress and two adults sleeping on it, you need heavy-duty risers rated for 1,000+ pounds per riser. I've seen beds collapse when people used the wrong risers — the same kind of frame failure that destroys mattresses.
Height by Bed Type
Different bed styles have different typical heights. Here's a quick reference:
| Bed Type | Frame Height | Typical Total Height |
|---|---|---|
| Basic metal frame + box spring | 7-8" | 24-26" |
| Platform bed | 14-18" | 24-30" |
| Low-profile platform | 6-10" | 16-22" |
| Storage bed / Captain's bed | 18-24" | 28-36" |
| Adjustable base | 4-18" (varies) | 16-30" |
| Antique / Victorian style | 13-16" | 30-36" |
Why Some Beds Are Naturally Taller
Storage beds and captain's beds are intentionally tall because they need room for drawers underneath. If you want under-bed storage, expect a taller bed. Antique beds were tall for practical reasons — homes were drafty, heat rises, and sleeping higher meant sleeping warmer. You don't need that anymore, but some people still like the look.
Finding Your Ideal Height
The Simple Test
Sit on the edge of your bed with your feet flat on the floor. Look at your knees:
- Knees level with hips (90-degree angle): Your bed height is right for you
- Knees higher than hips: Your bed is too low
- Knees lower than hips, feet dangling: Your bed is too high
If you're buying a new bed and can't test it first, measure from the floor to the middle of your kneecap while standing. That measurement is roughly your ideal total bed height.
General Guidelines by Height
| Your Height | Target Bed Height |
|---|---|
| Under 5'4" | 18-22" |
| 5'4" - 6'0" | 22-26" |
| Over 6'0" | 25-30" |
These are starting points, not rules. A 5'10" person with bad knees might prefer a 28-inch bed because it's easier to stand up from. A healthy 6'2" person might love a 22-inch platform bed. The 90-degree knee test tells you what actually works for your body.
What I Tell People About Bed Height
When someone asks me about bed height, here's what I say:
Key Takeaways
- Start with the standard 24-25 inches unless you have a reason not to. It works for most people. That's why it became the standard.
- If you want lower, go platform. Platform beds with a good mattress look modern and skip the box spring. You can get the same total height as a traditional setup, or go lower if that's the look you want.
- If you're tall or want storage, go higher. Bed risers are the cheapest solution. Storage frames are the most practical if you need the space.
- Think twice before going too low. I've picked up beds from older folks who bought trendy low platform beds and then couldn't get out of them. A bed that's too low is a fall risk. For seniors, 20-23 inches is usually the sweet spot — not so high you fall getting in, not so low you struggle getting out.
- The math is simple. Frame + foundation + mattress = total height. If you don't like your current height, change one of those three components.
Bed height isn't complicated once you understand the pieces. Figure out what total height works for your body, then pick the components that get you there.