What Is a 3/4 Three Quarter Mattress?
A 3/4 mattress (also called "three quarter" or "short full") measures 48 inches wide × 75 inches long. It sits exactly between a Twin and a Full — three-quarters the width of a standard Full/Double mattress, hence the name.
| Size | Width | Length | Comparison to 3/4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38" | 75" | 10" narrower |
| 3/4 (Three Quarter) | 48" | 75" | — |
| Full/Double | 54" | 75" | 6" wider |
| Queen | 60" | 80" | 12" wider, 5" longer |
Why 3/4 Mattresses Are Hard to Find
The 3/4 size was standard in America before Queen and King sizes existed. If you own an antique bed from the Victorian, Edwardian, or early 20th century, it's probably a 3/4.
But modern mattress retailers don't stock this size. Walk into any store and ask for a "three quarter" mattress — most salespeople won't know what you're talking about.
From my removal work, here's what I see: The average 3/4 mattress I remove is 12-15 years old — far past the standard 7-8 year lifespan. Some look like they were built at the same time as the antique beds they're sitting on. By the time I pick them up, they're in terrible condition: permanent body impressions, deteriorated foam, significant dust mite buildup.
The owners knew the mattress was shot. They just didn't know where to find a replacement that would fit their antique frame or RV.
Who Needs a 3/4 Mattress?
Based on the 3/4 mattresses I've removed over the years, owners typically fall into these categories:
Antique bed owners — Victorian, Edwardian, and early 20th-century bed frames were often made for 3/4 mattresses. These inherited heirloom beds have sentimental value, but you can't just throw a modern size on them.
RV, camper, and van owners — Many RVs come with 3/4 beds, especially in dinette conversions and secondary sleeping areas. The 48" width fits where a Full would be too wide.
Space-conscious sleepers — Guest rooms where a Full is too big. Children transitioning from a Twin who want more space. Small bedrooms where every inch matters.
Where to Buy Online
Online is where you'll find the widest selection of 3/4 mattresses. These retailers specialize in custom and odd sizes.
Brooklyn Bedding / RVMattress.com
3 Mattresses Available in 48×75 Three Quarter
Brooklyn Bedding manufactures their own mattresses in Phoenix, Arizona. Their RVMattress.com site (same company) focuses on RV and custom sizes with budget-friendly options.
PlushBeds
PlushBeds offers organic and natural latex mattresses in 3/4 size — one of the few options if you're looking for eco-friendly materials.
3/4 mattresses available:
Mattress Insider
2 Mattresses Available in 48×75 Three Quarter
Mattress Insider has been making custom-size mattresses in Colorado for over a decade. They specialize in RV and odd-size mattresses.
Michigan Discount Mattress
Michigan Discount Mattress has specialized in custom and odd-size mattresses since 2005. They offer dozens of 3/4 options including rare double-sided (flippable) mattresses.
3/4 mattresses available:
- Memory foam, hybrid, latex, and innerspring options
- Double-sided (flippable) mattresses
- Layer-by-layer construction breakdowns
- Filter by firmness and construction type
Shipping: Free to 48 states
Website: michigandiscountmattress.com
Amazon
Amazon carries 3/4 mattresses from some brands. Search "3/4 mattress 48x75" or "three quarter mattress" to see current options.
Note: Selection is more limited than other odd sizes. Quality varies significantly. Look for CertiPUR-US certification and verify the mattress is fiberglass-free.
Where to Buy In-Store
Finding a 3/4 mattress in a physical store is extremely difficult. Here are your limited options:
Brooklyn Bedding Showrooms
Brooklyn Bedding operates showrooms in Arizona, Utah, and Minnesota where you can try their mattresses in standard sizes. The feel is identical in 3/4 — only dimensions change.
Find locations: brooklynbedding.com/pages/showrooms
Local Custom Mattress Shops
Many cities have local mattress makers who can produce custom sizes. Search for "custom mattress" + your city. These shops can often match the feel of major brands at competitive prices.
Antique Furniture Dealers
Some antique furniture dealers have relationships with custom mattress makers and can help source a 3/4 mattress for your antique bed frame.
RV Dealerships
Some RV dealerships stock replacement mattresses including 3/4 size.
Note: Based on my removal work, quality is typically basic — I recommend buying from one of the manufacturers mentioned on this page.
What I Look for in a 3/4 Mattress
After recycling thousands of 3/4 mattresses — many pulled from antique frames and RVs — I've developed specific criteria for what makes a quality mattress in this size. Understanding mattress materials and why mattresses fail becomes especially important when you're buying a size you can't easily replace.
Matching Modern Mattresses to Antique Frames
Here's a problem I see constantly: someone puts a 14-inch thick memory foam mattress on a Victorian bed frame that was designed for a 6-inch horsehair mattress. It looks absurd. Worse, the extra height can stress the frame's joinery because modern mattresses distribute weight differently than the thin, firm mattresses these beds were built for.
For antique frames, I recommend staying under 10 inches in total height. The 8-inch options from Brooklyn Bedding and Mattress Insider work well here. They provide modern comfort without overwhelming the frame's proportions or engineering.
Weight Considerations for Older Frames
Antique bed frames weren't built for the weight of modern mattresses. A queen-size hybrid with pocketed coils can weigh 100+ pounds. Scale that down to 3/4 size and you're still looking at 60-80 pounds for a hybrid, plus the weight of the sleeper.
Victorian and Edwardian frames often have delicate joinery — mortise and tenon joints, wooden pegs, hand-carved details. Before adding a new mattress, I strongly suggest reading up on why bed frames fail. Check every joint, tighten everything that can be tightened, and consider whether your frame can handle a heavy hybrid or if an all-foam option (which weighs significantly less) is a safer choice.
The 75-Inch Length Reality
A 3/4 mattress is 75 inches long — same as a Twin or Full, and 5 inches shorter than a Queen. If you're over 6'2", your feet may hang off.
I've removed 3/4 mattresses where the foot of the bed showed heavy wear from someone's feet pressing against it every night. This constant pressure accelerates support layer breakdown in that area. If length is a concern, make sure the mattress has quality edge support and firm enough materials to handle the additional stress at the foot.
Construction Quality That Actually Lasts
When I tear open mattresses at our facility, I can immediately tell quality from junk. For a 3/4 mattress you'll be living with for years, here's what I look for:
Foam density in the comfort layers: At minimum, 1.8 lb/ft³ polyfoam. Better mattresses use 2.0+ lb/ft³ or actual memory foam at 4-5 lb/ft³. Low-density foam (under 1.5 lb/ft³) is what I see in the mattresses that come to me completely cratered after 3-4 years.
If it has coils: Pocketed coils are standard now, and they work well. For 3/4 size (48 inches wide), you want proportionally scaled coil counts. A mattress with 800 coils in a Queen should have roughly 500-550 in 3/4 size to maintain the same support density.
Edge support: Less critical in a 3/4 than larger sizes since most people sleep centered. But if you're sharing the bed or like to sit on the edge, reinforced edges matter.
The Comfort Layer Problem
Here's what kills most mattresses regardless of size: thin, cheap comfort layers sitting on top of decent support cores. The comfort layer (the top 2-4 inches) does 80% of the breaking down.
For a 3/4 mattress you want to last, look for:
- At least 2 inches of quality comfort material — not 1 inch of low-density foam
- Dense, quality foam — memory foam or latex both work, but check the density
- Or skip foam entirely — the PlushBeds latex option uses latex throughout, which doesn't break down like foam
I regularly tear open mattresses in our mattress teardowns to show exactly what's inside. The difference between a $300 mattress and a $700 mattress usually comes down to these comfort layer materials.
Why Getting This Right Matters
Unlike a Queen or King, you can't just run to Mattress Firm when your 3/4 mattress wears out. You'll wait for shipping, possibly pay return shipping if it doesn't work out, and deal with the hassle of mattress disposal in an odd size.
Buying quality the first time — spending $500-800 instead of $250 — typically means 7-10 years before replacement versus 3-4 years. The math works out, and you avoid the hassle of frequent replacement in a size that's already difficult to source.
Before You Buy: Check Your Antique Frame
If you have an antique bed frame, there are special considerations:
Measure carefully. Not all antique frames are exactly 48" × 75". Some Victorian beds vary by an inch or two. Measure your actual bed opening before ordering.
Check frame integrity. Old frames may have weakened joints, loose screws, or damaged slats. Repair these before putting a new mattress on — a damaged frame will cause any mattress to sag.
Consider mattress height. Antique frames often sit lower than modern beds. A 14" thick luxury mattress may look out of proportion. Consider a lower-profile 8" or 10" option.
Side rails. If your antique frame has decorative side rails, measure the distance between them at the head, middle, and foot — antique beds aren't always perfectly rectangular.
3/4 Sheets and Bedding
Finding 3/4 sheets is challenging. Here are your options:
Twin sheets (38×75) — Too narrow. Won't work.
Full sheets (54×75) — Same length but 6" wider. They'll fit but be loose on the sides. Use sheet straps.
The better option: Buy actual 3/4 sheets (48×75):
- Amazon — Search "three quarter sheets 48x75"
- Mattress Insider — Custom sheets in any size
- Etsy — Custom sheet makers
- AB Lifestyles
FAQ
What size is a 3/4 mattress?
48 inches wide by 75 inches long. It's larger than a Twin (38×75) but smaller than a Full (54×75).
Why is it called a 3/4 mattress?
The name comes from it being three-quarters the width of a Full/Double mattress. It was a standard size before Queen and King mattresses existed.
Are 3/4 mattresses still made?
Yes, but not by mainstream manufacturers. You'll need to buy from specialty retailers that focus on custom and odd sizes like Brooklyn Bedding, Mattress Insider, or Michigan Discount Mattress.
Will Full sheets fit a 3/4 mattress?
Full sheets are 54" × 75" — same length as a 3/4 but 6" wider. They'll technically fit but will be loose and baggy on the sides. Use sheet straps to keep them in place, or buy actual 3/4 sheets.
How long does a 3/4 mattress last?
With quality materials, 7-10 years for nightly use. I regularly pick up 3/4 mattresses that are 12-15+ years old because owners didn't know where to find replacements.
Can I try a 3/4 before buying?
Most online retailers offer 100-365 night trial periods. Some showrooms let you try standard sizes in person — the feel is identical, only dimensions change.
What to Do With Your Old Mattress
When you buy a new 3/4 mattress online, you're left to figure out what to do with the old one.
Need Your Old Mattress Removed?
Getting rid of an odd-size mattress can be tricky. I've put together a complete guide to your disposal and recycling options.
See Your Options →About This Guide
