Dimensions / Furniture / Bed frames / Bunk bed
A bunk bed stacks two single beds and stands about 150–180 cm tall; IKEA’s MYDAL is 206 × 97 × 157 cm with 91 cm between the beds. US rules (16 CFR 1513) require guardrails on both sides of the top bunk, their top at least 13 cm (5 in) above the mattress, and no openings over 8.9 cm (3.5 in). Leave 84–91 cm (33–36 in) from the top mattress to the ceiling.
| Height | Guardrail above the mattress, min. | Top mattress to ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| 150–180cm | 13cm5 in | 84–91cm33–36 in |
Sources: Dreams, 16 CFR 1513, Max & Lily. Checked October 2026.
Enter the top bunk, its mattress and your ceiling. Each check uses the numbers in the tables on this page.
All in centimetres. 1 in = 2.54 cm.
With a 15 cm mattress the guardrail stands 18 cm above it, and it must be at least 13 cm.
US rule, measured with the thickest mattress the maker allows; makers state that thickness.
The widest gap is 8 cm, within the 8.9 cm limit.
Applies to the guardrails and the ends of the top bunk.
The top mattress is 135 cm off the floor, leaving 105 cm to your 240 cm ceiling; 84 cm lets a child sit up.
Measure the base of the top bunk from the floor, then add the mattress.
Fitting bunk beds into a child’s room or a dormitory? Photograph it, mark the ceiling and the walls in SizeMarker and check the bed before you order.
Mark a photo| Bed | Length × width × height | Between the beds | Mattress, max |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA MYDAL, 90 × 200 cmUp to 100 kg per bed | 206 × 97 × 157 cm | 91 cm | 19 cm |
| IKEA TUFFING, TwinUp to 220 lb per bed; for children 6 and older | 197 × 103 × 130 cm77 1/2 × 40 1/2 × 51 3/8 in | 84 cm33 1/8 in | 13 cm5 1/8 in |
| IKEA SVÄRTA, 90 × 200 cmSteel; up to 100 kg per bed | 208 × 97 × 159 cm | — | 22 cm |
| Max & Lily twin over twinUp to 400 lb per bunk; no box spring needed | 207 × 111 × 165 cm81.5 × 43.75 × 65 in | 84 cm33 in | 13–20 cm5–8 in |
Sources: IKEA (MYDAL) · IKEA (TUFFING) · IKEA (SVÄRTA) · Max & Lily (twin bunk)
| Rule | Size |
|---|---|
| Counts as a bunk bed under 16 CFR 1513Underside of a bed foundation above the floor | Over 76 cmover 30 in |
| Guardrails on the top bunk | At least two, one on each side |
| Continuous guardrail, gap to the end | 5.6 mm or less0.22 in |
| Other guardrail, gap to the endIt may stop short | 38 cm or less15 in |
| Guardrail top above the mattressWith the thickest mattress the maker allows | 13 cm or more5 in |
| Openings in the guardrails and upper bunk ends | 8.9 cm or less3.5 in |
| Openings in the lower bunk ends | 8.9 cm or less, or 23 cm or more3.5 in / 9 in |
| Upper bunk | Not for children under 6 |
Sources: 16 CFR 1513 · CPSC
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| Top mattress to the ceilingSo a child can sit up | 84–91 cm33–36 in |
| Top bunk to the ceiling, Amerisleep | 91 cm36 in |
| Bunk beds and high sleepers, heightDreams, UK | 150–180 cm |
| Mid sleepers, height | 120–140 cm |
| Slim mattress for bunk beds | 20 cm or less |
| EN 747-1:2024 covers | Upper base 600 mm or more off the floor, inside length over 1,400 mm, base up to 1,200 mm wide |
| Mattress top below the guardrail topOne EN 747-1:2024 high sleeper (Flair) | 160 mm or more |
| Its thickest mattress | 180 mm |
Sources: Max & Lily · Amerisleep · Dreams · EVS (EN 747-1:2024) · Flair Furniture
Most bunk beds and high sleepers stand 150–180 cm tall (Dreams): IKEA’s MYDAL is 157 cm and SVÄRTA 159 cm, while the low TUFFING is 130 cm (51 3/8 in).
At least 84–91 cm (33–36 in) between the top mattress and the ceiling, so a child can sit up (Max & Lily); Amerisleep also says 91 cm (36 in).
Under 16 CFR 1513 its upper edge must be at least 13 cm (5 in) above the mattress, measured with the thickest mattress the maker allows. Makers state that thickness: 19 cm on IKEA’s MYDAL, 13 cm (5 1/8 in) on TUFFING.
Yes: at least two, one on each side of the top bunk. One must run continuously between the ends; the other may stop up to 38 cm (15 in) short of an end, and when a ladder is fixed to one side the continuous rail goes on the other.
Six and older. US bunk beds must carry a warning not to let children under 6 use the upper bunk, and IKEA recommends its TUFFING for children 6 and older.
EN 747-1:2024 covers bunk and high beds with an upper base 600 mm or more off the floor, an inside length over 1,400 mm and a base up to 1,200 mm wide. Makers mark the highest mattress on the bed: on one UK high sleeper the mattress top stays 160 mm below the top of the rail.
Bunk beds sold into the US must meet 16 CFR 1513, so buyers ask for the guardrail height, the largest opening, the maximum mattress thickness and the overall height. Mark them on your own product photo in SizeMarker, as in the picture at the top, and send one product card for WhatsApp or WeChat.
