Find out the popular bed slat sizes with standard slat board dimensions for different bed sizes, how many & how wide of wood to use, and slat material alternatives you can use for your bed.
Bed frame slats are a type of base constructed for beds. They are a number of connected bars slatted across the bed frame width or sometimes even between long slotted spines that run the length of the entire bed frame. These thick or narrow strips of slat can be made in metal, wood, or plastic and can fit or overlap with each other.
Bed frame slats support the mattress, and there are two types for people to choose from solid and sprung slats. Solid slats are often pine and will run the width of a bed frame. This, in turn, will give them a firmer bed with more support. On the other hand, sprung slats will provide a more cushioned and plusher feel.
Are Bed Slats Standard Sizes?
Bed slats come in many sizes and will depend on the primarily on the size of the bed and its mattress. Most bed frame slats are made with boards that are 1×4 or 1×6 inch boards, which will mean that most bed frame slats will be 3.5 inches or 9 centimeters to 5.5 inches or 14 centimeters wide.
It is essential not to get thicker slats to ensure airflow and keep circulation going to the bed to avoid mold and mildew developing on the foam and wood.
Slat Size For Full Bed
Most households will have a standard full bed in their homes, and other than box springs, there are bed slats they can use to support the cushion. Bed slats have many benefits, like providing stability, being affordable and providing adequate airflow, which is attractive to many buyers.
So, what size of bed frame slats are recommended for full beds? Full mattresses or double beds are about 54 inches or 137 centimeters which will require slats that are at least 56 to 60 inches or 142 to 152 centimeters.
As a general rule of thumb, bed frame slats are roughly 2 to 6 inches or 5 to 15 centimeters longer than the bed mattress size.
How Many Slats For A Full Size Bed?
Now that we know the size of bed frame slats needed for a full-sized bed and mattress, how many slats will it take to support this mattress size?
There are no specific slat numbers that will dictate how many slats a homeowner will need since it will depend on the slat board size. Still, generally, on most stores packaging bed frame slats, it will take about 13 slats to support a double bed fully.
How Wide Are Slats For Full Size Bed?
Aside from the entire length of a bed frame slat, it is also essential to take note of its width. For a regular double bed frame slat with a length of 54 inches or 137 centimeters, the slat board width will usually be 2.75 inches or approximately 7 centimeters with a height of 0.62 inches or 1.56 centimeters.
Size Of Slats For Queen Bed
Another standard platform bed size is the queen, which will need slightly more extensive and broader slat boards than the whole or double bed. A Queen mattress is 60 inches or 203 centimeters wide.
Like the full bed, the slat for these mattress sizes will generally follow the 2 to 6 inches or 5 to 15 centimeters longer rule than the mattress size. This provides you a slat length of about 62 to 66 inches or 157 to 167 centimeters.
How Many Slats For A Queen Size Bed?
The number of slats needed for a Queen-sized bed will depend on the slat board size itself. There are two most common sizes of bed frame slats used for queen beds: the 1 by 3 and the 1 by 4 ones.
If you are going for a slat at 1 by 3 or 2.5 inches or 6 centimeters, it will need about 17 slats. For slat boards at 1 by 4 or 3.5 inches or 9 centimeters, a queen will need at least 14 slat boards of this size.
How Wide Are Slats For Queen Size Bed?
As stated above, two slat board sizes are usually used for Queen beds, the 2.5 inches or 6 centimeters slat and the 3.5 inches or 9 centimeters one. These slat board widths will usually run the width of a Queen mattress at 62 to 66 inches or 157 to 167 centimeters.
Size Of Slats For King Bed
The average king size bed mattress is 76 by 80 inches or 193 by 203 centimeters, and the slat boards to support this mattress size will be different from one manufacturer to the other. If a homeowner has a bed frame with the exact dimensions of the mattress, the slats are expected to be slightly smaller.
Beech is one of the most affordable options for slat boards out there, and to fit a king bed, it will usually have a length of about 39 to 41 inches or 96 to 106 centimeters.
Keep in mind that this side will be supported by a spine that will run the length of the platform bed. So it will usually be two slats side by side. Read more about how the parts of a bed work together here.
How Many Slats For A King Size Bed?
Many bed frame slats will measure 1 by 2 inches or 3 by 5 centimeters. Meaning that to completely cover a king-sized bed frame, 40 bed slats will be needed, but to account for proper mattress ventilation, a space between each slat at about 2 inches or 5 centimeters should be allotted.
Bringing the required slat numbers to 20 slats overall for a king-sized bed.
How Wide Are Slats For King Size Bed?
For a king bed, the bed frame slat will usually be 2.75 inches or 7 centimeters wide. However, 1 by 2 inches or 3 by 5 centimeters are also standard in width.
Twin Bed Slat Size
Twin beds are perfect for children’s rooms. To fit the slat in a small twin bed, it is essential to get the proper dimensions—a bed slat for a twin bed measures at 40 to 44 inches or 102 to 112 centimeters. The extra inches on both sides will give space to allow the mattress not to fit too snugly once sheets are inserted.
How Many Slats For A Twin Size Bed?
The number of slats you will need for a twin size bed heavily depends on how wide the slat boards will be. On average, most slat boards will measure at 2.5 inches or 6 centimeters. If two of these are utilized side by side on a spine, it will give you 5 inches or 13 centimeters.
If a twin bed is 75 inches long, divide that by 5, which will give you 15, the total number of slats needed for a twin bed.
How Wide Are Slats For Twin Size Bed?
Like slat boards used for other sizes of beds and mattresses, a twin bed will benefit from a slat board that is 2.5 inches or 6 centimeters in width.
What Can I Replace Bed Slats With?
Suppose a homeowner’s budget does not allow for full-on individual bed slats. In that case, one viable option is using plywood as an alternative. One full plywood sheet will support the mattress more firmly, which can contribute and make for a comfortable bed.
You may also consider using a platform bed frame or box spring on top of the slats between your mattress. See more alternatives to box springs on this page that offer more ides.
Can You Put A Mattress Directly On Slats?
Yes, any homeowner can quickly put the mattress directly on the bed frame slats. However, it may be advised to opt to cover them with a box spring to protect the mattress, especially with older wooden slats, which can be prone to chipping over time.
Visit our guide to bed sheet sizes for more related content.