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Quick answer
A twin XL mattress is 38 by 80 inches per Amerisleep, 21.1 square feet. The three frames below are 79.5 to 80 inches long, 38 inches wide and 14 to 18 inches tall, with stated clearances of 12.4 inches (yookare 14 inch) and 15.25 inches (Goltriever 18 inch); the Nordicbed 16 inch frame states none. The upper-bound storage volumes are 21.7, 26.8 and 28.1 cubic feet. Their ratings are 3,500, 1,500 and an unstated figure for the Nordicbed. The yookare is 41 pounds.
Quick compare: the products in this guide
Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.
| Product | Listed details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Goltriever 18 Inch Twin XL Metal Bed Frame with Round Corner, Heavy Duty… | 15.25 in clearance; 1,500 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| yookare Twin XL Metal Platform Bed Frame 14 Inch, 3500 lbs Heavy Duty Steel… | 79.5 x 38 x 14 in; 41 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| Nordicbed 16 Inch High Platform Twin XL Bed Frames, Metal | 80 x 38 x 16 in | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
Twin XL, long single and twin
A standard twin is 38 by 74 inches; a twin XL is the same width and 6 inches longer, per Amerisleep. “Extra long single” in a British sense can differ, but on Amazon US the products that match are twin XL. A twin frame at 74.5 inches long will not hold a twin XL mattress, and an XL frame under a twin mattress leaves a gap at the foot.
Worked example: fit, volume and height
This is our own arithmetic.
- Mattress fit. The yookare frame at 79.5 by 38 inches is 0.5 inch shorter than the 80 inch mattress; the Nordicbed at 80 by 38 matches exactly. The Goltriever listing says it is for a mattress of 80 by 38.
- Volume. The upper bound is clearance times 38 times 80 divided by 1,728. For the Goltriever, 15.25 inches gives 26.8 cubic feet; for the yookare, 12.4 inches times 38 times 79.5 divided by 1,728 gives 21.7 cubic feet; for the Nordicbed, the full 16 inch height as an upper bound gives 28.1 cubic feet.
- Height. With an 8 inch mattress, the tops are 26 inches (Goltriever, 18 inch frame), 22 inches (yookare) and 24 inches (Nordicbed).
- Floor. The frame’s footprint is 80 by 38 inches, 3,040 square inches, 21.1 square feet, 21.1 percent of a 100 square foot room.
What the listings say
Goltriever 18 Inch Twin XL Metal Bed Frame with Round Corner, Heavy Duty Platform Bed Frame (ASIN B0H2DF9SDX). The table gives metal, compatibility with a twin XL mattress of 80 by 38 inches and a rating of 1,500 pounds. The bullets say rounded leg corners and smooth edges, a reinforced frame, no box spring needed and 15.25 inches of under-bed clearance. Best for: the most storage of the three. Watch out: no frame weight in the text we read.
yookare Twin XL Metal Platform Bed Frame 14 Inch, 3500 lbs Heavy Duty Steel Slat Bed Frame (ASIN B0GZVT6FDV). The table gives 79.5 by 38 by 14 inches, a weight of 41 pounds and alloy steel. The bullets say rounded corners and recessed legs for toe protection, thick steel slats with 1.77 inch square legs, a rating of 3,500 pounds, outward-mounted anti-slip mattress stoppers and 12.4 inches of clearance. Best for: a stated weight and clearance. Watch out: the 1.77 inch leg dimension is the listing’s; check the legs yourself.
Nordicbed 16 Inch High Platform Twin XL Bed Frames, Metal (ASIN B0CF988482). The table gives 80 by 38 by 16 inches and a twin XL compatibility. The bullets say a sturdy frame, easy installation, no box spring required and a noise-free design. Best for: a 16 inch frame that matches the mattress length exactly. Watch out: no clearance, weight or rating in the text we read.
How the three compare
| Listing | Size | Height | Clearance | Rating | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goltriever | Twin XL | 18 in | 15.25 in | 1,500 lb | Not stated |
| yookare | 79.5 × 38 in | 14 in | 12.4 in | 3,500 lb | 41 lb |
| Nordicbed | 80 × 38 in | 16 in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
How to choose
Check the mattress size. A dorm mattress is typically twin XL; confirm with your school.
Choose the clearance you will use. 12.4 inches fits flat bins; 15.25 takes tall ones.
Check the ratings. They are the sellers’ claims; use them only against your load.
Ask for what is missing. Weight, clearance and rating.
Dorm, guest room or home
A twin XL suits three situations. In a dorm, it is the standard size. In a guest room, it fits a tall visitor and takes less room than a full: 21.1 square feet of mattress against 28.1. At home, a tall teen who has outgrown a twin often moves to a twin XL. Sheets are sold by mattress size, so check that you buy twin XL sheets.
Twin versus twin XL in numbers
The twin XL mattress is 6 inches longer than a twin, which adds 1.6 square feet of mattress (21.1 minus 19.5). In a room that Amerisleep suggests at 9.5 by 10.5 feet for a twin XL against 7 by 10 for a twin, the room is larger by 29.75 square feet (99.75 minus 70). The mattresses are the same width, 38 inches, and the frames are 5 to 5.5 inches longer. If your room is small, the extra length is the only difference to account for.
Assembly and moving
Steel twin XL frames are among the lighter pieces of furniture. The yookare weighs 41 pounds and the other two give no weight; carry parts one at a time. The listings we read for steel frames describe tools and instructions in the box, and none of them describes a step that needs special skill.
Mistakes to avoid
Buying a twin frame for an XL mattress. It is 6 inches short.
Trusting the 3,500 pound number. Divide by the frame’s weight: 3,500 divided by 41 is 85 times its own weight.
Ignoring the height. An 18 inch frame with an 8 inch mattress is 26 inches high.
Forgetting the dorm’s rules. Check what your school allows.
Sheets, protectors and tall sleepers
Bedding is sold by mattress size, so a twin XL needs twin XL sheets and protectors; twin sheets will be 6 inches short. For a tall sleeper, the mattress length is the margin: a person 6 feet 2 inches tall, 74 inches, has 6 inches to spare on an 80 inch mattress; a person 6 feet 6 inches, 78 inches, has 2 inches. A footboard takes away from that margin if the mattress sits against it, which is a reason to prefer a frame without one for a tall sleeper.
Three frames by height
With an 8 inch mattress, the tops are 22 inches for the 14 inch yookare, 24 inches for the 16 inch Nordicbed and 26 inches for the 18 inch Goltriever. A taller frame stores more, as the volumes above show, and a lower one is easier to get into. For a student with a lot of belongings, the 18 inch frame is the practical choice; for a student who wants a low, simple bed, the 14 inch.
Reading the ratings
The yookare states 3,500 pounds on a 41 pound frame, the Goltriever 1,500, and the Nordicbed none. Neither number tells you how the frame was tested. For one sleeper of 200 pounds and a mattress of 40 pounds, the load is 240 pounds, a small fraction of either rating, so the rating should not be the deciding factor for a single-sleeper frame.
When a different frame is better
For standard twin frames, see twin size mattress frame and twin size platform bed. For a dorm with a headboard, see dorm room bed frame. For storage in drawers, see twin bed storage underneath.
If you plan to use the frame at home after college, a headboard can be added later; the frames without one list headboard holes or a simple wall mount, and a frame that is plain will suit a guest room as well as a dorm.
Frequently asked questions
What is an extra long single?
A single bed longer than a standard twin; on Amazon US, a twin XL at 38 by 80 inches.
How long is a twin XL mattress?
80 inches per Amerisleep, 6 inches longer than a twin.
How much storage is under a twin XL frame?
The listings state 12.4 and 15.25 inches of clearance for two of the three.
Do twin XL frames need a box spring?
The listings say no box spring is needed.
How heavy is a twin XL frame?
The yookare is 41 pounds; the others state no weight.
What weight can it hold?
The listings state 3,500 and 1,500 pounds for two of the three.
Products worth checking
We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.
Goltriever 18 Inch Twin XL Metal Bed Frame with Round Corner, Heavy Duty Platform Bed Frame
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
yookare Twin XL Metal Platform Bed Frame 14 Inch, 3500 lbs Heavy Duty Steel Slat Bed Frame
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
Nordicbed 16 Inch High Platform Twin XL Bed Frames, Metal
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
Sources checked
Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.
