Kenyan Bed Sizes Chart: What Bedding Actually Fits
Kenyan beds are sold in feet — 3×6, 4×6, 5×6, 6×6 — and bedding is often labelled in international names like queen and king. That mismatch is why people buy a "queen" duvet cover that will not go over their 6×6 duvet. This is the conversion table, and what actually fits what.
Kenyan bed sizes in feet and centimetres
| Local name | Feet | Approx cm | Sleeps | Closest international |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single / 3 by 6 | 3 × 6 | 90 × 190 | 1 | Single / Twin |
| Small double / 4 by 6 | 4 × 6 | 120 × 190 | 1–2 | Small double / Full (narrow) |
| Double / 4½ by 6 | 4.5 × 6 | 135 × 190 | 2 | Double / Full |
| Queen / 5 by 6 | 5 × 6 | 150 × 190 | 2 | Queen |
| King / 6 by 6 | 6 × 6 | 180 × 190 | 2 comfortably | King |
| Super king / 7 by 7 | 7 × 7 | 210 × 210 | 2 + space | Super king |
Two things to note. Kenyan bed lengths are usually 6 feet (about 190 cm), which is shorter than some imported bedding assumes — so an imported set can be generous in length. And "queen" locally means 5×6, which is not identical to every international queen. Always check centimetres, not names.
Measure your bed, do not trust the label
Beds and mattresses in Kenya are often made to order, and a 5×6 from one workshop is not always exactly 150 cm. Before buying bedding:
- Measure the mattress width and length across the top, not the frame.
- Measure the mattress depth at the side. This is the number people forget and it decides whether a fitted sheet works.
- Write all three down and buy against them.
Mattress depth: why fitted sheets fail
A fitted sheet has a fixed pocket depth. If your mattress is deeper than that pocket, the corners pop off every night.
| Mattress depth | Fitted sheet you need |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 cm | Standard pocket |
| 20–30 cm | Deep pocket |
| Over 30 cm (pillow-top, high-density foam) | Extra-deep pocket, or use a flat sheet instead |
Thick high-density foam mattresses are common in Kenya, which is why flat sheets remain popular here long after other markets moved to fitted. If your mattress is deep, a flat sheet tucked properly is more reliable than fighting a shallow fitted one.
Duvet and cover sizing
Duvets are sized to overhang the bed, so the duvet is usually wider than the mattress:
| Bed | Duvet size (approx) | Overhang |
|---|---|---|
| 3 × 6 single | 135 × 200 cm | Generous for one sleeper |
| 4 × 6 | 150 × 200 cm | Comfortable |
| 5 × 6 queen | 200 × 200 cm | Standard for two |
| 6 × 6 king | 220 × 240 cm | Stops the tug-of-war |
Match the cover to the duvet, not to the bed. This is the single most common bedding mistake. A 6×6 bed with a 220 × 240 duvet needs a 220 × 240 cover — buying a "king cover" without checking the number can leave you with something too small to close.
If two people fight over the duvet, go one size up rather than buying a bigger bed. A 6×6 bed with a 200 × 200 duvet is the actual cause of most of those arguments.
Pillows and pillowcases
- Standard pillow: around 50 × 70 cm — what most Kenyan pillowcases are cut for.
- Two pillows per sleeper is the norm for a made-up bed, four on a double.
- Match case to pillow, not to the bed size. A large pillow in a standard case bulges and slips out.
- Replace pillows every one to two years. The test: fold it in half — if it stays folded instead of springing back, it is finished.
How many sets to own
| Situation | Sets per bed | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Own home | 2 | One on, one in the wash |
| Own home, slow drying (coast, rainy season) | 3 | Drying takes days, not hours |
| Guest room | 2 | Always one ready for arrivals |
| Short-let or guest house | 3 | One on, one in laundry, one on the shelf |
| Boarding school | 2–3 | Communal laundry is slow |
Fabric, in plain terms
- Cotton breathes, washes hot, and gets softer with use. The default for Kenyan conditions.
- Polyester blends resist creasing and dry fast — genuinely useful at the coast where drying is slow — but they sleep warmer.
- Thread count matters less than people think above roughly 200–400. Beyond that you are usually paying for marketing, not comfort.
- For humid coastal heat, lighter cotton in a plain weave beats a heavy sateen.
- For cold highland nights, add a blanket or a warmer duvet rather than heavier sheets.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a 5 by 6 bed in centimetres?
About 150 × 190 cm, which corresponds to a queen.
What is the difference between 5 by 6 and 6 by 6?
Width. A 5×6 is about 150 cm wide (queen) and a 6×6 about 180 cm (king). Both are usually 190 cm long.
Why do my fitted sheets keep popping off?
The mattress is deeper than the sheet's pocket. Measure the depth and buy deep-pocket sheets, or use a flat sheet.
What duvet size do I need for a 6 by 6 bed?
Around 220 × 240 cm. Match the cover to the duvet's measurements, not to the bed name.
How many bedding sets should I own per bed?
Two at home, three where drying is slow or for a short-let or guest house.
Does thread count matter?
Up to a point. Between roughly 200 and 400 you get real differences; above that you are mostly paying for the label.
How often should pillows be replaced?
Every one to two years. Fold it in half — if it does not spring back, replace it.
Buy to fit
Shop bedding, bedsheets, duvets and duvet covers, pillows and blankets and throws. Measured your mattress and still unsure? Send us the three numbers — width, length and depth — on WhatsApp and we will tell you what fits.