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Written by: Derek Hales
Updated On:
So you need a new mattress, but you’re not sure where to start. For many, mattress firmness is the first question to consider.
How firm of a mattress do you need? Is it based on preference, personal size, sleeping position? Is there a right or wrong answer?
This mattress firmness guide will hopefully put your mind at ease and help you get some sleep. Let’s begin.
In This Guide
What is mattress firmness?What level of firmness should my mattress be?What is the most popular firmness for a mattress?What firmness is best for side sleepers?What firmness is best for back sleepers?What firmness is best for stomach sleepers?How do I know if my bed is too soft?How do I know if my bed is too firm?Mattress Firmness ChartMattress Firmness Scale Explained
What is mattress firmness?
Mattress firmness is how soft or firm a mattress feels when sleepers lie in a horizontal position.
The exact firmness may vary between different sleepers, as it is a bit subjective.
There’s no real objective test we can do to get an official firmness number. That being said, our firmness scale is based on my personal subjective assessment of 320+ different mattresses.
Our mattress firmness scale goes from 1 to 10. However, we have never rated any mattress softer than 3.5 or firmer than a 9.
A mattress that is a 10 out of 10 on the firmness scale would feel like sleeping on a concrete floor. Pure support, no pressure relief.
A mattress that is a 1 out of 10, would be like sleeping on super thick layer of exclusively poly fiber fill. Pure pressure relief, no support.
Where are the extremes?
- The softest mattress we have tested to date is a 3.5 out of 10—the Helix Moonlight mattress. Read the full review here.
- The firmest mattress we have tested to date is a flippable 8 or 9 out of 10—the Plank mattress. Read the full review here.
Among our tests of 320+ different mattresses, we have never encountered a mattress softer than 3.5 out of 10 or firmer than 9 out of 10.
Why is it important?
Mattress firmness is important because how soft or firm a mattress is directly determines how comfortable and supportive you may find it. If you prefer a soft mattress, yet purchase a mattress that is 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, you will likely be disappointed.
In addition, mattress firmness determines if you will have adequate support where you need it.
Firmness vs. Support
Mattress firmness and mattress support are not the same things. A mattress may be firm… yet still, be unsupportive (or rather, the wrong type of support). By the same token, a soft mattress could be surprisingly supportive.
- Firmness is how soft or firm a mattress feels when you lie on it.
- Support is how the mattress is able to support your body, avoid pressure points, and keep your spine in alignment.
What level of firmness should my mattress be?
What is best for one sleeper may not be best for another. The three most important factors that should be considered when picking a firmness are:
- Sleeping Position
- Body Weight
- Personal Preference
#1. Sleeping Position
Generally speaking, side sleepers prefer a softer mattress (to follow the contours of their side and keep their spine in alignment). Stomach and back sleepers both prefer firmer mattresses.
There can certainly be some overlap when you consider personal preference and body weight, but these are good guidelines to get started.
#2. Body Weight
In general, lightweight sleepers prefer softer mattresses since they engage with less of the comfort material. Lightweight side sleepers often prefer softer mattresses than lightweight stomach or back sleepers.
Moderately weighted sleepers have the widest firmness preference range. Again, side sleepers may prefer something a little softer than back or stomach sleepers.
Heavyweight sleepers typically need a firmer mattress. Heavy back or stomach sleepers often prefer a firmer mattress than a heavy side sleeper. This is because, in general, firmer mattresses do provide more support.
#3. Personal Preference
Personal preference is the last factor to consider when selecting an ideal firmness. Some people just naturally prefer a firmer or softer mattress… weight and sleeping position aside.
What is the most popular firmness for a mattress?
Medium-firm is the most popular mattress firmness. Most mattress brands place medium-firm at a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm. 80% of sleepers prefer a firmness in the 5-7 firmness range.
Very few sleepers need a very soft or very firm mattress. As a result, medium, medium-firm, and slightly firm mattresses meets the needs the vast majority of all sleepers.
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Side sleepers do best with a mattress that is a medium to medium firm feel, which is a 5-6 firmness on our scale. Lighter weight side sleepers may go as soft as a 4 firmness with ultra light weight side sleepers going as low as a 3. Heavier side sleepers may go as high as a 7 firmness, though not more than that.
Firmness beyond that can create support issues and spinal alignment problems. The vast majority of side sleepers should choose a medium to medium firm feel.
What firmness is best for back sleepers?
Back sleepers need a medium firm to slightly firm feel, which is a 6-7 firmness on our scale. Lighter weight back sleepers may go as low as a 5 firmness, but should not go much softer. Heavier weight back sleepers may go as firm as an 8 firmness.
Back sleepers need enough pressure relief to create a comfortable sleeping surface, but otherwise are looking for a highly supportive mattress.
What firmness is best for stomach sleepers?
Stomach sleepers need a medium firm to firm feel, which is a 6-8 firmness on our scale. Lighter weight stomach sleepers may choose a firmness as soft as a 5 firmness, but should not go softer than that. Heavier weight stomach sleepers may prefer a firmness up to an 8, but in general, shouldn’t go firmer. Any firmer, and you begin to experience a complete lack of pressure relief.
Stomach sleepers need a mattress that creates excellent support so as to keep the spine in a flat alignment while lying on the stomach. You also want to make sure you have a very thin pillow. Consider hanging your feet off the mattress. The combination of these factors will create the best support and a neutral spinal alignment.
How do I know if my bed is too soft?
A mattress that is too soft may have excessive sinkage, deeper than desired contour, and leave you feeling unsupported. Similarly to a mattress that is too firm, a mattress that is too soft can also cause improper spinal alignment.
This can result in waking up with lower back pain, shoulder neck, and/or neck pain.
How do I know if my bed is too firm?
If your mattress is too firm, you may wake with back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or cramps. This is often due to poor spinal alignment while you sleep.
Mattresses that are too firm most often push the spine out of a neutral alignment in a side sleeping position. This creates pressure points during the night that builds into pain.
Mattress Firmness Chart
Your body weight and sleeping position are the two most significant factors that change whether or not a mattress is ideal for you. Firmness is more than mere preference.
The table below is a good starting point when trying to decide what firmness may be right for you.
How do I know what type of mattress is best for me?
You’ll know by determining your primary sleeping positions and weighing yourself. Heavier sleepers tend to need a slightly firmer feel, so as to create more support. Lighter weight sleepers tend to need a slightly softer feel, so as to create more pressure relief.
Side sleepers need slightly more softness, while back and stomach sleepers need slightly more firmness.
Ultimately, it is the combination of your weight and sleeping position that shows you more precising the ideal firmness for you.
Mattress Firmness Scale (Explained)
Here is a more detailed breakdown of who may be best suited for each firmness.
Extra Soft: 3 out of 10
Extra soft mattresses are best for very lightweight side sleepers. Larger sleepers will likely not be adequately supported by a mattress this soft. Even lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomach or back may also not get enough support from this firmness.
Soft: 4 out of 10
Soft mattresses are best for very lightweight sleepers (all positions) or some moderately weighted side sleepers. Larger sleepers will likely not be adequately supported by a mattress this soft.
Medium: 5 out of 10
Medium mattresses have a wider range of sleepers who may enjoy this firmness. Lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomach or back as well as moderately weighted sleepers (all positions) could like this firmness. Larger sleepers who sleep on their side may also be good candidates for these mattresses.
Medium Firm: 6 out of 10
Medium firm mattresses are slightly firmer than a medium and have a very wide range of sleepers who may like this firmness. They are supportive, but not too firm to be uncomfortable.
These mattresses are generally good picks for moderately weighted sleepers (all positions), lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomach or back, or some heavy sleepers who sleep on their side.
Slightly Firm: 7 out of 10
Slightly firm mattresses are still good choices for a wide range of moderately weighted sleepers (all positions), lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomach or back, or heavier sleepers (all positions).
Firm: 8 out of 10
Firm mattresses are usually not good picks for lightweight sleepers. Moderately weighted sleepers could enjoy this firmness, especially if you sleep on your stomach or back. Heavy sleepers in all positions are also great candidates for this mattress.
Extra Firm: 9 out of 10
Extra firm mattresses suit a very narrow window of sleepers. Heavy sleepers who sleep on their stomach or back or usually one of the only types of sleepers who enjoy a mattress this firm.
How to Choose a Mattress Firmness?
When making a selection on firmness, there are two different avenues to take—single firmness mattresses or multi-firmness mattresses.
- Single firmness mattress: a mattress with only one firmness
- Multi-firmness mattress: a mattress that is available in multiple firmnesses or a flippable mattress that features a different firmness on each side
Single Firmness Mattresses
| Mattress | Firmness | Read Review |
|---|---|---|
| Helix Moonlight | 3.5 | Read Review |
| Helix Sunset | 4 | Read Review |
| Nest Bedding – Lark Kids | 5 | Read Review |
| Purple | 5 | Read Review |
| Nolah – Natural | 5 | Read Review |
| Leesa – Legend | 5 | Read Review |
| Amerisleep – AS3 Hybrid | 5 | Read Review |
| Zoma – All Foam | 5 | Read Review |
| Amerisleep – AS3 Foam | 5 | Read Review |
| Zoma – Hybrid | 5 | Read Review |
| Nectar – Premier Copper | 5 | Read Review |
| Nectar – Premier | 5.5 | Read Review |
| Full Moon | 6 | Read Review |
| Awara – Natural Latex Hybrid | 6 | Read Review |
| eLuxury Supply | 6 | Read Review |
| BedInABox Original | 6 | Read Review |
| Full Moon | 6 | Read Review |
| BedInABox EcoLux | 6 | Read Review |
| Leesa Original | 6 | Read Review |
| Leesa Studio | 6 | Read Review |
| Leesa Hybrid | 5 | Read Review |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | 6 | Read Review |
| Helix Midnight | 6 | Read Review |
| Helix Dusk | 6 | Read Review |
| Dreamcloud Premier Rest | 6 | Read Review |
| GhostBed Luxe | 6 | Read Review |
| GhostBed Flex | 6 | Read Review |
| Titan Luxe Hybrid | 6 | Read Review |
| Bear Hybrid | 6 | Read Review |
| Awara Premier Natural Latex Hybrid | 6 | Read Review |
| Awara Natural Latex Hybrid | 6 | Read Review |
| Purple Premier Hybrid 3 | 6 | Read Review |
| Purple Premier Hybrid 4 | 6 | Read Review |
| Birch Luxe | 6 | Read Review |
| Nectar | 6.5 | Read Review |
| Nolah Original | 6.5 | Read Review |
| BedInABox Tranquillium | 6.5 | Read Review |
| GhostBed Classic | 6.5 | Read Review |
| Purple Hybrid | 6.5 | Read Review |
| WinkBed Plus | 7 | Read Review |
| Birch | 7 | Read Review |
| DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid | 7 | Read Review |
| DreamCloud Premier | 7 | Read Review |
| Helix Plus | 7 | Read Review |
| Nest Bedding Puffin (Kids) | 7 | Read Review |
| WinkBed Plus | 7 | Read Review |
| Helix Dawn | 8 | Read Review |
| Helix Twilight | 8 | Read Review |
Multi-Firmness Mattresses
| Mattress | Firmness Options | Flippable | Read Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Elite Hybrid | 4.5, 6, 7.5 | No | Read Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Hybrid | 4, 6, 8 | No | Read Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | 4, 6, 8 | No | Read Review |
| EcoSleep Hybrid Luxe | 5.5, 8 | Yes | Read Review |
| Helix Kids | 7 | Yes | Read Review |
| Layla Hybrid | 4.5, 7.5 | Yes | Read Review |
| Layla Memory Foam | 5, 8 | Yes | Read Review |
| 4, 5.5 | No | Read Review | |
| 5.5, 8 | No | Read Review | |
| Nest Bedding Robin | 6, 8 | Yes | Read Review |
| Nest Bedding Quail | 5, 8 | No | Read Review |
| Nest Bedding Finch | 5, 7.5 | No | Read Review |
| Nest Bedding Sparrow | 3.5, 5, 8 | No | Read Review |
| Nest Bedding Owl | 3.5, 5, 8 | No | Read Review |
| Novosbed | 4, 6, 8 | No | Read Review |
| Plank | 8, 9 | Yes | Read Review |
| Propel | 4, 7 | Yes | Read Review |
| Saatva | 3.5, 5, 8 | No | Read Review |
| Winkbed | 4, 6, 7 | No | Read Review |
FAQs
Is it better to sleep on a firm or soft mattress?
The best mattress for you depends on your bodyweight, sleeping position, and personal preference. Generally heavier sleepers require a bit firmer mattress and lighter sleepers prefer a softer mattress. Side sleepers often like softer mattresses as well and back or stomach sleepers prefer something firmer.
What is the best mattress firmness for me?
We would love to help you find out! Click here to fill out our 2-minute mattress quiz. With a few quick answers we will have all the information we need to make a custom mattress recommendation for you.
What firmness of mattress do hotels use?
Hotel mattresses are oftentimes a medium firmness to appeal to the widest range of sleepers possible. Hotels typically follow strict specifications when purchasing mattresses for their hotels. These specs are driven by brand standards that dictate which mattress to purchase.
How do you make a soft bed harder?
To change the firmness of a mattress without buying a completely new mattress, consider adding a mattress topper. Adding a topper can help make a soft bed feel firmer as well as make a firm bed feel softer. While this may not change the overall support of the mattress, it can help to improve the feel.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the ideal mattress firmness can be a bit subjective. What is best for one sleeper may be horrible for another.
Considering your bodyweight, sleeping position, and personal prference, you can have all the tools you need to select the best mattress firmness for your needs.
And if you consider those factors and still aren’t sure, let us help you with a personalized mattress recommendation for free!
About Derek Hales
Derek Halesis the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab.com. He has been featured inFast Company,Reader's Digest,Business Insider,Realtor.com, Huffington Post, Washington Post, AskMen, andShe Knows. Derek has personally tested over 320+ mattresses and hundreds of pillows, sheets, beds, and other sleep products.
rEAD mORE
9.82 Best Score (Winkbed)
6.23 Worst Score (Sealy Cocoon Chill)
Cooling Score Summary
8.8 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (27 mattresses)
6.0 Worst Score (3 mattresses)
For more information see our cooling score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-sinkage', {content: 'Sinkage is the level to which sleepers will sink into the layers of the mattress. To test sinkage we use a 12 pound medicine ball to objectively measure the depth to which that ball sinks. This is representative of pressure point sinkage.Sinkage Data Summary
2.16" Average Sinkage (210+ mattresses tested)
3.20" Most Sinkage (Awara Premier)
1.05" Least Sinkage (Plank Firm) For more information see our sinkage score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-motion-transfer', {content: 'Motion transfer is the level of motion felt when a sleep partner moves, changes position, or gets in / out of bed. Our motion transfer score is an objective measure based on our accelerometer tests. We drop a 12 pound medicine ball on one side of the mattress and place an accelerometer on the other side. Acceleration is measured in meters per second squared (m/s^2). If an object (in this case our accelerometer) accelerates in 5 m/s^2 that means the speed is increasing by 5 meters every second.
Motion Transfer Score Summary
8.1 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (51 mattresses)
3.7 Worst Score (Naturepedic Chorus)
For more information see our motion transfer score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-ease-of-movement', {content: 'How quickly a mattress responds to sleeper movements impacts how easy or difficult it may be to change positions, move around, and get up from the mattress. Our response score is an objective measure based on mattress response time (aka responsiveness). Response time is how long the mattress is able to respond to movements and adjust back to its original shape.Response Score Summary
8.9 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (52 mattresses)
5.0 Worst Score (8 mattresses)
For more information see our ease of movement score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-bounce', {content: 'Our bounce test is an objective measurement based on the level of bounce achieved by dropping a 12 pound medicine ball on the mattress.Bounce Data Summary
9.69" Average Bounce (210+ mattresses tested)
17.15" Most Bounce (Helix Moonlight)
3.34" Least Bounce (Tempur Cloud)
For more information see our bounce score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-edge-support', {content: 'Edge support is the amount of support provided by the edge of the mattress when sitting or lying directly on it. We measure edge support by sitting directly on the edge and taking an objective measurement of edge sinkage. We also lie directly on the edge and make a subjective assessment of performance.
Edge Support Score Summary
8.6 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (12 mattresses)
5.1 Worst Score (Purple)
For more information see our edge support score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-sex', {content: 'Our sex score is based on 5 factors including: bounce, edge support, noise, cooling, and pressure relief. Those 5 factors are weighted based on their relative importance.Sex Score Summary
8.5 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (10 mattresses)
6.0 Worst Score (Nectar Original)
For more information see our sex score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-pressure-relief', {content: 'Mattresses with thin comfort layers, poor material quality, poor material design, and other factors may create pressure points for some sleepers. Our pressure relief score is a subjective assessment of multiple factors.Pressure Relief Score Summary
8.8 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (46 mattresses)
4.0 Worst Score (Sealy Posturepedic Carver)
For more information see our pressure relief score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-off-gassing', {content: 'New mattresses may release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for a period of time. This off-gassing can create a strong smell that lingers for a period of days. Our off-gassing score is a subjective measure of the duration of the off-gassing period.Off-Gassing Score Summary
8.4 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (16 mattresses)
0.0 Worst Score (Sealy Cocoon Chill)
For more information see our off-gassing score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-company', {content: 'Our company score is based on 5 factors including: trial period, warranty, returns, shipping, and trust. Each score is an objective rating, excluding trust, which is a subjective assessment.Company Score Summary
8.7 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
9.7 Best Score (12 mattresses)
5.2 Worst Score (Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid)
For more information see our company score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-performance-tests', {content: 'Our performance tests look at 10 unique factors. These factors are a blend of objective testing data and subjective expert analysis. For more information see our performance tests explanation here. Most testing factors are color coded (green = good, yellow = okay, red = bad). However, sinkage and bounce are not color coded, despite being testing factors. These factors are not color coded because sinkage and bounce are preference based.Overall Score Summary
8.64 Average Score (210+ mattresses tested)
9.82 Best Score (Winkbed)
6.23 Worst Score (Sealy Cocoon Chill)
',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-firmness', {content: 'Firmness is rated on a 1-10 scale where 10 is the most firm. Most sleepers prefer a medium firm feel, which is a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale. Our firmness rating is a subjective assessment. For help in choosing the right firmness for you please visit our mattress firmness guide.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-support', {content: 'Mattress type, materials, firmness, and sleeper weight impact how a mattress will support you and the sleeping positions that are best suited for that mattress. Our support rating analyzes mattress firmness alongside body weight and sleeping positions to help ensure you select the mattress that best meets your needs.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-types', {content: 'Different mattress types have different feels. The materials used within the mattress and the mattress design can dramatically alter how a mattress feels. Your preferences and needs may make one or more types better suited to your needs. Our mattress types guide explains the major mattress types in-depth and can help guide you to the type that is best for you.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-best-for', {content: 'Our best for selections are a combination of the mattresses that earned spots on one or more of our best mattress lists and or mattresses that earned high scores in a specific scoring category. You can learn how we test and score mattresses here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-prices', {content: 'Prices include any relevant promotions, sales, and discounts at the time of update. All mattress pricing listed in USD, except for mattresses exclusively available in a non-US country, in which case prices are listed in the respective local currency of that country. Prices subject to change without warning.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-body-contour', {content: 'Body contour is how the mattress hugs and wraps around the body. Mattresses that create a slight body contour don’t have a significant hug and float sleepers more on top of the mattresses. Mattresses with a dramatic body contour create a more significant hugging sensation and wrap around the exact shape of the body. Mattresses with a balanced body contour create more of an even and less polarizing feel.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-sinkage', {content: 'Sinkage is how deeply the body sinks into the mattress when you’re lying down. More / less sinkage is neither good nor bad. However, it will create a more specific feel. Mattresses with more sinkage generally have a more dramatic body contour. Mattresses with less sinkage generally have only a slight level of body contour, creating more of a floating on top fo the mattress feel.Sinkage Data Summary
2.16" Average Sinkage (210+ mattresses tested)
3.20" Most Sinkage (Awara Premier)
1.05" Least Sinkage (Plank Firm)',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-bounce', {content: 'Bounce is tested by dropping a 12 pound medicine ball onto the mattress. The bounce height is determined by how far the ball sinks down and rebounds back up. High / low bounce is neither good nor bad, but subject to personal preferences. However, most sleepers prefer a bounce in the moderate to high range, as it improves sex performance and makes it easier to move around on the mattress.
Bounce Data Summary
9.69" Average Bounce (210+ mattresses tested)
17.15" Most Bounce (Helix Moonlight)
3.34" Least Bounce (Tempur Cloud)',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });
