What is the Standard Size of a Crib Mattress?

When you think about your baby’s nursery, you probably envision the color of the walls, a stylish crib and a comfortable rocking chair or glider. Although the crib makes a pretty big statement in the overall design of the room, the mattress is going to be where your baby spends most of his or her time while in the nursery and can have a big impact on your baby’s comfort and safety.

Federal Standards for Baby Cribs and Crib Mattresses

Standard Baby Crib and Crib Mattress Sizes

The safest size of baby cribs and crib mattresses is determined by the federal government. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) requires all full-size baby crib mattresses to be at least 27 and ¼ inches in width by 51 and ¼ inches in length, with a maximum thickness of six inches. But for cribs, the standard size isn’t as simple.

Standard Baby Crib Size

The CPSC requires that full-size baby cribs have a standard width of 28 inches and a standard height of 52 and ⅜ inches, but with a “pull or minus factor” of ⅝ inches. Because of this variation, it’s important to look for the recommended mattress size listed on the crib’s box and/or assembly instructions.

All Delta Children, Serta and Beautyrest crib mattresses are compatible with all Delta Children cribs, making it easier to buy the products that are safe for your little one’s nursery.

What to Look for in a Full-Size Crib Mattress

How A Crib Mattress Fits in a Crib

Crib mattresses should fit very snug or moderately snug in the crib. No more than two fingers of space should exist between the side of the mattress and the crib frame. A mattress that is too small for the crib could be a suffocation and entrapment hazard.

How Firm a Crib Mattress Should Be

The firmer, the better when it comes to crib mattresses. Soft surfaces can pose a suffocation hazard and increase your baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). You can test a how firm a mattress is by pressing on its center and edges. When you release pressure, it should snap back immediately.

Delta Children’s Commitment to Safety

At Delta Children, we don’t just follow the regulations and standards; we are members of the committees who are regularly updating them to increase child safety. Our products comply with all 3rd party lab testing regulations set forth by the CPSC/EU Commission and all of our crib mattresses are GREENGUARD GOLD certified, indicating they contain low chemical emissions and contribute to healthier environments.

Learn more about our commitment to crib safety.