A Single bedsheet suits a narrow single mattress of about 36 inches wide. A Single XL is 42 by 75 inches (107 by 190 cm), so it is the better fit for a diwan, a wider single bed, or anyone who likes room to turn at night.
If you have ever stood in front of two sizes wondering which one to pick, this guide is for you. We will keep it simple and practical.
What is the difference between Single and Single XL?
The difference is width. A Single XL is about 6 inches wider than a standard Single, and both are sized for a mattress around 75 inches long.
Here is the quick comparison:
| Size | Approx. width | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single | About 36 in (91 cm) | Narrow single beds, bunk beds, a young child's cot |
| Single XL | 42 in x 75 in (107 cm x 190 cm) | Diwans, wider single beds, teenagers, adults sleeping alone |
Mattress sizes vary a little between makers, so always measure your own before you decide.
Which size fits a diwan?
For most diwans, a Single XL is the safer choice. Diwans in Indian homes are often wider than a standard single bed, and they double as a seat in the day and a bed for guests at night.
Take Meera in Hyderabad. She keeps a diwan in her living room for visiting relatives. Her old Single sheet kept slipping off the sides every morning. Once she measured the diwan and moved up to a Single XL, the sheet stayed tucked in and looked neat all day.
Your diwan may be a different width, so measure it first. Then choose the size that is the same or slightly smaller than your mattress for a fitted sheet, or slightly larger for a flat sheet you tuck in.
Which size is right for a hostel or PG bed?
Check the mattress you are given. Most hostel and PG beds are narrow, so a Single usually works. If your mattress is wider, or you simply want more space to study and sleep, a Single XL gives you room.
A student moving to a hostel in Pune or Bengaluru has a lot to pack. Measuring the bed in advance, or asking the warden for the mattress size, saves a return trip.
Which size is better for a child's bed?
A child's bed is usually a standard Single, especially a bunk bed or a small cot. If your child is a growing teenager, or you want the sheet to last through the next growth spurt, a Single XL leaves more room.
Either way, pure cotton is a good choice for a kids' room because it is soft, breathable and easy to wash again and again. You can also see our Single bed sheet collection for sets made for exactly this.
How do you measure your mattress for a bedsheet?
It takes two minutes. Use a tape measure and follow these steps:
- Measure the width across the top of the mattress, edge to edge.
- Measure the length from head to foot.
- Measure the thickness, if you plan to buy a fitted sheet.
- Compare your numbers with the size listed on the product page.
If your mattress sits between two sizes, go with the larger one for a flat sheet, so you have enough fabric to tuck in.
Where can you see both sizes?
Belong India makes both sizes in pure cotton, in calm colours like white, ivory, sage green and beige, and most sets cost under Rs 3,000. Browse the Single XL bed sheets if you need more room, or look at the Sage Green Essential Percale Bedsheet Set, which comes in both Single and Single XL.
Frequently asked questions
Is Single XL the same as a diwan size?
Not exactly, but a Single XL is the size most people use for a diwan in India. Always measure your own diwan first.
Can I use a Single sheet on a Single XL mattress?
It will not fit well. The sheet will be too narrow and will slip off the sides, so choose the matching size.
How wide is a Single XL bedsheet?
A Single XL is 42 inches wide and 75 inches long (107 cm by 190 cm).
Which is better for one adult, Single or Single XL?
An adult sleeping alone is usually more comfortable on a Single XL because of the extra width.