Are Box Springs and Mattresses NOT supposed to exactly match up?

Factual Questions
1

I’m looking online to buy a new mattress and box spring. I’ve actually already picked out and purchased the mattress.
Queen - Described as being 80" by 60"

Now I’m noticing that the vast majority of box springs I’m seeing (only 2 exceptions so far) are described as:
Queen - 79" by 59.5"

Now, I know that’s not a huge difference but it seems strange to have the support structure smaller than what’s being supported. Is this normal? Is it possible when describing the mattress they just rounded up thinking 80 and 60 are better looking numbers than 79 and 59.5?

2

It might be that the piping around the mattress makes up that extra distance, but is just piping and does nothing related to structure.

3

You don’t want the frame sticking out beyond the edge of the mattress. I have slept in beds like that and it’s easy to bang an elbow or knee.

4

Most frames have a width that is greater than the half-inch width difference being cited. :wink:

5

The box springs have always been slightly bigger than my mattresses.

I’ve owned perhaps 8 beds in my lifetime.

It’s not a lot bigger. There’s about a 1/2" at the foot of the bed, when I push the mattress even with the box springs. (at the head of the bed).

6

I’ve always purchased mine as sets so that’s never happened.

7

Just got a bed frame and waiting on the mattress. The listed dimensions of the frame are 1/2 inch smaller in both directions than the “official” bed size. I assumed it’s because mattresses don’t have perfectly flat sides but a slight bulge.