Choosing the right mattress firmness isn’t just about comfort — it directly affects spinal alignment, pressure relief, and long-term back health.
A mattress that’s too soft can cause excessive sink and poor support.
Too firm, and you may experience shoulder or hip pressure — especially if you sleep on your side.
In this guide, we break down mattress firmness based on body weight, sleeping position, and support needs — so you can choose what actually works for your body type, not just what sounds comfortable.
Many people underestimate how body weight changes firmness feel. A mattress rated “medium” for a 60kg sleeper can feel soft for someone over 90kg.
That’s why firmness should always be evaluated relative to body weight and sleeping posture — not just a number on a scale.
Ready to see the best mattresses that match your ideal firmness?
Wat is mattress firmness?
Mattress firmness refers to how hard or soft a mattress feels when you lie on it.
It does not describe the quality of the mattress, but rather how much resistance it gives to your body weight.
Firmness is usually rated on a scale from 1 (very soft) to 10 (very firm).
Mattress Firmness Scale Explained
Most mattresses fall into one of these categories:
• Soft (1–3): Plush feel, deep sink-in comfort
• Medium-soft (4): Gentle support with pressure relief
• Medium (5–6): Balanced comfort and support
• Medium-firm (7): Supportive with minimal sink
• Firm (8–10): Very supportive, little to no sink
Most sleepers feel most comfortable on medium & medium-firm mattresses.
Best Mattress Firmness by Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position plays a major role in choosing the right mattress firmness.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers usually need a softer mattress to cushion the shoulders and hips.
Best choice: Medium-soft to medium.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers benefit from a mattress that supports the natural curve of the spine.
Best choice: Medium to medium-firm.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to prevent the hips from sinking too deeply.
Best choice: Medium-firm to firm.
How Body Weight Affects Mattress Firmness
Body weight influences how firm a mattress feels.
•Under 60kg: Lighter sleepers don’t compress the comfort layers as deeply. Softer or medium-soft mattresses often provide better contouring and pressure relief.
• 60–90 kg: Most average-weight sleepers feel comfortable on medium to medium-firm mattresses, which balance support and cushioning.
• Over 90 kg: Heavier sleepers need stronger support cores and denser materials to prevent sagging. Medium-firm to firm mattresses typically maintain better spinal alignment and durability over time.
If you’re unsure, medium to medium-firm mattresses work well for most body types.
Quick Firmness Recommendation
If you’re not sure, a medium or medium-firm mattress is the safest choice for most people.
It offers a balance between comfort and support and works for many sleep positions.
Looking for a mattress with the right firmness?
Explore our recommended mattresses based on firmness, comfort, and support.