Standard Australian cot mattresses measure about 130 cm x 69 cm, but brand sizing varies and measuring your mattress is essential for a snug, safe fit.
Choosing cot sheets in Australia comes down to one question: what does your mattress actually measure? While retailers loosely group sheets under a “cot” label, the dimensions beneath that label shift from brand to brand. Buy the wrong one and you are left wrestling an ill-fitting sheet at 2 a.m.
What Size Is A Standard Australian Cot Mattress?
The most common standard cot mattress size in Australia is roughly 130 cm long x 69 cm wide. Baby Bunting, one of the country’s largest baby retailers, states that standard cot mattresses are “usually around 130cm x 69cm”. Many sheet manufacturers round this up slightly and build their fitted sheets at 132 cm x 71 cm or 132 cm x 70 cm to accommodate mattress depth.
Here is where it gets tricky. Boori Australia sells a universal jersey cotton fitted sheet that fits its own 132 x 70 cm cot beds. Sheridan’s size guide lists its “Baby Cot” sheet at 132 cm x 77 cm x 19 cm. Three reputable Australian brands, three different dimensions, all labeled “cot”.
There is no single official Australian government standard for cot sheet sizes. The sizes above come from retailer and manufacturer guidance, which is why measuring your own mattress before ordering matters more than memorizing any number.
Why Matching Mattress Depth Matters
A fitted sheet needs to grip the mattress edges firmly to stay put through a night of movement. The mattress depth — how thick the mattress is — determines whether a sheet labeled 132 x 70 cm will fit snugly or hang loose.
Most standard cot mattresses sit between 10 cm and 15 cm deep.
Before you buy, run a tape measure across the length, width, and depth of your mattress and compare all three figures against the sheet’s listed dimensions — not just the name of the bed frame.
The Sizes That Are Not Cot Sizes
Australian retailers sell fitted sheets for several bed types that look similar but are not interchangeable with standard cots:
- Compact cot — smaller mattresses around 119 x 65 cm, as seen in Boori’s compact cot range.
- Bassinet — significantly shorter and narrower than a cot; bassinet sheets will not stay on a cot mattress.
- Cradle — similar to a bassinet in scale, with its own sizing quirks.
- Toddler bed — longer than a standard cot mattress, often using cot mattress dimensions but with different depth requirements.
Buying a standard cot sheet for any of these will leave you with loose fabric and a poor fit. Check the product title for the specific bed type before adding it to your cart.
Another trap: some retailers list flat sheet and fitted sheet measurements separately, and the flat sheet figure is larger. A flat sheet drapes over the mattress; a fitted sheet wraps it. Using the flat measurement to judge fit is a fast route to a sheet that slides off.
How To Get The Right Cot Sheet Size
The reliable method is measure first, buy second. Baby Bunting explicitly recommends measuring the mattress before purchasing to ensure a “safe, snug fit” — this is safety guidance, not a marketing line.
Measure the mattress length, width, and depth in centimetres, then compare against the sheet’s listed dimensions rather than trusting the “cot” label alone. When the numbers line up, our roundup of the best cot sheets compares the top options side by side for Australian parents.
| Mattress Type | Approximate Size | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cot | 130 x 69 cm | Most Australian cot beds |
| Cot bed (universal fit) | 132 x 70 cm | Boori and similar convertible frames |
| Compact cot | 119 x 65 cm | Smaller cot beds for tight spaces |
| Sheridan baby cot | 132 x 77 x 19 cm | Sheridan’s own cot bedding range |
| Bassinet | Varies by brand | Newborn sleeping spaces |
| Toddler bed | Varies by brand | After cot transition |
The table above shows how much the “cot” label stretches across brands. Always confirm the three dimensions — length, width, and depth — against your actual mattress before committing to a purchase.
FAQs
Are cot sheets in Australia a universal size?
No. While most standard cot mattresses fall near 130 x 69 cm, brands like Boori and Sheridan list different dimensions for their cot sheets. There is no government standard, so always measure your mattress and compare against the specific product’s listed dimensions.
Will a bassinet sheet fit a cot mattress?
No. Bassinet mattresses are significantly shorter and narrower than standard cot mattresses. A bassinet sheet will not cover a cot mattress properly, and the loose fabric creates a safety hazard. Purchase sheets labelled specifically for the bed type you own.
Can I use a standard cot sheet on a toddler bed?
Sometimes, but check the dimensions first. Many toddler beds use the same mattress size as a standard cot, but some are longer or deeper. Measure both the mattress and the sheet’s listed specs to confirm the fit before buying.
References & Sources
- Baby Bunting. “Cot Sheets.” Notes standard cot mattresses are usually around 130 x 69 cm and recommends measuring before purchase.
- Boori Australia. “Cot Universal Jersey Cotton Fitted Sheet.” Lists fit for 132 x 70 cm cot beds and 119 x 65 cm compact cot mattresses.
- Sheridan. “Size Guide.” Lists “Baby Cot” sheet dimensions as 132 cm x 77 cm x 19 cm.