Firmness refers to how firm and soft a mattress feels under pressure. This is a tactile experience given by the mattress and is subjective. The firmness will vary depending on personal preference, weight, and sleeping position. But, the mattress industry still has a set of standards for measuring firmness. We can combine with weight, age, and sleeping position—to create a mattress firmness guide for you. Then let’s get started!
Firmness Grade
The mattress industry rates beds on a softness-to-firmness scale from 1 to 10. A 1 is the softest, like lying on a cloud, while a 10 is the firmest, like lying on a hard board.. Next, let’s look at each level separately.
1. Extremely Soft (1)
- Extremely soft and almost unsupportive, lying on it is like sinking into a cloud. This mattress is rare and not recommended. It sinks too much, doesn’t support well, and can lead to poor sleep and discomfort.
2. Ultra Soft (2)
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Slightly more realistic than Extremely Soft, but still very soft, not enough support. It’s not recommended because it can cause too much sinking, even for those who like very soft mattresses.
3. Very Soft (3)
- Very soft and more supportive, but still has a noticeable sinking feel. Ideal for side sleepers, especially those who like to be wrapped in their mattress. Typically made from memory foam, known for its deep stress-relieving properties.
4. Soft (4)
- Soft but starting to provide more balanced support with less excess sinking. Ideal for those who like a soft mattress and need some support, and suitable for side and back sleepers.
5. Medium (5)
- Balanced softness and support, suitable for all sleeping positions. Especially for side, back and stomach sleepers, it provides good comfort and support.
6. Medium Firm (6-6.5)
- The most common firmness level on the market, balancing pressure relief and support. Suitable for various sleeping positions, especially combination sleepers. Can be made entirely of foam or a combination of foam and coils.
7. Slightly Firm (7)
- Stronger support provides extra lift and reduces the feeling of sinking. Suitable for back, stomach and combination sleepers and provides good spinal support.
8. Firm (8)
- Provides very firm support with no body contouring or "hugging" feel. Great for back and stomach sleepers, and for those who like a traditional firm mattress.
9. Very Firm (9)
- Very sturdy and offers great resistance with little to no sinking or hugging. Ideal for heavier sleepers, or those who must extreme support. Most people may find this firmness too firm.
10. Ultra Firm (10)
- The most solid support without any softness or sinking. Ideal for people with special medical needs requiring extreme support. It’s rare and not recommended for most people because it offers little pressure relief.
Common mattress firmness and brands
Soft Mattresses
Soft mattresses typically have a firmness rating between 3 and 5 out of 10. They usually have a cushioning layer on top, like a quilted pillow top or thick memory foam. This creates a deep, body-contouring feel that relieves pressure.
On a soft mattress, you will feel like your body is "sinking in" rather than "floating". Side sleepers or those needing extra comfort for their shoulders, hips, and lower back often prefer softer mattresses. Some popular examples of soft mattresses include Tempurpedic, Sealy, Serta, and Helix mattresses.
A medium-firm mattress typically has a firmness rating of 5-6.5 out of 10. These mattresses usually have a soft foam top layer and a firm, high-density base. These offers both pressure relief and support, making it popular for many sleepers.
On a medium-firm mattress, you might sink slightly but generally feel more lifted. This makes it a great choice for combination or back sleepers who need extra mobility. We recommend these brands: Ablyea, Casper, Nectar, Purple, DreamCloud, Saatva, and Puffy
Firm Mattresses
Firm mattresses typically have a firmness rating of 7-8 out of 10. The comfort layers of these mattresses rarely feature soft materials. Instead, they insert a thin layer of soft foam over high-density foam or springs. Thus, a firm mattress can provide a high level of support.
On a firm mattress, every part of your body should receive enough push to lift directly onto the top of the bed. Stomach sleepers and heavier people may appreciate the extra support these mattresses bring. Some of the firm mattresses include Tempurpedic, Sealy, Helix and Nectar mattresses.
What is the Best Firmness for You?
There is no absolute answer to this question, the one that suits you best is the best. Some soft mattresses can be a disaster for people with back pain. So, we should choose a mattress, based on our sleeping position, weight, physical condition. To get a good night's sleep.
Sleeping Positions
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Best Firmness for Back Sleepers: 5-6.5 (medium firm)
When you sleep on your back, your body weight is spread out evenly. You need a mattress that supports your spine's natural curve. A medium-firm mattress can provide good support and avoid excessive sinking.
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Best Firmness for Side Sleepers: 3-6 (soft)
When you sleep on your side, your weight is concentrated on smaller areas, like your shoulders and hips. This puts more pressure on those spots. A softer mattress can disperse these pressures, providing more cushioning and comfort. And the soft mattress can make the shoulders and hips to sink slightly, helping the spine maintain a natural S shape. This reduces stress on your back and neck, helping to reduce pain and discomfort.
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Best Firmness for Stomach Sleepers:7-8 (firm)
When sleeping on your stomach, most of the body's weight is concentrated in the abdominal and chest areas. A firmer mattress can stop these areas from sinking too much and help keep your spine aligned.
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Best Firmness for Combination Sleepers: 5-6.5 (medium firm)
A medium-firm mattress balances softness and support. It gives side sleepers enough cushioning, provides support for back and stomach sleepers. Whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, a medium-firm mattress can adapt and support different body parts.
Weight
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Best Firmness for Lightweight (under 120 pounds): 3-6 (soft)
Those weigh less will get better pressure distribution on a softer mattress, especially for areas like shoulders and hips.
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Best Firmness for Medium Weight (120-230 pounds): 5-6.5 (medium firm):
A medium-firm mattress balances support and comfort. Making it a good choice for most sleepers within this weight range.
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Best Firmness for Heavy Weight (over 230 pounds): 7-9 (firm)
Heavy sleepers won't sink too much on a firm mattress. It helps keep the spine aligned and provides good support.
Special Needs
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Best Firmness for Back Pain: 5-7 (medium to firm)
A medium-firm mattress offers good support, helping keep your spine aligned, reducing pressure on your back and waist.
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Best Firmness for Arthritis or Joint Pain: 3-6 (soft to medium firm)
A softer mattress can relieve joint pressure and reduce joint pain.
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Best Firmness for Breathing Issues or Acid Reflux: 5-7 (medium to firm)
A medium to firm mattress provides good support. It keeps your upper body elevated, which helps with breathing problems and acid reflux.
How to Tell if Your Mattress is Too Firm or Too Soft
A mattress that is too soft will sink too much, leaving you feeling unsupported. This can lead to improper alignment of the spine. If you wake up with lower back, shoulder, and/or neck pain, your mattress may be too soft.
If your mattress is too firm and doesn't fit your body well, you might wake up with back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Note: Sleeping on a mattress that is too soft or too hard for a long time is not good for your health. Uncomfortable mattresses need to be replaced promptly!
The Difference between Firmness and Support
Firmness
Firmness refers to the comfort of the mattress surface, that is, how firm or soft it feels when you lie on it. Firmness is usually determined by a mattress's comfort layers, such as memory foam, latex, or a quilted top layer.
Support
Support means the mattress keeps your body aligned and prevents sagging. It also helps maintain spine alignment. It usually depends on the mattress’s core structure, like springs, high-density foam, or pocketed coils. Good support spreads your body weight evenly and reduces pressure points. It also provides a stable foundation for sleep.
Firmness and support can exist independently of each other. For example, a high-quality firm mattress with high-density memory foam, can be both soft and supportive. It provides comfort while maintaining good support and spine alignment. Of course, a low-quality firm mattress is very firm but offers no support. It feels like lying on concrete and can throw your spine out of alignment.
Finally, the firmness is a personal feeling. You can choose the best firmness based on your preferences, sleeping position, weight, and other factors. I hope this guide helps you find the right firmness for you!
