Minuscule Parisian Apartment Housed Man For 15 Years 
 
 (Note at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 20: See our update below about the size of that apartment.) 
 
 In France, news that an apartment measuring less than 17 square feet had been rented out for 15 years is being cited as proof of an overly expensive real estate market in Paris. A 50-year-old man identified only as "Dominique" had been paying rent of 330 euros, or about $442, to live in the apartment. 
 
 The story was highlighted by the housing advocacy group Fondation Abbe Pierre, after the man asked for help dealing with his landlord. He had been living in an apartment whose habitable space was measured at 1.56 square meters — or about 16.8 square feet. 
 
 "I come home, I go to bed," Dominique told the French website and radio station RTL, describing how he coped with living in the space. 
 
 A photograph released by the advocacy group shows the apartment has a skylight and a slanted roof, but "a person doesn't stand correctly" in the space, it said on its Twitter feed. It added that the photo might make the place seem larger than it actually is. 
 
 RTL reported the story Thursday, saying that three different real estate agencies had managed the apartment despite its small size. It added that the door to the minuscule apartment was now permanently closed — and the owner faces a court date later this month. 
 
 Le Monde reports that the legal minimum size of an apartment in Paris is 9 square meters. And it must include a shower. 
 
 Update at 10:30 a.m. ET, Jan. 20: On The Size Of That "Apartment": 
 
 There's a good discussion going in the comments thread about why the apartment is said to measure just 1.56 square meters when the photo seems to show more "space" than that. As we said earlier, that photo may make the apartment appear larger than it really is. But, there also appears to be a legal issue regarding what the law in Paris says about how to measure the "habitable" space. Much of the apartment's space, it seems, isn't counted in that measurement because of the extremely low ceiling. 
 
 Here's a helpful contribution from commenter "Raising Eyebrows (Sean Sbragia)": 
 
 "I did a little research and, while my french isn't very good, it appears they claimed it was only 1.56m² of 'habitable area' according to the loi Carrez, or Carrez Law. It's a french law that specifies any floor area under 5' 9" in height is excluded from the total footage. So 80% of the space in the photo is not included in the reported 1.56m². http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L... http://www.leparisien.fr/paris... "And from this version: http://www.thelocal.fr/page/vi... 
 
 'Flats in France are legally measured according the dimensions of habitable space - essentially the amount of room the tenant has to stand up straight without banging his head on the ceiling.' " 
 
 More contributions are welcomed in the comments thread. 

 Single size bed 
 
 Standard bed sizes are based on standard mattress sizes, which vary from country to country. Bed sizes also vary according to the size and degree of ornamentation of the bed frame. Dimensions and names vary considerably around the world, with most countries having their own standards and terminology. In addition, two mattresses with the same nominal size may still have slightly different dimensions, due to manufacturing tolerances, amount of padding, and support type. In almost all territories, standard beds are rectangular but other shapes, notably circular, may be obtained by special order. 
 
 Table of common sizes [ edit ] 
 
 Modern manufacturing conventions have produced many standard mattress and box spring sizes. Beds vary by country of origin as per the table below. These dimensions are for the mattress – actual bed frames are a little larger to accommodate the mattress. Mattress thickness varies considerably. 
 
 North America South America Europe Oceania Asia US and Canada Brazil Colombia Continental Europe Scandinavia UK and Ireland Australia New Zealand China Japan Singapore Thailand Small single 
 
 or Cot 76 cm × 191 cm 
 
 (30 in × 75 in) 80 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (31 in × 75 in) 80 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (31 in × 75 in) 60 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (24 in × 75 in) 91 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (36 in × 74 in) 85 cm × 195 cm 
 
 (33 in × 77 in) Single, Twin, 
 
 or Bunk 97 cm × 191 cm 
 
 (38 in × 75 in)[1] 88 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (35 in × 74 in) 100 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (39 in × 75 in) 90 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (35 in × 79 in) 90 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (35 in × 79 in) 90 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (35 in × 75 in) 92 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (36 in × 74 in) 91 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (36 in × 74 in) 106 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (42 in × 74 in) 97 cm × 195 cm 
 
 (38 in × 77 in) 91 cm × 191 cm 
 
 (36 in × 75 in) 107 cm × 198 cm 
 
 (42 in × 78 in) Twin extra long 97 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (38 in × 80 in)[1] 90 cm × 210 cm 
 
 (35 in × 83 in) 91 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (36 in × 80 in) 97 cm × 205 cm 
 
 (38 in × 81 in) King single 
 
 or Super single 96 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (38 in × 80 in) 120 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (47 in × 79 in) 107 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (42 in × 80 in) 107 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (42 in × 80 in) 110 cm × 195 cm 
 
 (43 in × 77 in) 107 cm × 191 cm 
 
 (42 in × 75 in) Small double 
 
 or Three-quarter 120 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (48 in × 75 in) 120 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (47 in × 75 in) 140 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (55 in × 79 in) 120 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (47 in × 75 in) 122 cm × 195 cm 
 
 (48 in × 77 in) Full or Double 130 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (53 in × 75 in) 138 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (54 in × 74 in) 140 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (55 in × 75 in) 140 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (55 in × 79 in) 180 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (71 in × 79 in) 135 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (53 in × 75 in) 138 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (54 in × 74 in) 137 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (54 in × 74 in) 152 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (60 in × 74 in) 140 cm × 195 cm 
 
 (55 in × 77 in) 122 cm × 198 cm 
 
 (48 in × 78 in) Double extra long 130 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (53 in × 80 in) 140 cm × 205 cm 
 
 (55 in × 81 in) Queen 150 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (60 in × 80 in) 158 cm × 198 cm 
 
 (62 in × 78 in) 160 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (63 in × 75 in) 152 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (60 in × 80 in) 152 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (60 in × 80 in) 182 cm × 188 cm 
 
 (72 in × 74 in) 154 cm × 195 cm 
 
 (61 in × 77 in) 152 cm × 191 cm 
 
 (60 in × 75 in) 152 cm × 198 cm 
 
 (60 in × 78 in) Expanded, Super, 
 
 or Olympic queen 170 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (66 in × 80 in) 180 cm × 190 cm 
 
 (71 in × 75 in) King or Eastern King 190 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (76 in × 80 in) or 
 
 500 cm2 (78 in2) 193 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (76 in × 80 in) 200 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (79 in × 79 in) 160 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (63 in × 79 in) 152 cm × 198 cm 
 
 (60 in × 78 in) 183 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (72 in × 80 in) 167 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (66 in × 80 in) 182 cm × 212 cm 
 
 (72 in × 83 in) 170 cm × 195 cm 
 
 (67 in × 77 in) 183 cm × 191 cm 
 
 (72 in × 75 in) 183 cm × 198 cm 
 
 (72 in × 78 in) California King, 
 
 Western King, or King long 180 cm × 210 cm 
 
 (72 in × 84 in) 180 cm × 210 cm 
 
 (72 in × 84 in) 200 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (80 in × 80 in) 170 cm × 205 cm 
 
 (67 in × 81 in) Grand King Super King, 
 
 Athletic King, or Texas King 200 cm × 250 cm 
 
 (80 in × 98 in) 180 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (71 in × 79 in) 180 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (71 in × 79 in) 203 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (80 in × 80 in) 183 cm × 203 cm 
 
 (72 in × 80 in) 194 cm × 205 cm 
 
 (76 in × 81 in) Large Emperor 213 cm × 213 cm 
 
 (84 in × 84 in) Caesar 245 cm × 200 cm 
 
 (96 in × 79 in) 
 
 Canada and United States [ edit ] 
 
 Standard North American bed sizes 
 
 Standard sizes [ edit ] 
 
 Standard bed sizes in the US and Canada are: 
 
 Twin or single 38 in × 75 in (97 cm × 191 cm) There is a common misconception that a single bed is sometimes smaller than a twin.[2] Full / Double 53 in × 75 in (135 cm × 191 cm) Queen 60 in × 80 in (152 cm × 203 cm) King 76 in × 80 in (193 cm × 203 cm) Foundation or box spring size can be of two single L or twin XL. California king 72 in × 84 in (183 cm × 213 cm) 
 
 Other sizes [ edit ] 
 
 Single L or twin XL 39 in × 80 in (99 cm × 203 cm)[3] Three-quarters 48 in × 75 in (122 cm × 191 cm)[4] Full XL 53 in × 80 in (135 cm × 203 cm) Texas (or athletic) king 80 in × 98 in (203 cm × 249 cm) California queen waterbed insert Used for conventional mattresses inside a waterbed frame. Subtract 2.0 inches from California queen waterbed size. 58 in × 82 in (147 cm × 208 cm) California king waterbed insert Used for conventional mattresses inside a waterbed frame. Subtract 2.0 inches from California king waterbed size. 70 in × 82 in (178 cm × 208 cm) 
 
 Europe [ edit ] 
 
 UK and Ireland [ edit ] 
 
 Standard UK and Ireland sizes 
 
 In the United Kingdom and Ireland beds are measured according to the size of mattress they hold not the dimensions of the bed frame itself, bed sizes are not standardised and may differ between manufacturers.[5][6] Below are the typical bed sizes from the National Bed Federation, which is the trade association for the majority of British and Irish bed manufacturers and their suppliers.[7] Note the metric and imperial sizes are not exact equivalents and generally there can be a tolerance of up to +/-2 centimetres (0.8 in) in quoted measurements and the size of the mattress itself.[5][8] 
 
 Size Dimensions Notes Feet & Inches Inches Centimetres Small Single 2'6" × 6'3"[6] 30 × 75 75 × 190 Common UK size for single-person hospitality (zip & link) twin beds as beds can be combined to make a short King bed.[ citation needed ] Single 3' × 6'3"[6] 36 × 75 90 × 190 Also a standard hospitality sized single-person twin bed in Ireland,[ citation needed ] two mattresses can be zip linked to make a short Super King bed. Small Double 4' × 6'3" [6] 48 × 75 120 × 190 Known also as a ​ 3⁄ 4 bed, for one person although can fit two.[9] Double 4'6" × 6'3"[6] 54 × 75 135 × 190 King 5' × 6'6"[6] 60 × 78 150 × 200 This is the closest bed to the American Queen size bed, 60 by 80 inches (150 cm × 200 cm).[9] Best for two persons. Super King 6' × 6'6"[6] 72 × 78 180 × 200 Can fit three persons. 
 
 less commonly used sizes include: 
 
 Toddler size: 2'6" × 4'8" or 75 by 140 centimetres (30 in × 56 in) [9] 
 
 Emperor: 7' × 7' or 215 by 215 centimetres (84 in × 84 in), though size can vary by manufacturer[10] 
 
 As well as standard sizes, European common sizes are also sometimes found in the UK from imports and IKEA.[6][11] 
 
 Size Dimensions Notes Feet & Inches Inches Centimetres European Single 3' × 6'6"[11] 36 × 78 90 × 200 Two mattresses can be zip linked to make a Super King bed. European Double 4'7" × 6'6"[11] 55 × 78 140 × 200 European King 5'3" × 6'6"[11] 63 × 78 160 × 200 
 
 While many companies in the UK do offer bespoke bed making services, most mass-produced bed linens, bed frames and mattresses fit only the standard bed sizes above. 
 
 France [ edit ] 
 
 Single size beds are usually 90 centimetres (35 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in) long. 
 
 Most common sizes for double beds are: 
 
 140 centimetres (55 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in) long 
 
 160 centimetres (63 in) wide by 200 centimetres (79 in) long 
 
 180 centimetres (71 in) wide by 200 centimetres (79 in) long (less common, but increasing popularity). 
 
 Due to the popularity of imported beds (especially from IKEA), the 200 centimetres (79 in) length is becoming more common.[citation needed] 
 
 Italy [ edit ] 
 
 In Italy, beds are classified by name and use the term Piazza as in "one place" Standard sizes are:[12] 
 
 Una piazza or singolo ("single") 80 or 90 centimetres (31 or 35 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in) long. Una piazza e mezza (1 1 / 2 ) 120 centimetres (47 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in) long. Due piazze or letto matrimoniale 160 or 180 centimetres (63 or 71 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in) long long 
 
 Less common:[citation needed] 
 
 Piazza francese or "Piazza e Mezza francese" 140 centimetres (55 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in) long 
 
 Due to the popularity of imported beds (especially from IKEA), the 200 centimetres (79 in) length is becoming more common.[citation needed] 
 
 Northern Europe [ edit ] 
 
 These sizes are for Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. There are some variations between the Nordic countries and the Baltic nations, but these are the most common sizes: 
 
 Single: 
 
 80 cm × 190 cm (31 in × 75 in), traditional standard for bunk beds in Germany 
 
 90 cm × 190 cm (35 in × 75 in), traditional standard in Germany 
 
 75 cm × 200 cm (30 in × 79 in), standard in Norway [ citation needed ] 
 
 80 cm × 200 cm (31 in × 79 in), common variant in Finland [ citation needed ] 
 
 90 cm × 200 cm (35 in × 79 in), standard single bed in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany, also common in The Netherlands 
 
 90 cm × 210 cm (35 in × 83 in) 
 
 90 cm × 220 cm (35 in × 87 in), extra large variant in The Netherlands 
 
 100 cm × 200 cm (39 in × 79 in), now very common in Germany 
 
 105 cm × 200 cm (41 in × 79 in) 
 
 120 cm × 200 cm (47 in × 79 in)[ citation needed ] 
 
 Three-Quarter: 
 
 120 cm × 200 cm (47 in × 79 in), less common in Scandinavia 
 
 140 cm × 200 cm (55 in × 79 in), very common three-quarters in Scandinavia 
 
 Double: 
 
 120 cm × 200 cm (47 in × 79 in), referred to as a "doubter" in the Netherlands, somewhat common for younger people 
 
 140 cm × 200 cm (55 in × 79 in) 
 
 150 cm × 200 cm (59 in × 79 in), common 
 
 160 cm × 200 cm (63 in × 79 in), very common [ citation needed ] , common variant in Finland [ citation needed ] 
 
 , common variant in Finland 180 cm × 200 cm (71 in × 79 in), very common double bed in current Danish, Swedish and Norwegian standards [ citation needed ] 
 
 180 cm × 210 cm (71 in × 83 in) 
 
 200 cm × 200 cm (79 in × 79 in) (very wide) 
 
 Most beds are 200 cm (79 in) cm long. Extra long beds are usually 220 cm (87 in), but they are rare. 
 
 Portugal [ edit ] 
 
 In Portugal the most common sizes for beds are: 
 
 Solteiro (single) 80 centimetres (31 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in) long (can go up to 105 cm wide by 200 cm long) 
 
 Casal (double) 140 centimetres (55 in) wide by 190 centimetres (75 in), 195 or 200 cm long 
 
 Queen Size 160 centimetres (63 in) or 180 centimetres (71 in) wide by 190, 195 or 200 cm long 
 
 King Size 180 centimetres (71 in) wide by 190, 195 or 200 cm long 
 
 Super King Size 200 centimetres (79 in) wide by 200 cm long 
 
 Spain [ edit ] 
 
 In Spain the most common sizes are: 
 
 180/190/200 cm long 
 
 80/90/105/120/135/150 cm wide, the most common: 
 
 "Individual" (single) = 90 cm wide 
 
 "Matrimonio" (marital) = 135/150 cm wide 
 
 Switzerland [ edit ] 
 
 Single: 
 
 70 cm × 200 cm (28 in × 79 in), only used for double beds with two separate mattresses 
 
 80 cm × 200 cm (31 in × 79 in), only used for double beds with two separate mattresses 
 
 90 cm × 200 cm (35 in × 79 in), common single bed 
 
 120 cm × 200 cm (47 in × 79 in), uncommon, mainly available as European-style futon beds that are sold with mattress, slats and frame 
 
 140 cm × 200 cm (55 in × 79 in), common, especially among young people 
 
 Double: 
 
 160 cm × 200 cm (63 in × 79 in), common 
 
 180 cm × 200 cm (71 in × 79 in), common 
 
 200 cm × 200 cm (79 in × 79 in) 
 
 Oceania [ edit ] 
 
 Australia [ edit ] 
 
 The following bed sizes are available in Australia 
 
 Single 92cm x 188cm[13] (36in x 74in) Long Single 92cm x 204cm (36in x 80in) Three-quarter (obsolete, but still present) 120 cm × 188 cm (47in x 74in) King Single 107cm x 203cm (42in x 80in) Double 138cm x 188cm (54in x 74in) Queen 153cm x 203cm (60in x 80in - Same as American Queen) King 183cm x 203cm (72in x 80in) California King 183cm x 213cm (72in x 82in) Super King 204 cm x 204cm (80in x 80in) 
 
 New Zealand [ edit ] 
 
 The following bed sizes are available in New Zealand 
 
 Single 91cm x 188cm Single XL 91cm x 203cm Three-quarter (uncommon) 120 cm × 188 cm King Single 107cm x 203cm Double 137cm x 188cm Queen 153cm x 203cm King 167cm x 203cm Super King 183cm x 203cm Californian King 203cm x 203cm Water Bed King 213cm x 203cm 
 
 Africa [ edit ] 
 
 South Africa [ edit ] 
 
 Comprehensive list of bed sizes in South Africa: 
 
 Single 92 cm × 188 cm Single XL 92 cm × 200 cm Three-quarter 107 cm × 188 cm Three-quarter XL 107 cm × 200 cm Double 137 cm × 188 cm Double XL 137 cm × 200 cm Queen 152 cm × 188 cm Queen XL dimensions 152 cm × 200 cm King 183 cm × 188 cm (equal to the width of two single mattresses) King XL 183 cm × 200 cm (equal to the width of two single mattresses) 
 
 XL mattress sizes vary only in length but not in width. 
 
 Asia [ edit ] 
 
 China [ edit ] 
 
 In China, the regulation standard has following sizes available:[14] 
 
 Length: 1900 mm, 1950 mm, 2000 mm, 2100 mm; 
 
 Width: Single: 800 mm, 900 mm, 1000 mm, 1100 mm, 1200 mm; 
 
 Width: Double: 1350 mm, 1400 mm, 1500 mm, 1800 mm. 
 
 In practice, bed sizes are usually categorized by the width. The length is typically two metres, but may vary. The most common sizes are: 
 
 1.2 m 120 cm × 200 cm (47 in × 79 in) 1.5 m 150 cm × 200 cm (59 in × 79 in) 1.8 m 180 cm × 200 cm (71 in × 79 in) 
 
 There are also extra size beds available, but they are less common. 
 
 Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia [ edit ] 
 
 The following bed sizes are available in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia: 
 
 Single 36 in × 75 in (91 cm x 191 cm) Twin size 39 in × 75 in (99 cm × 191 cm) Super single 42 in × 75 in (106 cm x 191 cm) Queen (double) 60 in × 75 in (152 cm × 191 cm) King (double) 72 in × 75 in (183 cm × 191 cm) 
 
 See also [ edit ] 
 
 References [ edit ]
– If this is a Parisian apartment, no wonder folks there are les miserables. For the past 15 years, "Dominique" has been paying $442 a month to live in a 16.8-square-foot Parisian apartment too small to stand up in, reports NPR. (FYI, a twin-sized bed measures about 20 square feet). "I come home, I go to bed," said the 50-year-old Dominique. Paris law says that apartments must be a minimum 97 square feet, and include a shower. The micro-apartment has been closed and the landlord will be heading to court later this month, but housing advocates say it's a sign of how crazy Paris's real estate market is.