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Last Updated October 15, 2026
Firmness is one of the hardest things to get right when buying a new mattress, and it also just so happens to be one of the most important things you need to get right for a good night's sleep. Multiple studies have even been conducted on which firmness is best. Medium-firm. It's what everyone says, too. A medium-firm mattress is best for most people. But is it right for you? And if so, how can you be sure?
That's what this article is for! We're going to answer which firmness level suits exactly whom, based on sleep position, body weight, health conditions, and more. We'll also be going over how different mattress materials and construction affect firmness. And, as well, we're going to cover the main point you're here for: the mattress firmness scale, the very one you see above the first paragraph.
Key Takeaways:
Mattress firmness refers to how hard or soft a mattress feels when you lie down on it. It's important because it greatly affects your sleep quality and health. A mattress that's too firm creates pressure points, leaving you sore in the morning. A mattress that's too soft throws your spine out of alignment, leading to back pain.
The right mattress firmness level keeps your spine in a neutral position and distributes your body weight evenly for pressure relief. That's why many recommend medium-firm mattresses nowadays.
A study published in 2022 highlighted the pivotal role that mattress firmness plays in influencing the alignment of your spine, ultimately affecting your comfort and sleep quality. A 2003 study found that medium-firm mattresses helped improve chronic low-back pain.
Different brands sell different mattress types, with unique materials and constructions. This means you get varying firmness levels from different places, and comparing them becomes nearly impossible for the average person. That’s why the mattress firmness scale exists: a simpler way to describe firmness than having to rely on vague terms like "plush" or "ultra firm".
Mattress firmness is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest.
| Number | Firmness Level | Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Extra-Soft | Incredibly soft, sinks a lot, closely conforms to body |
|
| 3 | Soft | Still very soft, with a bit more support, conforms closely |
|
| 4 | Medium | Slightly more support, sinks somewhat, conforms well |
|
| 5 | Medium | Good balance between softness and support |
|
| 6-6.5 | Medium-Firm | Slightly firmer than medium, just right for most people |
|
| 7-8 | Firm | Doesn't sink much, conforms moderately, substantial support |
|
| 9-10 | Extra-Firm | Virtually no sinkage, extremely strong support and pushback |
|
Extra-soft mattresses are at the bottom of the firmness scale and suit a specific type of sleeper: very lightweight side sleepers (under 100 lbs.) who need deep contouring to relieve pressure at the hips and shoulders. At this firmness level, the mattress conforms really close to the body, which feels comfortable for those who don't press deeply into the surface. For anyone else, it lacks enough support.
A soft mattress suits lightweight side sleepers (under 130 lbs.) who want deep pressure relief with a little more support underneath. It still conforms closely to the body but offers slightly more pushback than extra-soft. It still isn't supportive enough for other sleepers, though.
Medium-soft is the first firmness level to start balancing pressure relief with real support. It suits lightweight back, stomach, and combination sleepers (under 130 lbs.), as well as average-weight side sleepers (around 130 lbs.), all of whom need more support than what soft beds can provide. It conforms closely to the body but has enough underlying support to stop the hips from sinking too deep.
Medium is the midpoint of the firmness scale, offering a balanced mix of pressure relief and support. It suits average-weight side sleepers (b/w 130-230 lbs.) and lightweight back, stomach, and combination sleepers (near 130 lbs.) who need a surface that cushions while helping maintain spinal alignment. It's a versatile firmness level that works across a wider range of sleepers than softer options, though it may feel too soft for heavier sleepers and too firm for very lightweight sleepers.
Medium-firm is the most widely recommended firmness level, and for good reason, too. It suits a wide range, from average-weight back, stomach, and combination sleepers (b/w 130-230 lbs.) to heavyweight side sleepers (near 230 lbs.). It's firm enough to keep the spine neutral through the night but soft enough to relieve pressure points. Studies also recommend it for back pain relief.
Firm mattresses are built for heavier sleepers who need strong, consistent support for proper spinal alignment. They suit heavyweight back, stomach, and combination sleepers (over 230 lbs.) and very heavyweight side sleepers (near 280 lbs.) who need enough resistance under the extra body weight. Lighter sleepers will find a firm mattress to be too rigid, creating pressure points.
Extra-firm is the highest end of the firmness scale and is designed specifically for very heavyweight sleepers (over 280 lbs.) who need maximum support to stop the bed from compressing under their body weight. It has virtually no contouring, which makes it unsuitable for lighter sleepers. For very heavyweight back, stomach, and combination sleepers, however, it provides the kind of unyielding support that keeps the spine properly aligned when a standard firm mattress simply isn't enough.
The main factors affecting firmness are the materials and construction used to make the mattress. The comfort layer, made from materials like memory foam or Talalay latex, adds cushioning. The support core, made from higher-density foam, Dunlop latex, or spring coils, helps maintain spinal alignment. A transition layer in between (like microcoils) can also affect your bed's overall firmness.
Latex mattresses are made from either Dunlop or Talalay latex, both of which are highly responsive, distributing the sleeper's body weight over a wider area to relieve pressure and limit sinkage. Most latex mattresses range from 4 to 8 on the firmness scale.
Latex's firmness is largely measured by its ILD, which we'll discuss below. The manufacturing process also affects it. Talalay latex is softer and more uniform than Dunlop latex, which is firmer and denser. While Talalay latex isn't really used for the support core, soft Dunlop latex is often used as a comfort layer. For example, our Organic Latex Mattress uses 7-zone Dunlop latex throughout.
Memory foam mattresses are made from chemically-enhanced polyurethane with additives that increase viscoelasticity. They conform closely to the body and provide excellent pressure relief, but they lack the support and cooling latex offers. Most memory foam mattresses range from 3 to 7 on the firmness scale.
Memory foam’s firmness is also largely measured by its ILD. Firmer, higher-ILD foam is used as the support core, while softer, lower-ILD foam is used as the comfort layer. Density plays a different role, which we’ll get to later: it tells you more about how long the foam will last.
Hybrid mattresses combine pocketed coils at the base with memory foam or latex layers at the top, offering the best of both worlds. Most hybrid mattresses range from 3 to 8 on the firmness scale.
Hybrid mattress firmness depends on coil count, coil gauge, and the comfort layers. Higher coil counts improve contouring. A lower coil gauge (thicker coils) makes it firmer. The comfort layer's firmness further affects it, making the hybrid either well-balanced, soft, or firm.
Unlike hybrids, innerspring mattresses rely on interconnected traditional coils, like Bonnell, offset, or continuous coils, at the base. Padding made of foam/fabric sits on top of, or around, the coils and provides cushioning. Most innerspring mattresses range from 6 to 9 on the firmness scale.
Innersprings feel firmer than hybrids because they have thinner comfort layers and a traditional coil design, which is also what makes them more affordable. Like hybrids, though, coil count, coil gauge, and comfort layers primarily determine how firm or soft an innerspring is.
ILD stands for Indentation Load Deflection, the standard industry measurement for how soft or firm a foam material is. Specifically, it measures the amount of force (in pounds) required to compress a 4-inch piece of foam by 25% of its thickness. The higher the ILD number, the more force it takes to compress the foam, and the firmer it feels.
For latex mattresses, ILD is one of the most reliable ways to compare firmness across models and brands. In general, latex foam ILD ranges from 14 to 44, with lower numbers indicating a softer feel and higher numbers indicating a firmer feel.
At Turmerry, we use Dunlop latex, and our ILDs for each layer (e.g., our Latex Topper) measure as follows [as per the official testing standard of (lbf) (ASTM D1055 @25%)]:
Note: Our Soft layer’s ILD sits below the general range to deliver a more pressure-relieving feel while still providing good support.
Another thing to note before you move on to the next section: there's a difference between individual layer ILD and composite ILD. Individual layer ILD is the firmness of a single layer on its own. Composite ILD is the combined firmness of the entire mattress, and it's always higher than the individual layer ILD.
See how Turmerry's composite ILD for the Organic Latex Mattress compares to the individual layer ILDs listed above:
Composite ILD is a useful tool for understanding the mattress's overall firmness. Individual layer ILD gives you a better idea of how cushioning the comfort layer will feel and how supportive the layers below it will be. Your body contacts the comfort layer first, after all, and it sets the initial feel. The support core beneath decides how well the mattress keeps your spine aligned.
Yes, it does. But keep in mind that density isn't the same as firmness. The two are often confused. Density measures how much material is packed into a cubic foot of foam, expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (K). Firmness measures how much force it takes to compress that foam. The two are related, but a denser foam isn’t always a firmer one. Density is more a measure of durability/quality.
In memory foam, a higher density (like 5 lbs/ft³ or more) indicates structural quality, value, and longevity. Because memory foam is viscoelastic and heat-sensitive, higher density changes the foam's sluggishness rather than its surface hardness.
Latex, on the other hand, is highly elastic and instantly bouncy. So when it's processed at a higher density (like 75K or higher), it creates a firm, ultra-supportive surface that pushes back against your body weight. You sit fully on top of high-density latex, without sinking into it.
At Turmerry, our Dunlop latex layers reflect this directly:
A Soft layer at 55K compresses more easily under body weight, giving it that contouring feel. An Extra-Firm layer at 95K resists compression much more, making it suitable for heavyweight sleepers. At nearly double the material density of a Soft latex layer, Extra-Firm also outlasts it. More material per cubic meter means it wears out more slowly over time.
Turmerry’s all-latex mattresses use multiple Dunlop latex layers and come in Soft, Medium, Firm, and Extra Firm across three thicknesses: 7, 10, and 12 inches.
Find out which Turmerry latex mattress suits you best:
Take the 1-minute mattress quiz
The 7-inch models (Medium to Extra-Firm) range from around 6-10 on the firmness scale and are best suited for average-weight sleepers who need more support. We also offer a Soft 7-inch model for our Kids Mattress that's around 4-5 on the firmness scale.
The 10-inch models (Soft to Extra-Firm) range from around 4-10 on the firmness scale, making them the most versatile option. They suit lightweight and average-weight sleepers best.
The 12-inch models (Soft to Extra-Firm) also range from around 4-10 on the firmness scale. They're recommended for average-weight and heavyweight sleepers. The extra depth improves compression under heavier bodies.
The Latex Hybrid Mattress comes in one fixed firmness: medium-firm, around 5-6 on the firmness scale. Its Talalay latex comfort layer has an ILD of 25-29, and its Leggett & Platt pocketed coil system (15 gauge) provides support below. The Latex Hybrid suits average-weight sleepers in most sleep positions.
The DIY Hybrid Mattress ranges from around 5-9 on the firmness scale. The TPS QuadCoil pocketed coils (15.5 gauge) are paired with our signature Dunlop latex comfort layer on top, which is fully customizable in Soft, Medium, Firm, or Extra-Firm. The 10-inch models come with one latex layer, and the 12-inch models come with two.
Most mattresses lock you into one firmness from the day you buy them. Turmerry mattresses come with three features that give you absolute control over how your mattress feels:
Your Turmerry mattress adapts to your body instead of the other way around.
Choosing the ideal firmness essentially comes down to five things: what the mattress is made of, how you sleep, how much you weigh, any health conditions you have, and your age.
As discussed above, the material your mattress is made from affects how firm it feels, even at the same number on the scale. A firm latex mattress feels different from a firm memory foam mattress because latex pushes back instantly while memory foam contours slowly. Natural latex is also more breathable, durable, and free from the harmful chemicals found in synthetic foams, making it a better long-term choice for comfort and health.
Side sleepers need a softer mattress, somewhere around 3-6 on the firmness scale, because their hips and shoulders need enough cushioning to prevent pressure buildup. Back sleepers need a medium to medium-firm mattress (5-6.5), where it's firm enough to support the lumbar curve without pushing back too hard. Stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress, around 6-8 (or higher, if you're very heavy), since too much give under the midsection arches the lower back and strains the spine. Combination sleepers should look for a medium-firm mattress with a responsive material like latex that adjusts quickly.
Body weight determines how deeply you press into a mattress. A lightweight sleeper (under 130 lbs.) doesn’t press deeply enough to properly compress a medium-firm mattress, so it feels harder. A heavyweight sleeper (over 230 lbs.) presses so deeply into a soft mattress that the support layers beneath offer little resistance. As a general rule, lighter sleepers should go one to two steps softer than the standard recommendation for their sleep position, and heavier sleepers should go one to two steps firmer.
For back pain, medium-firm is the most widely recommended option. It's firm enough to support a neutral spine and soft enough to relieve pressure points. For arthritis and joint pain, a softer mattress is recommended to reduce pressure on sensitive joints. For sciatica, a medium-firm mattress that keeps your hips level and your lumbar spine neutral is a great place to start. For scoliosis, a firmer mattress may work better because the spine needs consistent support.
As the body ages, joints become more sensitive, and the spine naturally loses some of its cushioning. This shifts the ideal firmness to softer than what the same person would need at a younger age. For example, a heavy sleeper who needed a firm mattress at 40 may find a medium-firm mattress more comfortable at 60. Older sleepers also move around less at night, so pressure points build up faster in the same spots, making pressure relief a bigger priority than it once was. Edge support becomes more important, too, since getting in and out of bed is harder on aging joints.
Firmness is only one part of choosing the best mattress. There are plenty of other factors to consider too, like thickness, size, temperature regulation, partner preferences, and more.
For most sleepers, 10-12 inches is the right range. Lightweight sleepers and some average-weight sleepers can get away with 8-10 inches or less. Heavyweight sleepers should stick to 12 inches or more so all the layers can do their job properly.
[Read the mattress thickness guide]
Twin, twin XL, and full size mattresses are ideal for children and single sleepers in smaller bedrooms. Queen, king, and California king size mattresses are ideal for couples in larger bedrooms. Bigger mattresses handle more body weight. They also cost more and take up more space.
[Read the mattress sizes guide]
Latex, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses naturally allow airflow, keeping the surface cooler. Memory foam traps body heat due to its dense structure. If you're a hot sleeper, perforated latex layers, pocketed coils, organic cotton covers, and natural wool layers can make a real difference in regulating temperature better.
If you share the bed, your partner’s firmness preference should factor into the decision. And if you two have very different preferences, then going for a split mattress is recommended. A split queen or split king mattress lets you choose the firmness on each side. It also greatly reduces motion transfer.
Avoid cheap beds under $500, as they usually rely on lower-density materials that sag quickly. Mid-tier beds around $800 to $1,500 hit the right balance of quality and price for most sleepers. Premium beds over $2,000 use higher-end materials that last longer and feature more benefits.
A mattress with weak edges compresses easily when you sit/sleep near them, reducing the usable sleep surface and making it harder to get in and out of bed. Hybrid mattresses with reinforced perimeter coils offer the best edge support. All-latex mattresses also perform well at the edges due to the density of the material. Memory foam struggles a bit here, as it's quite soft.
Motion isolation matters most for light sleepers easily disturbed by their partner’s movement at night. Softer mattresses, like memory foam, absorb movement better than firmer ones, like latex and hybrid, since the material itself is highly contouring. But that doesn't mean latex and hybrid mattresses don't isolate motion; they do, much better than innersprings.
A warranty tells you how confident the manufacturer is in their mattresses. Look for at least a 7-10 year warranty, and make sure it specifically covers sagging and body impressions. The trial period is just as important. Your body needs at least 2-4 weeks to adjust to a new mattress. Look for 60-90 nights of trial, as anything shorter doesn’t give you enough time to know for sure.
Latex mattresses last the longest at 15 to 20+ years, followed by quality hybrid mattresses at 8 to 10+ years. Memory foam and innerspring mattresses tend to break down in 5 to 8 years or earlier. Softer mattresses compress faster than firmer ones, so they have a shorter lifespan, even with the same material quality.
The same firmness level can feel very different depending on who's sleeping on it, so filter for reviewers with a similar weight and position to yours. Don't ignore any reviews that mention sagging or the firmness changing over time. Those are the best signals of long-term durability.
Your mattress tells you when it’s wrong for your body. Look out for these signs in the upcoming nights:
If your current mattress is too soft or too firm, a mattress topper can fix the issue affordably. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to replace your entire mattress. Just add a less expensive layer on top to improve how it feels.
Related blog posts:
2. Mattress Sizes and Bed Dimensions
5. How to Buy a Mattress Without Trying It First
Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.
