Mattress Firmness Scale: How to Choose the Right Feel

When you’re shopping for a new mattress, one question keeps coming up: how firm should it be? Getting the feel right can be the difference between waking up refreshed or getting out of bed with an aching back. But firmness is not the same as support, and what feels right for your partner might feel completely wrong for you. If you are ready to compare options, start with Levede mattresses.

Think of firmness as the surface feel when you first lie down. Does it hug your body with a bit of sink, or push back with more resistance? That initial feel comes from the comfort layers on top, while the support core underneath helps keep your spine aligned through the night.

This guide explains the mattress firmness scale, how sleep position and body weight change what you need, and how to tell if your current bed feels too soft or too firm. It also covers a few Australian realities, like how warm summer nights can change how foam feels. If you want a faster shortlist by sleep style and budget, read our mattress buying guide.

Quick Answer: What Mattress Firmness Do I Need?

Most sleepers suit a medium to medium-firm mattress, around 5–7 on the mattress firmness scale. Side sleepers often need a softer feel for shoulder and hip pressure relief, while back and stomach sleepers usually need a firmer surface to keep the hips and spine supported.

Key takeaways

• Firmness is the surface feel (sink vs pushback). Support is what keeps your spine aligned .

• Most people land in medium to medium-firm (5–7) , but sleep position and body weight can shift that.

• Side sleepers often prefer 3–6 for shoulder/hip pressure relief.

• Back sleepers often suit 5–7 to balance support with contouring.

• Stomach sleepers often suit 6–8 to keep hips from dropping too low.

• If a mattress feels wrong, check your bed base/slats and consider a topper before replacing it.

• A mattress topper can soften a firm mattress, but it usually will not fix a sagging or overly soft mattress.

What Is Mattress Firmness?

Mattress firmness is the comfort feel you get from the top layers of a mattress. When you lie down, it affects whether you sink in gently or feel more pushback from the surface. This sensation usually comes from foam, latex, quilting or padding that sits above the support core.

Firmness is also personal. Your body weight, sleep position, body shape and mattress material all change how firm a bed feels. A mattress one person calls “medium” may feel firm to a lighter sleeper, or softer to someone with a higher body weight.

For example, two people can try the same mattress:

• A lighter side sleeper around 50 kg may feel cushioned with gentle sink.
• A 100 kg stomach sleeper may compress the same comfort layers more, making the surface feel softer and letting the hips dip too far.

That is why there is no single best firmness for everyone. The goal is the right feel for your body and sleep style, not just a number on a tag.

Firmness vs Support Why They’re Different

A lot of people use “firm” and “supportive” as if they mean the same thing, but they do not. Confusing firmness with support is one of the fastest ways to choose the wrong mattress.

Support is how well the mattress keeps your body in a healthy position through the night. It comes from the support core, such as springs, high-density foam, latex or a hybrid system. A supportive mattress helps keep your spine in a neutral line and stops heavier areas, like the hips and shoulders, from sinking too far.

Firmness is the surface feel you notice straight away. It is the pushback or sink from the upper comfort layers.

A mattress can feel soft and still be supportive if it has responsive comfort layers over a strong core. A mattress can also feel firm but still lack proper support if it does not distribute body weight well.

Too firm can create pressure around the shoulders and hips. Too soft can feel comfortable at first, but may allow the hips to sink and the spine to bend out of alignment. The best result is a balance between pressure relief on top and stable support underneath.

How We Rate Firmness at Levede (and Why Numbers Vary)

Firmness ratings are not universal. A 6/10 from one brand can feel closer to a 5/10 from another because materials, quilting and comfort-layer thickness all change the surface feel.

In this guide, we use the 1–10 scale as a practical reference:

• 1–3: Soft or plush, with more sink and contouring.
• 4–6: Medium, with balanced cushioning and support.
• 7–10: Firm to extra firm, with less sink and more pushback.

Your sleep position, body weight and mattress build will affect how firm the mattress feels at home

Mattress Firmness Scale (1–10) Explained

The firmness scale helps you compare where a mattress sits between cloud-soft and very firm. Most brands use 1–10 , with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. Treat it as a guide, not an exact measurement.

Firmness scale cheat sheet (1–10)

Construction also changes how firmness feels. A memory foam mattress rated 6 may feel more contouring than a spring mattress with the same rating. Latex can feel bouncier, while pocket springs often create a more responsive feel. You can compare different builds across our memory foam mattresses, pocket spring mattresses and queen mattresses.

Soft : 1-3 on the Firmness Scale

A soft or plush mattress, usually rated 1–3, gives deeper contouring and a stronger “sink in” feel. It often suits lighter sleepers and dedicated side sleepers who need more pressure relief around the shoulders and hips.

Side sleeping puts extra load on shoulder and hip joints. Without enough cushioning, these pressure points can feel sore. A softer surface can allow those areas to settle in while still supporting the waist and lower back.

A soft mattress may not suit everyone. Heavier sleepers may sink too far, especially around the hips. Back or stomach sleepers can also lose alignment if the surface allows the hips to drop too low. Some sleepers may feel stuck in softer foam, making it harder to change position.

Medium Mattress: 4–6 on the Firmness Scale

Medium to medium-firm mattresses, around 4–6, are often the safest starting point because they suit a wide mix of sleepers.

This range can work well for:

• Combination sleepers who move between positions
• Back sleepers needing balanced alignment
• Couples trying to meet in the middle
• Guest rooms where different sleepers may use the bed

Medium mattresses usually provide enough cushioning to ease pressure while still giving enough stability to avoid sinking too deeply. If you are buying online and cannot test in person, medium to medium-firm often gives the best chance of feeling comfortable quickly.

Firm Mattress: 7–10 on the Firmness Scale

Firm to extra-firm mattresses, around 7–10, give stronger pushback with minimal sink. This creates more of an “on top of the mattress” feel.

This range often suits:

• Stomach sleepers who need the hips kept level
• Heavier sleepers who compress comfort layers more
• People who prefer less sink and a steadier surface

A very firm mattress can feel uncomfortable for lighter side sleepers, especially around the shoulders and hips. Some back sleepers may also feel a gap under the lower back if the mattress does not allow enough contouring.

How to Choose the Right Mattress Firmness

If you are unsure what firmness rating to choose, keep the decision simple:

• Start with your sleep position.
• Adjust for your body weight.
• Factor in pressure points, pain patterns and material preference.

Choose by Sleep Position

Sleep position is one of the biggest factors because it changes where your body carries pressure and how your spine needs to be supported.

Sleep position guide

Choose by Body Weight / Body Type

Body weight changes how a mattress feels. A heavier body compresses the comfort layers more, so the same mattress can feel softer than expected. A lighter body compresses the layers less, so the same mattress may feel firmer.

Body weight guide

Body shape matters too. Broader shoulders or curvier hips can create stronger pressure points, which may call for slightly softer comfort layers even if your weight suggests a firmer mattress.

Choose by Pain Points : Back, Shoulder, Hip

If you wake up with pain, the surface feel and support balance may be part of the issue. Pillow height, sleeping posture and bed base quality can also affect how your body feels in the morning.

Back pain:

Many people assume firmer is always better for back pain, but the real goal is neutral alignment. For many sleepers, a medium to medium-firm feel, around 5–7, helps keep the hips supported while still letting the lower back settle naturally.

If the mattress is too soft, your spine may sag. If it is too firm, it may leave a gap under the lower back and create pressure. For more detail, read our mattress tips for back pain.

Shoulder/hip pain:

Shoulder and hip pain often comes from pressure points, especially for side sleepers. A medium-soft to medium feel, around 4–6, can allow the shoulders and hips to settle enough to reduce pressure without losing support at the waist.

If pain is ongoing, severe or getting worse, speak with a qualified health professional. A mattress can help with comfort and alignment, but it is not a cure for chronic pain.

Couples and Shared Beds (Different Preferences)

Choosing a mattress as a couple can be tricky because each person may prefer a different feel. Differences in body weight and sleep position often explain the mismatch.

A practical approach is to start with a compromise feel, usually around 5–6, and prioritise motion control so one person does not feel every movement from the other side of the bed.

Other options include:

• Adding a topper on one side where possible
• Choosing a mattress with a balanced medium-firm feel
• Using two mattresses pushed together if comfort needs are very different

What Affects How Firm a Mattress Feels

Two mattresses with the same firmness rating can feel different because the number is only one part of the story.

Key factors include:

• Materials: Foam contours differently from latex or spring systems.
• Temperature: Warm Australian nights can make some foams feel softer.
• Break-in period: New mattresses can feel firmer for the first few weeks.
• Comfort layer thickness: More padding can feel softer before you reach the support core.
• Bed base: Slats, platforms and old bases can change support and feel.

Foam vs Innerspring vs Hybrid (Why Feel Varies)

Mattress type changes the feel even when the firmness rating looks similar. If you are comparing materials, our spring vs foam mattress guide can help you understand the difference in more detail.

Signs Your Mattress Is Too Soft or Too Firm

Sometimes the issue is not that you chose the wrong firmness. Your mattress may have changed over time, or your bed base may no longer be giving enough support.

Before replacing the mattress, check:

• The age of the mattress
• Whether the mattress is sagging
• Whether the bed base is level and stable
• Whether the slats are spaced too far apart

Quick check: too soft or too firm?

Signs It's Too Soft

• Your hips drop lower than your shoulders, especially when sleeping on your back or stomach.
• Your lower back pain feels worse in the morning.
• You roll toward the middle of the mattress.
• You feel stuck when trying to roll over or get out of bed.

Signs It's Too Firm

• You feel sharp pressure around your shoulders or hips.
• Your arms feel numb or tingly.
• You toss and turn more than usual.
• You feel perched on top of the mattress with almost no give.

Can a Mattress Topper Change Firmness?

A topper can make a firm mattress feel softer by adding an extra comfort layer. This can help if the mattress still has good support but feels too firm around the shoulders, hips or joints.

A topper usually will not fix a mattress that is already too soft or sagging, because the topper will sink along with the mattress underneath. In that case, check the bed base and mattress condition before spending money on extra layers.

Buying a Mattress Online: What to Check

If you are buying a mattress in a box or ordering online, check both the firmness rating and the mattress construction. The rating tells you the general feel, while the build tells you how that feel is created.

Before buying, check:

• Firmness rating
• Mattress type and comfort layers
• Support core
• Mattress height
• Recommended sleep positions
• Delivery and setup notes
• Return or warranty details

Bottom Line: The Easiest Way to Pick the Right Firmness

Choosing the right feel does not need to be complicated. Start with your sleep position, adjust for your body weight, then think about pressure relief and alignment.

If you wake up with joint pain, you may suit a slightly softer surface. If your back pain seems linked to poor alignment, you may suit a slightly firmer feel with strong support underneath. The goal is a neutral spine and comfortable pressure distribution.

Ready to narrow your options? Browse the Levede mattress range and compare firmness rating, materials and build. Those three clues together give the best idea of how the mattress will feel at home.

FAQs

What is the mattress firmness scale?

The mattress firmness scale is a 1–10 guide used to describe how soft or firm a mattress feels. Lower numbers feel softer with more sink, while higher numbers feel firmer with more pushback.

What firmness mattress do I need?

The right firmness depends on your sleep position, body weight and comfort needs. Side sleepers often suit 3–6, back sleepers often suit 5–7, and stomach sleepers often suit 6–8.

What firmness is best for back pain?

For many people, a medium to medium-firm feel, around 5–7, balances spinal alignment with comfort. The aim is a neutral spine. Too soft can allow sagging, while too firm can create gaps and pressure points.

Is a firm mattress always better?

No. Firmer beds often suit stomach sleepers and heavier bodies, but they can create shoulder and hip pressure for side sleepers or lighter people. The best firmness depends on sleep position, body weight and comfort preference.

What is medium-firm on a 1–10 scale?

Medium-firm usually sits around 6–7. It feels supportive with slight cushioning, firmer than medium but not as resistant as firm or extra firm.

How do I know if my mattress is too soft or too firm?

A mattress that is too soft may cause hips to sink, lower back ache, rolling toward the middle or a stuck feeling. A mattress that is too firm may cause shoulder and hip pressure, numb arms or frequent tossing and turning.

Why does a mattress feel different in-store vs at home?

In-store testing is brief and often uses a different base. At home, temperature, bedding, bed base and several nights of sleep can change how the mattress feels, especially with foam that softens with warmth.

How long does it take to adjust to a new firmness?

Many people need around 2–4 weeks to adjust to a new mattress feel. Your body may be used to your old mattress, so give the new one some time before deciding whether the firmness is right.

Can a mattress topper change firmness?

A topper can make a firm mattress feel softer by adding cushioning. It usually will not fix a mattress that is already too soft or sagging, because it will sink along with the layers underneath.