Firmness
Mattress Firmness for Stomach Sleepers at Over 230 lb
Quick answer
Stomach sleepers weighing over 230 lb usually land around 7 to 8 out of 10. That scale is set by each manufacturer for its own range and is not comparable between brands.
Firmness is the least standardised number in this whole category. There is no industry test behind the 1 to 10 scale: each brand assigns it to its own products. A 6 from one maker can feel like a 7 from another, which is why trial periods matter more than the number.
How is mattress firmness measured?
It is not measured, it is declared. No standards body defines mattress firmness, and no test produces the number on the listing. Manufacturers place each model on a 1 to 10 scale relative to the rest of their own range. ILD is a real measurement, but it applies to a single foam layer rather than a finished mattress, and most brands do not publish it.
The practical consequences are that firmness numbers are useful within one brand, roughly indicative across brands, and never a specification you can rely on. A sleep trial is the only way to actually test the feel.
The firmness scale
| Number | Label | Who it usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Very soft | Rarely sold. Sinks deeply. |
| 3 | Soft | Lighter side sleepers. |
| 4 | Medium soft | Side sleepers who want pressure relief. |
| 5 | Medium | Combination sleepers. |
| 6 | Medium firm | The most widely sold feel. Back and combination sleepers. |
| 7 | Firm | Back and stomach sleepers, heavier sleepers. |
| 8 | Very firm | Stomach sleepers and those who want minimal sink. |
Convention, not a standard
This is widely repeated guidance rather than a measured standard. Treat it as a starting point.
Firmness by position and weight
| Position | Under 130 lb | 130 to 230 lb | Over 230 lb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stomach | 6 to 7 | 6 to 8 | 7 to 8 |
| Back | 5 to 6 | 6 to 7 | 6 to 8 |
| Side | 3 to 5 | 4 to 6 | 5 to 7 |
| Combination | 4 to 6 | 5 to 7 | 6 to 8 |
Convention, not a standard
This is widely repeated guidance rather than a measured standard. Treat it as a starting point.
Convention repeated across the industry, not a measurement. Heavier sleepers generally compress a surface more and so tend to prefer a firmer rating for the same feel.
Mattresses in this range
EGOHOME 8 Inch Twin Mattress
$109.998 inch twin memory foam, medium firm feel as the maker describes it.
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SayTale Queen Mattress 12 Inch Hybrid Queen Size Mattress in a Box Medium Firm
$161.7712 inch queen hybrid, medium firm feel as the maker describes it.
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EGOHOME Full Size Memory Foam Mattress
$179.9910 inch full memory foam, medium firm feel as the maker describes it.
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GAESTE Queen 10 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
$188.9710 inch queen memory foam, medium feel as the maker describes it.
Check price on AmazonFrequently asked questions
How is mattress firmness measured?
It is not measured by any standard test. Each manufacturer assigns a 1 to 10 number to its own models relative to the rest of its range. ILD measures the indentation force of a foam layer, but it describes one layer rather than a finished mattress and most brands do not publish it. Treat firmness as a guide within a brand, not a specification.
What are the firmness levels of mattresses?
The common scale runs from about 3 for soft through 5 for medium and 6 to 7 for medium firm, up to 8 and above for firm. Medium firm at around 6 is the most widely sold. Very soft and very firm ends of the scale exist but are rarely stocked, because they suit a narrow group of sleepers.
What firmness should a stomach sleeper choose?
Around 7 to 8 out of 10 in this weight band is the usual starting point. Stomach sleepers generally want a firmer surface so the hips do not sink and arch the lower back. Use a trial period rather than the number alone.
Does body weight change the firmness I need?
Yes, because firmness is about how much you compress the surface. The same mattress feels softer to a heavier sleeper and firmer to a lighter one. Heavier sleepers commonly go a point or two firmer than the general recommendation for their position, and lighter sleepers a point softer, to arrive at the same effective feel.
How to read the numbers on this page. Standard mattress and bedding dimensions are industry-wide and the same across manufacturers. Guidance like replacement intervals, firmness by body weight and walking clearance is convention rather than a measured standard, and every table here says which it is. Where a manufacturer does not publish a figure we leave it out instead of estimating. This is not medical advice: a mattress is not a treatment for a medical condition, and persistent pain is a reason to see a clinician.