A Definitive Guide: How Is Foam Density Measured in Mattresses?

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A Definitive Guide How Is Foam Density Measured
in Mattresses? When you look for a mattress, you
always look for the support, comfort and
plushness, the type, and manufacturer, but most
people overlook one crucial factor. That is,
mattress foam density is one of the most
important factors influencing its support,
comfort and plushness, response rate, and
longevity. As a direct measure of the quality of
your mattress, foam density for a mattress a
critical factor in manufacturing mattresses that
work for your body. Before understanding how foam
impacts your mattress's quality assessment and
your sleep, among other factors, let's look at a
scientific explanation. Measuring foam density
and meaning of different foam units and
indicators in a mattress Before we jump into
the technical details later in this foam density
guide, we need to understand how it is measured.
Mattress foam density is the weight of one cubic
foot of a particular type divided by its volume.
So, a high-density memory foam or high-density
polyfoam would have a higher mass per cubic
weight than a lower density option. In simple
terms, it has more foam packed into the same
space, and as a result, is denser and enjoys
other qualities than a low-density variant. For
example, you may come across a choice between a
32-density foam vs. a 40 density one and might
not be aware of what to choose. That is where
our mattress density guide comes in and tells you
which density is better for you. Also, the same
density of different mattress foam materials
would vary by the comfort and support they
provide you. A 40 density would be high density
in polyfoam (PU Foam), not so much in memory
foam, and very low for others. For example, in
the Indian demographic, people prefer the PU
Foam to have a density value between 32 and
40. Similarly, memory foam should have a density
value between 50-60 and between 55-65 for latex
foam. These values change depending upon the
manufacturer and can be an indicator of quality,
the type of softness, and support from the
mattress. Higher values of density like 90 and
100 are used in ortho cores or support layer or
the ortho core of a given mattress. Mattress
foam density guide and Foam Density Chart for
Mattresses With so many density variations and
different layers needing different kinds of
density, how do you know what you're getting is
right for your body? The density values are
shown above for different mattress types give a
rough idea of what you should be looking for in
terms of density. But your bodyweight,
preference, and other factors matter just as
much in deciding on a compatible mattress. You
can use our SleepID algorithm for the best
mattress compatibility and the best densities
chosen for
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• different layers. However, if you're looking for
  a bespoke or hospitality mattress as per
  customer input, the foam density chart beneath
  can help
• PU Foam density PU foam is a generally
  low-density material with larger pores and lies
  between the 32 and 40 density range. To be
  specific, a 1.5lbs/cubic foot PU foam would
  weigh approx. 680 grams. At the same time,
  high-density polyfoam would have a density unit
  of 1.8lbs/cubic foot and weigh about 135 grams
  more at 816 grams for the same block size. These
  measurements are essential in assessing your fit
  for the mattress and the use that the layer is
  intended for. For example, PU foam layers
  between the thick layers of a high-density
  mattress would be thin and low-density. Whereas,
  to ensure high-quality comfort and heat
  insulation, the higher density variant of the PU
  foam would feel better in the comfort layer.
  Additionally, using high-density polyfoam layers
  in your mattress also ensures better support,
  and a medium-firm polyfoam layer would be ideal
  for most. PU foam isn't the best material to rely
  on for support, and you can check the below
  charts for mattress density and bodyweight
  comparisons.
• PU FOAM DENSITY
• Low Density Less than 1.5 pounds per cubic foot.
• Medium Density Between 1.5 to 1.7 pounds per
  cubic foot. High Density Greater than 1.7
  pounds per cubic foot.
• Memory foam density Memory foam is denser than
  PU foam, and higher density means smaller pores,
  more heat, and decreasing suitability for obese
  or overweight individuals. That is why we also
  need to assess the suitability as per bodyweight
  for high-density memory foam when using in a
  mattress. Memory foam should have a density
  value between 40-50, and the greater the density,
  the more comfortable, supportive, and prone to
  overheating (less suitability for overweight or
  excessive sweating people) it becomes.
  Additionally, memory foam's cost is also more
  than PU foam and can increase significantly
  depending upon the density used. Where
  lower-density memory foam would be suitable
  (medium-firm) for most people and be less
  durable, high-density memory foam mattress is
  excellent for pain relief and comfort,
  especially if it regulates temperature mattress
  construction.
• Medium-firm memory foam Medium-firm memory foam
  would lie in the range of 3.5-4 pounds per cubic
  foot or weigh between 1.59 - 1.8 kg per cubic
  foot. It is significantly heavier than PU foam
  but maintains its form and benefits longer than
  lower density foam and suitable for people with
  average or perfect BMI.
• High-density memory foam High-density memory
  foam, on the other hand, would have a density of
  6 pounds per cubic foot, and weigh north of 2.7
  kg per
• cubic foot, making it more suitable for support
  layer in any mattress. This would be a good
  option for people looking to rely on a pure
  high-density mattress, and
• people with slightly higher or perfect BMI would
  enjoy sleeping on it. High-

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• density memory foam may be used in different
  thicknesses in memory foam or orthopedic
  mattresses for body contouring and pressure
  relief. It is not a good option to use
  high-density memory foam in the comfort layer of
  any mattress. It would lead to excessive heating
  and an uncomfortable stuck-in-bed sleeping
  experience.
• Memory foam density
• Low density Less than 3.5 pounds per cubic foot
• Medium-firm (medium-density) Between 3.5-4
  pounds per cubic foot High Density Greater than
  6 pounds per cubic foot
• High-density memory foam has several pros and
  cons and isn't the best option for the wider
  population. As mentioned, it is best used in the
  support layer as a thicker layer that contours
  the body and offers excellent support for a pure
  memory foam mattress. Whereas, it is a good idea
  to use a medium-firm memory foam mattress in
  comfort layer or support layer depending upon
  mattress and bodyweight support requirement.
• Organic latex foam density Organic latex foam is
  one of the best foam materials one can use in
  different hybrid or pure latex foam mattresses.
  Although manufacturers may use synthetic latex
  foam, we're going to be talking about 100 pure
  and organic latex foam. Although synthetic
  mattress properties and benefits vary, pure
  organic latex foam mattress has a density
  depending upon the type. Dunlop latex foam is
  the more durable and high-density variant, and
  the Talalay is slightly less dense but maintains
  all the properties.
• Latex foam is medium-firm in nature, and its
  density can be configured depending upon use.
  For example, using Talalay latex foam in most
  mattresses' comfort layer may be possible. In
  contrast, Dunlop latex foam is strictly meant for
  the support layer. Latex foam would have a
  density higher than 3.75 pounds per cubic foot.
• Talalay latex foam would lie in the 3.75- 6
  pounds per cubic feet range, and Dunlop would be
  denser and lie out of this range. Most people
  would find a medium-firm or high-density Talalay
  latex foam variant between the 3.75-6 pounds per
  cubic feet range. Dunlop latex foam price would
  be lower, and Talalay sleep-grade organic latex
  foam mattress price would be on the higher side.
  As a result, only up to 2-4 inches of Talalay
  foam is used in any latex or hybrid mattress.
• Latex foam density
• Low density Lower than 3.75 pounds per cubic
  feet
• Medium-firm (Medium-density) Between 3.75 and 6
  cubic feet High-density (Only in Dunlop) Above
  6 pounds per cubic feet

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Why high-quality raw materials matter? High-qualit
y raw materials in your mattress are essential in
ensuring long-term comfort, and when it comes to
foam, it takes new meaning. High-quality raw
materials are essential in the sleep industry
because of the nature of the product (be it
mattresses, pillows, or even the mattress
fabric). People have varying sleep patterns and
different climates in a country as vast as
India. Because of this, some climates can be
colder, and some can be hot and humid or even
dry. Keeping the demographics in mind, how people
also sleep changes, and raw materials impact the
sleep environment and ultimately your sleep
quality. Because your mattress is your primary
personal care item and responsible for long-term
physiological health, better the quality, more
significant the benefits. For example, higher
quality raw materials in fabric and foam ensure
no sanitation and quality issues down the line.
For example, higher quality raw materials are
especially beneficial in using rebonded foam, as
some manufacturers may use recycled shreds. This
recycling leads to off-gassing and health
hazards, in addition to inconsistent quality in
products. In contrast, in-house manufactured new
shreds would be a better choice for the same
rebonded foam. Moreover, when we talk about raw
foam quality, the quality is a measure of
density and the manufacturing process (addition
or absence of chemicals). So, high- quality raw
materials are essential because of how it feels
and works in the long-term and aesthetic
benefits. Why does foam density matter? Foam
density is very important in your mattress
because of how density functions differently
under different mattress layers. So, even though
different foam densities have a variable density
value, their density also plays a different role
in the different mattress layers. For example,
the high-density foam would help increase
comfort, plushness, and overall durability in
the comfort layer. However, depending upon the
type of foam we use in different layers, density
variation can lead to a different experience in
different mattresses. Using higher density foam
in the support layer helps offer contouring
support that isn't possible by making the layer
softer. The same principle also applies to the
core of the mattress, where ultra-high- density
foam works to provide support to the upper layers
or either side of a dual-comfort
mattress. Advantages of high-density
foam High-density foam is a great option and
parameter of better quality in a mattress. But
how does high-density foam impact your sleep and
mattress quality? Is low-density mattress foam
going to be harmful or worse? You can find these
answers in the foam density guide below
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• Durability After some time most, mattresses
  start showing signs of aging or having slept in.
  It might be too subtle to notice or visible to
  look from a distance. High-density foam plays a
  massive role in the way your mattress works in
  the long run. High-density foam has smaller
  pores and greater durability than low-density
  options because of mattress mechanics and general
  use.
• The high-density foam also lasts longer because
  of less invasive environmental
• impact as dust, allergens, and moisture don't
  diversely impact the layers to cause short-term
  damage. This property is also helpful in ensuring
  your mattress maintenance doesn't lead to
  erosion of superficial or internal layers.
  Moreover, high-density foam is also less prone
  to wear and tear, abrasion than low-density
  mattresses.
• Additionally, high-density foam layers also last
  long because your mattress support and comfort
  you without taking the physical damage itself.
  So, as an overweight person using a high-density
  organic latex foam mattress than compared to a
  low-density variant, the mattress would stand
  more chances of developing body impression. A
  low-density organic latex foam wouldn't be as
  hypoallergenic, supportive, and comfortable as a
  high-density option.
• More comfortable When we talk of comfort, our
  mind associates it with softness. However,
  softness doesn't necessarily mean that your foam
  mattress needs to be low-density. On the
  contrary, the higher your mattress foam density
  is, the more comfortable it will be for your
  body in the short and long term. This is because
  high-density layers have a higher response rate
  and pressure-relieving properties that
  lower-density mattress foam variants do not have.
• Comfort means that you feel pressure relief and a
  certain degree of softness cushioning your
  body's curves. However, lower-density options
  wouldn't be as
• effective in being comfortable for your muscles
  or allow you to feel as comfortable as a
  high-density option. A low-density foam layer
  would melt or give more freedom to your body
  weight without much reactive pressure and
• ultimately rely on layers beneath it. This is why
  a high-density layer in the comfort
• layer is better for body pain relief in the short
  term and allows you to feel more at peace than a
  low-density foam layer.
• If you're looking for a relatively softer luxury
  mattress and don't share an affinity for a
  firmer mattress surface, a medium-density memory
  foam layer would be perfect. But when we talk
  about memory foam as a perfect example of a
  differentiator between low-density and
  high-density options, we should also consider
  how it reacts with your body weight. For example,
  a medium-density memory foam layer would be
  better for use in most mattresses as it wouldn't
  insulate heat as efficiently as a high-density
  variant. Moreover, a medium-density memory foam
  layer would also offer more leeway in tossing and
  turning without feeling stuck. But this is
  because of memory foam's pressure-relieving and
  body

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• contouring properties.
• The same scenario doesn't apply to an organic
  latex foam or HR foam layer, as the denser they
  are, the better. Your mattress should keep you
  afloat (at least partially, as in a high-density
  memory foam mattress). Comfort is subjective
  based on body weight and how the high-density
  comfort layer reacts with your body and can vary
  depending upon the type of mattress mentioned
  above.
• Supportive A high-density mattress foam layer is
  crucial in enhancing the support of your
  mattress's overall functioning. While the core
  may be ultra-high- or high-density foam to
  ensure long life and acting as the sole support
  for years, it is also essential in other layers.
  High-density foam present in both the support and
  comfort layers is critical in enhancing how your
  spine and muscles feel.
• It would help if you had support for spinal
  alignment and when you sleep in different
  positions, and a high-density foam layered
  mattress is a better option than a lower one.
  This is because when you sleep on your back,
  sides, different parts of your body need support
  and cushioning to be comfortable. For example,
  sleeping on your side puts maximum pressure on
  your shoulder blade muscles, needs neck
  orientation with a pillow, and exerts pressure on
  your pelvic area. To address this, you need
  adequate comfort and support on your pressure
  points, without which it leads to pain in the
  morning.
• If you sleep on a low-density mattress with a
  robust support system at the base, it
• will lead to pains in both the short and long
  term. However, sleeping in different positions
  on a high-density layer provides adequate support
  and reactive pressure that keeps your pressure
  points afloat and comfortable.
• The supportive factor in a high-density foam
  layer doesn't mean that your mattress feels like
  a brick or doesn't offer any freedom of movement
  in sleep. You get support in all the right
  pressure points with adequate comfort, which
  isn't an option in a lower-density foam
  mattress. The durability and support of a
  high-density mattress help you sleep for years
  in your favorite position without waking up in
  awkward morning pains or chronic pains.
• Pressure-relieving High-density foam has the
  essential role of acting as the primary
  pressure-relieving layer of your mattress. Your
  mattress core or base with the ortho foam layer
  or innerspring layer does help relieve pressure
  in your muscles. But your primary pressure
  reliever when you go to sleep on your mattress
  is its comfort and support layers acting
  together. Pressure relief in your body results
  from your muscles being able to relax and
  destress after a day and relaxing in a neutral
  position where the reactive pressure cancels
  their physical stress. This reactive pressure
  that neutralizes the discomfort or pending stress
  in your muscles, joints, and throughout the body
  cancels out with the help of a high-density foam

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• layer.
• For example, when you go to bed on a high-density
  memory foam mattress, the high-density comfort
  layer helps relieve pressure. It comforts your
  skin and underlying tissues and muscles. The
  high-density support layer in the mattress could
  be HR foam, latex foam, or even memory foam that
  contours your body and helps support it in
  different positions. As a result, you end up with
  a sleeping experience that cancels your muscle
  pressure and even results in pain relief.
• Pain-relief Pain-relief is an essential property
  in a mattress, irrespective of its intent as an
  orthopedic mattress or not. High-density mattress
  foam is critical for pain relief in addition to
  a robust support system. This is because while
  the innerspring core or the ortho foam core
  would provide full-body support to your body,
  there is more to keeping your body in proper
  support than the core. So, when you look at a
  mattress for its pain-relieving properties, the
  support and comfort layers also need to be
  high-density because they add to the support that
  your mattress core provides.
• At night, in addition to pressure relief, your
  muscles need to relax in a neutral position to
  feel pain-free and get relief from chronic pain.
  Your posture and how you sleep in different
  positions with a high-density foam layer offering
  support
• and pressure relief is essential. Sleeping on
  your side or back needs your spine to relax in
  its natural shape, and the same principle applies
  to your entire body.
• Your innerspring or ortho foam core may provide
  different levels of support, but it is your
  high-density support layer that works to relieve
  pain by contouring your body. Your spine and
  muscles rest in a position that the high-density
  support layer orients them in, and you get to
  experience blissful, pain-free sleep.
• On the contrary, lower density mattress variants
  wouldn't be as effective in pain relief, as your
  body weight (however average or higher) would
  always tend to sink lower without reactive
  pressure. That is why most orthopedic mattresses
  have a medium-density memory foam layer as the
  comfort, and the surface firmness only
  increases.
• In orthopedic innerspring or dual-comfort
  mattresses, high-density polyfoam or
  high-density organic latex foam plays a critical
  role. Your mattress can have a Bonnell spring
  system, but it still needs a firm high-density
  layer to relieve pressure and offer full-body
  support. Without a proper high-density layer,
  sleeping on a Bonnell coil or any pocket coil
  mattress would be impossible as the spring
  system would 'pinch' your body.
• Enhanced sleep quality Your mattress's density
  influences how comfortable you feel when you go
  to sleep. As discussed above, it is responsible
  for pressure relief,

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• pain-free sleeping, and even support. All these
  factors together make it possible to sleep
  better, and a low-density option wouldn't be as
  effective or durable.
• You can enjoy high-quality sleep when you're
  comfortable, supported and feel no
• pressure or discomfort in any part of your body.
  Although different parts play their role, and
  high-quality foam layers aren't responsible for
  the significant support, pain-relief,
  pressure-relief, and other advantages, you need
  all of them together.
• Without high-density foam layers in place, your
  mattress experience wouldn't make the best use
  of all the benefits your body can enjoy. Your
  sleep quality relies on different factors like
  sleep environment, mattress temperature,
  pressure, and pain-relieving properties, and
  even support. In a high-density foam mattress,
  you can rest assured with all these factors
  working in your favor in a compatible mattress.
  However, a low-density mattress foam layer
  wouldn't be able to offer all these benefits in
  one package.
• Relationship between high-density, firmness, and
  comfort
• When we talk of any given mattress layer or type
  of foam density, the high-density brings
  different pros and cons. Moreover, the mattress
  foam density also has a minimum requirement for
  the body weight it would be comfortable. For
  example, overweight or obese person would need
  adequate support from an ortho core or
  innerspring system and provide adequate
  cushioning. High-density memory foam would be
  suitable for a person with average body weight
  but not a good option for an overweight or obese
  person or anyone who sweats excessively.
  Similarly, relying on a high-density variant of
  latex foam wouldn't always be a good factor when
  your bodyweight or specific requirements fall in
  the average or perfect BMI range.
• To address the mattress firmness and density
  issue, we need to look at the type of mattress
  we're talking about. For example, a medium-firm
  or even high-density memory foam layer would
  feel comfortable and plush, and firm latex foam,
  HR foam, or rebonded foam would be too hard to
  use in the comfort layer. So, mattress density
  doesn't determine how it feels but plays a
  significant role in the sleeping experience in
  the comfort layer. Taking the same case in mind,
  ultra-high density or high-density options of HR
  foam, rebonded foam, or latex foam are only
  suitable for use in the support layer and
  unusable/ non-viable in the comfort layer.
• High-density mattresses share several benefits
  and pose problems for people who don't choose
  their mattresses carefully. Issues from a
  high-density mattress can be similar to
• Excessive body heat High-density memory foam
  wouldn't be ideal for people with higher body
  weight and living in hot and humid climates.
  Irrespective of one's preference for memory
  foam's sinking or soft and plush sleeping
  experience, you should always go for the
  suitable mattress foam layers for your body.
  High- density memory foam can lead to excessive
  sweating, discomfort, and an

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• unpleasant sleeping experience when tossing and
  turning in sleep.
• Inability to sleep Different types of mattresses
  use different densities of materials in their
  layers. Higher-density layers like PU Foam are
  only suitable for use in the comfort layer.
  High-density HR foam, organic latex foam, and
  other denser materials are only good for support
  layers. Having the proper density in the right
  place is just as important, and improper
  installation or choosing can cause the inability
  to sleep.
• Difficulty sleeping can be because of excessive
  body heat, inadequate firmness,
• excessive firmness, and incompatibility with your
  mattress type. That is why choosing the proper
  density in a hotel, or bespoke mattress is
  critical. When guests stay at your hotel, they
  prefer a certain degree of comfort and pleasure,
  and using high-density layers all around
  wouldn't lead to high satisfaction rates. High-
  density is essential, but it is also essential to
  have the right mattress type, which is more
  likely in domestic use.
• Inadequate plushness As mentioned above,
  high-density doesn't always mean a firmer
  mattress. If you're going for a softer mattress,
  you still need a specific density and plushness
  in it, especially in the comfort layer. That is
  why a high- density memory foam or PU foam is
  usually installed in the comfort layer. Any
  other materials or lower density of these two
  foam types can lead to inadequate plushness. The
  mattress would be soft, but plushness and comfort
  are different, especially when talking about
  high-density mattresses.
• Choosing the correct density and mattress
• The density numbers can be a bit technical for
  most to look into and order custom mattresses.
  That is why most of our luxury mattresses use the
  proper density in different layers and have
  high-density comfort and support layers in all
  the right places. If you're looking to order
  custom or bespoke mattresses for your hotel or
  home, this mattress density guide can prove
  beneficial. Alternatively, use our SleepID tool
  and mattress brochures to assess the kind of
  density we use in our mattresses and how it would
  work for your body. SleepID pairs you with the
  best mattress for your body type, letting us
  worry about the right density based on years of
  real-world demographic specific research