My husband and I have searched for a mattress for months. After looking we kept diverting back to this one because of all the positive reviews. When we unboxed it and opened it, it inflated to an exact 12" queen mattress. It fits tight between our headboard and footboard, but let me tell you....this baby is firm. I have back issues and I am a side sleep. We both weight roughly around 180lbs. I have no idea how people say this is soft at the same time. We have slept on it for 4 nights now and can only sleep on our backs because there is no give any other way. I tried one night on my side and woke up with such pain in my shoulder and hip. The second day was when it fully hardened and it felt like cement. We are going to be exchanging for the medium because the mattress quality is great...just too firm for us.