If you want to try out hammock sleeping, or you want to create a place to lounge in your backyard, then you’ll need to learn about the different hammock sizes and how they affect the way you can use them. Hammocks come in a wide range of standard widths and lengths, and their weight capacity will vary depending on a number of factors.
This article explores the most common hammock sizes available and explains which size will work for different scenarios and families.
Hammocks by Size
Before you purchase a hammock, you need to consider the way the hammock is going to be used because this is going to directly impact how big or small you need the hammock to be. If you plan to sleep in the hammock with your family, then you will need a family-sized hammock, as these typically accommodate up to two adults and two children.
If you will be using the hammock alone, or you may occasionally want to share it with a friend or partner, you could opt for a double hammock because these are suitable for single or double users. Knowing the purpose of your hammock will also help you to decide which type of hammock will be best for your situation because some hammocks work best for certain purposes compared with others.
For example, the Brazilian style hammock is renowned for being ideal for sleeping on, while rope hammocks are preferred for adding a laidback style to the poolside.
Hammock length
As standard, hammocks come in lengths of 9 feet, 10 feet, 11 feet, 12 feet, 13 feet, and 14 feet. The length of the hammock you need will be determined by both your height or the height of the intended user, as well as the amount of space you have to fit the hammock in.
If you are planning to hang your hammock between two trees, and you have already chosen the trees in your backyard that are the most suitable, then you’ll want a length of hammock that is compatible with the distance between the two trees.
The overall length of the hammock should be roughly equal to the distance between your two hanging points. For example, if there is a 12 foot distance between your two trees, you should choose a hammock with a length of 12 feet.
Bear in mind when buying hammocks that the advertised length usually indicates the overall length of the hammock, not the length of the bed area. A good hammock supplier will list the length of the bed surface in the specifications, but in general, you can expect the bed surface to be around 3 feet smaller than the overall length of the hammock.
This means that a hammock that is 9 foot in length will have a significantly shorter bed length of around 6 feet. You’ll need to pay attention to the length of the hammock bed area to ensure it suits the size of your body. Tall people will usually get along best with hammocks that exceed 11 feet in overall length.
Hammock width
Hammock width is a key factor in determining how many people will fit on your hammock. You can buy single and double hammocks, as well as family hammocks that can sleep up to four people. The wider the hammock is, the more people it will accommodate. You may also wish to invest in an extra wide hammock if you like to have extra space to yourself.
The standard width measurements for hammocks include 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet, 7 feet, 8 feet, and 9 feet. The type of hammock you choose is going to impact the width of the hammock you need, because different designs of hammocks work in different ways.
A double poolside hammock is going to have a smaller width than a double Brazilian hammock, because of the way these hammocks are designed. A poolside hammock has a flatbed surface, while a Brazilian hammock cocoons around the users, and therefore more fabric is needed to accommodate the same number of people.
If you are choosing a hammock with a flat bed area, then a width measurement of between 4 and 5 feet is to accommodate one or 2 users at a time. If you want a family-size flatbed hammock, a width measurement of more than 6 feet will be needed. Brazilian hammocks designed for single or double users will have a width measurement of 5 feet or more, and these can go all the way up to 9 feet in width to accommodate up to 4 users at once.
Hammocks by Weight Limit
Before you buy a hammock, you need to know how much weight the hammock can hold. A hammock that works for your friend may not work for you since we are all unique in our size and weight.
Single hammock weight limit
Hammocks intended to hold one person at a time have an average weight limit of between 150 and 300 lbs. Be sure to check the weight limit of a single hammock before you purchase it to make sure it can safely hold your weight.
Take care not to allow more than one person to use the hammock at a time if it is going to exceed the weight capacity.
Double hammock weight limit
Most people who plan to use a hammock by themselves will buy a double hammock to allow them a greater weight capacity and more bed space. Typical double hammocks will have a weight capacity of between 400 and 500 lbs.
Family hammock weight limit
Family hammocks can hold up to four people, which usually includes a maximum of two adults since adults typically weigh more than children.
The greatest weight capacity of a family hammock is around 800 lbs, but some family hammocks will have a weight capacity as low as 600 lbs, which is why it’s essential to figure out the total weight of your family before you buy the hammock.
