A mattress is one of the few things we buy online that must pass a federal fire test before it is sold in the US. The test and the label are easy to miss on a product page. This guide explains what the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says about them, so you know what to look for and what to ask a seller. It covers US rules only. We did not read the UK or EU rules for this guide, so check the rules where you live.

This guide is based on the public sources listed below. We have not tested any mattress or store. Mattress sizes are covered in our mattress size chart and Compare tables.

What a new US mattress must resist

Sources: CPSC, mattresses FAQ; CPSC, Resellers Guide to Selling Safer Products (Publication 254, February 2025). Last checked: 17 October 2026.

  • Cigarettes. Mattresses and mattress pads must resist ignition from a smouldering cigarette (16 CFR part 1632).
  • Open flame. Mattress sets must pass a test for flames such as candles, matches and lighters (16 CFR part 1633). The set's peak heat release must stay at or under 200 kilowatts, and the total heat release at or under 15 megajoules in the first 10 minutes.
  • CPSC's guide says the mattress rules are estimated to prevent as many as 270 deaths and 1,330 injuries each year. It does not give the year the estimate refers to.

What the label should show

The CPSC guide says every mattress and foundation made, imported or renovated after 1 July 2007 must carry a permanent, conspicuous, legible English label saying it meets the standard. The label states whether the mattress is meant to be used with a foundation, without one, or either. CPSC also says a mattress made before 2007 should not be resold. A flame-retardant-treated mattress pad may carry a "T" mark.

What to check on a listing

  1. Look for the compliance statement or label photo in the listing or the manual. If it is missing, ask the seller before you order.
  2. Check the foundation wording. If the label says the mattress is meant for use with a foundation, buy that pairing.
  3. Be careful with used mattresses. Avoid anything made before July 2007 and anything without a label.
  4. Check recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls. The guide says it is illegal to sell a recalled product, and CPSC has issued warnings and recalls for mattresses sold on online marketplaces that failed the flammability rule.
  5. Read the trial and return terms. Opened mattresses are often hard to return, so read the store's trial period, return fees and warranty before you pay. Our guide to bedding and mattress toppers covers what to ask.

What we could not confirm

  • UK and EU fire-safety rules for mattresses (not read).
  • The text of 16 CFR parts 1632 and 1633 themselves: the figures above come from CPSC's own pages and guide.

Sources: US CPSC, mattresses; US CPSC, Resellers Guide to Selling Safer Products (PDF).