2×4 Bunk Bed
Quick answer: This simple 2×4 bunk bed is a twin-over-twin bunk built almost entirely from framing lumber — (22) 2×4 @ 8 ft, (4) 2×2 @ 8 ft for the slat cleats, and (11) 1×4 @ 8 ft for the slats — using just a drill and a saw. It measures 80½″ long × 43″ wide × 67½″ tall and fits standard twin mattresses. A beginner-friendly 1-day build: a volunteer team built 15 of them in 2 days on a mission trip. Free plans below; the printable PDF puts it all in one document. Designed and documented by Jamison Rantz.
We love getting emails from our readers, especially ones like Amanda’s. She’s a relatively new woodworker who reached out to us asking our help to create plans for a simple bunk bed that can be built out of 2×4’s. She was headed to the Dominican Republic on her very first mission trip to make 15 bunk beds for the Emanuel House, which is a school that offers a hot meal, bible study, educational instruction, and love to children in need in Quisqueya. While initially she was worried about tools and supplies, Amanda ended up getting some help from our friends at Kreg and was able to use the design that I came up with and simplify it even more to reduce lumber cost and build time! We are so proud of her!
…Everything ended up working perfectly. The organization we stayed with told us before hand that there was no way we would be able to build and deliver 15 bunk beds in a weeks time… we did it in 2 days! -Amanda
Below are the plans that we originally sent Amanda. I would love to see photos of this project completed and possibly use one as a feature image! So comment below with your complete bunk bed pics!
Tools & materials
Dimensions
Cut list
How to build a simple bunk bed from 2x4s
Step 1: Assemble the ends
Build the headboard and footboard ends (two identical assemblies): two 2×4 × 67½″ legs joined by six 2×4 × 37″ rungs, starting 8″ up and spaced 3½″ apart — a scrap 2×4 laid flat is the perfect spacer. Keep the top rung flush with the top of the legs. Pre-drill and fasten with 2½″ wood screws.
Step 2: Assemble the frame
Stand the two ends up and connect them with the eight 2×4 × 80½″ side rails — four per side, again starting 8″ up with 3½″ spacings so they line up with the end rungs. Pre-drill and drive 2½″ wood screws at every intersection. A second set of hands makes this step much easier.
Step 3: Install the cleats
Screw the four 2×2 × 72″ cleats to the inside of the frame, flush with the bottom edge of the lowest 2×4 rail on each bunk, using 2½″ wood screws. These carry the mattress slats.
Step 4: Install the rails and ladder
Add the two 2×4 × 53″ guard rails on the top bunk (3½″ spacing above the top side rail), then build the ladder: a 2×4 × 67½″ upright placed 27½″ from the end and two 2×4 × 31″ rungs 10½″ apart. Pre-drill and fasten everything with 2½″ wood screws.
Step 5: Attach the filler blocks
All remaining 2x4s are filler blocks — 8″, 10½″, 14″, 24½″, 38½″, and 3½″ pieces that close the gaps between rails at the legs and ladder. Attach them with wood glue and 2″ brad nails, or pre-drill and screw them with 2½″ wood screws.
Step 6: Install the slats
Lay the (22) 1×4 × 39½″ slats across the cleats — 11 per bunk, spaced 2½″ to 3″ apart — pre-drill and fasten with 1¼″ wood screws. Drop in twin mattresses and you’re done.
2×4 bunk bed questions, answered
How many 2x4s do I need to build a bunk bed?
(22) 2×4 @ 8 ft for the frame, plus (4) 2×2 @ 8 ft for the slat cleats and (11) 1×4 @ 8 ft for the mattress slats. That’s the entire lumber order — every part is cut from those three sizes of off-the-shelf framing lumber.
What size mattress fits this 2×4 bunk bed?
A standard twin on each bunk. The frame is 80½″ long × 43″ wide with 39½″ slats, which wraps a 38″ × 75″ twin mattress with room for bedding.
Are these 2×4 bunk bed plans free?
Yes — the dimensions, both cut-list sheets, and all six step diagrams are free on this page. The $5 printable PDF bundles the same plans into one document that’s easy to print and take to the shop.
Is a bunk bed made from 2x4s strong enough?
Yes — the design uses doubled-up rails, 2×2 cleats under the slats, and glued filler blocks that turn each side into one rigid assembly. Pre-drill every screw to avoid splits. A team of first-time builders assembled 15 of these in two days for a school in the Dominican Republic, and they were slept in that week.
More builds for the kids
Questions? Comments?
As always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to comment below and especially don’t forget to post pictures of your finished products in the comments! ENJOY!
Love your plans. These look like great bunk beds. Would these work ok as loft beds if we took out the bottom bunk?
Thanks Ron! And I would say yes, that would be a great mod.
I don’t suppose you would have plans for that? I want to give it a shot but It’s my first furniture build and the child needs a loft bed. I plan on putting a closet system underneath for her since I turned her tiny closet into a reading nook.
Any guess as to the weight capacity on each bed?
it held me fine and im 190 pds. for a bigger load i would throw a 1/4 inch piece of plywood on top of the slats. itl be indestructible then. the mattress spreads the load on the slats too. im guessing a 250pd man could sleep on these safely.
Any chance you could show us a modified plan using 4×4 corner posts that separate to two single twin beds with safety side rails ? I have two boys and I want to build them bunk beds but they are not quite ready for them to be stacked yet. I’m not sure that only 2x4s would withstand them.
What size mattress does this fit?
I havent put these together yet but I am wondering if a twin (75×38) mattress will fit too snug since the inside of the 2×4 posts looks like they will pinch mattress on a 4 corners.
How do you take it apart when the time comes. All screws are covered with the filler wood right?
Years ago (I’m talking about 40) my parents built a 2×4 set of bunk beds for the cabin, it didn’t need to be fancy just functional. They failed to measure a regular twin mattress, they’d made it to short, so they went and purchased some foam mattresses those babies lasted for about 20 years before they decided to buy some twin/full beds for both sides of the room. As a lesson, please measure the mattress and the opening before cutting 🙂
hello, I noticed in step 1, that there was spacing on the top and bottom where the 2x4x37″ board was against the 2x4x67-12″ board. What is the spacing?
Thank you
Stan
It’s just centered on that long 2×4. So 1” from either side.
worked really well, kids love it. The slats should be 40″ in my case, not sure where i went wrong but the slats were half an inch short. still worked. I ended up using more to reduce gap size. i grabbed an extra couple of 1×4 8 footers to complete this.
Thanks so much for the amazing instructions!!! I altered one measurement and added a toddler rail. they are beautiful!
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Beautiful!
Can pocket holes be used? If so do you think that would make the build noticeably stronger?
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Simeon, what kind of wood did you use and how did you finish the wood in what you have pictured? They look great.
We made the bunk bed and it was gorgeous and very sturdy!!! Would you consider making similar plans, but adapted for a twin over full bed design? Thank you!!!
what are cleats?
Hi there, I just came across these plans. I may modify them to fit a smaller space. How do you calculate the weight capacity on these?
Before I made this set I measured the mattresses I had and I wish I hadn’t. I made the bunks 1.5″ longer and 1.5″ wider because my mattresses were puffy and now I have a little extra room on the bunks. Oh well. The original plans would have been perfect. I did have to add an extra bar on the top bunk to prevent anyone from rolling out of bed. If your mattress is thick, add 3-4 inches to the height of the outer posts so you can put the top safety bar high enough. https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Hi David, i was thinking the same thing, to me it looks like a Twin XL mattress needs a few extra inches of length, but the width should be fine? am I missing something? a twin XL mattress is 80″ x 38″.
I guess it just depends on how much wiggle room you want around the mattress. Consider this when you are changing the sheets/bedding.
Made a pair of these for my son’s room. Thought I would share my experience.MATERIALS: We went for untreated kiln-fired pine, we cut and then conditioned the wood and stained with a semi-transparent espresso color. Each bed is made with Amazon essentials navy + white stripe comforter sham, white fitted sheet and white standard pillowcase, and a set of four 18″ nautical throw covers.PROCESS: With the first, we were following the schematic exactly. Finished product is fine but step five was NOT fun, many of the filler blocks were slightly too big for the measured gaps and needed to be cut or sanded (and then re-stained) or malleted into place. On the second, instead of treating the filler blocks as their own step, we installed them as we were installing the frame (provided that everything was still square and level). It was about ten times easier and I would recommend that small procedural change. In addition, because of the layout of the room, the second is actually a mirror image of the first. I really appreciated being able to easily reverse the design to fit the space. Other than those small optional changes, the design is flawless and should be followed as accurately as possible.REVIEW: I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome. The beds are sturdy! After going through several engineered wood and metal bunk beds from various sources and having the boys destroy all of them, I am so thrilled to have furniture that is not only solid wood and well-designed, but even if they manage to break a piece, I know exactly how to replace that one piece and I fully foresee never having to fully replace these beds ever again. In addition to being functional and bulletproof, they are so aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. They look stellar in the room.Thank you, Rogue Engineer.https://uploads.disquscdn.c… https://uploads.disquscdn.c… https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Thank you for these plans. I modified them and made a loft bed for my daughter.