If you've ever tried lifting a fully loaded ottoman bed and the struts didn't hold — or you bought the wrong size and the lid slammed down — you'll know how much the Newton rating matters. This guide walks you through exactly what Newton force means, how to match it to your bed size, and whether you need individual struts or a complete set.
What Is Newton Force — and Why Does It Matter for Ottoman Beds?
Newton (N) is the unit of force. On a gas strut, it describes how much upward lifting force the strut produces. The higher the Newton rating, the more weight the strut is designed to support.
For ottoman beds, the gas struts carry the full weight of the mattress, slatted base, and bed frame lid every time you lift it. If the Newton rating is too low, the lid won't stay open — or you'll be doing the heavy lifting yourself. Too high, and the mechanism will feel stiff and could put strain on the hinges over time.
Getting the Newton rating right means the lid lifts smoothly with light effort and holds itself open hands-free whilst you access the storage below.
Ottoman Bed Size to Newton Force — Quick Reference
This table is the standard starting point for most ottoman beds sold in the UK. Actual requirements can vary slightly depending on mattress weight and frame construction, but these figures cover the vast majority of setups.
Newton Force by Bed Size
| Bed Size | Recommended Newton Force | Price per Strut |
|---|---|---|
| Single / Small Double 3ft – 4ft (90cm – 120cm) |
600N | From £11.90 |
| Double / Queen 4ft6 – 5ft (135cm – 150cm) |
800N | From £12.90 |
| King / Queen 5ft – 5ft6 (150cm – 165cm) |
1000N | From £13.90 |
| King / Super King / XL 6ft+ (180cm+) |
1200N | From £14.90 |
Should You Buy Individual Struts or a Complete Set?
This depends on what you already have installed on your bed.
- Your existing lift mechanism is intact and functioning
- Only the gas struts have failed (the most common fault — struts lose pressure over time)
- You know the Newton force and length you need
- You're replacing like-for-like on a bed you've owned for a while
- You're building a new ottoman bed frame from scratch
- The full lift mechanism, brackets, or mounting hardware is missing or damaged
- You want everything matched and pre-paired from one source
- You'd rather not source components separately
Individual struts from Autorce start from £11.90 and are available in 600N, 800N, 1000N, and 1200N — all with standard end fittings compatible with the vast majority of UK ottoman frames. Ottoman Complete Sets start from £21.90 and include a matched pair of struts with the hardware needed to get the mechanism running.
Does an Ottoman Bed Need a Separate Lift Mechanism?
This is a question that comes up often, particularly when replacing struts on an older bed or building a DIY frame.
The short answer: most ottoman beds use the gas struts as the lift mechanism — there is no separate pneumatic or electric system involved. The struts do all the work. When they fail, replacing them is usually all that is required to restore full function.
However, some higher-end or custom-built frames use a dedicated hinge-and-bracket assembly alongside the struts. In those cases, you may need to replace the full assembly rather than the struts alone. If you're unsure, check whether your existing struts simply unclip from ball-socket or clevis fittings — if they do, a direct strut replacement is almost certainly the right approach.
For most standard UK ottoman beds from high street retailers, a pair of replacement gas struts in the correct Newton rating is all you need.
A Note on Strut Length
Newton force is the priority, but strut length matters too. Most standard UK ottoman beds use struts between 350mm and 550mm (compressed length). The correct length affects how far the lid opens and whether it holds at a safe, accessible angle.
If you're replacing existing struts, measure the compressed length from end fitting to end fitting when the strut is fully closed. If you're building new, aim for a length that allows the lid to open to at least 90° without over-extending.
Autorce stocks ottoman gas struts across a range of lengths — if you're unsure which applies to your setup, get in touch and we'll help you narrow it down.
Quick Summary
- Match Newton force to bed size using the table above
- Buy in pairs — nearly all ottoman beds use two struts
- Replace struts only if the mechanism itself is undamaged
- Choose a complete set if you're starting from scratch or need hardware
- Check compressed length before ordering if replacing existing struts
Browse the full range of ottoman gas struts and complete sets — 600N to 1200N, with UK delivery.
Shop Ottoman Gas StrutsFrequently Asked Questions
The easiest way is to match your bed width to the table above. As a general rule: Single and Small Double beds use 600N, Double and Queen use 800N, King sizes use 1000N, and Super King or XL frames use 1200N.
If your existing struts are still readable, the Newton rating is usually printed or embossed on the body of the strut — look for a number followed by "N".
It's not recommended. A strut rated too high will feel stiff to open, may not allow the lid to close fully under its own weight, and can put unnecessary stress on the hinge points and frame over time.
Stick as close as possible to the recommended Newton rating for your bed size. If you're between sizes, go with the lower option — you can always check the feel and adjust.
Almost all ottoman beds use two gas struts — one fitted on each side of the lift platform. Some smaller single ottoman frames use a single central strut, but this is uncommon in UK-market beds.
If you're unsure, check the sides of your existing bed frame for mounting points. Two mounting positions = two struts required.
Most standard UK ottoman beds use struts with a compressed length (end fitting to end fitting, fully closed) of between 350mm and 550mm. The exact length affects the opening angle of the lid.
The most reliable method is to measure your existing struts whilst they are fully compressed. If you're fitting struts to a new build, aim for a length that allows the lid to open to at least 90° without the strut reaching full extension.
This is almost always caused by worn gas struts that have lost internal pressure over time. It's the most common failure on ottoman beds and is straightforward to fix — replacing the struts with the correct Newton-rated pair will restore full function in most cases.
Less commonly, the strut end fittings may have come loose from their mounting brackets. Check that both ends are fully seated before ordering replacements.
Autorce universal ottoman struts use standard ball-socket and clevis end fittings that are compatible with the vast majority of ottoman bed frames sold in the UK — including those from IKEA, Dreams, Silentnight, Birlea, and most unbranded flat-pack frames.
If you're unsure whether a specific strut will fit your frame, get in touch with the end fitting dimensions from your existing struts and we'll confirm compatibility before you order.
A 1200N gas strut is recommended for King size, Super King, and XL ottoman beds — typically frames 180cm wide or larger. The increased force is needed to support the greater weight of a larger mattress and frame lid.
1200N struts are also sometimes used on heavily loaded double frames where a thick or particularly heavy mattress is in use. If a standard 1000N pair feels under-powered on your double, 1200N is the next step up.
