How can you tell what kind of mattress you have?

Stearns & Foster says its law tag is usually a large white tag on the underside near the head or foot of the mattress.

Check the support-core entry for possible materials.

• Steel coils
• High-density polyfoam
• Firm latex
• Air chambers

The support core’s materials largely determine what type a mattress is.

All-foam

Memory foam can be a primary material in the comfort system of an all-foam bed.

• Check the main support core’s material to help identify the mattress type.
• Look for steel coils, high-density polyfoam, firm latex, or air chambers in the support core.

Check how pocketed coils are wrapped to distinguish them from other coil patterns.

• Each pocketed coil is cloth-wrapped and moves independently of its neighbors.
• Pocketed coils tend to reduce noise and isolate motion better than other coil patterns.

Use mattress feel as a clue, not proof of full construction; feel reflects the sum of its parts.

Sleep Foundation says latex quickly regains its shape after weight is removed.

A pillow-top has a compartment on top, but that alone does not identify its fill.

• The panel may contain foam, latex, fiberfill, cotton, wool, or blends.
• Some models quilt foam or cushioning fibers into the top cover for a plush feel.

CertiPUR advises checking care instructions or contacting the manufacturer before removing a cover.

1. Read the care instructions before taking the cover off.
2. If removal is not confirmed, check the manufacturer’s website or call customer service.
3. Treat a zipper as no proof that the cover is removable.

Where is the mattress law tag usually found?

Stearns & Foster says its law tag is usually on the underside near the head or foot; Naturepedic says its tag is sewn into the mattress seam.

Does a mattress tag list every layer?

Not always: Avocado says its law label gives a percentage breakdown by weight and points to a separate layer-by-layer guide for full construction details.

Should I unzip the cover to check inside?

For most Tuft & Needle mattresses, a zipper alone does not mean the cover is removable; check care instructions before removing it. Tuft & Needle says its zipper is for manufacturing and lists its 2022 Mint and 2023 Mint Hybrid as exceptions with advertised removable top covers. Sleep Foundation says most mattress covers should stay on and be spot-cleaned as needed.

Can the same mattress name describe one layer?

A foam mattress’s support core is almost always a thick layer of polyfoam.

We read 9 published pages from 7 sites (Sleep Foundation, CertiPUR-US, help.stearnsandfoster.com, sleepiverse.com and 3 more), checked in October 2026. Every sentence in the answers above cites one of them; the offer card at the end names its own source. This page reports published sources only; we did not test mattresses in person.