Train Seat Map: Coach Layout, Berth Numbers & Positions Explained 2026

Sleeper (SL) and 3AC Coach Layout

Each SL/3AC coach has 9 coupes of 6 berths + 3 side sections of 2 berths = 72 berths total. Within each coupe: 1=Lower, 2=Middle, 3=Upper, 4=Lower, 5=Middle, 6=Upper. Side berths: 7=Side Lower, 8=Side Upper. This pattern repeats: coupe 1 has berths 1–8, coupe 2 has berths 9–16, coupe 3 has berths 17–24, and so on. Berths 65–72 are the last side section.

2AC Coach Layout

2AC coaches have 2-tier berths (no middle berth). Each coupe: 1=Lower, 2=Upper, 3=Lower, 4=Upper. Side berths: 5=Side Lower, 6=Side Upper. 2AC coaches have 46 berths per coach — fewer than 3AC (72) because of the 2-tier configuration. Curtains provide privacy between coupes.

How to Find Your Berth from Ticket

Your ticket shows: Coach (e.g. S4), Berth Number (e.g. 22), and Berth Type (LB=Lower Berth, MB=Middle Berth, UB=Upper Berth, SL=Side Lower, SU=Side Upper). Berth 22 in SL = Coupe 3 (berths 17–24), position 22–16=6th berth in coupe = Upper (3rd row). Walk to your coach, count coupes from the door end, find your berth number on the label above the berth.

Lower vs Middle vs Upper vs Side Berths

Lower Berth (LB): Most comfortable — ground level, can sit during day. Auto-allocated to senior citizens (60+/58+ women), pregnant women, and persons with disability. Middle Berth (MB): Middle tier — usable only at night, must fold up during daytime to allow lower berth passengers to sit. Upper Berth (UB): Highest — most privacy, requires climbing. Preferred by young travellers. Side Lower (SL): Narrower than main berths, faces the aisle. Side Upper (SU): Narrowest and highest — good for solo travellers wanting privacy.

Common Questions

Which berth numbers are lower berths in Sleeper class?

In each 8-berth coupe: berths 1, 4 are Lower Berths. Berth 7 is Side Lower. So in a 72-berth coach: berths 1, 4, 9, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 33, 36, 41, 44, 49, 52, 57, 60 are main Lower Berths, and 65, 69 are Side Lower berths.

What is berth number 63 in Sleeper class?

Berths 63–72 are in the side section at the end of the coach. Berth 63 = Side Lower of a side section. Berths in the 60s are typically the side berths near the toilet end of the coach.

How do I know if my berth is a window berth?

Lower berths (1 and 4 in each coupe) are next to the window. Middle and Upper berths are interior. Side berths face the corridor. In 2AC, all main berths have a window adjacent to them.

What is a coupe in Indian Railways?

A coupe (compartment) in Indian Railways refers to the 6-berth section in Sleeper/3AC. Each coupe has 3 berths on each side facing each other. Side berths are 2-berth sections along the corridor. A standard SL/3AC coach has 9 coupes and 9 side sections.

How many berths does a Sleeper coach have?

A standard Sleeper (SL) LHB coach has 72 berths: 9 coupes × 6 berths + 9 side sections × 2 berths (though the exact count varies — some older ICF coaches have 72, newer LHB coaches may vary slightly).

Which berth is best to book?

Lower berth: most comfortable, can sit during day. Side Lower: slightly narrower, good for couples (the two side berths form a private pair). Upper berth: most privacy, but requires climbing. Middle berth: most inconvenient — cannot sit during day and must fold up at night.

How do I request lower berth during IRCTC booking?

Select 'Lower Berth' as berth preference on the IRCTC booking page. This is a preference, not a guarantee. Senior citizens (60+/58+) automatically get lower berths. If not allotted, request the TTE after boarding.

Do all trains have the same seat map?

The berth numbering pattern is the same across Sleeper and 3AC coaches. However, the total number of berths may vary — older ICF coaches and newer LHB coaches have slightly different configurations.

Useful Links

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