In the world of king-sized beds, the standard king and the California king are particularly popular โ the California king is narrower and slightly longer than a standard king-sized bed, losing 4 inches from the sides and adding 4 inches to the length of the mattress.
So, why would someone want a California king over a standard king, and when should they stick with the traditional size? To find out, read on for our guide to each size of mattress!Not sure what size bed to get? Check out our complete mattress sizes guide.
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King vs. California King Comparison | King-Size Mattress Overview | California King Mattress Overview | Which Size is Best for You? | Additional Considerations
King vs. California King Comparison
For a quick summary of the differences between a king and California king bed, check out our comparison chart below.
| Criteria | King-Size Mattress | California King Mattress |
| Size | 76โณ x 80โณ | 72โณ x 84โณ |
| Best for | Couples that want plenty of width and lateral space to move around on | Couples that want a slightly longer mattress (i.e., if one or both of them is very tall) |
| Price | $1,000โ $3,500 | $1,000โ $3,500 |
| Ideal room | Master bedrooms | Master bedrooms, especially those that are longer, rather than wider |
| Pros | Plenty of width, easy to find accessories for | Comfortably fits taller individuals |
| Cons | Difficult to move, can be too short for taller individuals | Difficult to move, less space for couples to spread out, more difficult to find accessories for |
Standard (or Eastern) King Mattress
A king bed tends to be one of the best options suited for couples; in fact, it is the equivalent of each person sleeping in their own twin XL bed (pushed together).
The king bed offers each person 8 inches more sleeping space than a queen-sized bed โ this makes it an absolutely fantastic option for master bedrooms โ it may even be too large for some individuals.
| Width | 76โณ |
| Length | 80โณ |
| Width Per Person | 38โณ |
Pros
- A standard-size king (aka Eastern king) also offers you four additional inches of lateral space than the Cal king bed, and 16 more inches than a queen. This may not seem like much extra space, but for couples sharing a bed, it is certainly noticeable.
- Since standard king mattresses are more common than California king mattresses, it will be much easier to find accessories such as bed frames or box springs, duvets or fitted sheets, mattress protectors, or toppers.
- Standard king mattresses may be easier to arrange in your bedroom. While California king and standard king beds share the same square-inch measurements, it may be easier to align the foot of the bed on a standard king with a balcony or window view while still leaving desirable walking space.
- A standard kingโs dimensions may generally be more compatible with moving it than a California king. The California king may hit ceilings (itโs 7 feet tall!) more easily. Also, in many cases, the Cal king may be slightly heavier than the standard.
Cons
- King-size mattresses are often considered a luxury, and that is reflected in their price. A king-size bed is going to almost always cost you more than a full-size or queen mattress.
- Tall couples may find themselves with their feet dangling over the foot of a standard king-size bed, and would likely appreciate the additional vertical inches offered by the California king.
- Standard and California king beds will almost always weigh more than smaller sizes. but the extra materials and weight will be much harder to move than queens or full-size beds. This likely wouldnโt be a frequent issue. But if you move often or live alone, this should be a consideration.
- A quality mattress should provide consistent support across the entire sleep surface, but not every mattress extends the support to the perimeter. King beds with good edge support allow couples to use the entire sleeping surface.
Additional King Mattress Sizes
The split king mattress size is the same as the standard king, but itโs split down the middle into two separate pieces. Split king beds are a good option for couples with different sleep preferences, allowing them to customize their sleep experience. A split king mattress typically requires an adjustable base so that individuals can adjust their side of the bed to meet their preferences.
| Width | 38โณ (each half) |
| Length | 80โณ |
California (Western) King Mattress
This bed size is called a California king (also called a western king) because it originally became popular in California. Itโs 4 inches narrower than a standard king and 4 inches longer. This bed is typically an excellent fit for people who need more width than a queen offers but are primarily focused on extra length โ they may have a narrow but long room or could be an especially tall person or couple.
| Width | 72โณ |
| Length | 84โณ |
Pros
- Although slightly less than a standard king, a California king still offers more surface space compared to a queen. But the additional space will be noticeable and offer couples a larger surface area, while limiting motion transfer when one person gets in or out of bed at night.
- Most master bedrooms may be more accommodating to a standard king. However, a California king may be the perfect solution for a narrow but long room.
- Taller individuals and couples will likely prefer the California king. With its longer dimensions, the California king is the solution to dangling feet and bumping your head on the headboard.
Cons
- The California king is less common than the regular king and other smaller mattress sizes, which may make finding bedding accessories harder.
- The California king may be hard to move around the house due to its height. Generally, it will be larger and heavier than smaller mattresses, so it will be harder to move regardless. But when compared to a regular king, you may find that the extra length makes it hit the ceiling or be harder to move up stairs.
- Just like the king, if there arenโt durable, supportive edges, you may not get to use the large surface area of your bed.
Additional California King Mattress Sizes
A split California king mattress is the same size as a California king bed, but is split down the middle into two separate pieces. The split California king size is typically less widely available than the more traditional split king. Like a split king mattress, a split California king bed is a great mattress for couples with different sleep preferences as it allows them to better customize their sleep positions (and oftentimes customize the mattress itself) to better fit their needs.
| Width | 36โณ (each half) |
| Length | 84โณ |
Which Size Is the Best?
Who Should Get a King Bed?
- People who want to stretch out as much as possible. While it comes down to personal preference, many couples opt for a king-size bed over a Queen or even a California king โ on a king mattress, each person gets 38 inches of space on each side, and each person gets 36 inches with a California king โ basically, people are going to get the most space per person in a king over any other bed.
Do you think a King-size mattress is the best option for you? Check out one of the best king mattresses below:
Nectar Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Who Should Get a California King Bed?
- Folks looking for a bed that is longer than it is wide. An easy way to think of the difference between a king and a California king is if one took off 4 inches of width on a king and added 4 inches of length to the bottom of the bed. These dimensions make California kings a great option for narrow rooms.
- If you are tall, a California king could be just what you need. The additional 4 inches of length can make a significant difference for a taller person โ especially if they donโt like their feet hanging off the end of the bed.
Enticed by the idea of a California King? Hereโs the top pick from our list of the best California King mattresses:
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
People Might Choose Either Size Mattress Ifโฆ
- They are upgrading their master bedroom. King and California king-sized beds tend to be the best fit for larger master bedrooms, where there is plenty of space not only for the bed but also for any additional pieces of furniture and accessories.
- They have the budget for it. When shopping for mattresses, king and California king sizes tend to cost the same. However, theyโre typically the most expensive; shoppers will also need to set aside money for a new frame and sheets that match the size of themattress they pick.
Other Things to Consider
Below are some tips and things to think about before making a mattress purchase.
- Measure the bedroom space beforehand. Mattress and bed shopping can get overwhelming quickly โ shoppers may feel pressured to make a purchase to get an excellent deal, so theyโll want to have all their measurements and know what size they want before heading out. Itโll pay off by being a less stressful experience once one gets the mattress home!
- Leave room for movement. It is generally recommended to leave 30 inches of space around your bed to ensure easy movement. If someone is going to purchase a king or California king, they will want to make sure the bed doesnโt engulf the entire room.
- In most cases, such as with the Nectar Original, thereโs usually not a price difference between a California king and a standard king. However, because the California king is a specialty product, a company may charge slightly more, typically around $100. However, king mattresses will always be the most expensive model option. This isnโt surprising when youโre essentially buying two twin XL mattresses combined as one, but king-size mattresses usually arenโt considerably more expensive than queens.
- Consider how to get the mattress into the room. Even if itโs compressed and in a box, a king or California king mattress will be sizable and will require more than one person to move โ be prepared to enlist a friend or family member to help if necessary.
- Read the warranty. Upgrading to a king or California king bed can be a significant financial investment โ shoppers looking for a new mattress should read the warranties carefully. They usually only cover manufacturer defects or issues with workmanship โ this means that if someone doesnโt like their mattress, they canโt just return it under the warranty. Check to see if there is a separate return policy or trial offer with the bed that will minimize the risk.
- Sleep accessories such as sheets, bed frames, and mattress pads are not interchangeable between a king and a California king mattress. For example, fitted bed sheets come in different sizes for each mattress size, so youโll need to consider this when choosing accessories.
- There are two other types of king mattresses: Texas king and Wyoming king. The Texas king is by far the largest mattress around, and not super common to find, measuring at 80 x 98 inches. There is also the Wyoming king, which is 66 x 84 inches, offering even more lateral space without the additional height of the California king.
Overall
When it comes to choosing between a king versus a California king bed, itโs really going to come down to whether the dimensions of a king best suit a person. Or will the slightly narrower but longer dimensions of the California king be a better fit? Fortunately, both beds tend to be the same price, and theyโll typically be the most expensive option out of all the beds.
If people take the time to measure their room size, double-check the budget, and comparison-shop for deals, they may be able to find the perfect bed for them!
