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Written by: Derek Hales
Updated On:
When you’re thinking about mattresses, sometimes you want to go big…but how big? In the US mattress market, the two largest standard sizes of mattresses are King and California King.
California King vs. King—what is the difference? The main difference is the size.
King mattresses are 80″ long and 76″ wide and California King mattresses are 84″ long and 72″ wide.
California King mattresses are 4″ longer than a King, but also 4″ less wide.
In This Guide
Is Cal King Bigger than King?Are King beds wider or longer?Can I put a California King mattress on a King frame?Can King sheets fit on a California King?Why is it called a California King?Is a King bed two Twins?Which is better? King or California King?What is the largest bed you can buy?What size bed do most couples have?Is a Queen size bigger than a King?
Is Cal King Bigger Than King?
Surprisingly, no. But it may feel larger to some sleepers. Let’s explain.
The California King is 84″ long and 72″ long, while the standard King mattress is 80″ wide and 76″ wide.
| Mattress | Width | Length | Total Surface Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| King | 76″ | 80″ | 42.2 square feet |
| California King | 72″ | 84″ | 42.0 square feet |
This technically gives King mattresses 0.2 more square feet of total surface area, making it the larger mattress, mathematically speaking.
But when looking at the full range of mattress sizes, California King is usually listed last. Because it’s longer in comparison to the others, many people assume that it is the largest mattress option.
Are King beds wider or longer?
King mattresses are 4″ wider than California King mattresses, which can provide some space between partners or more room for kids or pets to snuggle in bed. But they are 4″ shorter than California King mattresses.
California King mattresses are 4″ longer than King mattresses. As a result, for taller sleepers they may be a better choice. They give up 4″ of width so you will be a little closer to your partner.
Can I put a California King mattress on a King frame?
Generally speaking, I would not recommend putting a California King mattress on a standard King bed frame. With open frames, like a platform bed frame or metal slat, there’s technically no reason why you couldn’t, but that doesn’t make it ideal.
When a California King mattress is on a standard King bed frame, there will be a 2″ overhang on the left and right side of the mattress where the frame extends beyond the mattress.
While this does adequately support the mattress, it’s less than ideal from an aesthetic standpoint.
Also, the California King mattress is 4″ longer than King so there will be a 2″ area at the head and foot of the bed where the mattress is unsupported.
Can King sheets fit on a California King?
No, sheets made for a standard King mattress will generally not fit on a California King mattress. The California King mattress is 4″ narrower than King and also 4″ longer.
If you can force the sheets on, it’s likely that they won’t fit quite right and may wrinkle or stretch in strange places.
Another thing to consider when buying sheets for King and California King mattresses is the mattress thickness. Some sheets are sold with “deep pockets”. Deeper pockets can accommodate thicker mattresses and help prevent the corners from snapping off.
Why is it called a California King?
The California King was born in the heart of the Golden State itself, Los Angelos, California. In 1960, after World War II, a mattress manufacturer began to question the mattress sizes.
There were two arguments made for the introduction of the California King.
- Californians had big enough houses and lifestyles to support the need for larger mattresses.
- California had a larger percentage of tall, slender people (namely celebrities and athletes) so this size made more sense for them.
The California King was built 72″ wide and 84″ long… that’s 4″ narrower than the standard King and also 4″ longer.
Is a King bed two twins?
No, it takes two Twin XL mattresses to equal the size of a King mattress. Two twin mattresses would be the correct width, but 5″ shorter than the King’s length.
Which is better: King or California King?
The answer to this question depends a lot on what you’re looking for in a mattress, as well as where you’re going to put it.
Some of the most important factors to consider when deciding between King and California King are:
- Room Size: A California King mattress will need a longer room to accommodate the extra length while a standard King mattress will need a wider room.
You can see in the example above how each size of mattress looks in a standard 12’x12′ room size.
- Budget: Often times California King mattresses are costlier than standard King mattresses. Not only are the mattresses more expensive, but the bedding can be expensive as well. If you’re worried about the bottom line, consider opting for a King size mattress (or even Queen for more savings!)
- Who’s In Bed: California King mattresses can be excellent for taller sleepers since they have the extra length. The benefit of a standard King mattress is that it’s a bit wider. That extra width is nice for side sleepers (who may need more space than stomach or back sleepers) as well as people who sleep with children or pets.
California King Mattresses
Best For
- Larger bedrooms that can accommodate the longer length
- Tall sleepers over 6′-0″
Considerations
- Mattress surface is 4″ narrower than King mattresses
- Tends to be costlier for both bedding and the actual mattress (compared to King)
King Mattresses
Best For
- Sleepers who want a wider sleeping surface, especially for pets or kids
- More economical price compared to California King
- Shorter length may fit better in some bedrooms
Considerations
- Taller sleepers, especially those over 6′, may find it’s not quite long enough
- Since it’s 4″ wider than a Cal King, if you have a more narrow room, you may find the fit to be a bit tighter
What is the largest bed you can buy?
The largest mattress you can buy is a collection of specialized King mattresses named after the states they were developed in. Much like the California King, there are also three other popular state-based mattresses.
| Mattress | Width | Length | Surface Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska King | 108″ | 108″ | 81 square feet |
| Wyoming King | 84″ | 84″ | 49 square feet |
| Texas King | 80″ | 98″ | 54.4 square feet |
Among these, the Alaska King is the largest mattress available, significantly larger than both the standard King as well as the California King.
What size bed do most couples have?
Most couples have a Queen-sized mattress. If you’re looking for more sleeping area, the King would be the next most popular.
For sleepers in a pinch on space and looking to save room, you can also consider a Full mattress, but it may be a little tight for two adults.
Is a Queen size bigger than a King?
No, a queen mattress is 16″ narrower than the King mattress.
- Queen mattress: 60″W x 80″L
- King mattress: 76″W x 80″L
Strictly looking at the surface area, here is how the numbers compare:
- Queen mattress: 33.3 square feet
- King mattress: 42.2 square feet
About Derek Hales
Derek Halesis the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab.com. He has been featured inFast Company,Reader's Digest,Business Insider,Realtor.com, Huffington Post, Washington Post, AskMen, andShe Knows. Derek has personally tested over 320+ mattresses and hundreds of pillows, sheets, beds, and other sleep products.
rEAD mORE
9.95 Best Score (Winkbed & Saatva Classic)
8.53 Worst Score (Sealy Cocoon Chill)
For more information see our testing and scoring system explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-cooling', {content: 'Mattress materials and design can impact how cool or hot a mattress sleeps. Our cooling score is a subjective assessment based on materials, design, sinkage, and objective temperture data.Cooling Score Summary
9.38 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (24 mattresses)
8.0 Worst Score (3 mattresses)
For more information see our cooling score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-sinkage', {content: 'Sinkage is the level to which sleepers will sink into the layers of the mattress. To test sinkage we use a 12 pound medicine ball to objectively measure the depth to which that ball sinks. This is representative of pressure point sinkage.Sinkage Data Summary
2.16" Average Sinkage (200+ mattresses tested)
3.20" Most Sinkage (Awara Premier)
1.05" Least Sinkage (Plank Firm) For more information see our sinkage score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-motion-transfer', {content: 'Motion transfer is the level of motion felt by other sleepers when their sleep partners move, change position, or get in / out of bed. Our motion transfer score is an objective measure based on our accelerometer tests. We drop a 12 pound medicine ball on one side of the mattress and place an accelerometer on the other side. Acceleration is measured in meters per second squared (m/s^2). If an object (in this case our accelerometer) accelerates in 5 m/s^2 that means the speed is increasing by 5 meters every second.
Motion Transfer Score Summary
9.0 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (52 mattresses)
6.5 Worst Score (Naturepedic Chorus)
For more information see our motion transfer score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-ease-of-movement', {content: 'How quickly a mattress responds to sleeper movements impacts how easy or difficult it may be to change positions, move around, and get up from the mattress. Our resposne score is an objective measure based on mattress response time (aka responsiveness). Response time is how long the mattress is able to respond to movements and adjust back to its original shape.Response Score Summary
9.9 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (172 mattresses)
5.5 Worst Score (Dreamcloud)
For more information see our ease of movement score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-bounce', {content: 'Our bounce test is an objective measurement based on the level of bounce achieved by dropping a 12 pound medicine ball on the mattress.Bounce Data Summary
9.66" Average Bounce (200+ mattresses tested)
17.15" Most Bounce (Helix Moonlight)
3.34" Least Bounce (Tempur Cloud)
For more information see our bounce score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-edge-support', {content: 'Edge support is the amount of support provided by the edge of the mattress when sitting or lying directly on it. We measure edge support by sitting directly on the edge and taking an objective measurement of compression.
Edge Support Score Summary
9.5 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (42 mattresses)
7.6 Worst Score (Purple)
For more information see our edge support score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-sex', {content: 'Our sex score is based on 5 factors including: sex bounce, edge support, noise, cooling, and pressure relief. Those 5 factors are weighted based on their relative importance.Sex Score Summary
9.6 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (10 mattresses)
8.8 Worst Score (Tempur Cloud)
For more information see our sex score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-pressure-relief', {content: 'Mattresses with thin comfort layers, poor materials, poor material design, and other factors may create pressure points for some sleepers. Our pressure relief score is a subjective assessment of multiple factors.Pressure Relief Score Summary
9.4 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (44 mattresses)
7.0 Worst Score (Sealy Posturepedic Carver)
For more information see our pressure relief score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-off-gassing', {content: 'New mattresses, especially foam mattresses, may release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for a period of time. This off-gassing can create a strong smell that lingers for a few hours or for many weeks. Our off-gassing score is a subjective measure of the duration of the off-gassing period.Off-Gassing Score Summary
9.6 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (16 mattresses)
6.7 Worst Score (Sealy Cocoon Chill)
For more information see our off-gassing score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-company', {content: 'Our company score is based on 4 factors including: trial period, warranty, returns, and shipping. Each score is an objective assessment based on clear guidelines.Company Score Summary
9.7 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
10 Best Score (46 mattresses)
8.3 Worst Score (Ashley)
For more information see our company score explanation here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-performance-tests', {content: 'Our performance tests look at 10 unique factors. These factors are a blend of objective testing data and subjective expert analysis. For more information see our performance tests explanation here. Most testing factors are color coded (green = good, yellow = okay, red = bad). However, sinkage and bounce are not color coded, despite being testing factors. These factors are not color coded because sinkage and bounce are preference based.Overall Score Summary
9.49 Average Score (200+ mattresses tested)
9.95 Best Score (Winkbed & Saatva Classic)
8.53 Worst Score (Sealy Cocoon Chill)
',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-firmness', {content: 'Firmness is rated on a 1-10 scale where 10 is the most firm. Most sleepers prefer a medium to medium firm feel in the 5-7 range. Our firmness rating is a subjective assessment. For help in choosing the right firmness for you please visit our mattress firmness guide.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-support', {content: 'Mattress type, materials, firmness, and sleeper weight impact how a mattress will support you and the sleeping positions that are best suited for that mattress. Our support rating analyzes mattress firmness alongside body weight and sleeping positions to help ensure you select the mattress that best meets your needs.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-types', {content: 'Different mattress types have different feels. The materials used within the mattress and the mattress design can dramatically alter how a mattress feels. Your preferences and needs may make one or more types better suited to your needs. Our mattress types guide explains the major types in-depth and can help guide you to the mattress type that is best for you.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-best-for', {content: 'Our best for selections are a combination of the mattresses that earned spots on one or more of our best mattress lists and or mattresses that earned 10 out of 10 points in a specific scoring category (ex. 44 mattresses earned a 10/10 for pressure relief). You can learn how we test and score mattresses here.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-prices', {content: 'Prices are accurate as of the most recent page update. Prices include any relevant promotions, sales, and discounts at the time of update. All mattress pricing listed in USD, except for mattresses exclusively available in a non-US country, in which case prices are listed in the respective local currency of that country.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-body-contour', {content: 'Body contour is how the mattress hugs and wraps around the body. Mattresses that create a slight body contour don’t have a significant hug and float sleepers more on top of the mattresses. Mattresses with a dramatic body contour create a more significant hugging sensation and wrap around the exact shape of the body. Mattresses with a balanced body contour create more of an even and less polarizing feel.',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-sinkage', {content: 'Sinkage is how deeply the body sinks into the mattress when you’re lying down. More / less sinkage is neither good nor bad. However, it will create a more specific feel. Mattresses with more sinkage generally have a more dramatic body contour. Mattresses with less sinkage generally have only a slight level of body contour.Sinkage Data Summary
2.16" Average Sinkage (200+ mattresses tested)
3.20" Most Sinkage (Awara Premier)
1.05" Least Sinkage (Plank Firm)',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });tippy('#tooltip-mattress-bounce', {content: 'Bounce is tested by dropping a 12 pound medicine ball onto the mattress. The bounce height is determined by how far the ball sinks down and rebounds back up. High / low bounce is neither good nor bad, but subject to personal preferences. However, most sleepers prefer a bounce in the moderate to high range, as it improves sex and makes it easier to move around on the mattress.
Bounce Data Summary
9.66" Average Bounce (200+ mattresses tested)
17.15" Most Bounce (Helix Moonlight)
3.34" Least Bounce (Tempur Cloud)',interactive: true,interactiveBorder: 30,allowHTML: true, });
