California King vs King (Mattress Size Differences)
These options cater to different sleepers and accommodate various room sizes. Twins, Twin XLs, Fulls, Queens, Kings, and California Kings exist. Other, more custom options can be purchased (like an Alaskan King), but these are the common ones that can be found in stores. Each of these mattress sizes comes with its own associated cost and available products such as bed frames, sheets, and box springs.
Standard King-sized mattresses are sometimes known as Eastern Kings, while California King mattresses are known as Western Kings. Here, we will refer to them as only California and Standard King. California King Mattresses are commonly assumed to be larger than the standard king, but they are a little smaller and are easier to place into smaller areas. However, their height can be an advantage for taller individuals who need more room for their head and feet.
Differences Between a King and a California King
Most people assume the California king is the bigger bed, it isn’t. It trades four inches of width for four inches of length, which makes it the better pick for tall sleepers and the worse pick for couples who like room to sprawl. Here’s how the two compare, line by line.
Short answer: Over 6 feet tall? Go with a California king. Sharing the bed with a partner, kids, or a dog that thinks it’s a partner, go with a standard king.
| Feature | Standard King | California King |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. That’s 6 feet 4 inches across. | 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. Narrower, but a full 7 feet end to end. |
| Surface area | ✓ 6,080 square inches. The largest standard mattress you can buy. | ✗ 6,048 square inches. Yes, it’s actually 32 square inches smaller. |
| Best for | ✓ Couples who spread out, plus kids and pets who wander in at 2am. | ✓ Anyone over 6 feet tall who’s tired of their feet hanging off the end. |
| Room shape | Wants a wide room. Leave 2 feet of walking space on both sides and you’re looking at 12 feet of wall, minimum. | ✓ Fits long, narrow rooms better. Those 4 inches of width back matter more than you’d think. |
| Price | ✓ Roughly $800 to $3,000, so there’s a version at almost every budget. | ✗ Usually $1,200 to $1,600, with fewer budget options to choose from. |
| Sheets and bedding | ✓ Every store carries it. Sales are easy to find. | ✗ Fewer patterns, higher prices, and often an online order. King sheets will not fit. |
| Frames and accessories | ✓ Widest selection of frames, headboards, and adjustable bases. | ✗ Often a special order, which means waiting and paying more. |
| Getting it upstairs | Wide, but box springs usually come in two halves, which helps on tight stairs. | That extra length is awkward in stairwells and doorways. Measure the turn before you buy. |
| Resale and rentals | ✓ Easier to sell or move to a new house since most master bedrooms fit one. | ✗ A smaller pool of buyers, and it won’t fit every room you move into. |
Height decides this one more than anything else. If nobody in the bed is pushing 6 feet, the standard king wins on price, availability, and the sheer amount of usable space. Measure your room’s narrow wall before you commit either way. A bed that technically fits and a bed you can walk around are two very different things.
California King Mattress: A California King sized mattress is the second largest mattress on the market, only falling below the king by 32 square inches of surface area. The highlight of the California King is that the mattress has a longer length, allowing extra foot room for those individuals over the 6 foot range.
California Kings are a little more specially made though, so may not be available in the stores, and accessories for the mattress (like bed frames, or sheets) may be more difficult to find.
King Mattress: A king sized mattress is a mattress that is the equivalent of two Twin XL mattresses put together. The 80 inches of length gives room for individuals up to about 6 feet tall. Its width also provides ample space on both sides, making it a perfect option for couples.
The width of the king-sized mattress is the largest standard size mattress available, as well as the largest surface area. This gives rooms for couples to spread out and have more room to sleep. This also leaves a little bit of room if a child or animal likes to climb into bed as well.
Being the largest mattress available it is important to make sure there is space in the room for the mattress to go, as well as room to get it into the space.
Mattress Size
King Dimensions: A king-sized mattress takes the width of a queen mattress and adds a large 16 inches to it, making room for an additional person for sure. As for the length it sticks with the standard if the Twin XL mattresses and the queen mattresses. This brings the overall mattress size to 76 inches wide by 80 inches deep.
California king dimensions: The dimensions of a California King is just a little different than the regular king-size mattress. The California King sized mattress actually has a 4 inch difference that it takes from the width of the king mattress and puts it on the length to add extra room for taller folks. This brings the California King sized mattress to a size of 72 inches wide by 84 inches long.
According to Nectar Sleep, taller individuals may discover that standard mattress sizes do not provide sufficient length, making the California king bed an ideal option. This larger mattress is well-suited for rooms that are longer but narrower in shape. However, it’s important to ensure there is adequate extra space on the sides of the room to accommodate the increased dimensions of a California king bed.
Mattress Surface Areas
The biggest difference between the king-sized mattress and the California king is 32 square inches or surface area. While this doesn’t seem like much, it can change how much space is needed in the room for the bed to fit properly, and how many people can fit comfortably.
King surface area = 76 X 80 = 6080 sq. in. This surface area is a little larger and offers more width for couple to spread out or add others to the bed.
California king surface area = 72 X 84 = 6048 sq. in. This surface area is a little smaller than the standard king size (which surprises many) but offers more room for longer people to straighten out while sleeping.
Room Size
Both mattress sizes can provide comfort depending on individual preference and room dimensions. The cost and availability of materials and related products will also influence your choice between these two options. When it comes to King-sized mattresses and California king-sized mattresses, the biggest struggle is going to be making sure they fit into the desired space.
It is important to allow at least 2 feet of space on each side of the bed that is not fully against the wall. Don’t forget to consider the space needed for high-quality pillows made of materials like cotton to provide the support and comfort you deserve.
This not only saves room for someone to get in and out of the bed from either side but also leaves room for nightstands or other items placed at the end of the bed. California and king-sized beds are meant more for master bedrooms than guest rooms, apartments, or shared rooms.
The choice of fabric and material used for the bedding can greatly impact the overall feel of the room and how well it accommodates different body types, such as side sleepers.
In rooms with less space, it is better to choose the California King sized mattress as it is a little smaller and can easier fit into a room that is a little snug.- interior designer Savannah Phillips.
In even more limited areas, you can choose a queen or full, that can still accommodate two smaller people, or one individual. Read more about king bedroom layout ideas here.
California King vs King Price
California King Mattresses tend to run from about $1200 to $1600 according to Cnet depending on the level of comfort you are looking for. The comfort and style of the bed is going to shape the price versus the size in most cases. California-King Mattresses are going to be a little more expensive than the regular king’s size as they are a little more special request and not often in stores.
Additionally, California-King Mattress accessories are also a bit more expensive than your standard size bed accessories. This can be bed frames, sheets, comforters etc. This can also make it more difficult to get the styles or colors you want.
Standard King Mattresses tend to run from about $800 on up to $3000 according to Purple and depending on the level of comfort you are looking for. Just like in the cases of the California King the comfort and style of the bed is going to shape the price versus the size. These are available in firm, soft, tempurpedic, memory foam, and even up and down adjustable as desired.
Which is better King or California-king?
Deciding which is better, a California King mattress or a standard king size mattress, depends on the individual’s needs. There are better things for each size, which are described below.
California King Mattresses are best for taller people or people with a little tighter of a space who still want a larger mattress. Individuals over the 6 foot mark are way more likely to find a California King mattress to avoid feet dangling off the end.
A king-sized mattress is better for couples who would like more room to spread out or have children or pets that like to climb into bed. This is only better if the room is wide enough to accommodate the entire bed with room on all ends.
Q & A
Do California-king sheets fit king size bed?
Unfortunately, the sheets from a California King do not fit on a King-sized mattress or on a California King-sized bed. The shapes of each mattress prohibit the fitted sheets, in particular, from fitting correctly, and the other sheets and comforters will look odd, fall off some edges, and be too short on others.
Occasionally, buying stretchy or oversized bedding could fit one or both of these mattresses, but that is taking a risk. The shape of the mattresses is just too different.
Who is the California-king bed made for?
California-Kings mattresses are particularly made for people over 6 feet tall. The extra 4 inches that are added to the end of the mattress to prevent people feet from falling off the edge.
For more related information, visit our bed design styles article.
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