California King Vs King Size Mattress : What Is the Difference?

California King Vs King Size Mattress : What Is the Difference?

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Last Updated on Feb 20, 2024

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    Who doesn’t want large beds to sprawl on? Especially people with huge families who always love to co-sleep and big beds. That’s where the confusion between California King and King arises. Many people believe that a California King is larger than a regular king mattress. But, that’s not the case. 

    Read further to know what actually is the difference!

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    Difference Between California King vs King Mattress

    The difference between the California King and the regular King is that Cal King mattresses are 4 inches longer and 4 inches smaller widthwise than the standard King beds.

    A Regular King Mattress is 76 inches long and 80 inches wide, whereas the California King Mattress is 84 inches wide and 72 inches long. This article walks you through the exact differences between California king vs king and their pros and cons to decide which one should work best for you.

    California King vs King Mattress Size Comparison Chart

    ParametersCalifornia KingKing
    Length72 inches76 inches
    Width84 inches80 inches
    Surface Area6,048 sq. inches6,080 sq. inches
    Other NamesWestern KingEastern King
    Price$900-$3000$600-$2000
    Occupancy3 people without squishing2 People
    Ideal forTall PeopleCouples
    Room Size13 by 12 feet13 by 13 feet

    What Is a King Size?

    A king-size mattress (sometimes called an Eastern king) is the largest mattress size available in the market in terms of width and surface area. A king-size mattress is virtually the same as two twin-sized combined. It offers a total area of 6080 square inches, slightly more than a California king.

    King-size mattresses are the best choices for couples with average height who seek more personal sleeping space while still being in proximity of their partners. The extra width also makes enough room to accommodate kids who sleep next to their parents or even pets who like to snuggle with their owners. But it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Read further to know-

    Pros

    • Easily accommodates two sleepers plus provides room for children or pets.
    • Suitable for standard-sized bedrooms.
    • Readily available in a split-king form for couples with different mattress-material preferences. 

    Cons

    • Not long enough to accommodate taller folks. 
    • Too wide for limited spaces. 
    • Difficult to move owing to bulky sizes.

    What is a California King Size?

    A California king mattress (sometimes called a Western king) is again one of the largest standard mattress sizes on the market. With a total surface area of 6048 square inches, it offers almost the same space as two twin XL mattresses put together. 

    The extra four inches in length makes the Cal king mattress a perfect option for tall sleepers over 6 feet. Being longer and narrower than a king-size bed, a cal king bed is excellent for narrow bedrooms. However, this size is not recommended for couples who sleep with children since they may feel too cramped due to its lesser width.

    Pros

    • Provides extra legroom for tall sleepers over 6 feet in height. 
    • Great options for couples who like to snuggle and sleep. 
    • Fits in narrower rooms. 

    Cons

    • Difficult to find bedding and accessories. 
    • Not commonly available as split cal king. 
    • Difficult to move due to size and weight. 

    What to Consider When Choosing Between a King or California King Size Mattress?

    When choosing between a king and a California king mattress, there are ample things to consider. Although both these mattresses will add a luxurious touch to your bedroom, there’s much more to it. In addition to understanding the difference between king and California king, you must consider your sleeping environment, budget, and similar things before making your choice.

    Room Dimensions

    king vs california king Room Layout Comparison Illustration

    The dimensions of your room are the first thing to consider when looking for a new mattress. After all, you want to pick a mattress size that comfortably fits inside without being jam-packed in your room. There should be a minimum spacing of 2 feet on the three open sides of your mattress to move around easily or make room for other furnishings.

    For narrow spaces, a cal king may work better, whereas, for more expansive rooms, a king bed may be more appropriate. Master bedrooms with 12 by 10 feet can easily fit in a king-size mattress. However, 13 by 13 feet would leave enough space to walk around the bed. California king beds are ideal for bedrooms measuring around 12 by 12 feet. Although, 12 by 14 feet shall make more room for the extra length.

    Cost

    Even though both king and California king mattresses have a similar price tag, a cal king may generally cost you more than the regular king. It is because it is not as commonly available as the standard king-size. Due to their lesser demands, you will have limited options in terms of bed accessories too for cal kings, which again makes them a more expensive choice. 

    However, both have the highest price on the market owing to their large sizes and the number of materials used. A king mattress will be a more feasible option if you have a tighter budget. 

    Height

    When it comes to the cal king vs king battle, the one thing you cannot compromise with is your height. Because you certainly don't want to hang your feet off the edge of your mattress while sleeping. So, if you're over 6 feet tall, go for a cal king mattress designed to be longer. However, for people under 6 feet, a king-size mattress would provide sufficient space to spread out. 

    Sleeping Partner

    Another thing to consider is your sleeping style and your partner's preferences. If you and your partner tend to snuggle and sleep closer, the Cal king being narrower will serve you the best. Or, if you both like to spread out and prefer a more personal sleeping space, you may opt for the comparatively wider king mattress. The extra width will provide you with much-needed comfort. 

    Mattress Foundation

    Before bringing a new mattress home, taking your mattress foundation into account is an important step. But, your foundation is more concerned with the mattress type you're opting for and not its dimensions. Both kings and cal kings can be used with all bed bases – adjustable base, box springs, foundations, platform beds, etc. You only need to be sure that the base is compatible with your mattress type so that the mattress doesn’t sag over time.

    Our Dream Cloud Mattresses

    Our Dream Cloud mattresses come in all shapes and sizes and do just what they say – offer you the much-loved dreamlike experience and the comfort that takes you on cloud nine. 

    Dreamcloud Hybrid Mattress

    Our Dream Cloud hybrid mattress lets you experience the dreamy mix of memory foam and innerspring coils to provide the coolest sleep and maximum comfort. Dream Cloud hybrid mattresses strive to revamp your sleep quality with a thickness of 14 inches, a 365-night home trial, a lifetime warranty, and a free shipping and return facility. 

    Dreamcloud Premier Mattress 

    With our Dream Cloud Premier Mattress, you get easy access to deeper sleep each night with an aesthetic touch of luxury. These come with a plush cashmere Euro Top, a 14-inch height, an exceptional 6-layer hybrid design, 365-night trial, free shipping and return facility, and a forever warranty to give you the best experience. 

    Dreamcloud Premier Rest Mattress 

    The Dream Cloud Premier Rest Mattress is the plushest member of our Dream Cloud family and the most luxurious option you can go for. With a 16-inch thickness, luxury cashmere-blend cover, 7 layers of premium materials, necessary cushioned support, pressure relief therapy, 365-nights trial, lifetime warranty, and free shipping and return facility, it’s designed to introduce you to the most ethereal nightly routines.

    Conclusion

    Before investing in a mattress for your bedroom, you ought to take notes of all the necessary aspects to ensure you make the right decision. And, choosing the correct size is just something you can't skip. 

    If you're particularly in search of a mattress that fits in a large-sized bed, the two most significant choices you have are the kings and the cal kings. Our king vs California king comparison guide will help you understand the differences between them clearly and know exactly what you need.

    Disclaimer: This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided "as-is", Dreamcloud Sleep and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact support@dreamcloud.com to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.
    {"faq":[{"_id":"9270513","title":"Is a California king bigger than a king?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ENo, a California king mattress isn\u2019t bigger than a king mattress. In fact, it has about 32 square inches less surface than a king mattress.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"2fea0fa","title":"Do king sheets fit a California king bed? ","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EA king-sized sheet is 4 inches shorter and 4 inches wider than a California king bed. Hence, it would not fit and you\u2019ll have to buy one separately.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"d5d758d","title":"Are king-size beds square? ","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EYes, a king-size bed is square in shape. The standard king-size bed either measures 76 by 80 inches or 76 by 60 inches.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"897628e","title":"Why is it called a California king?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EPost World War II, a mattress merchant from Los Angeles was quoted saying that people in California had huge houses and lifestyles and slept in big beds. This made him build a bed that was 6 feet wide and 7 feet long, i.e., 72 inches X 84 inches. This is why it was termed a California bed.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"5eeeba0","title":"What is an Alaskan king bed? ","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EAn Alaskan king bed is the biggest king bed available in the market. It measures 9 feet by 9 feet, i.e., 108 inches X 108 inches. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"aa9606f","title":"How much bigger is a California king than a queen?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EA California big measures 72 by 84 inches. Whereas, a queen bed measures 60 by 80 inches. Therefore, a California bed is bigger than a queen bed by 12 by 4 inches.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"27ebe7a","title":"Can I put a California king mattress on a king frame?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EIf the king bed frame has a headboard with metal rails, it should be able to accommodate a large mattress by replacing the king rails with the California-size rails to extend the frame..\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"06087f1","title":" Is there a bed wider than a king?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EYes, three beds \u2013 Wyoming king, Texas king, and Alaskan king are wider than the standard king bed by 8 to 32 inches. So, if you are looking for more space, you can go with any of 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