Mattresses

Published March 16, 2022

12 min

California King vs King: What Is the Difference?

Nectar Editorial Team

Table of contents

California King vs King Mattress ComparisonWhat is a King Size Mattress?What is a California King Size?Differences Between King and California King Mattresses:What to Consider When Choosing Between a King or California King Size MattressKings and California King Mattresses from NectarConclusionFrequently Asked Questions

It goes without saying that mattress shopping is often overwhelming. With seemingly endless different technologies and features to take into consideration, the concept of making the “right” mattress choice can feel entirely out of reach. And while there are plenty of these aspects to decipher – like Hybrid vs. Memory Foam or Firm vs. Extra Firm, we’re here to talk sizes: specifically, the difference between king and California king mattresses.

California King vs King Mattress Comparison

A California king bed is 4 inches longer but 4 inches narrower than a King bed, and is typically preferred by people taller than 6 ft. California King measures 72 inches wide and 84 inches long, whereas the standard King is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, making it perfect for a couple.

What is a King Size Mattress?

The largest of the common mattress sizes you can find on the market, the king size measures 76” x 80” – the same size as two twin XL mattresses stuck together. Also known as an Eastern king, it is perfect for large rooms, couples who love their space, or co-sleeping families.

What is a California King Size?

California kings are slightly more niche than their Eastern counterparts, with unique proportions that are ideal for taller individuals who feel a little cramped in standard kings. While they have gained popularity in recent years, California king mattresses and California king furniture can be a little harder to find. Fun fact: California kings are named after the state of California, as they were invented by a mattress maker in Los Angeles in the 1960s and widely popular with celebrities at that time.

Differences Between King and California King Mattresses:

We know this can feel a bit confusing – let’s break it down in an easy-to-read chart.

	King	California King
Length	80" / 203 cm	84" / 213 cm
Width	76" / 193 cm	72" / 183 cm
Surface area	6080 sq in / 3.92 sq m	6048 sq in / 3.9 sq m
Fitted sheet size (recommended)	80" x 76" 203 cm x 193 cm	84" x 72" 213 cm x 183 cm
Flat sheet size (recommended)	102" x 112" 259 cm x 284 cm	102" x 112" 259 cm x 284 cm
Duvet size (recommended)	96" x 109" 243 cm x 277 cm	96" x 109" 243 cm x 277 cm
Minimum room size	12′ x 12′ / 3.7 m x 3.7 m	12′ x 12′ / 3.7 m x 3.7 m
Price range	$1,000 - $2,000	$1,900 - $2,600
Ideal for	Couples, couples with co-sleeping children, sleepers under 6′2″	Tall sleepers (over 6′2″), couples with pets who sleep at the foot of the bed
Also known as	Eastern king	Western king

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

As always, there are plenty of aspects to consider when choosing between a king or a California king size mattress. Though they can look quite similar from afar, there are key factors that differentiate between them.

Room Dimensions

Both king and California king mattresses require a larger-sized room to avoid feeling cramped – best practices recommend at least a 12’x12’ room that allows enough space to comfortably move around. However, if your bedroom is a little longer than it is wide, a California king may better fit within the dimensions.

Height

As we mentioned before, California kings are especially suited to taller individuals who aren’t quite comfortable in standard king-sized beds. If you or your partner are over 6’2”, a California king may be exactly what you’ve been looking for!

Sleeping Position

It’s important to note that, though the California king is widely recommended for those over 6’2”, this may not always be the case. Tall individuals who sleep on their side may not have issues with a king size bed, as their bent legs help them fit comfortably on the shorter mattress. If you are above 6’2” and sleep on your back or your stomach – with your legs straight – consider a California king for extra comfort.

Sleeping Arrangements

Though the king mattress is only 4” wider than a California king, those extra inches can make a world of a difference for couples who like to spread out or toss and turn throughout the night. This width can also make a difference for families who like to sleep together, whether they’re adding young children or beloved pets.

Accessibility

A king is considered an extremely common size, meaning it will be easy to find bed frames, bedding, duvet covers and other accessories that will fit seamlessly with your mattress. If you opt for a California king, you may have more limited options when it comes to your bedroom decor. It is also slightly more difficult to find a California king mattress – so if you have a specific brand or style in mind, you may need to take that into consideration. (Worry not – all Nectar mattresses come in both king and California king sizes!)

Cost

If budget is a primary concern for you throughout your mattress search, take into consideration that a California king mattress is often more expensive than a king mattress is. With kings priced between $1,000 and $2,000 and California kings priced between $1,900 and $2,600, on average, there’s no question that a king size is the more budget-friendly option. Keep in mind that this is likely the case across all accessories as well – since it is a bit harder to find bed frames and bedding for California king mattresses, you can expect a slight markup across all California king accessories.

Comparing Considerations When Purchasing a King or California King

	King	California King
Room Dimensions	12′ x 12′	12′ x 12′
Height	Ideal for those under 6′2″	Ideal for those over 6′2″
Sleeping Position	Great for all sleeping positions for those under 6′2″, side sleepers over 6′2″	Great for all sleeping positions regardless of height, especially for back or stomach sleepers over 6′2″
Sleeping Arrangements	Couples who like to spread out, or with co-sleeping children	Couples who like to sleep close, or with pets who sleep at the foot of the bed
Accessibility	Easy to find bed frames, bedding, duvet covers, and other accessories	Harder to find both mattresses and accessories
Cost	$1,000 - $2,000	$1,900 - $2,600

Kings and California King Mattresses from Nectar

Unlike other mattress brands, Nectar offers both California king and king sizesacross all of their mattress options. With both memory foam and hybrid mattresses and a variety of different features, it has never been easier to find the mattress that’s right for you. Enjoy supreme cooling, contouring, and support, all at prices that are consistently lower than competitors. Best of all? At Nectar, there’s no price difference between a King and California king.

Conclusion

While there are many factors to consider when choosing between California king and standard king mattress sizes, they aren’t as different as you may have thought! The only real difference between the two is their proportions, with the California king being 4” narrower and 4” longer than a standard king. As you make your decision, keep in mind your bedroom size, height, your family’s sleeping habits, and budget. We hope you come back to this guide for clarity as you carry on with your search. Good luck, and sweet dreams!This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a California king bigger than a king? No, a king-size bed has about 32 inches more surface area than a California bed. So, even if the name “California” gives you a feeling of being larger, it’s not. Do king sheets fit a California king bed? No, a king-size sheet won’t fit a California bed as the length and width of the two differ. Hence, you’ll have to buy a sheet for your California bed separately. Are king-size beds square? The standard size for a king-size bed is 76 by 80 inches. Hence, it is square in shape. Why is it called a California king? After World War II, a mattress merchant from Los Angeles said that Californians had big houses and lifestyles and slept in big beds. So, he decided to build a bed that was 6 feet wide and 7 feet long, i.e., 72 inches by 84 inches. This was called a California bed. What is an Alaskan king bed? An Alaskan king bed is the most giant king bed available out there. It measures 9 feet by 9 feet, i.e., 108 inches by 108 inches. Thus, it is even bigger than a California bed, which is usually purchased as a bed frame. How much bigger is a California king than a queen? A queen-size bed measures 60 by 80 inches. Whereas a California king-size bed is about 72 by 84 inches. Not just this, a Cal king and a queen has various other differences that might confuse you. Hence, read our comparison on the same to make a wise choice Can I put a California king mattress on a king frame? If your king bed frame has a headboard with metal rails, it can accommodate large mattresses by replacing the king rails with California size rails to extend the frame. Is there a bed wider than a king? The Wyoming king, Texas king, and Alaskan king are the three biggest king-size beds. If you enjoy sleeping in more space, these are perfect for you. They are about 8 to 32 inches wider than Eastern king-sized beds.