King Size VS California King Size Mattress Dimensions
February 03, 2023
Author: Lisah
King size mattresses and California king sized mattresses are a great solution for the master bedroom, as the extra room can create a more luxurious sleep experience for more than one sleeper. And if you are a couple, who have different comfort preferences, but don’t want to spend the money it costs to purchase a bed that adjusts to your comfort, you can choose to use two Twin XL mattresses in place of one king. This way each sleeper has a mattress to meet their specific comfort needs without breaking the bank.
Many people wonder, “How big is a cal king bed vs a king bed?” and “What is the difference between a California king and king sized mattress?”. So, let’s get into the nitty gritty of size first. The measurements of a regular king are approximately 76 inches in width and 80 inches in length. The measurements of a California king are a bit longer and not as wide, the dimensions are approximately 72 inches wide by 84 inches long.
- King Size Mattress Dimensions: 76″ Wide x 80″ Long
- California King Size Mattress Dimensions: 72″ Wide x 84″ Long
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of why you would choose one over the other. First, the Cal king is the longest mattress available while the regular king is the widest mattress available in the industry. A California King is great for taller people (especially people over 6’2”), fits better within a narrower, longer room, but accessories like sheets and comforters are harder to find. A regular king is great for more than one person, it was designed to fit two or more (you know like your little ones and/or fur babies that climb in bed with you) sleepers perfectly. It fits within a wider, shorter room better and has accessories available everywhere. A king is definitely a more commonly bought bed size.
You can use the table and image below to compare all standard mattress sizes, remember every mattress can vary by =/- 1/2″.
Serta produces a wide variety of king-sized beds featuring both innerspring and all-foam support systems. A Serta king measures around 76″ x 79.5″. These measurements can vary by +/- 1/2″. Size availability varies by product and retailer. A cal king measures around 72” x 83.5”. Mattress heights vary by product, so please see your local retailer or read the information listed on our websites specific model.
Now that you know the nitty gritty on California king vs king we recommend you weigh out the pros and cons of each size and make your decision based on what best suits you, your partner, and your living space. We offer many different king and cal king models, check out our online models here or find one of our in-store retailers here.
Width x Length |
Standard Size |
38″ x 74.5″ |
Twin |
38″ x 79.5″ |
Twin XL |
53″ x 74.5″ |
Full |
60″ x 79.5″ |
Queen |
76″ x 79.5″ |
King |
72″ x 83.5″ |
California King |
National Sleep Foundation’s logo, name, materials and/or insights used under license from NSF in exchange for Serta’s financial support of NSF’s sleep research and educational activities.
The Consumer’s Digest Best Buy seal, editorial review text, references to the editorial review, and Consumer’s Digest Best Buy rating are registered certification marks and trademarks of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC used under paid license. For award information, visit www.consumersdigest.com.