Best mattress for tall people: beds long enough for 6 feet and up

Hi, we’re John and Mimi. If your feet hang off the end of the bed, or you sleep diagonally to fit, the fix is usually length, not a new feel. Here’s how long each bed size really is, when a California king is worth it, and every 84-inch mattress, adjustable base, frame and sheet set we sell, at today’s prices.

The short answer

• Get an 80" or longer bed if you’re around 6 feet or taller. Twin XL, queen and king are 80" long; a twin and a full are only 75".
• Get a California king (84") if 80" still feels short, your feet touch the footboard, or you like to stretch out with the pillow pushed up high. It’s the longest standard size.
• Sleeping alone in a small room? A Twin XL gives you the same 80" as a queen in much less floor space; see Twin XL vs full.
• Our lowest cal king mattress today: 8" Daisy at $399, with free shipping. Almost every mattress we sell comes in cal king (full list below).
• Want an adjustable bed? Several of our bases come as a split cal king (two 36" × 84" halves) or a one-piece cal king, so you keep the extra length.

How long is each bed size?

A simple way to check: lie on your current bed with your pillow where you like it. If your feet reach the end, or past it, you’ll be happier with more length. The pillow takes up the top few inches, so a bed needs to be a good bit longer than you are. The full chart is in our mattress sizes and dimensions guide.

Queen, king or cal king for a tall person?

• Queen (60" × 80") if you’re tall but 80" is enough, or the room is average size. It’s the easiest size to find sheets and frames for.
• King (76" × 80") if you share the bed and width matters more than length.
• Cal king (72" × 84") if one of you is tall enough that 80" feels short, or the room is long and narrow. It is not bigger overall, just a longer, slightly narrower shape. Our king vs California king guide compares the two side by side.

Before you order a cal king, measure the room and the doorways, and check that your frame or headboard is cal king size; a king frame won’t fit it.

Every California king mattress we sell, at today’s prices

Cheapest cal king first. King and queen prices are there so you can see what the extra length costs (a dash means that size is sold out today).

Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free shipping included.

Picking the feel when you’re tall

Height on its own doesn’t change which feel is right; your sleep position and your weight matter more. A few pointers:

• Tall and on the heavier side? Look at thicker, firmer or hybrid builds; our best mattress for heavy people guide goes through them.
• Tall and slim? A medium or softer feel usually lets shoulders and hips sink in enough; see the firmness guide.
• Side sleepers with broad shoulders often do better with a softer top and a taller pillow; see best mattress for side sleepers and how to choose a pillow.
• Not sure between foam and coils? Memory foam vs hybrid explains the difference.

Adjustable bases in California king

You don’t have to give up length to get an adjustable bed. A split cal king is two 36" × 84" bases side by side, so each person raises their own side; a one-piece cal king base moves as one. These come in a cal king size today:

A split cal king base takes two 36" × 84" mattress halves, so choose the split cal king mattress size when you order (not every mattress offers it; ask John if you’re unsure). More on how split beds work in our split king adjustable base guide, and on choosing a base in how to choose an adjustable base.

Frames, foundations and sheets in cal king

• Express Mattress Foundation with 6" Grey Wood-Style Legs: cal king $339 today.
• Madison Upholstered Bed Frame: cal king $639 today.
• Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Luxury Sheet Set: cal king $89 today. Regular king sheets are 80" long and won’t stay on an 84" mattress, so buy cal king sheets.
• Terry Cloth Mattress Protector: cal king $36 today; see do you need a mattress protector.

Bed height matters too

Taller people often find a low bed awkward to get in and out of. The finished height is the frame or base plus the mattress, so a thicker mattress or taller legs raise it. Our how thick should a mattress be guide covers mattress height, and aging in place talks through bed height for easier getting up.

10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV

Our best-value everyday memory foam, and one of our lowest-priced cal kings.

• 2" gel air memory foam over support foam
• Comes in cal king and split cal king
• Machine-washable zip-off cover

From $279 (Twin) · Queen $399 · See sizes & details

10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium Soy Foam & Pocket Coil Mattress - Medium Firm

Prefer coils? A medium-firm hybrid with soy-based foam over pocketed coils, also made in cal king.

• Pocketed coil support
• Medium-firm feel
• Free shipping

From $499 (Twin XL) · Queen $699 · See sizes & details

Questions we hear a lot

Still deciding? Just ask us

Tell John how tall you are (and whoever shares the bed), the size of the room and your budget, and he’ll tell you honestly whether a queen is enough or a cal king is worth it. Text or call 818-924-3744, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, take the 60-second mattress quiz, or start with our how to choose a mattress checklist. See our Purchase Policy & Warranty for the details.

Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Bed sizes are standard dimensions; features are as described in each product listing; prices are read live from our catalog and update automatically.