King vs California king: which one fits you?
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. A lot of people assume a California king is the biggest bed you can buy. It isn’t. A king and a cal king have almost the same sleeping area; they’re just different shapes. Here’s a plain comparison, who each one suits, what it means for an adjustable base, and our mattresses in both sizes at today’s prices: same factory models, lower price than other online retailers.
The short answer
- King is 76" × 80". Wider, the usual pick for couples who want the most room side to side, or kids and pets in the bed.
- California king is 72" × 84". 4" narrower and 4" longer, for tall sleepers and longer, narrower rooms.
- Pick a king if width matters more, both of you are under about 6'2", or your room is closer to square.
- Pick a cal king if one of you is tall, your feet hang off an 80" bed, or the room is long and narrow.
- On our site, most mattresses cost the same in king and cal king, so choose by fit, not price.
King vs cal king dimensions
| Size | Inches (W × L) | Feet | Width per person (couple) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King | 76" × 80" | 6'4" × 6'8" | About 38" each | Couples who want width, kids or pets in the bed |
| California king | 72" × 84" | 6' × 7' | About 36" each | Tall sleepers, long and narrow rooms |
| Split king | Two 38" × 80" | 6'4" × 6'8" together | 38" each, separate halves | Couples on an adjustable base |
| Split cal king | Two 36" × 84" | 6' × 7' together | 36" each, separate halves | Tall couples on an adjustable base |
A king has 6,080 square inches of sleeping surface and a cal king has 6,048, a difference of less than one percent. Full size chart for twin through California king: mattress sizes and dimensions.
Who should get a California king?
The extra 4 inches of length is the whole point. Once a pillow takes up the top of the bed, an 80" mattress leaves a 6'2" or taller sleeper with feet at the edge. A cal king’s 84" length fixes that. It also fits better in a bedroom that is long and narrow, since it gives up 4 inches of width. If neither of you is tall, a standard king usually feels roomier, because width is what couples notice most.
Who should get a king?
A king gives each person about 38 inches, the same as a Twin XL, so it’s like two Twin XL beds pushed together. That’s why it’s the favorite for couples, light sleepers who don’t want to feel a partner move, and anyone sharing the bed with a kid or a dog. Still choosing between a queen and a king? See our queen vs king guide.
Will it fit your room?
Plan for about 2 feet of walking space on each side and at the foot of the bed, plus nightstands. As a rough rule, both sizes want a bedroom of at least about 12' × 12'. A cal king can work in a slightly narrower room, but it needs a little more length. Every bed we sell ships brand new and factory-sealed in a box, so it fits through doorways and up stairs easily.
Sheets, frames and headboards don’t swap
King and cal king are different shapes, so sheets, mattress protectors, bed frames and headboards are made for one or the other. A king fitted sheet will be loose on the sides and short at the ends on a cal king. Before you buy, check what size your frame and headboard are; the mattress should match.
Adjustable bases: split king vs split cal king
Adjustable bases for couples come in two halves so each side moves on its own. A split king is two Twin XL size bases (38" × 80" each). A split cal king is two 36" × 84" halves, the same footprint as a cal king, so tall couples keep the extra length. Each half takes its own mattress. More on how it works in our split king guide.
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Split king | Split cal king |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e3 (SBKD3) | Head and foot lift, zero gravity, memory presets | SBKD3-EKS |
$949 | $949 |
| e4 Premium | Adds massage, USB and under-bed light | SBKDP2-EKS-SET |
$1,229 | $1,229 |
| Glide | Glides toward the wall so nightstands stay in reach | SBKDG2-EKS-SET |
$1,359 | $1,359 |
| e7 Lumbar | Adds lumbar support for lower backs | SBKDL2-EKS-SET |
$1,573 | $1,573 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
King vs cal king mattress prices today
Popular mattresses in king and California king, at today’s prices:
| Pick | Best for | Model code | King | Cal king |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" Daisy Firm | Firm budget pick for guest rooms and stomach sleepers | 8BNV-EK |
$429 | $429 |
| 10" Rose Medium | Best-value everyday bed for most adults | 10BNV-EK |
$479 | $479 |
| 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium | Pocket-coil bounce in a 10" profile | 10HSOY-EK |
$639 | $639 |
| 12" Copper Gel | Our most popular copper memory foam | 12BNCOPPER-EK |
$609 | $609 |
| 12" iSwitch Flippable | Medium soft on one side, medium firm on the other | 12ISWITCH-EK |
$689 | $689 |
| 14" ActiveAlign Zoned Hybrid | Thickest hybrid: zoned foam over pocket coils | 14REACTIVE-EK |
$839 | $839 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
12" Copper Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers
Our most popular feel for couples. It comes in king, cal king, split king and split cal king, so it works on a flat frame or a split adjustable base.
- Copper gel memory foam for a cooler feel
- Same price in king and cal king
- Bends well on an adjustable base
From $409 (Twin XL) · Queen $529 · See sizes & details
10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV
Best everyday value in a big bed. The 10" Rose comes in king and cal king at the same price, plus split cal king for adjustable bases.
- Medium feel that suits most adults
- King and cal king at today’s prices
- Ships factory-sealed in a box
From $329 (Twin) · Queen $429 · See sizes & details
Shop this guide
King for width, cal king for length; both cost the same here.
- 12" Copper Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers, from $409. Our most popular feel in king or cal king.
- 10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV, from $329. Best-value big bed in either shape.
- e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance, from $469. Split king or split cal king base with zero gravity.
Questions we hear a lot
What is the difference between a king and a California king?
A king is 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. A California king is 72 by 84 inches, so it is 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer.
Is a California king bigger than a king?
No. A king has about 6,080 square inches of sleeping surface and a cal king about 6,048, so they are nearly the same size. The cal king is longer; the king is wider.
Who should buy a California king?
Tall sleepers, roughly 6 foot 2 and up, whose feet reach the end of an 80 inch bed, and people with a long, narrow bedroom. If width matters more, a standard king usually feels roomier.
Do king sheets fit a California king?
Not well. The shapes are different, so a king fitted sheet is loose on the sides and short at the ends of a cal king. Buy sheets, protectors, frames and headboards made for your exact size.
What is a split cal king?
Two mattresses about 36 by 84 inches each, used on a split adjustable base so each side moves on its own. Together they match a California king frame. Questions? Text John at 805-617-6878.
Still deciding? Just ask us
Tell John your room size, how tall each of you is, and whether you want an adjustable base, and he will tell you honestly whether a king or a cal king makes more sense. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, take the 60-second mattress quiz, or check the full size chart. See our Purchase Policy & Warranty for the details.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Standard US mattress dimensions; prices update automatically.