Guide to California King-Size Beds

The California king-size bed is the longest of the standard mattress sizes in production. Also known as a Western king-size bed or a Cal king for short, California king mattress measures 84 inches long by 72 inches wide and has a total surface area of 6,048 inches. It’s the same size as two twin XL mattresses placed side-by-side.

This type of bed is often marketed to tall people with bedroom space for an extra-long bed. A split Cal king bed accommodates couples who prefer different levels of firmness and typically features two separate twin XL mattresses.

For most sleepers, the choice between a standard king vs. a California king bed will come down to space limitations, price, and personal preference:

• Room size: Placing a standard king-size bed in a narrow room may leave you with no space to get out of bed, but a Cal king has extra length and offers more space on the sides of the bed.
• Sleeping space: Depending on your sleeping position, you may greatly benefit from the extra width that a standard king-size bed provides. Stomach sleepers who take up space may particularly enjoy a king bed, but couples who prefer to nestle closer together may prefer a California king mattress.
• Weight and flexibility: Whether you opt for an innerspring mattress with a box spring, or a memory foam mattress that arrives in a box, the mattress you choose will be heavy and unwieldy. A single California king mattress can be one of the most difficult pieces of furniture to move. On the other hand, a split California king—with two twin XL mattresses—can be much easier to move than a bulky standard king mattress.
• Price: A California king mattress—and Cal king-size bedding—is typically more expensive than king-size mattresses and bedding.

As you’re considering a California king-size mattress, it’s helpful to keep the following factors in mind:

1. 1. Length: California king-size beds are optimal for taller-than-average sleepers.
2. 2. Space: From the headboard to the footboard, a Cal king may be too long for many bedrooms, particularly guest rooms. For bedrooms in which a standard king mattress is too wide, a California king bed might be a good fit.
3. 3. Sleep styles: For couples with varying sleeping styles, a California king provides split mattresses to accommodate different preferences.
4. 4. Bed frames: Bed frames for California king-size mattresses are limited. Cal king bed frames are generally sleigh beds, and they may not be available for other styles, such as platform beds or panel beds. Also, Cal king mattresses may not fit on adjustable bases with slats designed for king-size mattresses.
5. 5. Bed sheets: It may be more challenging to find bed sheets and duvet covers in Cal king dimensions.

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