Mattress Size Chart – King vs California King Mattress
Research what size mattress might work best for you and your bedroom space. King vs California King.
When deciding between a King and a California King there are a number of things to consider. There are also many things people have often have wrong when discussing these sizes. Many people often think a cal king’s are bigger and better, but most people want more space on the width VS the length when two people are using the mattress. Read our full guide below to learn more in our Eastern King vs California King mattress size guide.
| Type | Size | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| King | 76″x80″ | This is the most common size for couples who want to maximize their sleeping space. This option is great for couples who have the space or have children and pets who like to snuggle with mom and dad. |
| Cal-King | 72″x84″ | This is a very common size in California. This option is best for couples who prefer the extra sleeping space and for taller individuals. Sometimes a narrow and long room will accomodate this size better than a regular king. |
King/Eastern King
This size mattress is 76″x 80″.
King size mattresses are preferred by most couples. You will just want to make sure your room can accommodate this size before purchasing. A regular king is the most commonly bought king size because the length is sufficient for most adults and most couples want the extra width vs length.
King boxsprings/foundations are split, so most stairwells will not be an issue.
*Bear in mind if you measure most mattresses they can appear off by about an inch or so in one direction or the other.
Cal-King
This size mattress is 72″x 84″.
Cal-King size mattresses are preferred by couples or couples or coupes who have a tall sleeper. You will just want to make sure your room can accommodate this size before purchasing. With less width and more length this size is ideal for tall people or people who have a narrow but long room.
King boxsprings/foundations are split, so most stairwells will not be an issue.
*Bear in mind if you measure most mattresses they can appear off by about an inch or so in one direction or the other.
Conclusion
When trying to find the right mattress size to fit the needs of you or your family, these are a few things to have in mind.
- If upgrading for adults to a larger size be sure to measure your room to make sure you can accommodate the size you want.
- If you are upgrading your child’s mattress be mindful of how tall they may get and if you want to bypass a twin size for a full or queen if height is prominent in your family.
- Third, who will be sleeping in it? If it’s just you and you are not tall, you may be good with a twin xl r full/double size. But, if you are a couple, single with a child or pet you may want to strongly consider a queen or king.
- Keep in mind if you are looking to buy a new bedroom set or upgrade in mattress size, the larger you go typically the bed frame, beds, platforms, etc will also become more expensive to buy. Spending more now to get the comfort and space you want is generally not a bad investment. Unless it doesn’t fit in your space, you will never say “I wish I had a smaller mattress”.
Now that you have an idea of what size mattress could work great for you take some time to see our other guides and which mattress might work best for you.
Quick links
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers