California King Size Bed Dimensions
Quick answer: a California King bed is 72 inches wide × 84 inches long — 183 × 213 cm, or exactly 6 × 7 feet. It is the longest standard mattress sold in the US, built for tall sleepers, and 4 inches narrower but 4 inches longer than a regular King.
Short answer: California king size bed dimensions are 72 inches wide × 84 inches long (183 × 213 cm, exactly 6 × 7 ft). It is the longest standard bed sold in the US — 4 inches longer and 4 inches narrower than a regular King — and the right choice for sleepers over about 6 ft 2 in.
California King Dimensions Chart
| Measurement | Inches | Centimeters | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 72″ | 183 cm | 6.0 ft |
| Length | 84″ | 213 cm | 7.0 ft |
| Surface area | 6,048 sq in | 3.90 m² | 42.0 sq ft |
| Space per sleeper (2 people) | 36″ wide | 91 cm | 3.0 ft |
These dimensions match the Sleep Foundation’s mattress sizes guide, where the California King is likewise listed at 72″ × 84″.
California King vs King
| California King | King | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 72″ × 84″ | 76″ × 80″ |
| Better for | Sleepers over 6 ft tall | Couples who want width |
| Room fit | Long, narrower rooms | Wide rooms, 12 × 12 ft+ |
Every measurement behind this table — frame sizes, room sizes and bedding — is laid out on our King size bed dimensions page.
The two are not interchangeable: a Cal King mattress does not fit a King frame, and bedding sizes differ. Read the full comparison on our King size bed dimensions page, or compare everything in the mattress sizes chart.
The Sleep Foundation’s dedicated California King vs King guide breaks the same trade-off down by sleeper height and room shape.
Who Should Buy a California King?
- Anyone 6 ft 2 in or taller — the 84-inch length keeps feet on the bed, even with a pillow.
Put simply, the california king size bed dimensions exist for one job: giving tall sleepers a standard, easy-to-buy bed with real spare length.
- Couples in long, narrow bedrooms — the Cal King’s shape suits rooms a standard King overwhelms.
- Pet owners whose dog sleeps at the foot of the bed.
Keep two practical points in mind: Cal King bedding is less widely stocked (order the right size carefully — “King” sheets will not fit), and the mattress needs a room of about 12 × 10 ft minimum, with a delivery path that can handle a 7-foot mattress.
If you are working through the choice systematically, the three-question mattress size finder takes your height and room size and returns a size.
What Room Size Does a California King Need?
Plan on a room of at least 12 × 10 ft, and think in length first. The mattress alone is 84 inches long; add a headboard and footboard and the bed’s real footprint approaches 88–90 inches. In a 12 ft (144-inch) room that leaves roughly 54 inches at the foot — enough for a bench or a walkway of 30 inches plus a low dresser. Width is the easier dimension: the 72-inch mattress in a 10 ft (120-inch) room leaves about 21–22 inches per side once a typical frame is counted, which is workable but below the 24-inch comfort line — one reason the Cal King suits long, narrower rooms better than square ones. The same arithmetic in a 12 × 12 ft room leaves a comfortable 24+ inches on both sides and at the foot, and it is the size we would call genuinely comfortable for this bed. Before ordering, run the same check on the delivery path: an 84-inch mattress on its edge needs tall, straight runs through hallways and stairwells.
California King Bedding and Mattress Thickness
Cal King bedding is its own size in every respect. Fitted sheets are cut 72″ × 84″ — a standard King sheet (76″ × 80″) will neither stretch across the length nor grip the narrower width, so never assume “king” on a label covers both. Comforters and duvets are usually shared between the two king sizes, but fitted sheets, mattress protectors and bed skirts are not interchangeable. Cal King mattresses run the usual 10″–14″ thickness range, and because the size is regional — it is most popular in the western US — sheet sets are easiest to find online or in West Coast stores. Order bedding by the full california king size bed dimensions on the label, and buy a spare fitted sheet with the mattress: this is the one size where a torn sheet cannot be replaced from a typical linen closet.
Related Mattress Size Guides
- King Size Mattress Dimensions — 76″ × 80″, wider and shorter
- Queen Size Mattress Dimensions — 60″ × 80″, the smaller alternative
- Queen vs King — the other big-bed decision
- Mattress Size Guide & Finder — pick a size in three questions
Still deciding between the two kings, or wondering whether a Queen would do? Our Queen vs King comparison covers the width decision, and the table above covers the length one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a California king bed?
72 inches wide by 84 inches long (183 × 213 cm, or 6 × 7 feet).
Is a California king bigger than a king?
It is longer but narrower. Total area is almost identical (6,048 vs 6,080 square inches) — the King is very slightly larger overall.
Do king sheets fit a California king?
No. King sheets are cut for 76″ × 80″; Cal King sheets are 72″ × 84″. They are sold as separate sizes.
What room size does a California king need?
At least 12 × 10 ft, with enough length in the room — and in hallways and stairwells — for the 84-inch mattress.
Sources: Sleep Foundation — Mattress Sizes guide; Sleep Foundation — California King vs King.