The main difference between a standard king size and a california king mattress resides in both the length and width.
King size bed versus california king size bed.
A california king is just a few inches narrower than a king bed at 72 inches wide but it s longer at 84 inches.
Cal king prioritizes length while standard king offers maximum width.
They essentially trade four inches 10 cm in width for an extra four inches in length.
As we ve mentioned above the overall width of the mattresses is quite different and the california king size is about 4 inches narrower while at the same time being higher.
Overall the california king mattress has a smaller surface area than a regular king mattress.
However many people do not realize that the california king bed is not bigger than the king size bed in every way.
King beds are 76 wide x 80 long with a total surface area of 6 080 square inches.
But when it comes to king vs california king which size is best.
In comparison the cali king bed is longer but narrower than the king bed.
With this in mind if you and your partner prefer to sleep up close this is the obvious choice.
Total width needed around the king bed with the head against a wall is 10 feet 4 inches by 8 feet 8 inches.
The biggest distinction between these two sizes is in their width and length.
See where we do the math below.
As a result of their extra length california king mattresses are best for couples who find most mattresses too short.
If you want to live like a king it s important to sleep like one.
Standard california western king beds actually have the same area but they are narrower and longer measuring 72 x 84 183 cm x 214 cm.
The california king is 4 inches longer but 4 inches narrower than a regular or eastern king.
So california king mattresses are 4 longer than king size beds but king size mattresses have a slightly larger surface area.
A king size bed is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long.
California king beds are 72 wide by 84 long with a total surface area of 6 048 square inches.
A standard eastern king bed is 76 inches 193 cm wide and 80 inches 203 cm long.
The room will also need to be wider to fit dressers and other furnishings.
The biggest difference between a king size bed and a california king bed is that one bed is shorter and wider while the other is longer and narrower.
A california king bed is slightly longer at 84 inches long and 72 inches wide.