Mattress sizes
California King Mattress Dimensions
Quick answer
A California King mattress measures 72 inches wide by 84 inches long (183 by 213 cm), which is 42 square feet of sleeping surface. Shared by two people that is 36 inches each.
The california king is a standard US mattress size, which means every manufacturer builds it to the same 72 by 84 inch footprint. The numbers that actually decide whether it works in your bedroom are the room it needs and the height it ends up at, both of which are below.
What are the exact california king mattress dimensions?
| Measurement | Inches | Centimetres | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 72 | 183 | 6 ft |
| Length | 84 | 213 | 7 ft |
| Sleeping area | 6,048 sq in | 38,979 sq cm | 42 sq ft |
| Width per sleeper | 36 in | 91 cm | 3 ft |
Industry standard
These are standard published dimensions, the same across manufacturers.
How much room does a california king bed need?
Add about 3 inches of frame on each side, then the walking clearance you want. The convention is 24 inches to squeeze past and 30 or more to be comfortable.
| Clearance on each side | Room width needed | Room length needed |
|---|---|---|
| 24 in | 126 in (10.5 ft) | 114 in (9.5 ft) |
| 30 in | 138 in (11.5 ft) | 120 in (10 ft) |
| 36 in | 150 in (12.5 ft) | 126 in (10.5 ft) |
Convention, not a standard
This is widely repeated guidance rather than a measured standard. Treat it as a starting point.
Assumes a frame about 3 inches wider than the mattress on each side, clearance on both sides and at the foot, and the headboard against a wall. Check yours with Room Size and Clearance Calculator.
How does a california king compare to other mattress sizes?
| Size | Width (in) | Length (in) | Area (sq ft) | Standard size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California King (this page) | 72 | 84 | 42 | Yes |
| Twin | 38 | 75 | 19.8 | Yes |
| Twin XL | 38 | 80 | 21.1 | Yes |
| Full (Double) | 54 | 75 | 28.1 | Yes |
| Full XL | 54 | 80 | 30 | Yes |
| Queen | 60 | 80 | 33.3 | Yes |
| Olympic Queen | 66 | 80 | 36.7 | No |
Industry standard
These are standard published dimensions, the same across manufacturers.
Which mattresses come in california king?
Every mattress below publishes california king as its size. Prices change often.
Novilla California King Mattress
$265.9912 inch california king memory foam.
Check price on Amazon
12 Inch Hybrid California King Size Mattress
$289.9912 inch california king hybrid, medium firm feel as the maker describes it.
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12 Inch California King Size Hybrid Mattress in a Box Medium
$329.9912 inch california king hybrid, medium feel as the maker describes it.
Check price on Amazon
Novilla California King Mattress
$335.9914 inch california king memory foam.
Check price on AmazonFrequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a california king mattress?
A california king mattress measures 72 inches wide by 84 inches long, or 183 by 213 centimetres. That works out to 42 square feet of sleeping surface. This is a standard US size, so it is the same from every manufacturer.
How big a room does a california king bed need?
For comfortable movement, allow the mattress plus about 3 inches of frame on each side plus 30 inches of walking clearance. For a california king that means roughly 138 inches of room width and 120 inches of length. You can get away with 24 inches of clearance, but a nightstand will crowd it.
What size sheets fit a california king mattress?
Buy sheets labelled california king. The fitted sheet also has to clear the depth of the mattress, so check the pocket depth separately: standard pockets fit up to 12 inches, deep pockets 13 to 17 inches, and extra deep pockets 18 to 22 inches. A topper adds its full thickness to what the sheet must clear.
Is a california king long enough for a tall person?
A mattress should be about 4 to 6 inches longer than the tallest sleeper. At 84 inches, a california king suits someone up to roughly 80 inches tall, which is 6 feet 8 inches. Above that, look at an even longer specialty size.
Does california king refer to thickness as well?
No. Size describes only the width and length. Thickness is separate and ranges from about 6 inches to over 16, with 9 to 12 inches counting as standard. Thickness changes the total height of the bed and the sheet pocket depth you need, but it never changes the 72 by 84 inch footprint.
How to read the numbers on this page. Standard mattress and bedding dimensions are industry-wide and the same across manufacturers. Guidance like replacement intervals, firmness by body weight and walking clearance is convention rather than a measured standard, and every table here says which it is. Where a manufacturer does not publish a figure we leave it out instead of estimating. This is not medical advice: a mattress is not a treatment for a medical condition, and persistent pain is a reason to see a clinician.