Is a California King Size Mattress Right for You?

A California King mattress, aka Cal King mattress, is longer and more narrow than a traditional king size bed, but still approximately 12 inches wider than a Queen bed.

Are you, or someone who shares your bed with you, a taller person? Do you have fur babies that sleep at the foot of your bed? Do you want room to stretch out but have a narrower bedroom? If you answered yes to any of these questions and you are finding yourself tired of feeling cramped and uncomfortable in bed and longing for more space to stretch out and relax on, you might want to consider an upgrade to a California King size mattress.

Check out some of our frequently asked questions about the Cal King below.

What size is a California King mattress?

Approx. Dimensions: 72” X 83.5” (width x height) / 6,012 sq in / 41.7 sq ft

A Cal King size mattress is the longest offering at around 83.5 inches. Both a King size bed and Queen size bed are approximately 79.5 inches long. A Cal king is about 12” wider than a Queen and 4” narrower than a King.

What is the difference between King and Cal King?

Cal Kings are longer and narrower. The measurements of a regular King are approximately 76 inches in width and 79.5 inches in length. The measurements of a California King are a bit longer and not as wide, the dimensions are approximately 72 inches wide by 83.5 inches long.

• King Size Mattress Dimensions: 76″ Wide x 79.5″ Long
• California King Size Mattress Dimensions: 72″ Wide x 83.5″ Long

Read more about the King vs California King differences, here.

How much do California King sized mattresses cost?

A quality Cal King can range anywhere on average from $950 to $5,000. It all depends on the materials used to construct the mattress as well as the benefits it offers.

Should I buy a California King size mattress online or in-store?

It really comes down to your own personal shopping preference. Some people were born in the age of the internet and online shopping is what they know and are more comfortable with, while others prefer being in-person to shop so they can touch, feel and see the exact product they are investing in. So, there is no right or wrong way to shop for a mattress.

Click here to find a Serta store near you.

Does Serta offer customizable options on Cal King mattresses?

Serta’s innerspring, memory foam, mattress-in-a-box, and hybrid mattresses are all available in California King. Also, most mattresses have different cooling and firmness level options to choose from. So no matter your sleep preference and preferred sleeping position (back, stomach and side sleepers, Serta has a mattress model you’ll fall in love with.

Do Serta California King mattresses need a box spring?

The short answer, no. All you technically need is a hard, flat surface to provide your mattress with the proper support. Some bed frames however may require them. Read more, here.

Because a Cal King is longer and narrower than a King, fitted King sheets don’t fit properly on a Cal King. However, king-size flat sheets, comforters, and bedspreads can usually be swapped between a standard King and Cal King.