What Is the Difference Between a King Size Bed and a Cal King?

Size

• King mattresses boast the largest area for the consumer. The equivalent of two extra-long twin beds, which a king box spring is normally composed of, standard kings have a width of 76 inches and a length of 80 inches. A California king, also known as a Western king or West Coast king, sacrifices 4 inches of extra width to provide the user with 4 more inches of length.

Advantages

• With a distance of 3 feet for a California king and 38 inches for a standard king, both models provide the average maximum sleeping space between users. The California king, however, has an additional advantage in its length. Where a standard king, which stands at 80 inches long, can sleep a person slightly over 6 1/2 feet tall, the California king, with its additional 4 inches, can sleep someone who spans up to 7 feet tall.

Disadvantages

• While comfort is a plus, the disadvantage of both a California and standard king is the large size. Due to their width, these types of mattresses may not fit in the desired room. This is particularly the case with the standard king, whose measurement of more than 6 feet can take up the majority of space in a 10- by 10-foot area. Though the California king may not have issues with width, it does so with its extended length.

Costs

• Mattresses in both king and California king sizes fall in the same prices range---anywhere from $400 for a basic model to more than $1,000 for memory foam products, as of 2010. The same can be said for bed dressings, such as sheets and comforters, which range in the higher price levels due to sheer size. When it comes to bed frames, there is a difference in price, as California king platforms can average more than $100 more than standard kings.

Considerations

• Before purchasing either a king or California king bed, measure the room where the bed will reside to make sure both the mattress and bed frame will fit. Also measure hallways or other areas where mattresses must travel in order to ensure there's enough clearance for the mattresses to reach their destinations.