California King Bed Specifications

Dimensions

• A California king mattress measures 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. It is 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer than a regular king. The thickness of the mattress varies but is typically between 7 and 9 inches. Consumers should check that their sheets fit newer models, which might be thicker.

Types

• According to ConsumerSearch.com, there are four types of mattresses: innerspring, memory foam, latex foam and air. The traditional California king mattress is the innerspring variety, made of metal coils. Memory foam king mattresses are made from thick foam that contours to the shape of the body. Latex foam is a type of memory foam manufactured with a material that helps the mattress breathe. The air mattress is made with chambers of air that mold to the body.

Coils

• All innerspring California king mattresses are made with a variety of coils. Each varies based on the the coil count, the number of "working turns" of each coil and the shape of the coil. A typical mattress has between 250 and 1,000 coil springs. In general, thicker coils are superior because they last longer. A higher number of "working turns" allows for a softer, more durable mattress. The shape of coils includes pocketed, hourglass and continuous. Pocketed coils allow for better motion separation, hourglass coils contour to the shape of your figure and continuous coils provide better durability.

Mattress Features

• California king mattresses come with an increasing array of features. Many models are made with a layer on top of the springs called a "topper." It can be made of such materials as memory foam, egg crate or natural latex foam. Other California king mattresses are made with such special materials as silk coverings, layers of cashmere or organic material.