Identification

• Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt
  
  The California king mattress measures 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. The length is only 4 inches longer than the popular king and queen sizes but adds significant length for comfort.
  
  

Compare the King and Queen

• Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Warren Noronha
  
  A king-sized mattress measures 76 inches wide and is 80 inches long. The queen measures 60 inches by 80 inches. The California king is 4 inches longer than both but is different in width. It measures 72 inches across, making it wider than the queen but slimmer than the king.
  
  

Overall Square Inches

• Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Balazs Gal
  
  While the California king mattress may appear larger than the king-sized mattress, it is actually small in overall area. The king has 6,080 square inches while the California king only has 6,048 square inches. The overall dimensional space that a California king offers however, seems to generate a positive response from users.
  
  

Fitted Sheets for the California King

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  Since the California king mattress is not a nationally known mattress, it can be difficult to find sheets that correspond with its measurements. King sheet sets can be used on a California king without much difficulty. It is possible to find retailers who carry the California King sheet set, but the price is a little higher than the traditional king and queen sheet sets.
  
  

Price Comparison

• The California king mattress and beds cost about the same as the regular king model. Because they cannot be located easily on the East Coast, shipping will be your main concern.