Quick Answer: The Alaskan King (108" × 108" / 9' × 9') is the largest commercially produced mattress size, designed for families or people who want extreme space. The California King (72" × 84") is a mainstream size suited for tall sleepers who need extra length. Most people who think they need an Alaskan King actually just need a California King, and the practical and cost differences are enormous.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Side-by-Side Dimension Comparison
| Size | Width | Length | Square Footage | Wider Than Standard King By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard King | 76" | 80" | 42.2 sq ft | , |
| California King | 72" | 84" | 42.0 sq ft | 4" narrower, 4" longer |
| Alaskan King | 108" | 108" | 81.0 sq ft | 32" wider, 28" longer |
The Alaskan King is not just "a bigger California King." It's nearly twice the surface area of any standard mattress. At 9 feet by 9 feet, it occupies more floor space than most Ontario bedroom floors.
The California King is a nuanced size: it's actually 4 inches narrower than a standard king but 4 inches longer. For most people, the total sleep area is nearly identical to a standard king, but the shape is better suited to tall sleepers who prioritise length over width.
Who Actually Needs an Alaskan King
The honest answer is: very few people. The Alaskan King is a specialty product with a genuine use case for a small number of buyers.
Legitimate Alaskan King Use Cases
- Families who co-sleep: The most common use case. Parents who share a bed with one or more children, particularly young children, and need enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably without crowding.
- Households with large dogs: Some buyers specifically want a 9-foot square mattress to comfortably accommodate large breed dogs (mastiffs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards) that would normally crowd a standard king.
- Very tall couples where both are over 6'3": At 108 inches (9 feet) long, an Alaskan King offers length that exceeds any other standard size. Extremely tall individuals who have always felt cramped in any mattress may find it uniquely comfortable.
- Custom bedroom builds: Some custom home builds in Ontario design a primary bedroom specifically around an Alaskan King, particularly in luxury properties where the bedroom footprint can accommodate the size.
The Alaskan King Reality Check
If you're considering an Alaskan King because you want "more room" or because you and your partner both like to spread out, a standard king or a split-king configuration will almost certainly be sufficient. The Alaskan King's 9×9 footprint requires a bedroom of at least 14 × 14 feet to allow walkable clearance on all sides, that's larger than many Ontario primary bedrooms. The mattress itself typically costs $3,000 to $8,000 or more, standard bedding won't fit, and it must be custom-made or special-ordered.
8 min read
California King: The Tall Sleeper's Choice
The California King is a mainstream product available at most mattress retailers, including Mattress Miracle. It exists because a meaningful segment of buyers, particularly people over 6'2" tall, find that a standard king (80 inches long) doesn't give them comfortable foot room.
At 84 inches long, the California King provides 4 additional inches of length. That doesn't sound like much, but for a 6'4" person sleeping in an 80-inch bed, their feet are at the very edge of the mattress. A 4-inch extension moves the foot clearance to a comfortable margin.
Does Mattress Length Affect Sleep Quality for Tall Sleepers?
Verhaert et al. (2012) documented that spinal alignment during sleep is affected by restricted body position, specifically, when foot contact with the mattress edge creates pressure that causes hip rotation to accommodate the constraint. For tall sleepers, this manifests as a subtle spinal misalignment that accumulates over a night's sleep. A mattress that provides comfortable length clearance (at least 6 inches beyond standing height) allows the body to adopt its natural relaxed posture without end-of-bed accommodation.
Who chooses a California King
- Adults over 6'2" (or couples where at least one partner is this tall)
- Couples with standard space requirements who want extra length rather than width
- Bedrooms that are longer than they are wide, the California King's narrower, longer profile fits some room configurations better than a standard king
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "The California King makes sense for maybe one in ten couples we talk to, usually when at least one person is 6'2" or taller and finds themselves hanging off the end of a standard king. It's not dramatically different in total sleep area, just shaped differently. And bedding is more available than it used to be, so that's less of a concern than it once was."
Room Requirements for Each Size
This is where the practical difference between the two sizes becomes stark.
| Size | Mattress Footprint | Minimum Recommended Room Size | Comfortable Room Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard King | 6'4" × 6'8" | 12' × 12' | 13' × 14' or larger |
| California King | 6' × 7' | 12' × 12' | 12' × 14' or larger |
| Alaskan King | 9' × 9' | 14' × 16' | 16' × 18' or larger |
The California King and standard king have essentially the same room requirements, the narrower width of the Cal King is partially offset by its extra length. Either size works in a typical Ontario primary bedroom of 12 × 14 feet.
The Alaskan King is a different class entirely. A 14 × 16 foot bedroom is at the upper range of primary bedroom sizes in most Ontario construction from the past 40 years. Even in larger homes, this often means the bedroom is almost entirely consumed by the mattress.
Brantford and Area Bedroom Sizes
Brantford's housing stock ranges from century homes with compact primary bedrooms (often 10 × 11 or 11 × 12 feet) to newer developments in areas like Garden Avenue and the west end with more generous room sizes (12 × 14 to 14 × 16 feet). For most Brantford homes, a California King fits in the primary bedroom with reasonable clearance. An Alaskan King would be a tight fit in all but the largest custom homes. A standard king or California king is the realistic choice for the vast majority of local buyers.
Cost, Availability, and Bedding
California King vs Alaskan King: Practical Realities
- California King mattress cost: Similar to a standard king, typically $800 to $3,000+ for quality options. Available at most mattress retailers including Mattress Miracle.
- Alaskan King mattress cost: $3,000 to $10,000+ from specialty manufacturers. Must be special-ordered. Very few Canadian retailers carry them.
- California King bedding: Widely available at most Canadian retailers (Simons, Hudson's Bay, IKEA). More expensive than queen but readily found.
- Alaskan King bedding: Must be custom-made or special-ordered. Standard bedding will not fit. Expect premium pricing for every sheet, duvet, and protector.
- Delivery, California King: Standard white glove mattress delivery available through most retailers including Mattress Miracle (delivery to Brantford and surrounding communities).
- Delivery, Alaskan King: Requires special handling. A 9-foot mattress cannot navigate standard stairwells in most Ontario homes. Ground-floor primary bedrooms or open-plan layouts are often a prerequisite.
Practical Alternatives to Consider
Before deciding between these two sizes, it's worth mapping your actual need:
- If you're tall: California King. It gives you the 84 inches of length that matters, at a mainstream price with available bedding.
- If you want more width for co-sleeping: Standard King (76" × 80") gives more total width per person than a California King. Two parents plus a young child can sleep reasonably on a standard king.
- If you want both partners to have independent firmness and motion isolation: Split king (two twin XL mattresses on a split adjustable base) gives you the same 76" × 80" footprint with independent comfort zones. This is often more useful than a larger mattress.
- If you have pets that share the bed: A standard king or California king with a firm edge (good edge support) is more practical than an Alaskan King for most pet owners. Dogs tend to use a small portion of the available space regardless of mattress size.
Shop: King Mattresses at Mattress Miracle
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
How big is an Alaskan King bed compared to a California King?
An Alaskan King is 108" × 108" (9 × 9 feet), nearly twice the surface area of a California King (72" × 84" / 6 × 7 feet). The Alaskan King is also significantly wider and longer than a standard king (76" × 80"). It's a specialty item for specific use cases, not an upgrade for typical couples.
Is a California King longer than a standard king?
Yes, a California King is 84 inches long (7 feet) versus a standard king's 80 inches. However, the California King is 4 inches narrower (72" vs 76"). The total sleep area is nearly identical. The California King's shape suits tall sleepers better; the standard king's shape suits couples who want more width.
Can you buy an Alaskan King bed in Canada?
Alaskan King mattresses can be special-ordered from specialty manufacturers, but are not carried in stock by most Canadian mattress retailers. Expect significant lead times, custom pricing, and custom bedding requirements. The practical barriers, room size, delivery, and ongoing bedding costs, make it impractical for most Ontario homes.
What room size do you need for an Alaskan King?
At minimum, a 14 × 16 foot bedroom to allow the mattress to fit with workable clearance on three sides. A 16 × 18 foot or larger room is needed for comfortable clearance on all sides. This exceeds the primary bedroom size in most Ontario homes built in the past 40 years.
Does Mattress Miracle carry California King mattresses?
Yes. We stock California King size mattresses at our Brantford showroom. Call (519) 770-0001 to check current availability in your preferred brand or firmness. Our team can explain the difference between standard king and California king in person with actual mattresses on the floor.
Sources
- Verhaert, V., et al. (2012). The effect of sleeping position on spinal alignment and biomechanics: an in-vitro study. Ergonomics, 55(6), 662–672. doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2012.658765
- Jacobson, B.H., et al. (2008). Grouped comparisons of sleep quality for new and personal bedding systems. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 7(4), 132–139. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Troxel, W.M. (2010). It's more than sex: exploring the dyadic nature of sleep and implications for health. Psychosomatic Medicine, 72(6), 578–586. doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181de7ff8
- Radwan, A., et al. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment. Sleep Health, 1(4), 257–267. doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Statistics Canada. (2021). Dwelling characteristics by housing type. Census of Population 2021. statcan.gc.ca
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle, 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON, (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.
If you're deciding between a California King and a standard king, or trying to figure out whether your bedroom can actually fit either, stop in. We can help you measure, compare, and find the right size for your room and sleep style.
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