What Size Comforter You Need For A Cal King Bed?

Cal King Beds Measure 72 x 84 Inches

We get this question at DOWNLITE once in awhile and wanted to share with everyone how to buy the right size cal king comforter.

So if you are lucky enough to have a california king bed (also known as a ‘cal king’)  you know that the bed is less wide then a traditional king size mattress. Here are the actual bed measurements in inches (The height of the mattress has nothing to do with being one or the other):

• King Bed – 78 x 80 Inches
• Cal king Bed – 72 x 84 Inches

The Cal King bed is less wide but longer at the foot (cal kings are 84 inches long versus 80 inches on a normal king). This special size mattress has a few quirks in terms of finding a comforter to properly fit the bed. At a typical department store you will find oversize king comforters that measure 106 x 96 to 108 x 98. This gives a typical king bed 28 – 30 inches of extra material to drape on the side (it never does because by the time we get in bed and increase the height of the bed – your comforter now barely covers the top side of the bed). To determine the amount of side coverage you have, divide the 28-30 inch excess by 2 – you now have 14-15 inches of ‘drop’ on the side of the bed (again, you won’t once you get in bed).

Using an over sized comforter on a cal king bed is good because you get the benefit of extra side coverage (about 3-4 inches extra on side).  As for the foot length of 84 inches – this gives you now appx 12-14 inches of drop, assuming the comforter is pulled to the top of the bed and not slightly folded over at the top area.

If you have a platform bed you should be careful to not get a comforter that could drape too much on the sides (this will make the bed look sloppy unless in fact you do want complete side coverage)

If you have a sleigh bed you will want to make sure your comforter is not too long either, as it will bunch at the end of the bed.

Please note many consumers often confuse needing an oversized comforter for a cal king bed – which is partially true for the foot area – but based on the examples above – not so important for the width.

If you do end up finding a promotional comforter – like a 102 x 86 (common for cheaper promo comforters in the past) – your will be too short on the foot length (even if you do have a sleigh bed).

Long story short – stick with a 108 x 98 comforter for a cal king bed.