Difference Between King & California King Sheets
Manufacturers market king-size beds under four different names: standard king, Eastern king, California king and Western king. But in terms of size, there are really only two distinct types of king bed. The standard and Eastern king share the same measurements, as do the California and Western king. When buying sheets, the important thing is to differentiate between these two main sizes of bed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Measurements
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The standard (or Eastern) king is 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, while the leaner California (or Western) king is 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. If you can't remember which one you purchased, simply use a tape measure to determine the length and width of your mattress. Depth can vary considerably between manufacturers—from 9 inches for an older mattress to 16 inches for a pillow-top variety—and is not a factor in the type of king you have.
Comfort
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Tall folks enjoy the California king, which is the longest on the market. Those who like to stretch their wingspans are fans of the wider standard king, which is equivalent to two extra-long twins pushed together.
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Fit
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King-size flat sheets are interchangeable--some even come labeled as "one size fits all"--but most are simply close enough in size that either one works on either kind of bed. It's a different story for the fitted bottom sheet, which won't be snug unless it corresponds with the type of king you have.
Availability
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Most online retailers carry a selection of sheets in both sizes, though standard king is slightly more prevalent than California king. In person, you may encounter more of one kind or another depending on what geographic area you live in. For instance, you might find more California king sheets in the Golden State, because that's where the bed is most popular.
Cost
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Retailers such as Bed, Bath & Beyond and Walmart charge the same price for a set of standard king and a set of California king sheets. In 2010, a set of king sheets cost about $79.99, with some variability in pricing depending on thread-count and material.
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References
- Photo Credit hotel bed image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
