Alaskan King Bed Dimensions: The Biggest Oversized Bed

The mighty Alaskan king mattress is a great way to make a statement in your bedroom. This bed is so large that it’s not typically sold through regular mattress channels, and generally needs to be special-ordered. For those who have the space, the Alaskan king can be the perfect finishing touch to a luxury home.

Alaskan king beds also have practical advantages, boasting more room for families who co-sleep or those who find a regular king bed uncomfortably small. We’ll run through the dimensions of the Alaskan king mattress and how this mattress size compares to other oversized beds. We’ll also examine the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s a good pick for you.

Who Would Want to Sleep on an Alaskan King?

An Alaskan king bed may appeal to families with young children or pets. With plenty of room at the foot of the bed and a larger surface area overall, this mattress size allows room for everybody to clamber into bed together.

Since it boasts a width equivalent to two full-size beds put together, the Alaskan king is also convenient for people who like to sprawl out in bed or anyone who shares the bed with a restless sleeper.

Anyone who is very tall or weighs more than 300 pounds may find an Alaskan king to be sturdier and more spacious than a standard mattress. Thanks to its extra length, the Alaskan king leaves you with plenty of leg room, even if you use a square pillow.

What Are the Exact Dimensions of an Alaskan King?

A classic Alaskan king bed is a perfect square measuring 108 inches by 108 inches, or nine feet by nine feet. There might be slight variations depending on the manufacturer. The total surface area clocks in at 81 sq ft. At double the width of a full size mattress, the Alaskan king can comfortably fit at least three adults side-by-side.

A standard king size mattress is 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, while a California king is 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. This means the Alaskan king is more than 30 inches wider and 20 inches longer than the largest standard-sized mattress. Companies specializing in custom mattress sizes may also offer alternative Alaskan king sizes, such as “mini” or “biggie” versions.

Although a regular California king bed is seven feet long, the pillow takes up a few inches at the top, and tall people may still find their feet hanging off the end. Even for someone who is more than six feet tall, the Alaskan king bed still offers over two feet of extra space below the legs. The extra space comes with the added advantage of easing pressure on the feet when the duvet is tucked in at the bottom.

Alaskan Kings vs. Other Oversized Beds

The Alaskan king is the second-biggest oversized mattress, beaten only by the family size bed. Other oversized mattresses include the Wyoming king, the Texas king, and the Albertan king. Alaska is the biggest state, and it’s also the biggest king size mattress.

While most of the oversized king beds are square-shaped, the Texas king is longer than it is wide, similar to the California king. The biggest bed, the “family” or “family XL” bed, is also wider than it is long, at 144 by 84 inches.

When you’re determining whether you have room for an oversized bed, it helps to picture how much room you’ll need for your nightstands on either side, as well as the area you’d like at the foot of the bed. Nightstands generally take up a couple feet, plus a little bit of extra space so you’re not sleeping right up against the table. Similarly, you’ll probably want at least four feet clear at the foot of the bed, especially if you have your wardrobe there, plus some extra space for the headboard and the bed frame.

Here’s a quick chart showing how an Alaskan king compares to other common oversized bed sizes:

Alaskan King vs. Wyoming King vs. Texas King vs. Albertan King

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What Are the Pros & Cons of an Alaskan King Mattress?

As a ridiculously large bed, the Alaskan king mattress may be very attractive in certain cases, but it also has significant drawbacks for many people. Overall, whether or not to buy an Alaskan king boils down to whether you have the space and like the idea of a huge bed.

Pros of an Alaskan king mattress:

• More room for multiple people or pets
• Less likely to be disturbed by the movements of others in the bed
• Good option for filling up a large bedroom
• More comfortable for taller individuals or those who weigh more than average
• Luxurious feel
• Room for separate blankets
• Allows space for other activities, such as playing board games or watching movies as a family (though not recommended in terms of sleep hygiene)

Cons of an Alaskan king mattress:

• Difficult to find bedding and bed frame
• Expensive
• Heavy and awkward to maneuver, with potential to be too large to fit through doorframes
• Not widely available and may need to be special-ordered, meaning less mattress selection
• Won’t fit in smaller rooms
• Rare to find options for personalizing each half of the bed, as in a split king
• Not compatible with adjustable bases

Buying and Owning an Alaskan King Mattress: What You Should Know

There are a few practical matters to consider before making the leap to an Alaskan king.

First things first, you should triple-check your room measurements to make absolutely certain the bed will fit and still leave room for your furniture. 

It’s also a good idea to measure doorways, stairwells, elevators, and any other potential obstacles on the way to your bedroom. While you can generally expect your Alaskan king mattress to be delivered folded, compressed, or in multiple parts so it fits through your doorways, it’s always wise to check first with the manufacturer. 

Companies may offer White Glove delivery options if you’re worried about setting up the bed by yourself. However, consider that most mattresses need to be periodically flipped or rotated, and an oversized bed can be hard to move.

It’s rare to see an Alaskan king bed for sale in a brick-and-mortar mattress store, although some specialty companies may have showrooms where you can see how big the bed looks in person before buying. You’ll most likely have to special-order the bed online, directly from one of the few manufacturers that makes this size. 

Expect to shell out between $3,000 and $10,000 for the mattress alone, depending on the mattress type and quality. You may find it’s worth spending a little more for high-quality components that won’t break down as quickly, since this bed could be a hassle to replace. As when buying a regular mattress, check the small print for sleep trials, warranty terms, and shipping policies. 

Alaskan king sheets and bed frames aren’t widely available. However, often the same manufacturer that offers an Alaskan bed also offers the corresponding accessories. They can also guide you when choosing a bed frame, because it’s important to have a sturdy and reliable surface to support such a big mattress.