Quick answer: An Alaskan King bed measures 108 inches wide by 108 inches long (9 ft × 9 ft, about 274 × 274 cm). It is the largest common bed size in North America. That is 32 inches wider and 28 inches longer than a standard King. It works best in a bedroom of at least 14 × 14 ft, and because almost no stores stock the frame, most Alaskan King bed frames are built to order.
Key takeaways
- An Alaskan King is a perfect square: 108" × 108", which gives about 81 square feet of sleeping surface.
- It has more than twice the surface area of a Queen (60" × 80"). It sleeps two adults plus children or pets comfortably.
- Plan for a room of at least 14 × 14 ft. Allow 16 × 16 ft if you want nightstands and a comfortable walkway.
- The hard parts are the bed frame, the bedding and getting it into the room, not the mattress.
- Candace & Basil builds Alaskan King bed frames in-house from solid maple, in any of our bed designs.
Alaskan King bed dimensions
An Alaskan King mattress is 108" W × 108" L. Mattress makers can vary by an inch or so, which is why a custom frame should be built around your actual mattress measurement. Most frames add a small allowance on each side, so the outside footprint of an upholstered Alaskan King frame is usually a few inches larger than 108". Allow more if you choose a wide, padded headboard.
| Bed size | Width × length | Sleeping area | vs. Alaskan King |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | 60" × 80" | 33.3 sq ft | Alaskan is 48" wider, 28" longer |
| King | 76" × 80" | 42.2 sq ft | Alaskan is 32" wider, 28" longer |
| California King | 72" × 84" | 42.0 sq ft | Alaskan is 36" wider, 24" longer |
| Wyoming King | 84" × 84" | 49.0 sq ft | Alaskan is 24" wider, 24" longer |
| Texas King | 80" × 98" | 54.4 sq ft | Alaskan is 28" wider, 10" longer |
| Florida King | 108" × 80" | 60.0 sq ft | Same width, Alaskan is 28" longer |
| Alaskan King | 108" × 108" | 81.0 sq ft | — |
For a side-by-side of every oversized size, see our oversized king beds comparison.
Is an Alaskan King the biggest bed size?
Yes. At 108" × 108", the Alaskan King is the largest bed size you can commonly buy. The Florida King matches its 108" width but is only 80" long. The Texas King is 98" long but only 80" wide. Anything bigger than an Alaskan King is a one-off custom size, which we can also build.
How many people can sleep in an Alaskan King bed?
An Alaskan King gives each of two adults about 54 inches of width. That is close to a Full mattress each, and nearly double what each person gets on a Queen. In practice it sleeps two adults plus one or two young children, or two adults plus large dogs, without anyone being crowded. This is why it is popular with co-sleeping families.
What size room do you need for an Alaskan King bed?
Start with the 9-foot square of the bed and add walkways:
- Minimum: 14 × 14 ft. That leaves about 30" on each side and at the foot, which is enough to walk around and make the bed.
- Comfortable: 16 × 16 ft or larger. This adds room for nightstands, a bench at the foot and doors that swing freely.
- Check the headboard. A tall or deep upholstered headboard adds depth on the wall side, so measure from the wall, not from the mattress.
A quick test is to mark out 108" × 108" on the floor with painter's tape before you order.
Alaskan King bed frame: what to look for
Because the span is so wide, an Alaskan King frame needs more structure than an ordinary King. Look for:
- Solid hardwood construction. Particleboard and MDF flex over a 9-foot span. Our frames are solid maple hardwood.
- Center support rails and legs. They stop the middle from sagging under a heavy mattress and three or four sleepers.
- A slat system or platform sized to your mattress. It should be firm enough that you do not need a box spring.
- Sectional construction. The frame should come apart into pieces that fit through doorways, hallways and stair turns.
- Headboard proportion. A 9-foot-wide bed can look low and squat. A taller headboard (we offer 42", 52", 62" or 72") balances it.
Where do you buy Alaskan King sheets and a mattress?
Standard King and California King sheets will not fit a 108" × 108" mattress. Alaskan King fitted sheets, flat sheets and duvets are made by specialty bedding sellers or made to measure. Alaskan King mattresses are made by custom mattress manufacturers rather than mainstream mattress stores. Our specialty size bedding and mattress guide covers what to look for. When you order a frame from us, we can also connect you with suppliers for both.
Pros and cons of an Alaskan King bed
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The most sleeping space of any common size | Needs a large room (14 × 14 ft minimum) |
| Room for co-sleeping children and pets | Bedding must be specialty or custom |
| Fits very tall sleepers (9 ft long) | The frame must be planned for delivery access |
| A statement piece in a large primary suite | Frames are rarely in stock and are usually made to order |
How Candace & Basil builds a custom Alaskan King bed
Every Candace & Basil bed frame is bench-made in-house from solid maple hardwood, with no particleboard or MDF, and built only after you order. That makes an Alaskan King a normal build for us rather than a special request. You choose:
- The design: any of our custom beds, such as the Celine XL, Clarissa or Santana, built to 108" × 108"
- The headboard height, from 42", 52", 62" or 72"
- The fabric, including velvet, linen, bouclé, leather and performance textiles
- Optional storage and construction that comes apart for tight stairwells
We ship across the contiguous USA from our Miami showroom. Shop Alaskan King beds →
Frequently asked questions
How big is an Alaskan King bed?
An Alaskan King bed is 108 inches wide by 108 inches long (9 ft × 9 ft, about 274 × 274 cm).
Is an Alaskan King bigger than a California King?
Yes. A California King is 72" × 84", so an Alaskan King is 36 inches wider and 24 inches longer, with almost twice the sleeping area.
What is the difference between an Alaskan King and a Wyoming King?
Both are square. A Wyoming King is 84" × 84" and an Alaskan King is 108" × 108", so the Alaskan is 2 feet bigger in each direction.
What size room do I need for an Alaskan King bed?
At least 14 × 14 feet, and ideally 16 × 16 feet or larger if you want nightstands and comfortable walkways.
Can you get an Alaskan King bed frame up the stairs?
Yes, if it is built in sections. Ask for a frame that comes apart and is reassembled in the room, and give your builder the measurements of doorways, halls and stair turns before you order.
Does an Alaskan King need a special bed frame?
Yes. Standard King frames are far too small, so you need an Alaskan King frame with center support. Most are made to order.
Related reading: Specialty size beds guide · Oversized king beds compared · Texas King size guide
Ready to build yours? Request a custom quote or call 1-800-961-1789. You can also visit us at 2334 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137.
