Alaskan King Bed: Dimensions & Comparison Guide [2024]

Key Takeaways

• An Alaskan king bed measures 108-by-108 inches or 9-by-9 feet, making it the biggest king size bed on the market.
• Alaskan king mattresses can sleep up to four adults or a couple with children and pets who co-sleep in one bed.
• An Alaskan king bed will fit best in a room that is 16-by-16 feet (256 square feet) or larger.

Whether you plan to co-sleep with children or pets,  or just want extra space for two larger sleepers, a king bed gives you all the room you need.

But there’s more than one type of king size bed, and when it comes to the battle for the biggest king size bed, the Alaskan king reigns supreme with a vast surface area of 81 square feet.

Think an Alaskan king bed might be right for your home? In this guide, we’ll compare the Alaskan king bed to other giant mattresses and discuss key considerations involved with buying such a large bed.

What Is an Alaskan King Bed?

Dimensions: 108-by-108 inches 

Alaskan king size bed dimensions measure 9-by-9 feet for a staggering total surface area of 81 square feet. Named after the largest state in the U.S., the Alaskan king mattress is the largest king size mattress on the market, outsized only by the family bed.

The Alaskan king bed is fairly uncommon, and most retailers don’t carry this mattress size. If you want the largest king bed on the market, you will likely need to custom-order the mattress and accessories

Benefits of an Alaskan King Bed

Why would someone want a mattress the size of an Alaskan king bed? Here are a few reasons why some families opt for such a grandiose mattress:

• Room for the whole family: The Alaskan king can easily fit multiple adults, making it easy to accommodate families with more than one child.
• Higher weight limit: Larger beds tend to have higher mattress weight limits, so they can comfortably support more people and heavier individuals.
• Extra space at the foot of the bed for pets: The Alaskan king is extra long and has plenty of room for your furry friends to sleep at your feet.
• Appropriate for large rooms: An Alaskan king may feel more size-appropriate if a king bed looks proportionately inadequate in your bedroom.

An Alaskan king size mattress may not be ideal for everyone, but if you’re looking for a luxurious, giant mattress with ample space for movie nights and family bonding, the Alaskan king is one of the biggest options. 

Alaskan King Bed Size Comparison 

An oversized mattress is any bed larger than a California king. They are usually made to order, meaning it is unlikely you’ll find one in stores. 

The table below highlights the differences between some of the biggest beds available on the market — from California king to Alaskan king.

Alaskan King Bed vs. California King

California King: 84-by-72 inches

California kings and standard kings have a similar surface area, but the standard king is slightly larger overall. While Alaskan king and California king beds are both longer than standard king size beds, the Alaskan size bed has longer and wider dimensions with nearly double the surface area, measuring 24 inches longer and 36 inches wider than the California king.

Alaskan King Bed vs. King

King: 80-by-76 inches

The Alaskan king is the largest of the king beds, meaning its size and surface area are significantly larger than those of a standard king mattress. The Alaskan king is 32 inches wider and 28 inches longer than a standard king, taking up nearly twice as much space in a room.

Most couples find that a standard king offers plenty of room, but a larger bed size like the Alaskan king may be preferable for parents who co-sleep with kids or let their pets sleep on their bed.

Alaskan King Bed vs. Wyoming King

Wyoming King: 84-by-84 inches

The Wyoming king is as wide as it is long, measuring 84-by-84 inches. Wyoming king beds are the same length as California kings and 12 inches wider.

Both Wyoming and Alaskan king beds are square-shaped, but the Alaskan king is 2 feet longer and wider than the Wyoming king, making it a better option for families with co-sleeping arrangements.

Alaskan King Bed vs. Texas King

Texas King: 98-by-80 inches

Both Texas king mattresses and California king mattresses have sides measuring 80 inches, but the Texas king is far larger, measuring 98 inches wide, whereas the California king measures 72 inches wide. Measuring 98-by-80 inches, the Texas king is also larger than a standard king, but the Alaskan king overshadows it with 10 extra inches of length and 18 more inches in width. 

Texas king mattresses are slightly wider and longer than standard kings, making them more suitable for individuals over 6’3” and most couples. Comparatively, the Alaskan king bed can sleep up to four adults or an equivalent combination of adults, children, and pets.

The Alaskan king may be too large in every direction for couples who don’t co-sleep with kids and pets.

Alaskan King Bed vs. Alberta King

Alberta king: 96-by-96 kings

Alberta king beds, also known as Vermont kings, are second to Alaskan king beds, measuring 96-by-96 inches. Alaskan kings are a full foot longer and wider than Alberta kings, so Alberta king mattresses may fit better in most primary bedrooms.

At maximum capacity, Alberta kings can comfortably hold the equivalent of three adults, while the Alaskan king can host up to four adults. 

Alaskan King Bed vs. Family Beds

Dimensions: 

• Medium family beds: 80-by-108 inches
• Large family beds: 80-by-120 inches
• XL family beds: 84-by-144 inches

The Alaskan king is the crown of the king size mattress family, but it is far from the largest mattress option on the market. Family beds are typically available in three sizes. Although not as long as Alaskan kings, with lengths ranging from 80 to 84 inches, the XL option is wider and offers more space for co-sleeping families.

Both the medium and large family beds have a smaller surface area than the Alaskan king bed, but the XL family bed is the largest bed you can buy. You will generally need to custom-order Alaskan king and family beds, but you may have fewer options for family beds than for Alaskan kings.

What to Consider Before Buying an Alaskan King Bed

If you’re thinking of purchasing an Alaskan king bed for your home, consider the following key factors:

Occupancy

The Alaskan king is ideal for couples who co-sleep with their children or several pets and for families that anticipate the need for multiple adults to share a bed. However, it may be unnecessary for couples not sharing a bed with kids or pets. 

Room Size

The Alaskan king requires a larger-than-average bedroom, especially if you want to walk around the bed or have bedroom furniture taking up space.

The average primary bedroom size is around 15 feet by 15 feet. Placing an Alaskan king bed in a room of that size would leave less than 3 feet on either side of the bed when also accounting for a bed frame. This limits space for nightstands and dressers and mobility throughout the room. A bedroom with a minimum square footage of 256 feet (or 16-by-16 feet) is optimal for an Alaskan king bed.

Firmness

Mattress firmness is a personal preference, though you may have to compromise when sharing a bed.

If you intend to use an Alaskan king bed to co-sleep with an infant, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies sleep on a firm mattress.¹ You may have a hard time finding the range of different firmness options for an Alaskan king bed compared to standard mattress sizes.

If you and your partner have vastly different firmness preferences, opting for a split king may allow you to customize your sleep experience.

Availability

The Alaskan king is a relatively uncommon mattress size and isn’t typically found at physical retailers. You will likely need to order this mattress online, and most retailers require a custom order for oversized mattresses.

Like the mattress itself, necessary accessories such as a mattress foundation, bed sheets, and comforters are also hard to come by in an Alaskan king size. You may have to order custom-made furniture and accessories in addition to the mattress.

Mattress Types

If you prefer certain types of mattresses over others, you may have a hard time finding the perfect Alaskan king bed. Because these mattresses aren’t common and not all manufacturers sell them, your options may be limited.

• Foam: The most common material for Alaskan king mattresses is foam, which contours to your body for pressure point relief but may trap heat.
• Latex: Breathable and bouncy, latex Alaskan king mattresses are fairly rare but offer a cooling, responsive sleep surface for everyone.
• Hybrid: You can find a few hybrid options, combining structured support and comfort layers, and many Alaskan king mattresses combine different materials, such as latex and foam, for custom comfort.

Transportation

A bed of this size requires heavy lifting, as giant mattresses weigh more than standard options. While some Alaskan king beds come in two or more pieces to ease movement, not all do. Before you buy an Alaskan king bed, ensure it will fit through the doorways and hallways leading to your room.

If you decide to move your furniture at a later time, you should plan ahead of time to make the process easier.

Price

Bigger mattresses come with bigger price tags. How much should you spend on a mattress of this size? You can expect to spend at least $3,000 for an Alaskan king bed, but some Alaskan king beds cost well over $15,000.

Like other sizes, the price of Alaskan king beds can vary significantly based on mattress quality and materials.

Experience Ultimate Comfort With Purple

As the biggest king size bed, the Alaskan king mattress size is massive, offering ample space for you and your family. Before you commit to an Alaskan king bed, measure your bedroom so you can be confident that the oversized bed will fit.

Most couples, especially those without a co-sleeping arrangement, don’t need a 9-by-9-foot mattress. If you’re choosing a new mattress, prioritize your sleep needs and preferences to ensure you sleep comfortably every night.

Although Purple doesn’t sell Alaskan king beds, we offer mattresses in king, California king, and split king sizes, providing you with our innovative, adaptive GelFlex® Grid that keeps you cool and supports your pressure points all night long.