The short answer
At Candace & Basil, an Alberta King takes a 96 by 96 inch mattress: 8 feet square. That is 20 inches wider and 16 inches longer than a standard King.
It sits between the Wyoming King and the Alaskan King, and for a lot of Canadian families it is the right middle ground. Enough room for two adults, a child and a dog, without needing a bedroom the size of a garage.
What is an Alberta King bed?
An Alberta King is an oversized square bed with a 96 x 96 inch mattress. It adds length and width together, which most oversized beds do not.
Texas and Florida Kings make a bed wider. A California King makes it longer. Square beds like the Alberta King do both, so they suit households where someone is tall and the bed is also crowded.
A note on the name
Bed names above King size are not standardized, and "Alberta King" is used less often than Alaskan or Texas King. You may see the name used for different measurements elsewhere. Ours is 96 by 96.
Every bed we make is built to order, so the dimensions on this page are the dimensions you receive. When you compare oversized beds between retailers, compare the measurements rather than the names.
Alberta King dimensions
Mattress: 96 x 96 inches (8 x 8 feet)
Bed frame (outside dimensions): 111 x 111 inches, about 9 feet 3 inches square
Against the sizes people usually shortlist:
- 20 inches wider and 16 inches longer than a standard King (76 x 80)
- 24 inches wider and 12 inches longer than a California King (72 x 84)
- 12 inches bigger in each direction than a Wyoming King (84 x 84)
- Almost as wide as a Texas King (98 x 80), with 16 more inches of length
- 12 inches smaller in each direction than an Alaskan King (108 x 108)
Why 96 inches works
96 inches of width gives two adults 48 inches each. That is more than a twin bed apiece, with room left over for a child who shows up in the night.
96 inches of length suits almost anyone, including people well over 6 feet 6, with room for pillows at the top and nothing hanging off the bottom.
And 8 feet square is still a size that fits in many primary bedrooms. The Alaskan King, at 9 feet square, often does not.
Alberta King vs Alaskan King
| Feature | Alberta King | Alaskan King |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress | 96" x 96" | 108" x 108" |
| Frame (approx.) | 111" x 111" | 123" x 123" |
| Minimum room | about 13 x 13 feet | about 14 x 14 feet |
| Better for | Two adults plus a child or a dog | Full family co-sleeping, very large rooms |
The Alaskan King gets the attention, and for a family that sleeps together every night it is the right bed. But a foot of extra size in each direction adds up: the frame is over 10 feet square, and the mattress is a much bigger item to get through doorways and up stairs.
If you are drawn to an Alaskan King but your room or staircase is tight, the Alberta King is usually the better choice. See our Alaskan King guide for the full comparison.
Alberta King vs Texas King
| Feature | Alberta King | Texas King |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 96 inches | 98 inches |
| Length | 96 inches | 80 inches |
| Better for | Width and height | Width only |
These two are almost the same width. The difference is 16 inches of length. If nobody in the bed is tall, the Texas King gives you the same side-to-side room in a smaller footprint. If someone is tall, the Alberta King is the one.
Who should buy an Alberta King?
It is a good fit if:
- You share the bed with a young child, some or all of the time
- You have a large dog, or two, that sleep with you
- Someone in the bed is tall and you also want more width
- An Alaskan King is too big for your room, stairs or doorways
It is more bed than you need if it is just two adults of average height. A standard King, or a Texas King if you want more space, will do the job in a smaller room.
Benefits
Space for the whole household. Two adults get 48 inches each, and a child or dog fits without anyone giving up their side.
Length for tall sleepers. 96 inches is a foot longer than a California King.
More practical than an Alaskan King. A smaller room, an easier delivery, and a mattress that is easier to handle.
Built in Canada, to order. Every bed is made in Toronto and can be adjusted to your room.
Drawbacks, honestly
It needs a large bedroom. The frame is over 9 feet square.
The mattress is a custom size. Order a 96 x 96 mattress from a maker that builds custom sizes.
Bedding is custom too. Fitted sheets for 96 x 96 are not sold in most stores.
It costs more than a standard King.
Alberta King mattress guide
Many families build an oversized bed from two smaller mattresses side by side, rather than one 96 inch mattress. Two 48 x 96 mattresses are easier to move, and each sleeper can choose their own firmness. The trade-off is a seam down the middle, which a bridge strap and topper mostly solve.
If you prefer a single mattress:
Memory foam. Strong motion isolation, useful with children and pets.
Hybrid. Balanced support and edge stability.
Latex. Durable and cooler, worth it on a bed several people share.
Confirm exact mattress dimensions with your mattress maker before you order.
Room size requirements
The bed frame is about 9 feet 3 inches square.
Minimum room: 13 by 13 feet
Ideal room: 15 by 15 feet or larger
Leave 2 to 3 feet of walking space on the sides you use, and measure doorways, hallways and stairwells before you order.
Styling an Alberta King
Let the bed anchor the room. Centre it on the longest wall.
Scale up everything around it. Wide nightstands, larger lamps and a 12 x 15 rug keep things in proportion.
Choose a headboard worth looking at. At 9 feet wide it is the biggest surface in the room. Browse our custom upholstered and wood beds.
Keep the bedding simple. A large square reads best with clean, layered neutrals.
People also ask
How big is an Alberta King bed?
Our Alberta King takes a 96 x 96 inch mattress. The frame is about 111 x 111 inches.
Is an Alberta King bigger than a Texas King?
Longer, yes, by 16 inches. Wider, no: a Texas King is 2 inches wider.
Alberta King vs Alaskan King: which is bigger?
The Alaskan King, at 108 x 108 inches.
Can I use two mattresses on an Alberta King?
Yes. Two 48 x 96 inch mattresses side by side is a common and practical setup.
Can you buy an Alberta King in Canada?
Yes. We build them to order in Toronto and deliver across Canada.
What room size do I need?
At least 13 by 13 feet, ideally 15 by 15.
When you are ready
Our Canadian-made beds can be built as an Alberta King. Because each bed is built to order, 96 inches is a starting point. If your room needs something in between, we can build that too.
Comparing sizes? Our guide to every bed size puts them side by side. Or tell us the room and who sleeps in the bed, and we will tell you the size that actually fits.
