Key takeaways
- Pro: three-piece modular construction and short lead time.
- Pro: matching protectors and sheets from the same maker.
- Con: seams between modules can be felt if no topper is used, so plan a topper.
- Con: confirm the return policy for oversize items before ordering.
An Alaskan king size bed is a 108 x 108 inch square mattress, nine feet on every side, and the practical way to buy one is as a system: a made-to-order or modular mattress, a frame built for nine-foot beds with a strong center support, and sheets cut for 108 x 108 inches. It needs a room of roughly 14 x 14 feet at the very least and about 16 x 16 feet to feel comfortable, and it must be delivered in pieces because no 108 inch mattress fits through a standard door. This guide covers the sizes, the room math, the delivery reality and seven real ways to build an Alaskan king, from mattress makers to frame specialists to sheet suppliers. Sellers and specs come from their own sites and buying guides, and where sources disagree this is stated.
Alaskan king vs other oversized beds
The Alaskan king is the largest of the named king sizes and the only one that is a perfect square. The other oversized sizes are narrower or shorter, and for many households one of them is a better fit.
| Size | Width x length | Surface area | Typical minimum room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard king | 76 x 80 in | 6,080 sq in | 12 x 12 ft |
| California king | 72 x 84 in | 6,048 sq in | 12 x 12 ft |
| Wyoming king | 84 x 84 in | 7,056 sq in | 12 x 12 ft |
| Texas king | 80 x 98 in | 7,840 sq in | 12 x 14 ft |
| Alaskan king | 108 x 108 in | 11,664 sq in | 14 x 14 ft minimum, 16 x 16 ft comfortable |
The Alaskan king has almost twice the sleeping surface of a standard king and gives each of two adults 54 inches of width, which is the same as a full-size mattress each. Add two children or a large dog and the extra square footage is the point of the size. If you simply want more length for a tall sleeper, a Texas king is cheaper and easier to place.
Will it fit? Room, doorway and stair measurements
Room size recommendations vary by source, from about 13 x 13 feet as a bare minimum, with 2 to 3 feet of walking space around the bed, to 16 x 16 feet or more as a comfortable layout with nightstands. A 108 inch bed in a 14 foot room leaves 30 inches on each side if centered, enough for walking but not for a dresser at the foot. A 16 foot room leaves 42 inches each side. In an 18 foot room the layout opens up enough for a bench and nightstands.
Delivery matters more than room size. Interior bedroom doors run 28 to 32 inches wide and exterior doors are about 36 inches, so a nine-foot mattress cannot pass through whole. Almost every Alaskan king frame ships in modular sections designed to fit through a 32 inch doorway, and mattresses are either built in sections that join on site or ship as compressed foam. Before you order, measure every doorway, hallway turn and stair along the route, and decide where the bed will be assembled. Elevators often have inside dimensions that cannot swallow a 108 inch panel on its side either, so confirm with the building.
Floor load is the third measurement. A nine-foot bed, a heavy mattress and two or three people can reach 800 to 1,200 pounds on a floor area of about 81 square feet, which is a moderate load that ordinary residential floors handle, but upper-floor rooms with weak joists should be checked.
Build options at a glance
| Part | Where it comes from | Lead time (as listed by sellers) | Main check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattress | Create-A-Mattress, Big Mattress Co, Mattress Insider, Custom Mattress Factory | 1 to 6 weeks | Modular pieces, trial and returns |
| Frame | Alaskan King Sleep, Custom Mattress Factory, Delarkin, Melaaura | 10 business days to 5+ weeks | Center support legs, modular joints |
| Upholstered frame with headboard | Alaskan King Bed Co, AdultBunkBeds | Varies | Headboard ships separately |
| Sheets | SGI Bedding, Kotton Culture, OCOCHI | In stock to 2 weeks | Pocket depth versus mattress plus topper |
1. Create-A-Mattress Alaskan King Mattress
Create-A-Mattress sells an Alaskan king mattress described as 108 x 108 inches and shipped as three modular pieces, with a listed shipping time of about one to two weeks. The modular design is the key feature, because each section is narrow enough to carry through ordinary doors and assemble in the bedroom. The company also states that it makes Alaskan king sheets and protectors sized to fit and has begun to sell Alaskan king frames, although another seller’s page says frames are not stocked, so confirm what is currently available.
Who it is for
Buyers who want a fast delivery and a mattress that arrives in pieces which can be carried upstairs.
Pros and cons
- Pro: three-piece modular construction and short lead time.
- Pro: matching protectors and sheets from the same maker.
- Con: seams between modules can be felt if no topper is used, so plan a topper.
- Con: confirm the return policy for oversize items before ordering.
2. Big Mattress Co Alaskan King
Big Mattress Co appears in oversize bed directories with a lead time of four to six weeks, a 100-night trial and free returns according to one buying guide. For a made-to-order size that cannot be tried in a store, trial and return terms are as important as the mattress itself, because a returned nine-foot mattress costs the seller real money and many oversize sellers refuse returns. Verify the current terms on the seller’s own site.
Who it is for
Careful shoppers who want a trial period on a size that is difficult to test.
Pros and cons
- Pro: trial period and return terms listed in directories.
- Pro: made to order, so firmness can be chosen.
- Con: longer lead time of a month or more.
- Con: return logistics for a 108 inch mattress can be complicated.
3. Mattress Insider Alaskan King Mattress and Sheets
Mattress Insider is a long-running specialist for oversized beds, selling mattresses, 600-thread-count sateen cotton sheets in 108 x 108 inch, and a buying guide for oversized sizes. A directory and the seller’s own listings note that oversize products carry no trial or returns, and the site says it likely will not have a frame or box spring. Because the seller does not offer returns, order only after you have measured the room, the path in and your preferred firmness.
Who it is for
Buyers who know exactly what they want and want sheets customizable to mattress height.
Pros and cons
- Pro: specialist knowledge and sheets that can be made to your mattress depth.
- Pro: American-made sheets are advertised.
- Con: no trial or returns on oversize items, according to directories.
- Con: no frame, so you need a second supplier.
4. Alaskan King Sleep Frames
Alaskan King Sleep is listed among the specialist frame makers, with a stated price band in the upper tier and a lead time of 10 to 14 business days. A frame for a 108 x 108 inch mattress has to carry a heavy load across a very long span, so look for multiple center support legs and slats, not just four corner legs. A metal frame with only corner legs will flex and sag in the middle, a common failure on nine-foot beds. Platform, modular and upholstered designs are sold by the specialist sellers, and most ship in sections for delivery through a 32 inch door.
Who it is for
Anyone who needs a frame that is designed for the span and the weight, rather than a stretched king frame.
Pros and cons
- Pro: purpose-built for 108 inch mattresses with center supports.
- Pro: shortest listed lead time among the frame makers.
- Con: premium cost tier.
- Con: assembly takes two people and a few hours.
5. Custom Mattress Factory Frames and Mattresses
Custom Mattress Factory is listed as both a mattress and frame seller, with frame lead times of five weeks or more. It is useful for buyers who want one seller for the entire bed and who can wait. As with all made-to-order oversize items, ask for written dimensions of the delivered pieces, the weight of the heaviest piece, and the assembly instructions before paying.
Who it is for
Buyers who prefer a single supplier for mattress and frame and can plan weeks ahead.
Pros and cons
- Pro: one seller for frame and mattress.
- Pro: custom sizing options in the made-to-order process.
- Con: slow lead time of five weeks or longer.
- Con: price band is in the premium tier.
6. Alaskan King Bed Co and AdultBunkBeds Upholstered Frames
Alaskan King Bed Co, AdultBunkBeds.com and Wyoming King Beds are named in one directory as sellers of upholstered Alaskan king frames with built-in headboards, usually shipped with the headboard as a separate piece to ease delivery. AdultBunkBeds also lists platform and canopy styles. An upholstered frame gives a finished look but puts fabric under a lot of rubbing, so choose a tight-weave fabric if pets will be on the bed.
Who it is for
People who want a headboard included and a finished bedroom look.
Pros and cons
- Pro: headboard shipped separately for easier delivery.
- Pro: platform, upholstered and canopy styles available.
- Con: fabric wears faster than steel or wood on the frame edges.
- Con: a nine-foot headboard is heavy and needs two people to hang.
7. Alaskan King Sheets: SGI Bedding, Kotton Culture and OCOCHI
Alaskan king sheets are the part most buyers underestimate, because standard king and California king sheets will not fit a 108 x 108 inch mattress. Three real suppliers cover most needs. SGI Bedding sells a 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton fitted sheet at 108 x 108 inches with a 15 inch pocket and also offers an 18 inch pocket version. Kotton Culture sells a 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton set with a 108 x 108 inch fitted sheet and a 16 inch pocket, which one review site names as its best overall. OCOCHI has a dedicated Alaskan king sheet collection that a bed guide describes as the widest selection, with sheets designed for mattresses up to about 14 to 16 inches thick. Flat sheet sizes vary widely, from 125 x 125 inches to 146 x 129 inches, so compare them if overhang matters to you.
How to match pocket depth
The rule of thumb in the oversized bed guides is to add 3 inches to the mattress thickness and then add the thickness of any topper. A 12 inch mattress with a 3 inch topper therefore needs an 18 inch pocket. A 14 inch pocket on a thick pillow-top is likely to pop off during the night.
Pros and cons
- Pro: real 108 x 108 inch fitted sheets are available in multiple pocket depths.
- Pro: Egyptian cotton sets come in different thread counts.
- Con: flat sheet sizes are inconsistent between brands.
- Con: thread count alone does not predict durability.
Frame and mattress trade-offs
| Choice | Strength | Weakness | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular three-piece mattress | Fits through doors, quick shipping | Seams can be felt | You live upstairs or in a tight home |
| Made-to-order single-piece foam | Seamless feel | Needs a large entrance or compression | You have wide doors or can assemble on site |
| Steel platform frame with center legs | Strong, quiet, simple | Modern look only | You want durability |
| Wood or upholstered frame | Decorative, headboard included | Heavier, fabric wears | You prioritize styling |
Is an Alaskan king bed right for you?
Reasons to buy
You share the bed with children or pets, one partner moves a lot, or you simply want a very large sleeping surface and have a room that is at least 14 x 14 feet. Each adult has 54 inches of width, so the size genuinely removes partner disturbance.
Reasons to hesitate
Beds this size tend to be made to order, sheets and protectors are specialist items, and replacing any part takes weeks. Moving house is also harder because the frame must be disassembled and the mattress modules transported separately. If you only want more length, a Texas king at 80 x 98 inches is easier to furnish.
Bedding, protectors and care for a nine-foot bed
Everything that goes on an Alaskan king is a specialist size, so plan the accessories before the bed arrives. A mattress protector must be cut for 108 x 108 inches, and since a mattress this size is expensive to replace, a protector is the cheapest insurance you can buy. A 108 inch bed also needs a wide top layer: a standard king comforter, which is about 104 inches wide, leaves almost no overhang on a nine-foot mattress, so look for an oversized duvet cover or a bedspread sold specifically for Alaskan king.
Laundry is another practical point. An Alaskan king fitted sheet is large and heavy when wet, and a standard home washer drum may not clean it well, so many owners wash the flat and fitted sheets in separate loads or use a laundromat’s largest machine. Rotating the mattress is awkward on a nine-foot bed, so ask the maker whether the modules can be rotated or swapped, which spreads wear between the sleeping zones of two adults.
Finally, think about bed-making. A 108 inch bed has a nine-foot reach across the middle, so dressing it solo is harder than a standard king. Many owners use a duvet and cover rather than a top sheet and layered spreads to make the bed in a minute.
Common mistakes
- Ordering before measuring the delivery path, which is the most expensive mistake.
- Buying a frame with only four corner legs, which sags over a 108 inch span.
- Assuming a king comforter works: an Alaskan king needs a purpose-sized comforter or a wide duvet cover.
- Buying sheets with a pocket depth that is too shallow for a topper.
- Skipping the return policy check on oversize items.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do I need around an Alaskan king bed?
At least 2 to 3 feet of walking space on each side and at the foot, so a 14 x 14 foot room is the practical minimum. Most guides prefer 16 x 16 feet.
Can I use king sheets on an Alaskan king?
No. A standard king is 76 x 80 inches and a California king is 72 x 84 inches, so neither covers a 108 x 108 inch surface. You need Alaskan king sheets.
How do I get an Alaskan king mattress upstairs?
Choose a modular design that ships in sections, or a compressed foam model, and measure each stair turn and doorway. Frames are made in modules for the same reason.
What is the difference between an Alaskan king and a Wyoming king?
The Wyoming king is 84 x 84 inches, while the Alaskan king is 108 x 108 inches. The Alaskan king is 24 inches wider and longer and has about 65 percent more surface area.
Are Alaskan king mattresses available in stores?
Retail stores generally do not carry them. They are sold by specialist online sellers and made to order.
Final recommendation
Treat an Alaskan king as a three-part purchase. Start with the room and delivery measurements, then choose a modular mattress from a seller whose trial and return terms you have read, pair it with a frame that has center supports, and finish with sheets that match your mattress plus topper depth. For a fast, simple route, Create-A-Mattress offers a modular mattress with matching accessories; for a trial period, check Big Mattress Co; for frames, compare Alaskan King Sleep, Custom Mattress Factory and the upholstered options. If the room or the stairs are tight, a Wyoming or Texas king will deliver most of the benefit with far less hassle.