California King Quilt Size: Dimensions in Inches, Backing, Batting and Blocks
A california king quilt finishes at about 102 x 99 inches (8.5 x 8.3 feet), which covers a 72 x 84 inch california king mattress with a 15 inch drop. Published charts run 100 x 100 to 112 x 110 inches. Plan 9 yards of 42 inch backing, 12 binding strips and a king batting.
A california king quilt for a 72 by 84 inch california king mattress with a 15 inch drop finishes at 102 by 99 inches. That is the coverlet convention most modern quilt charts use: the mattress plus the drop down both sides and the foot, with no pillow tuck. Mattress depth runs 8 to 14 inches, so a deep mattress needs a longer drop to cover the sides.
Every planning number for a california king quilt sits in the table below: 102 x 99 inches finished, batting cut to 110 x 107 inches and 12 binding strips at 2 1/2 inches, over 9 yards of 42 inch backing.
| Typical finished size | 102 x 99 in (8.5 x 8.3 ft) |
|---|---|
| Published size range | 100 x 100 to 112 x 110 in |
| Mattress | 72 x 84 in, 8 to 14 in deep |
| Quilt top area | 70.1 sq ft |
| Backing, 42 in cotton | 9 yd (3 panels) |
| Backing, 108 in wide | 6 1/8 yd |
| Binding (2 1/2 in strips) | 12 strips, 7/8 yd |
| Batting to cut | 110 x 107 in (King package) |
| Comfortable throat space | 15 in or more, or a frame |
How big should a california king quilt be for your bed?
The drop is the part of the quilt that hangs over the edge of the mattress. A coverlet just clears the mattress sides, a comforter-style quilt sits a little shorter, and a bedspread runs to the floor and tucks over the pillows. The table below gives the california king size for each style, measured from the 72 x 84 inch mattress top: a bedspread version runs 120 x 121 inches against 102 x 99 for the coverlet on this page.
| Style | Drop | Pillow tuck | Quilt size (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverlet | 12 in | none | 96 x 96 |
| Coverlet | 15 in | none | 102 x 99 |
| Comforter / Duvet style | 10 in | none | 92 x 94 |
| Comforter / Duvet style | 15 in | none | 102 x 99 |
| Bedspread | 20 in | 13 in | 112 x 117 |
| Bedspread | 24 in | 13 in | 120 x 121 |
For a bedspread, measure from the top of your mattress to the floor and use that as the drop, since bed frames vary. Cotton quilts also shrink about 3 to 5 percent in the first wash, so add 2 to 3 inches if an exact finished size matters. The quilt size calculator handles any mattress depth and drop.
How many blocks do you need for a california king quilt?
Divide the quilt width and length by the finished block size and round to the nearest whole block. At 12 inches that is 9 blocks across and 8 down, 72 blocks in total. The table assumes no sashing or border, so the finished top is close to, but not exactly, 102 x 99 inches.
| Finished block | Across x down | Total blocks | Top size (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 17 x 17 | 289 | 102 x 102 |
| 8 in | 13 x 12 | 156 | 104 x 96 |
| 10 in | 10 x 10 | 100 | 100 x 100 |
| 12 in | 9 x 8 | 72 | 108 x 96 |
| 14 in | 7 x 7 | 49 | 98 x 98 |
| 16 in | 6 x 6 | 36 | 96 x 96 |
Want fewer blocks? Add a border. A 6 inch border on all four sides removes 12 inches from each dimension of the block area. Try it in the blocks needed calculator, or see quilt block sizes for cutting sizes.
Precuts save you the cutting: a charm pack is 42 squares of 5 inches that finish at 4 1/2, and a layer cake is 42 squares of 10 inches that finish at 9 1/2, both ready to sew straight into these grids.
How much fabric does a california king quilt need for backing, binding and batting?
These are the finishing materials for a 102 x 99 inch top, using 4 inches of extra backing and batting per side and 2 1/2 inch double-fold binding cut across 42 inch cotton.
- Backing: 9 yards of 42 inch cotton (3 panels, vertical seams), or 6 1/8 yards of 108 inch wide backing. Full detail on the california king backing page.
- Binding: 12 strips at 2 1/2 inches, 414 inches in total, 7/8 yards. See the california king binding page.
- Batting: 110 x 107 inches, so a King package (120 x 120 in) covers it. Compare types in the batting size chart, or size batting for a top that is not a standard size with the batting size calculator.
What machine do you need to quilt a california king quilt?
King quilts are where sit-down longarms, midarms and frame systems earn their keep. Throat space, the distance from the needle to the machine body, decides how much quilt you can bunch to the right of the needle. For a quilt 102 inches wide, look for 15 in or more, or a frame.
Longarms and frames for king-size quilts
King quilts are heavy. A midarm, sit-down longarm or frame system lets the machine do the work instead of your shoulders.
Grace Little Rebel Sewing and Quilting Machine
Under $2,500A midarm with built-in stitch regulation that can sit on a table or a frame.
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Handi Quilter Amara ST 20 Stationary Longarm with Lift Table
Under $10,000A 20 inch sit-down longarm with a lift table: room for king quilts without a frame.
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Grace Qnique 16X Longarm with Q-Zone Queen Frame
Under $5,000A complete longarm and frame system for quilting large tops edge to edge.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Measure before you cut
Quilt size charts disagree by several inches. Measure your actual mattress and the drop you like on an existing blanket, then adjust. It is easier to add a border than to unpick one.
Supplies for a california king quilt
Warm & Natural Cotton Batting, King (4 Pack)
Under $250Cotton batting in king packages, enough for several large quilts.
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ROC-lon 108 in Wide Cotton Quilt Backing, White, 3 Yards
Under $50Extra-wide backing that skips the seams on a big quilt.
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Creative Grids 12-1/2 x 24-1/2 Rectangle Quilt Ruler
Under $100A long, grippy ruler for cutting borders and binding strips accurately.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How does a california king quilt compare with other sizes?
Standard quilt sizes run from a 24 x 24 inch mini up to a 106 x 95 inch king, and the table below places a california king quilt among them at 102 x 99 inches, or 70.1 square feet.
| Quilt | Typical size (in) | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| California King | 102 x 99 | California king bed coverlet |
| Mini / Wall Hanging | 24 x 24 | Wall decor, table topper, skill practice, swaps |
| Baby | 40 x 40 | Play mat, tummy time, stroller, gift |
| Crib | 36 x 52 | Nursery decor, toddler bed; keep soft bedding out of an infant sleep space per safe-sleep guidance |
| Lap | 45 x 60 | Chair or wheelchair lap cover, reading |
| Throw | 50 x 65 | Couch, foot of bed, picnic |
| Twin | 68 x 90 | Twin bed coverlet, bunk bed, daybed |
| Twin XL | 68 x 95 | Dorm bed coverlet |
| Full / Double | 83 x 90 | Full bed coverlet |
| Queen | 90 x 95 | Queen bed coverlet |
| King | 106 x 95 | King or split king bed coverlet |
Frequently asked questions
How big is a california king quilt in feet?
A california king quilt of 102 x 99 inches is about 8.5 x 8.3 feet. Quilt sizes are not standardized, so patterns and shops list anything from 100 x 100 to 112 x 110 inches. Measure your own mattress width, length and depth, then add the drop you like on each side, because a thick pillow-top california king mattress can eat several inches of drop.
How much fabric do I need for the back of a california king quilt?
With 4 inches of extra backing on every side, a 102 x 99 inch california king quilt needs a 110 x 107 inch backing. That is 9 yards of 42 inch quilting cotton sewn as 3 panels with vertical seams, or 6 1/8 yards of 108 inch wide backing. Longarm quilters may ask for 6 inches per side, so check first.
What size batting do I need for a california king quilt?
Cut batting about 4 inches larger than the top on every side, so a california king quilt needs roughly 110 x 107 inches. The smallest standard package that covers it is King batting at 120 x 120 inches. Package sizes vary slightly by brand, so compare the label before you buy.
How many 12 inch blocks do I need for a california king quilt?
Without sashing or borders, a california king quilt near 102 x 99 inches takes 9 blocks across and 8 down, 72 blocks in total, for a finished top of 108 x 96 inches. Adding a border lets you use fewer blocks and still reach the size you want. The blocks-needed calculator works out sashing and borders for you.
How much binding does a california king quilt need?
A 102 x 99 inch quilt has a perimeter of 402 inches. Adding 12 inches for mitered corners and the final join, you need about 414 inches of binding, which is 12 strips cut 2 1/2 inches wide across 42 inch fabric, or 7/8 yards of fabric.
How do you calculate quilt size from a mattress?
Quilt width is the mattress width plus twice the drop, and quilt length is the mattress length plus one drop plus any pillow tuck. For this size that is 72 + (2 x 15) = 102 inches wide and 84 + 15 = 99 inches long. The drop is the distance from the top edge of the mattress to wherever you want the quilt to stop, so measure your own bed rather than trusting a chart.
How do I measure a quilt I already own?
Lay the quilt flat on a bed or floor, smooth out the wrinkles, then measure across the middle in both directions rather than along the edges, which stretch. Record width first, then length, the way quilt sizes are written: a california king quilt reads 102 x 99 inches. A washed cotton quilt measures about 3 to 5 percent smaller than it did before its first wash.
Can I quilt a california king quilt on a regular sewing machine?
King quilts are where sit-down longarms, midarms and frame systems earn their keep. For a quilt 102 inches wide, a throat space of 15 in or more, or a frame makes the job comfortable. A standard machine with a 6 to 7 inch harp can still quilt it with careful rolling and straight lines, but free-motion work on a big quilt is far easier with more space. Many quilters also send large tops to a longarm service.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
