RV King vs Regular King: How Much Smaller Is It? (November 2026)
An RV king is usually 72 x 80 inches, 4 inches narrower than a regular king at 76 x 80 inches. Measure your bed platform before choosing, since RV sizes and corners can vary.
On this page (10 sections)
- How different are RV king and regular king dimensions?
- Which size fits your bed platform?
- Can you use a regular king mattress in an RV?
- How do these 2 mattresses compare?
- Which mattress size should you choose?
- What should you measure before buying?
- What if your RV king isn't 72 x 80 inches?
- Does the thickness change the size choice?
- Is an RV king the right size for two people?
- RV king vs regular king: which one fits?
An RV king is usually 72 x 80 inches, 4 inches narrower than a regular king at 76 x 80 inches. The length is the same, but those 4 inches can affect how the mattress sits between walls, cabinets or a bed frame.
Names alone aren't enough to pick a replacement. Measure your platform and note any rounded corners, cutouts and height limits before you order.
How different are RV king and regular king dimensions?
A common RV king is 72 x 80 inches, and a regular king is 76 x 80 inches. Both are 80 inches long, so the key difference is width.
The 4 inch width gap equals 2 inches on each side if both mattresses are centered. In practice, where that space falls depends on how your bed frame and nearby fixtures are arranged.
A 72 x 80 inch surface covers 5,760 square inches. A 76 x 80 inch surface covers 6,080 square inches, a difference of 320 square inches.
That area difference may sound small, but a mattress that's too wide can press into a wall or hang past the platform. Check how much space you have around the full bed, not just the size printed on an old mattress label.
Does every RV king measure 72 x 80?
No, RV bed names don't guarantee one exact set of dimensions. A 72 x 80 inch mattress is a common RV king size, but some RVs use another width or length.
Measure the mattress platform itself. If it has sloped corners or a notch for a cabinet, measure those areas too and keep a simple sketch with the measurements.
Our guide to RV king mattress sizes covers common 72 x 80 and 70 x 80 inch beds. For another common RV size, see RV queen mattress dimensions.
Which size fits your bed platform?
Match the mattress to the usable platform and the space around it. A 76 inch wide mattress needs more room across the bed than a 72 inch one.
Start with the flat platform width at the head, center and foot. If those measurements differ, the mattress may need shaped corners or a custom cut.
Next, measure length from the head of the platform to its foot. Include any wall, trim or furniture that limits the mattress, and check where bedding will fall.
Measure for walls and cabinets
A wall or cabinet beside the mattress can make a 4 inch difference more noticeable. Check whether a mattress edge needs to clear trim, a wardrobe door or a walkway.
Mark the platform width with tape, then check the space between the marks and nearby obstacles. If the room is tight, allow for fitted bedding and any frame edge that rises above the platform.
An RV with a Murphy bed needs extra care. Confirm the closed bed has room to fold and latch with the mattress in place.
See what mattress works on an RV Murphy bed for fit details.
Check corners, cutouts and height
Some beds have rounded corners, angled ends or cutouts around built-in furniture. A rectangular mattress can be the right width and length but still bunch against a corner or block access.
Measure from the straight edges and note the shape of each corner. If the platform is unusual, a custom RV mattress made to order may be worth considering.
Thickness matters as well as width and length. A mattress that sits too high can interfere with a storage lid, slide or Murphy bed, so check clearance before choosing one.
Can you use a regular king mattress in an RV?
A regular king may fit only if the platform and surrounding room have space for its full width. At 76 x 80 inches, it's 4 inches wider than a common RV king.
On a 72 inch platform, the extra width could extend beyond the edge or be squeezed against nearby structures. Either can leave you with a poor fit, even if the 80 inch length matches.
Don't assume the mattress will compress enough to solve a tight fit. Foam can give under pressure, but a cramped bed may still rub against a wall or make it harder to tuck in sheets.
A wider mattress also needs room to get through the RV door and into the bedroom. Measure the route, turns and door openings before moving a mattress inside.
How do these 2 mattresses compare?
The Dyonery is 72 x 80 inches, while the EGOHOME is 76 x 80 inches. Choose based on your measured platform first, then compare thickness and feel.
The Dyonery is 10 inches thick and has medium support. The EGOHOME is 8 inches thick and has a medium-firm feel.
The EGOHOME's listed dimensions match a regular king, while the Dyonery's match a common RV king. If your platform is 70 inches wide, neither measurement is an exact match, so look for a size that suits the bed.
Which mattress size should you choose?
Choose 72 x 80 inches if your platform measures for an RV king, and 76 x 80 inches if it fits a regular king. The mattress should sit on the frame without forcing the edges into nearby fixtures.
The Dyonery measures 72 x 80 inches and may fit a standard RV king platform. Its 10 inch thickness is worth checking against your available clearance.
The EGOHOME measures 76 x 80 inches, which is the wider regular king size. Its 8 inch thickness may be useful when you need a thinner mattress, but it still needs the full 76 inches of width.
If neither matches your platform, don't round up based on the label. Look for the exact size or consider a made-to-order shape.
What should you measure before buying?
Record the platform's width, length, corner shape and maximum mattress height. These details help you avoid a mattress that blocks a walkway or interferes with a bed mechanism.
Measure the usable surface in inches, not just the old mattress. A mattress can soften or shift over time, so its current shape may not match the original platform dimensions.
Then check:
- Width: Measure side to side at the head, center and foot.
- Length: Measure from the head of the platform to its foot.
- Corners: Note rounded, angled or cut-away sections.
- Height: Check the clearance below cabinets, around slides or inside a Murphy bed.
- Access: Measure the path through doors and tight turns.
Take the measurements with you when comparing sizes. If the platform has an unusual outline, make a paper template or ask a mattress maker about the measurements before ordering.
What if your RV king isn't 72 x 80 inches?
Shop by your measurements if your platform doesn't match 72 x 80 inches. RVs can use different bed sizes, and a similar name doesn't make two mattresses interchangeable.
A 70 x 80 inch bed, for example, is 2 inches narrower than a 72 x 80 inch RV king. A shorter bed needs a different length, even if the width is close.
For a narrower king that's also shorter, compare short king mattress dimensions with your platform. If your bed has unusual corners or a nonstandard measurement, see the custom RV mattress guide.
Does the thickness change the size choice?
Thickness won't change a mattress's width or length, but it can affect whether the bed works in your RV. Check height clearance as carefully as the platform footprint.
The Dyonery is 10 inches thick, and the EGOHOME is 8 inches thick. Those 2 inches may matter where a cabinet, slide, storage compartment or folding bed sits close to the mattress.
Also consider how high the mattress will sit above the frame. A tall mattress can make it harder to climb into a bed or reach a nearby shelf, while a thin one may change how the bed feels against the frame.
Is an RV king the right size for two people?
An RV king gives you the same 80 inch length as a regular king but 4 inches less width. Whether that feels roomy enough depends on your space and sleeping preferences.
The size name can't tell you how much room either person needs. Think about how close the bed is to a wall, whether you both get in and out on the same side, and whether the narrower width leaves room to walk through the RV.
If you want to compare a different RV layout, read RV king vs RV queen. That guide can help you weigh bed width against the space available in your rig.
RV king vs regular king: which one fits?
Pick the 72 x 80 inch RV king for a platform that measures for that size; pick the 76 x 80 inch regular king when your bed and room fit the extra width. Measure the frame, corners and clearance before choosing a mattress.
If your measurements don't match either size, shop for the actual dimensions or consider a custom shape. The RV bed size guide can help you compare other common camper bed measurements.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller is an RV king than a regular king?
A common RV king is 72 x 80 inches, while a regular king is 76 x 80 inches. The RV size is 4 inches narrower and has the same length, which means it covers 320 fewer square inches.
Measure your actual platform because RV dimensions can vary.
Can a regular king mattress fit an RV king bed?
A regular king that measures 76 x 80 inches is 4 inches wider than a 72 x 80 inch RV king. It may overhang the platform or press against a wall or cabinet.
Measure the frame and surrounding space before trying a wider mattress.
Is an RV king the same size as a California king?
No. A common RV king measures 72 x 80 inches, while a California king is generally known for being narrower and longer than a regular king.
Check the exact dimensions of your mattress and platform rather than relying on the name alone.
How do I measure an RV king bed?
Measure the platform from side to side for width and from head to foot for length. Check the usable flat area, rounded corners, cutouts and nearby walls or cabinets.
Record the thickness limit too, especially if a mattress must clear a slide, storage lid or Murphy bed.
