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I run, and I've dealt with calf cramps before, and while the literature is still inconclusive on exact causes, electrolyte issues and muscle fatigue are most commonly blamed. Neither alone will fix everything: pounding pickle juice won't get you through a marathon untrained without cramps. It might help to do some minor strength work on the calves (and their antagonists) regularly, especially if you aren't exercising regularly. A dozen calf raises and toe raises a couple times a week seems a modest time commitment, if you're willing to try.
The other thought I have is that it could be related to positioning: I've had trouble with calf cramps while swimming before, which is funny because you don't really use your calves for that at all. But you do point your toes for extended periods, which isn't a very common posture otherwise. When I've had similar calf cramps while sleeping, I've noticed that I sometimes sleep with my toes pointed. If you're doing that, perhaps a change in posture could avoid the issue. There are also products that might help for sleeping (compression socks, ankle braces), but I haven't tried any myself.
I do do that 5-10k steps a day, which is walking at a brisk pace back and forth to my current job in the heart of NYC. It may not sound like that much to some, but when Covid WFH limited my walking for a couple years and I started up again, it was pretty tiring and left me a little sore for the first couple of weeks. I don't do any strength training right now, but I do train Muai Thai roughly once a week.
I don't think I point my toes while sleeping. Once in a while, I do that deliberately to crack my ankle, which I don't think has ever triggered one of these types of cramps.
Speaking of kind of exercise related and weird muscle issues, I also occasionally get a restless or antsy feeling in my quads and I think also calves. It doesn't seem to be related to the cramps, I think. It's basically a physical need to stand, walk, or even run. Once in a while, it feels intense enough that I just need to go outside and run a few blocks. Pretty weird I guess.
Anyways, hopefully consuming substantially more electrolytes daily will help some.
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