A standard yoga mat is roughly 180 cm long and 61 cm wide (about 6 ft by 2 ft). As a rule of thumb, choose a mat at least as long as you are tall, and 10–15 cm longer if you like to lie in savasana without your heels or head on the floor. Width matters more than most people expect: anything over about 65 cm gives wide-legged stances and side-lying poses real room.
The standard size, and why it is only a starting point
Most mats sold today sit close to the dimensions given in the Wikipedia entry on yoga mats: around 180 cm (6 ft) long and 61 cm (2 ft) wide. That size suits a great many people, which is why it became the default. It does not suit everyone.
Two things decide whether a standard mat is enough for you: your height, and how you practise. Someone of 165 cm doing a seated and standing practice will never notice the edge of a 180 cm mat. Someone of 180 cm who likes long savasana, or who practises reclining and prone poses, will find their heels on the floor every session.
Length: the height rule
The simplest test is to lie down on the mat you own and see where your head and heels land. If you are buying without trying, use this guide.
| Your height | Minimum length we suggest | Comfortable length |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 160 cm | 170 cm | 180 cm |
| 160–172 cm | 180 cm | 183–188 cm |
| 172–180 cm | 183 cm | 188 cm or more |
| Over 180 cm | 188 cm | 190 cm or more |
The "minimum" column means your body fits when lying flat. The "comfortable" column leaves a hand's width at head and feet so you are not adjusting yourself in restorative poses.
Our mats come in two lengths. The chakra rugs, Prana Shakti and Prithvi, are our longest at 188 cm × 69 cm (74 × 27 in). Everything else we weave is 183 cm (72 in) long, which is already a touch longer than the 180 cm standard. If you are over 180 cm tall and want more, read our guide on the best yoga mat for tall people, which also explains how to ask about a made-to-order length through our Contact page.
Width: the number people forget
A 61 cm mat is narrow. Shoulders in a wide stance, a knee dropping out in supine twists, or an arm sweeping to the floor in a side plank all tend to find the edge. For most adults, 65–70 cm feels noticeably roomier without being awkward to carry.
All our cotton and grass yoga mats are 68–69 cm wide. The Darbha mat is the exception: at 183 cm × 90 cm it is much wider than a yoga mat, because it is woven in three grass panels for seated meditation and for sleeping on in summer. On the Darbha you can sit cross-legged with a cushion and still have grass under your knees on both sides.
How our mats measure up
| Mat | Length × width | Thickness | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prana Shakti | 188 × 69 cm (74 × 27 in) | 5 mm | ≈1.5 kg | Taller practitioners, long savasana |
| Indico | 183 × 68 cm (72 × 27 in) | 5 mm | ≈1.4 kg | Everyday hatha, Ashtanga, hot practice |
| Darbha | 183 × 90 cm | ≈4 mm | ≈1.2 kg | Seated meditation, pranayama, summer sleeping |
Weights are approximate; every mat is handwoven, so expect small differences between pieces. Thickness is a separate decision from size, and our thickness guide covers it on its own.
Room size: will a longer mat fit at home?
Before you order the longest mat you can find, measure the floor. A 188 cm mat needs a clear strip of at least two metres by one metre so you can step off the end and swing your arms. In a one-bedroom flat the gap beside the bed is often 80–90 cm wide, which is enough for a 69 cm mat but tight for the 90 cm Darbha. For a terrace or a studio, size the mat to your body and ignore the room.
One note on storage: a 183 cm cotton mat rolls to about 68 cm long, while the cloth-backed Darbha folds flat along its panels, which makes it the easiest of our mats to put in a cupboard.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a yoga mat?
A standard yoga mat is about 180 cm long and 61 cm wide (6 ft × 2 ft). Many makers, including us, weave slightly longer and wider: our mats are 183–188 cm long and 68–69 cm wide, and the Darbha meditation mat is 183 × 90 cm.
How long should my yoga mat be for my height?
Choose a mat at least as long as you are tall, and ideally 10–15 cm longer so your head and heels rest on the mat in lying poses. Up to about 172 cm tall, a 180–183 cm mat is comfortable; from 172 cm upwards, look for 188 cm or more.
Does yoga mat width matter?
Yes. A 61 cm mat is narrow for wide-legged stances, twists and side-lying poses. A width of 65–70 cm gives most adults room to move without making the mat hard to carry. Our yoga mats are 68–69 cm wide.
Can I get a longer or wider handwoven mat?
Our longest mats at the time of writing are the 188 cm chakra rugs, and the widest is the 90 cm Darbha. We may be able to weave other sizes to order, but it depends on the loom schedule, so please ask through our Contact page before relying on it.
If you are tall, or you simply like space, start with the 188 cm Prana Shakti. For an everyday mat at the standard-plus size, the Indico is our simplest weave. You can compare all ten mats in the collection.
