How large should a desk mat be?

How large should a desk mat be? That depends mainly on your desk and the way you work. If you only use a laptop and mouse, a small mat is enough. If you use a keyboard, notepad and files, you need more space. In this article we show which desk mat size suits you.

Common sizes at a glance

• Small (about 60 × 30 cm): suitable for a laptop and mouse on small desks.
• Medium (about 80 × 40 cm): offers room for keyboard, mouse and a notepad. This is the most common size.
• Large (about 90 × 45 cm or 100 × 50 cm): suits wide desks and a lot of paperwork.

How to find the right size

1. Measure your work area

Place your keyboard and mouse the way you work. Then measure the area you actually use. The mat should cover this area, but not the whole desk. Otherwise the desk quickly looks cluttered.

2. Consider the way you work

Do you write a lot by hand? Then choose a larger mat so that your notepad fits as well. If you work almost entirely on screen, the medium size is often enough.

3. Pay attention to posture

With a larger mat, keyboard and mouse sit at the same height. Your arm therefore stays more relaxed. In addition, the mouse does not slide over an edge.

4. Allow for some margin

Leave a few centimetres free on the right and left. This way the mat does not hang over the edge of the desk. On a height-adjustable desk, also make sure the cables stay free.

5. Gaming and graphics

Anyone who games or draws with wide mouse movements needs more width. In that case choose a large mat of about 90 cm. Otherwise the mouse keeps hitting the edge.

The size of the FireMat desk mat

Our fireproof desk mat measures 80 × 40 cm and therefore fits most desks. It is non-slip, replaces the mouse pad and can be wiped clean. It is also made of aramid fibres and therefore withstands a hot cup. It is available in black, green, silver and gold.

You can read more on this topic in our guides Which material is suitable? and How much does a desk mat cost?.