Are you ready to buy a yoga mat but you’re not sure what size you should buy?
If so, this post will tell you the right yoga mat length based on your height and a few other factors that should influence your selection.
The best yoga mat length has 3 extra inches (7.6 centimeters) of length so your head and feet fit properly. The 24 x 68 in (61.0 x 172.7 cm) mat is best for most short people and the 24 x 72 in (61.0 x 182.9 cm) mat is best for most average-height people.
I’ll go more into sizing later, but that’s a rough guide you can follow right now if you’re in the checkout line right now ready to make a purchase.
In this articles, I’ll also go over the:
- Best yoga mat thickness
- Normal yoga mat size (and why you can’t always trust it)
- Materials yoga mats are made out of
- How long yoga mats last
- Right yoga mat length based on your height
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Yoga Mat Should I Buy?
There are many variables for what yoga mat you should buy!
It’s comparable to following a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet without factoring in what your goals are (weight loss, weight gain, muscle gain, etc.).
If you blindly follow someone else’s advice, then you’re setting yourself up for failure before you even hit the yoga mat.
Weight-Friendly Tip
Research published in the Journal of Educational Philosophy and Theory and Theory suggests that the mindful nature attained while performing yoga challenges the idea that thought and mind are inevitably disruptive to absorbed coping, or performing an activity without paying attention to what it is.When considering what yoga mat to buy, the following things should be mentioned:
- The thickness of a yoga mat
- What the normal size of a yoga mat is
- The materials yoga mats are commonly made of (and what you should stay away from)
- How long yoga mats last for
I’ll go over the ideal yoga mat length later, but it’s important to discuss these other factors first so you don’t pick out a yoga mat prematurely based on your height and ignore everything else.
Yoga Mat Thickness
Yoga mats typically come in three thicknesses:
- 1/16 in (2 mm)
- 1/8 to 3/16 in (3 to 4 mm)
- 1/4 in (6 mm)
Get familiar with the metric numbers of yoga mats (even if you live in the U.S.) because most yoga mats are typically marketed in the 4 to 6 mm thickness.
Just like Goldilocks, you should stick with the middle option here. Look for a yoga mat that’s about 3 to 4 mm thick.
Weight-Friendly Tip
The older you are, the more likely you’ll want to get a thicker yoga mat. Your joints wear down with age and your bones are weaker, so it’s natural to want more support from a yoga mat. A good barometer for this is that if you hate thin-soled shoes and need thicker ones for support, you should mirror that idea when buying a yoga mat. Stick to to a 6 mm (1/4 in) yoga mat in that case.The smallest thickness is typically only purchased by people who travel a lot because it’s quite portable.
However, being so thin, it doesn’t support your body for some yoga poses. The same can be said for yoga mats that are 6 mm thick in that they’re supportive for some but neglect the rest.
What is the Normal Size of a Yoga Mat?
The normal yoga mat size (most commonly sold and offered) is the 24 x 68 in (61.0 x 172.7 cm).
But, that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice choice for you.
The length tends to vary more than the width does, with widths going up to 72 in (182.9 cm) and even 84 in (213.4 cm).
Here are the common yoga mat measurements:
- Thickness: 1/8 to 3/16 in (3 to 4 mm)
- Length: 68 in (172.7 cm)
- Width: 24 in (61.0 cm)
If you are overweight or plus-size and think you won’t fit on a normal-sized mat (seated or in another pose), then don’t get a standard-sized yoga mat.
Yoga mats are less common in wider widths, but they do exist. You’ll have to pay a higher price tag, though.
You can find a yoga mat that’s 30 to 36 in (76.2 to 91.4 cm), but you may not be able to be as selective about the brand or material.
If you’re overweight and still not sure if yoga is right for you, here’s a helpful article on how overweight people can do yoga.
Yoga Mat Materials
Yoga mats can be made out of MANY different materials.
Here are the common ones:
- PVC: the cheapest, non-environmentally friendly material most entry-level yoga mats are made out of
- Foam: the eco-friendly version of PVC mats that performs practically the same, although it does contain latex which some may be allergic to
- Rubber: similar to the foam mat, it’s also eco-friendly and does contain latex
- Cotton: the thinnest material, it’s also eco-friendly and absorbs sweat well, but only grips well when wet and doesn’t provide the most support
- Jute: this material offers the same sustainability and resiliency that a cotton mat provides, but the material is a bit rougher and absorbs less moisture
Ultimately, you’re going to have to try different yoga poses on these mats to determine which you should buy.
Some of these materials (cotton and jute) are common to place over other yoga mats to improve performance.
Whichever you choose, stay away from PVC if you can. I know it’s cheap, but hurting the environment isn’t ideal, either.
How Long Do Yoga Mats Last?
If you choose a cheap yoga mat (like PVC), then your yoga mat will have a shorter lifespan.
Cheaper and poorly-made yoga mats will last 9 to 12 months before they begin to get smelly, but higher-quality yoga mats can last up to 5 years if taken care of properly.
If you’re just starting out in yoga, there’s no need to buy a top-tier mat. In fact, it’s better if you don’t.
You don’t know all the poses and what your material, thickness, and length preferences are, so save the money for a mat when you know what you’ll want for the style of yoga you prefer.
An Easy Guide to the Right Yoga Mat Length for You
By now, you should be well-educated on the right width and thickness for a yoga mat, as well as the materials that make yoga mats.
Now, it’s time to address the reason why you stopped by this post: yoga mat length.
As I’ve mentioned before, the right yoga mat length for you is going to depend on your height.
The best yoga mat length has 3 extra inches (7.6 centimeters) of length so your head and feet fit properly. The 24 x 68 in (61.0 x 172.7 cm) mat is best for most short people and the 24 x 72 in (61.0 x 182.9 cm) mat is best for most average-height people.
Here’s a table that allows you to match your height with the right yoga mat length.
Yoga Mat Length by Height
| Height | Yoga Mat Length |
|---|---|
| 60 to 65 in (152.4 to 165.1 cm) | 68 in (172.7 cm) |
| 66 to 72 in (167.6 to 182.9 cm) | 72 in (182.9 cm) |
| 70 to 77 in (177.8 to 195.6 cm) | 80 to 84 in (203.2 to 213.4 cm) |
You should see that if you’re on the taller side (5′ 10″ to 6′ 0″), you have two options to choose from.
While it’s best practice to have a few extra inches, you may find you don’t need them. Or, a yoga mat that’s several inches longer than you need is too cumbersome.
If you can, try out the different sizes before buying.
The goal is to keep your HEAD and FEET off of the germ-laden floor. So, choose the mat that serves that purpose.
Do You Need a Longer Yoga Mat?
It helps some taller people to use a longer yoga mat.
If you’re cramped for style, that’s not a good look. Although, I will mention that having too much extra length is unnecessary and can impose some limitations on where you can use it.
Weight-Friendly Tip
If you commonly do yoga in classes with other people, whipping out a yoga mat that’s over 80 inches long (203.2 centimeters) will get you some evil-eye stares. If space is a premium, you’ll take up too much. Either get to class early, find a place, and clear it with the instructor or stick to a shorter length.Here are a few poses to try out on a yoga mat when evaluating if it’s the right length for you:
- Downward dog
- Corpse pose
- Chaturanga
If you don’t encounter any difficulties performing these poses with the SHORTER yoga mat length, then stick to shorter one.
If you do, then go for the longer one.
The Best Yoga Mat Length for People 6′ 2″ (188 cm) or Taller
If you’re a super tall guy or gal and you just don’t fit on a smaller yoga mat, you’ll need to size up.
I’m 5′ 8″ and when I go to hotels, the towel feels like the size of a postage stamp around my body, so I imagine you’ll have a similar experience when you try a pose on a 68 in (172.7 cm) yoga mat.
If you’re 6′ 2″ (188 cm) or taller, then you’ll want to go with a yoga mat that’s between 80 and 84 inches long (203.2 and 213.6 centimeters).
The general policy, as I mentioned before, is to allow around 3 extra inches of length so your head and feet don’t end up on the floor.
Unfortunately, yoga is not designed for tall people, so mats aren’t readily available in varying longer lengths. That shouldn’t dissuade you from doing yoga, though.
Whether short or tall, you can do yoga the same.
Just be aware that longer yoga mats may cost more.
Conclusion
If you haven’t gotten your yoga mat yet, I hope you’re confident in choosing the right yoga mat length based on your height.
In case you scrolled past it before, here are my sizing recommendations.
The best yoga mat length has 3 extra inches (7.6 centimeters) of length so your head and feet fit properly. The 24 x 68 in (61.0 x 172.7 cm) mat is best for most short people and the 24 x 72 in (61.0 x 182.9 cm) mat is best for most average-height people.
In this article, I also discussed:
- Best yoga mat thickness
- Normal yoga mat size (and why you can’t always trust it)
- Materials yoga mats are made out of
- How long yoga mats last
- Right yoga mat length based on your height
If you have any outstanding questions about the yoga mat length right for you, please drop a comment below. I’m happy to answer anything about yoga and I can’t wait to hear about your weight loss journey.
To your weight-loss success!
