Every mat in our collection comes in four sizes, and "which one?" is the question we're asked most. The honest answer is that it depends on three things: the table you'll play on, the game you play, and whether you use racks. Here's how to work through it in two minutes.
The four sizes at a glance
| 53 × 53 cm (20.9 × 20.9 in) | Compact and travel play, side tables, two-player games |
| 66 × 66 cm (26 × 26 in) | Small dining tables, riichi with a tight wall, casual Chinese mahjong |
| 80 × 80 cm (31.5 × 31.5 in) | The all-rounder — full four-player games on most dining tables |
| 84 × 84 cm (33 × 33 in) | Card tables and American mah jongg with racks |
Start with your table
Measure the playing surface, not the tabletop edge-to-edge — you want at least a few centimetres of table showing around the mat so drinks and snack bowls have somewhere safe to live that isn't the playing surface.
- Folding card table (86–96 cm / 34–38 in square): the 84 cm mat is made for this. It covers the surface almost edge to edge, which is exactly what you want for American mah jongg.
- Round or rectangular dining table: the 80 cm mat suits most four-seaters; go 66 cm if your table is on the small side or you like room around the mat.
- Coffee table, patio table, holiday rental: 53 cm rolls into a suitcase and sets up anywhere.
Then factor in your game
American mah jongg uses 152 tiles plus racks and pushers, so the setup simply takes more room — go 84 cm if your table allows it, 80 cm as the minimum for a comfortable game. Riichi uses 136 tiles built into four walls; the classic riichi table is compact, and 66–80 cm feels right. Chinese mahjong sits in the same range. If you split time between game types, the 80 cm size is the safe single answer.
Why play on a mat at all?
Three reasons: sound, speed and protection. A 2 mm neoprene surface swallows the clatter of shuffling — the difference between a game you can hold while someone sleeps upstairs and one you can't. Tiles slide and stand cleanly on the smooth face, the non-slip backing keeps the whole surface planted during an enthusiastic shuffle, and your table finish never meets a tile edge. Every size above comes with a travel storage bag and rolls flat again in seconds.
Once you know your size, the harder decision is the fun one — choosing the artwork. Browse by style: Flora & Gardens, Folk & Heritage, Birds & Beasts or Art Deco & Retro.