Pick an office chair mat by floor type first, then by size: a small mat (around 90 x 120cm) suits a standard single desk, a large mat (around 115 x 150cm) suits a corner desk or a wider working area. Carpet needs a mat with grip on the underside to stop it sliding on pile; hard floors need a smooth-backed mat that won't scratch the surface.
- Match the mat to your floor: carpet needs a textured or cleated underside, hard floors need a smooth PVC or polycarbonate base.
- Small mats (about 90 x 120cm) suit a single desk; large mats (about 115-150cm) suit corner desks and wider rolling areas.
- A keyhole or lipped mat tucks under the desk edge; a plain rectangle sits flush and suits open floor plans or shared desks.
- A hard-floor mat used correctly protects timber; check the surface for grit before placing a mat to avoid trapping debris underneath.
Carpet or hard floor: the first decision
The floor underneath the chair decides which mat you need - this isn't a minor preference, it changes the backing material entirely.
For carpet, choose a mat with a textured, cleated or dimpled underside, such as the Rapidline Chair Mat Small Dimpled for Carpet or the Floortex Chair Mat Carpet PVC Standard Pile 90 x 121cm Keyhole. The textured underside grips carpet fibres so the mat doesn't creep across the room as you roll.
For hard floors (timber, laminate, vinyl, tile), choose a mat with a smooth, flat underside, such as the Rapidline Chair Mat Small Smooth for Hard Floor or the Floortex Chair Mat Hard Floor Polycarbonate 116 x 150cm Rectangle. A carpet mat's grippy underside can scuff or scratch a timber or laminate floor, so don't use one on a hard surface.
If you have deep-pile carpet, go a step further and check for a mat rated for deep pile specifically, such as the Floortex Chair Mat Deep Pile Carpet Polycarbonate 90 x 120cm Rectangle - a standard-pile mat can sit unevenly on thicker carpet.
Sizes for a standard desk
Most single desks are covered well by a small mat around 90 x 120cm (sometimes listed as 91 x 121cm) - this gives enough room to roll back from the desk and swivel side to side without the castors leaving the mat.
For a corner desk, an L-shaped workstation, or where you move between two surfaces, step up to a large mat around 114-116 x 134-150cm, such as the Marbig Duramat Chairmat Large With Keyhole 114 x 134cm.
As a rule of thumb: measure from the back of your desk to the furthest point you roll back to stand up, then measure side to side across your normal reach. If either measurement is close to the mat's edge, go up a size rather than down.
Lip (keyhole) or no lip (rectangle)
A keyhole or lipped mat has a cut-out section that tucks under the desk, like the Floortex Chair Mat Hard Floor PVC 90 x 121cm Keyhole. This keeps the mat anchored close to the desk and stops a gap opening up between the mat and the desk edge over time.
A plain rectangle mat, like the Floortex Multi Purpose Chair Mat Hard Floor PVC 75 x 120cm Rectangle, sits flush with no cut-out. This suits an open floor plan, a desk without a fixed pedestal, or a shared desk where more than one person's chair uses the mat.
Choose a lip if your desk has a fixed modesty panel or pedestal drawers underneath; choose a rectangle if the area under the desk is open or irregular.
Quick picks
| Mat | Floor | Size | Lip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapidline Chair Mat Small Dimpled for Carpet | Carpet | Small (~91 x 121cm) | No |
| Floortex Chair Mat Carpet PVC Standard Pile 114 x 135cm Keyhole | Carpet | Large | Keyhole |
| Rapidline Chair Mat Small Smooth for Hard Floor | Hard floor | Small | No |
| Floortex Chair Mat Hard Floor PVC 114 x 135cm Keyhole | Hard floor | Large | Keyhole |
| Floortex Chair Mat Deep Pile Carpet Polycarbonate 90 x 120cm | Deep-pile carpet | Small | No |
| Marbig Duramat Chairmat Large With Keyhole 114 x 134cm | Carpet | Large | Keyhole |
Measuring your rolling area
Sit at your desk in your normal working position. Note where your castors sit, then roll back as far as you go to stand up, and swivel to each side as far as you reach for a drawer or second screen. That outer boundary - not the desk footprint - is what the mat needs to cover.
If a keyhole mat's cut-out doesn't line up with your desk's modesty panel or pedestal, a plain rectangle avoids the fitting issue altogether.
Placing a mat on timber floors
Timber floors are the one surface where fit and cleanliness matter most. Check the floor for grit, sand or dust before placing the mat - trapped debris under a hard-floor mat can grind against the finish as the chair rolls. Sweep or vacuum the spot first, and shake the mat out periodically.
Use a hard-floor mat (not a carpet mat) on timber - the smooth PVC or polycarbonate underside is designed to sit on a hard surface without the aggressive grip a carpet mat needs.
FAQ
Can a chair mat damage timber floors?
A hard-floor mat designed for timber, laminate or vinyl is safe to use when the floor is clean underneath it. The risk comes from using a carpet-rated mat (which has a grippy, textured underside) on timber, or from grit and debris trapped under the mat grinding against the finish as the chair rolls. Sweep the area before placing the mat and check underneath it occasionally.
What size chair mat do I need for a standard desk?
A small mat around 90 x 120cm suits most single desks. Go up to a large mat (around 114-150cm) for a corner desk, an L-shaped workstation, or if you regularly roll between two work surfaces.
Should I choose a keyhole mat or a plain rectangle?
Choose a keyhole (lipped) mat if your desk has a fixed pedestal or modesty panel to tuck the cut-out under. Choose a plain rectangle for an open floor plan, a desk with no fixed underside, or a shared workstation.
Can I use a carpet chair mat on a hard floor?
No. A carpet mat's textured or cleated underside is designed to grip carpet pile and can scuff or scratch timber, laminate or vinyl. Use a smooth-backed hard-floor mat instead.
Do I need a special mat for deep-pile carpet?
Yes, if your carpet has a thick or deep pile, a mat rated for deep pile sits more evenly and resists digging in. A standard-pile mat on deep-pile carpet can tip or sit unevenly.
One last thing
If you're not sure whether your mat needs a lip, measure what's under the desk before you order rather than after. A five-minute check avoids returning a mat that doesn't tuck in properly.
Mega Office Supplies is family owned and operated since 2008. Standard orders over $149 inc GST ship free (excludes bulky items and regional or remote areas).
