Why yoga mat thickness matters - and how to choose the right one for you

Whether you're starting yoga for beginners or you are a seasoned yogi, your yoga mat will be at the heart of every practice – which makes choosing the right one so vital.

It’s easy to assume that all yoga mats are all the same thickness, but they can vary between a paper-thin 1mm and a cushioned 12mm thick. Pick the wrong one, and your joints or your yoga practice could suffer. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your personal preference, the type of yoga you practise and any specific physical considerations you have.

So how do you know which yoga mat thickness is best for you? We’ve got expert advice to help you make an informed decision.

How to choose your yoga mat thickness

Yoga instructor Leanne Bird says: “Choosing the thickness of your yoga mat comes a lot down to preference and where you are using it.

“As a general guide, thinner mats provide more stability with balance postures and are easier and lighter to transport, but can be uncomfortable in savasana [the resting pose at the end of a practice] and poses on the knees, particularly on hard floors. “

Thicker mats, however, provide greater cushioning for the joints and are better on hard floors, but, due to the additional ‘give’, can add challenge to balancing, especially when used on carpets.” If possible, it's a good idea to try out different thicknesses before buying to see which one feels most comfortable and supportive for your practice.

Once you’ve invested, don’t forget to clean your yoga mat regularly to keep it fresh.

Types of yoga mat thickness

• Travel yoga mats – 1-2mm (1/16 inch)
• Medium thickness yoga mats - 4-5mm (1/6 inch)
• Thick yoga mat - 6mm (1/4 inch)
• Extra thick yoga mats – more than 6mm (up to 1/2 inch)

Travel yoga mats – 1-2mm (1/16 inch)

Good for: Travelling yogis.

Downsides: No cushioning so uncomfortable on a hard floor. These ultra-thin mats are designed for travel and portability. They are lightweight and can fold up small. However, they may not provide as much cushioning and support as thicker mats, so they are not ideal for people who need extra joint protection or have sensitive joints. 

Bird says: “When I use a travel mat, I like to use it on carpet or even a borrowed yoga mat underneath for extra cushioning."

We recommend: The Kin Halcyon Travel Mat (£55, Kin Yoga) is grippy and lightweight. The testers in our yoga mat guide all loved its soft feel and pretty design.

Medium thickness yoga mats - 4-5mm (1/6 inch)

Good for: Most forms of yoga, including flow, dynamic and hot yoga.

Disadvantages: Those with sensitive joints may want to add extra cushioning. These mats are the most popular and the biggest selling mats tend to be this thickness. These include Liforme, Yogi Bare and Lululemon. They strike a good balance between portability and cushioning.

Bird says: “These mats are great all-rounders for most forms of yoga, but if you do feel it on your knees, you can roll the mat over or use a towel or blanket for additional cushioning under the joint.”

We recommend: The Yogi Bare Paws Extra Grip yoga mat (£80, Yogi Bare) mat won our best in test award.

Thick yoga mats - 6mm (1/4 inch)

Good for: Slower forms of yoga (hatha, restorative, yin) for people with joint issues.

Disadvantages: Cushioning may not be suitable for faster flows and these mats can be bulky and less portable. These mats provide more cushioning and are especially beneficial for anyone with joint issues wanting to practise slower forms of yoga.

Michelle Klein, from yoga equipment company Yogamatters, says: “A thicker mat provides a softer cushioned base for sensitive joints and is good for restorative and yin yoga, where asanas [poses] are held for a longer time. “The disadvantage of a thicker mat is that it does not work as well for balancing asanas such as tree pose or more dynamic yoga such as ashtanga.”

We recommend: The Gaiam non-slip yoga mat (from £39.99, Amazon) is 6mm and was popular with many of our testers in our best yoga guide. Many felt it was suitable for most forms of yoga thanks to its extra grip.

Extra thick yoga mats – more than 6mm (up to 1/2 inch)

Good for: People with joint issues practising restorative yoga.

Disadvantages: Too soft for most forms of yoga, especially flow or dynamic yoga, as the cushioning will affect your balance. These extra-thick mats are generally used for practices that involve a lot of floor work. They provide maximum cushioning and support but are less common in traditional yoga settings because they can compromise stability in standing poses and may not provide the same level of connection to the ground. Extra thick mats are popular for Pilates practice.

We recommend: At 8mm thick, the Yogamatters Wellness Mat (£35, Yogamatters) is really cushioned to provide extra cushioning.