A standard TCG playmat is 24 x 14 inches, about 61 x 35.5 cm. That is the size most trading card game players mean when they say "playmat": long enough for one player's side of the table, and shallow enough that two mats can face each other across an ordinary table. If you want more room, longer playmats exist too, and below you'll find how to tell which size suits the way you play. Our standard custom playmat is 60 x 35 cm, that size give or take a centimetre.
Let's go through the numbers first, then what they mean on a real table.
Standard TCG playmat dimensions
The standard playmat is a long rectangle. In imperial it is 24 inches wide and 14 inches deep; in metric that is about 61 cm by 35.5 cm. The long side runs left to right in front of you, so your cards spread sideways rather than stacking away from you.
Why 14 inches deep? Because that leaves room for a couple of rows of cards in front of you without your mat reaching into your opponent's half of the table. Facing mats leave a shared strip in the middle for things like dice, counters or a shared pile.
How card size shapes the playmat
A playmat is really a frame for cards, so the card sizes explain the mat:
- Standard-size trading cards are 63 x 88 mm.
- Japanese-size cards are 59 x 86 mm, a touch smaller on both sides.
Sleeves add a little to each card, and when cards are turned sideways they take up their long side across the mat. If your game has you turning cards often, or laying out a wide row, the extra length of a longer mat starts to matter. If your games keep a small board, the standard size is plenty.
TCG playmat sizes compared
Here is how the standard size sits next to longer playmats and two desk mat sizes, so you can picture each one on your table.
| Mat | Size in cm | Size in inches | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom playmat, Standard | 60 x 35 | 23.6 x 13.8 | The standard TCG size, give or take a centimetre: one player's side in a typical game |
| Custom playmat, 70 x 35 cm | 70 x 35 | 28 x 14 | The same depth as standard, with extra length for wide rows |
| Custom playmat, 90 x 40 cm | 90 x 40 | 35 x 16 | Big layouts, or a mat that doubles as a desk mat |
| M desk mat | 70 x 30 | 27.6 x 11.8 | Keyboard and mouse on a smaller desk |
| XXL desk mat | 90 x 40 | 35.4 x 15.7 | A wide desk setup |
Notice that the 70 x 35 cm playmat keeps the familiar 14-inch depth and only grows sideways. That makes it an easy step up: it feels like a standard mat, just with more elbow room on both ends.
When a bigger playmat makes sense
A standard mat suits most games, but a longer one earns its place when:
- You lay out many cards in a row and keep running out of space at the ends.
- You keep extra piles beside the play area, such as a discard pile and a side pile, and want them on the mat rather than on the bare table.
- You play at home on your own table, where you aren't sharing the width with a row of other players.
- You want one mat for games and your desk. A 90 x 40 cm playmat is the same footprint as an XXL desk mat.
And the standard size is the better pick when you play at crowded tables, carry your mat in a bag between venues, or simply like a compact layout. If you play in organised events, check that event's own rules on mat size before you buy, since those are set by the organiser.
How to choose your playmat size, step by step
- Measure your play area. Measure the width of the table space you actually get, not the whole table. If you share a table, measure your half.
- Lay out a typical game. Put your cards down the way you would mid-game, including any sideways cards and side piles. Measure the width and depth that layout covers.
- Add breathing room. Leave a little margin around the layout so cards don't sit right on the edge of the mat.
- Compare against the sizes above. If your layout fits inside about 61 x 35.5 cm, the standard size is right. If it spills over at the sides, look at 70 x 35 cm. If you want space for everything, or a mat for your desk too, look at 90 x 40 cm.
- Check your table depth. Common desk depths are 60, 70 and 80 cm. Two facing mats need to fit together on a shared table, so on a narrow table the shallower mats are kinder to your opponent.
Can a TCG playmat double as a desk mat?
Yes, and plenty of players like having one mat that does both jobs. A playmat and a desk mat share the same idea: a cloth top for a smooth, soft surface and a rubber base that stays put. Our custom playmats have a cloth top, a non-slip rubber base and stitched edges, the same build you'd want under a keyboard and mouse.
What matters for desk use is the width. Here is how the space works out:
- On a 70 cm wide mat, there is about 24 to 26 cm left beside a full-size keyboard for the mouse, or 34 cm beside a tenkeyless keyboard.
- On a 90 cm wide mat, there is about 44 to 46 cm left beside a full-size keyboard, or 54 cm beside a tenkeyless one.
So a 70 x 35 cm playmat works on a desk with a compact keyboard, while a 90 x 40 cm playmat gives a full-size keyboard and mouse plenty of room. A keyboard is about 13 to 15 cm deep, so either mat's depth leaves space in front of or behind it. If you are mainly shopping for desk use, the desk mat size guide covers every size in detail.
Getting a custom playmat print right
Once you know your size, the artwork is the fun part. You can upload your own picture on a custom playmat page: the standard 60 x 35 cm, 70 x 35 cm or 90 x 40 cm. A few things help a custom print come out well:
Use a large enough picture
A picture prints sharp at about 150 pixels per inch of the mat's size or more. To check, multiply the mat's length in inches by 150 and compare it with your picture's width in pixels, then do the same for the depth. Lower than that prints softer, which shows most on photos and small text.
Keep the important parts inside the safe area
The upload guide shows a safe area 2.5 cm inside every edge. Keep faces, words and logos inside it so they stay clear of the stitched edge.
Think about where the cards will sit
This is the advice people tend to learn after their first mat: the middle of a playmat spends most of its life under cards. Pictures with strong detail around the edges and a calmer centre often look better in play than ones with all the interest in the middle. A landscape, a pattern or a single subject placed off to one side all work well.
Allow for small size changes
Mats are printed by dye-sublimation, with the ink bonded into the fabric, and finished sizes can vary by 0.5 to 1 cm from heat shrinkage. That's worth knowing if your mat has to fit an exact frame or tray.
For designers working in an image editor, the size templates page has files for the desk mat sizes.
Caring for your playmat
Cloth playmats pick up skin oils and snack crumbs over time. A gentle wash with warm water, a little soap and a sponge, followed by a thorough rinse and a long air dry, keeps the surface clean. Let it dry fully, at least 24 to 36 hours, before you play on it again. The cleaning instructions walk through it step by step, including the machine-wash option.
Between games, roll your mat with the printed side facing out rather than folding it. That avoids creases, and it lies flat again quickly when you unroll it.
Ordering before a game night
If you have a date in mind, plan ahead. Every mat is printed when you order, with 1 to 3 business days for production before it ships. Delivery to the US, UK, Canada and Australia takes 7 to 14 business days, and 14 to 21 business days to the rest of the world, not counting any customs delays. The shipping page has the details.
The short answer, once more
The standard TCG playmat size is 24 x 14 inches, about 61 x 35.5 cm. Go standard (ours is 60 x 35 cm) for a compact, easy-to-carry mat. Go 70 x 35 cm if you want the same depth with more length, and 90 x 40 cm if you want a big layout or one mat that covers your desk too. Measure your table, lay out a real game, and the right size usually becomes clear.