Extra Long Yoga Mat: Sizes, Who Needs One, and How to Choose
An extra long yoga mat is a mat longer than the standard 68 inches (173 cm) — typically 72 to 85 inches long, with some oversized options going further. The simple rule: pick a mat at least 6 inches longer than your height so savasana, sun salutations, and full-length stretches stay entirely on the mat. If you are around 5 feet 10 or taller, an extra long mat removes a low-grade annoyance from every practice; if you are under 5 feet 8, it is a comfort upgrade rather than a necessity.
What counts as extra long?
There is no official standard for the term "extra long," but the market falls into clear tiers. Heights below are the rough upper limit a practitioner of that stature can lie down on without head or heels hanging off.
| Mat length | Comfortable up to (approx. height) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 68 in (173 cm) — standard | 5 ft 8 / 173 cm | The default size most mats ship in |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 5 ft 10 – 6 ft 0 / 178–183 cm | The most common "long" option on Amazon and at most retailers |
| 79 in (200 cm) | 6 ft 2 / 188 cm | Long version of many premium mats |
| 84–85 in (213–216 cm) | 6 ft 6 / 198 cm | True extra long; designed for tall practitioners |
Worth knowing: some listings labeled "extra long" actually measure 70–72 inches — fine at 5 ft 10, but not enough for someone 6 ft 2 or taller. Always check the actual dimensions in the product spec, not the marketing name.
Length is half the story: consider width too
Standard mats are 24 inches (61 cm) wide. If your shoulders hang off the sides in savasana or your hands land off-mat in wide-legged poses, a wider mat matters more than extra length. Most oversized mats combine both — a 36 × 72 inch format gives you roughly 50% more surface than a standard 24 × 68. The trade-off: wide mats may not fit standard mat slots in studios and need more storage space at home. For a deeper look at the wider option, see our wide yoga mat guide.
Extra long vs extra wide vs extra thick vs extra large
Online listings mix the four terms and it helps to know which dimension each one actually changes:
- Extra long — length only. Targets tall practitioners; usually 72"–85".
- Extra wide — width only. Targets people whose shoulders or hands go off the sides; usually 26"–36".
- Extra thick — depth/cushion. Targets joint comfort; usually 6 mm or more. Covered in our mat thickness guide.
- Extra large — ambiguous. Many retailers (Liforme, Gaiam) use it to mean both longer and wider, sometimes in the 71"–80" × 26"–30" range.
When a listing says "extra large," check the numbers. When it says "extra long," also check the numbers.
The trade-offs nobody mentions
- Weight. More material means more mass. A dense rubber mat that weighs around 7–8 lb in standard length can approach 10 lb in its 85-inch version — noticeable if you walk or bike to class. Carrying tips in our guide to carrying a mat without a strap.
- Price. Extra long versions of the same model typically run 20 to 30 percent more than the standard size. Budget oversized mats exist at lower prices, but verify length, thickness, and weight before buying.
- Fewer choices. Not every model comes in a long version, so you may have to compromise on color or texture.
- Drying and cleaning time. More surface to wipe down after sweaty sessions — trivial, but real. Recipe in our DIY yoga mat cleaner guide.
- Travel. Long mats rolled up are taller than carry-on height limits; frequent travelers may want a separate foldable travel mat. See our best travel yoga mat roundup.
How to choose: a practical checklist
- Measure first. Your height plus 6 inches is the minimum length; round up to the next available size.
- Decide thickness by practice style. 4–5 mm is the all-round sweet spot; thicker cushioned mats suit slow, floor-based practice; thin mats favor balance work. Full breakdown in our mat thickness guide.
- Pick material by priority. Natural rubber and polyurethane-top mats grip best in sweaty practice; PVC is durable and budget-friendly; TPE is light and inexpensive but wears faster.
- Check the actual measurements, not the product name. Listings labeled "extra long" sometimes turn out to be 70–72 inches — fine at 5 ft 10, insufficient at 6 ft 4. A mat labeled extra long at 71" is shorter than 6 ft.
- Confirm weight before buying if you carry your mat regularly.
- For taller, heavier practitioners, denser mats keep joints off the floor better than soft foam, which compresses to nothing under concentrated weight.
Established mat makers — Manduka, Jade, Gaiam, Liforme, and Yoga Direct — offer extended-length versions of their popular models, and several budget brands sell oversized 72–84 inch mats at lower prices. The brand matters less than verifying the four specs above: length, width, thickness, and weight. If you are shopping broadly, our best yoga mats roundup is a useful starting point. If you practice outside, add weather resistance to the list — see our outdoor yoga mat guide. And remember that even a perfect mat wears out; here is how often to replace a yoga mat.
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Best extra long yoga mat features to look for
An extra long mat earns its premium when the build quality holds up at the extra length. Look for dense natural rubber or a polyurethane-top surface for grip, a stable 4–6 mm thickness for joint comfort without sacrificing balance, a weight you can actually carry, and ideally a warranty of at least a few years. The options below cover the main search intents — a general extra long pick and one filtered for taller frames.
For practitioners above 6 ft 2, the 84–85 inch tier is the one worth filtering for. Most standard "long" mats in the 72-inch range still leave your heels off the floor in corpse pose if you are 6 ft 4 or taller. The picks below are filtered for that longer size class.
Is an extra long mat worth it?
If you are 5 ft 10 or taller: yes, almost unconditionally — it removes a constant low-grade annoyance from every practice for a modest price premium. If you are under 5 ft 8, a longer mat is a comfort upgrade rather than a necessity, and the extra weight and bulk may not pay for themselves unless you specifically want more space. Either way, the mat does not change your practice — it just stops getting in the way of it.
Add at least 6 inches to your height. At 5 feet 8 or under, a standard 68-inch mat works; from 5 feet 10 choose 72 inches; over 6 feet 2 look for 79 to 85 inch mats so lying poses fit entirely on the mat.
About 68 inches (173 cm) long and 24 inches (61 cm) wide. That suits practitioners up to roughly 5 feet 8; taller people end up with head or heels off the mat in lying poses.
Yes — the extra material adds roughly 20 to 30 percent to the weight of the same model in standard size. Dense rubber long mats can approach 10 pounds, which matters if you carry your mat to class regularly.
Length fixes head-and-heels overhang for tall practitioners; width fixes shoulders and hands going off the sides in savasana and wide poses. If both bother you, oversized mats around 36 by 72 inches address the two at once, at the cost of weight and storage space.
Typically 20 to 30 percent more than the standard size of the same model. Budget oversized mats exist at lower prices, but verify the listed length, thickness, and weight, since labels like extra long are not standardized.
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Last update 2026-09-10. Price and product availability may change.
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