How Do I Choose Mouse Pad Size for Gaming?
There are many mouse pad sizes out there, but which one is ideal for gaming and what should you specifically look for when choosing? In this guide, you’ll learn all about different mouse pad sizes and how to choose the dimensions that are right for you.
How do Mouse Pad Sizes Differ and What do I Have to Consider?
Generally, gaming mouse pads come in four different sizes:
- small
- medium
- large
- very large
Basically, there is no particular mouse pad size that is perfect for everyone. That’s because every gamer’s needs, setup and playing style are unique. In general, though, you should get a large gaming mouse pad if you’re playing games with a low DPI setting. This will ensure that you have enough room for mouse movement. Small to medium sized mouse pads are great if you prefer to play with a high mouse DPI.
However, to further make your decision easier, we would like to introduce you to some more criteria below that can influence the choice of your mouse pad size.
The size of your desk
Before you directly buy a large or even huge extended mouse pad, you should definitely measure your desk first. Then, before you buy, check the dimensions of your desired mouse pad and compare it with the free space you have on your desk.
Oversized mouse pads not only make your desk look messy, but they also tend to warp or fold around the edges of your desk. When gaming, wrinkles in the mouse pad are obviously bad because they create an uneven surface. The latter is bad for the mouse sensor, especially since it no longer detects your movements cleanly. So always make sure that your desired size of mouse pad has enough space on your desk.
Your mouse grip style
As mentioned earlier, each of us has our own unique gaming style. And that includes how you hold your mouse.
Therefore, the second most important thing when it comes to determining the size of your mouse pad is your mouse grip style. There are three types of mouse grip styles:
- Palm Grip
- Claw Grip
- Fingertip Grip
If you use the fingertip and claw grip styles, your mouse movement is mainly controlled by your fingers and wrist. This keeps your arm movement centered in a small area, so you don’t need a large mouse pad.
If you cover the mouse with your entire palm, you will need a large mouse pad because your mouse movements are controlled by your entire arm. Especially when changing targets or rotating around your own axis, you need a lot of space with this grip style.
With a low mouse DPI, you need up to 12 inches for a full 360 degree rotation. Also, if you often lift your mouse to reposition it, you should aim for a large mouse pad. That way, you’ll avoid constantly wiping over the edges of the mouse pad and landing on the table. This is not only annoying, but can also cost you a match or two.
DPI and sensitivity settings of your gaming mouse
The DPI setting of your gaming mouse is one of the most important factors that influence how big your gaming mouse pad should be.
When playing with low DPI values, you need a larger mouse pad. This is because in order for the mouse cursor to travel a large distance on the screen, your gaming mouse must also travel a larger distance on your mouse pad.
If you play FPS games like Counter-Strike, Valorant, or Fortnite, then you most likely have a lower DPI (300-1000) set. A low DPI gives you better control over movement and precision when aiming at targets. Therefore, for FPS games, it is advisable to get a large mouse pad. This directly avoids running out of space on the mouse pad and gives you more room to experiment with your DPI settings.
However, if you prefer to play with high sensitivity values, a small to medium sized mouse pad is well suited. With a high DPI, even small mouse movements will cause your cursor to travel a great distance on the screen. A high DPI is preferred when playing League of Legends, other MOBAs, fast MMOs, or real-time strategy games that require speed over precision.
How often do you take the mouse pad with you?
A smaller factor, but still not insignificant. Just ask yourself if you want to pack your mouse pad and take it with you more often. No matter if you go to a LAN, to friends or just to the office with it. For example, if you’re buying a mouse pad for your gaming laptop, then you should rather choose something smaller to medium sized that can be easily stowed away.
How Big are Gaming Mouse Pads?
There are no standard sizes for gaming mouse pads. Therefore, the sizes vary depending on the manufacturer. In general, however, gaming mouse pads are larger than regular mouse pads to give gamers extra room to move the mouse. The size of gaming mouse pads varies from manufacturer to manufacturer in length, width and thickness.
The following mouse pad size table shows some of the sizes offered by popular brands to give you a rough idea of what to expect. In each case, we give you the dimensions of the mouse pads in length x width x height in millimeters.
| Brand | Small (S) | Medium (M) | Large (L) | Extended (XL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auorus | 26.5 × 21 × 0.2 cm 10.4 × 8.3 × 0.08 in | 35 × 26 × 0.3 cm 13.8 × 10.2 × 0.1 in | 44 × 30 × 0.3 cm 17.3 × 11.8 × 0.1 in | 100 × 40 × 0.3 cm 39.4 × 15.7 × 0.1 in |
| Razer | 27 × 21.5 × 0.3 cm 10.6 × 8.5 × 0.1 in | 36 × 27.5 × 0.3 cm 14.2 × 10.8 × 0.1 in | 45 × 40 × 0.3 cm 17.7 × 15.7 × 0.1 in | 940 x 410 x 4 mm |
| Corsair | 26.5 × 21 × 0.2 cm 10.4 × 8.3 × 0.08 in | 35.2 × 27.5 × 0.25 cm 13.9 × 10.8 × 0.09 in | 45 × 40 × 0.3 cm 17.7 × 15.7 × 0.1 in | 94 × 41 × 0.4 cm 37 × 16.2 × 0.2 in |
| SteelSeries | 25 × 21 × 0.2 cm 9.8 × 8.3 × 0.07 in | 32 × 27 × 0.2 cm 12.6 × 10.6 × 0.07 in | 45 × 40 × 0.2 cm 17.7 × 15.7 × 0.07 in | 90 × 40 × 0.4 cm 35.4 × 15.7 × 0.2 in |
| Gigabyte | 26.5 x 21 x 0.3 cm 10.4 × 8.3 × 0.12 in | 35 x 26 x 0.3 cm 13.8 × 10.2 × 0.12 in | 44 x 30 x 0.3 cm 17.3 × 11.8 × 0.12 in | 100 x 40 x 3 cm 39.4 × 15.7 × 0.12 in |
| MadCatz | 32 × 27 × 0.18 cm 12.6 × 10.6 × 0.07 in | 39 × 31.5 × 0.18 cm 15.4 × 12.4 × 0.07 in | 43 × 37 × 0.18 cm 16.9 × 14.6 × 0.07 in | 90 × 40 × 0.18 cm 35.4 × 15.7 × 0.07 in |
Of course, there are even larger mouse pads, such as the manufacturer SteelSeries, which offers mouse pads up to a size of 5XL (1600x800mm length and width).
Logitech offers a huge mouse pad (35 x 15 in, 900 x 400 mm) with a low profile (3mm), which is inspired by League of Legends.
These then cover your entire desk, which brings us to the next question.
Do I Need an Oversized Mouse Pad: Advantages and Disadvantages?
Whether you get a huge mouse pad is a matter of personal taste. Those who like to have a little more space to move their mouse around, or want to have their keyboard and mouse at the same height, might want to take a closer look at this mouse pad size.
In addition, extended fabric mouse pads help absorb the vibrations generated by your keyboard while typing. Compared to hard surfaces, they’re also more comfortable when you rest your wrists on them and when you don’t have a palm rest. Plus, it gives you the ability to use your mouse from any part of your desk – which can be handy.
The main disadvantage of mouse pads with large dimensions is that they are more expensive and require a large desk or table surface. Unused mouse pad surfaces can also act like dust magnets and therefore require regular cleaning.
An extra large mouse pad is also less portable than a small one. So if you need to be mobile, you’re better off with a small or medium sized mouse pad.
Conclusion: What is the Best Mouse Pad Size for Gaming?
If you take the above factors into account, you should be able to quickly decide for yourself how big your gaming mouse pad really needs to be. The ideal mouse pad size should give you enough room to glide your mouse over it without ever reaching the edges of the pad.