What size doormat do I need for a front door?

For a standard 36-inch front door, a 24" x 36" mat covers the doorway and gives a full step. Aim for a mat at least 80 percent as wide as the door.

What size doormat for double doors?

Double doors are usually 60 to 72 inches wide, so look for a mat around 3' x 5' or wider.

How deep should a doormat be?

At least 18 inches, ideally 24, so visitors take a full step on it rather than stepping over it.

Is coir or rubber better for a doormat?

Coir scrapes dirt best and suits a covered porch. Rubber is heavier, drains water and suits an uncovered step exposed to rain and snow.

Should a doormat be wider than the door?

It can be slightly wider on a roomy porch. A mat much narrower than the door looks undersized and leaves most of the step uncovered.

Do I need an indoor mat too?

It helps. An outdoor mat scrapes off grit and an indoor mat absorbs moisture, so together they keep far more dirt off your floors than either alone.

Doormat Size Guide: What Size Mat for Your Door

How big a doormat should be for a single, double or side door, how deep it needs to be, and whether coir or rubber suits your entry. Sizes in inches.

An outdoor doormat should cover most of the door's width — about 80 percent of it or more — and be deep enough that a visitor takes a full step on it before reaching the threshold, at least 18 inches and ideally 24. For a standard 36-inch front door, that is a 24" x 36" mat laid across the doorway. Narrow side doors take something smaller, and double doors need a mat much wider.

Here is how to size it for your entry.

Match the mat to the door width

Door	Typical width	Mat size to try
Narrow side or back door	30–32 in.	18" x 30"
Standard single front door	36 in.	24" x 36"
Single door with sidelights	60–72 in. overall	3' x 5' or wider
Double doors	60–72 in.	3' x 5' (36" x 60") or wider

Too narrow looks lost. A mat much smaller than the door reads as an afterthought and leaves most of the step uncovered.
A little wider than the door is fine. On a wide porch, a mat that runs slightly past the frame looks generous, as long as it stays on the landing.

Depth matters as much as width

A mat that is only 12 or 13 inches deep is easy to step over entirely. At 18 to 24 inches deep, most people land a full step on it, which is what actually scrapes grit off shoes before it reaches the floor inside.

Check the door clearance

Inward-opening doors swing over any mat placed inside. Measure the gap under the door before buying an indoor mat, and choose a low-profile one if the gap is tight.
Outdoor mats sit outside the door's swing on most front doors, but a storm or screen door that opens outward can catch on a thick mat.
On steps, keep the mat on the landing, never hanging over the edge of a step.

Coir or rubber?

Coir is made from coconut fiber. Its stiff bristles are the best at scraping mud and grit off shoes, and it has a classic, natural look. It lasts longest under a porch roof: left sitting in rain it can shed and break down faster.
Rubber is heavy, stays put, drains water and hoses clean. It is the better choice for an uncovered step that takes rain and snow.
Semicircle mats suit rounded steps and give a softer shape at an arched door.

Two mats work better than one

The most effective setup pairs an outdoor mat that scrapes with an indoor mat or runner that absorbs. The outdoor mat takes the grit; the indoor one catches the damp. For the rest of the entry, see entryway styling and our mudroom and drop-zone ideas. For a larger mat or rug on a porch or patio, the outdoor rug size guide covers bigger areas.

Care

Shake or beat coir mats out regularly and let them dry fully if they get wet; don't soak them. Hose rubber mats down and let them dry. Replace a coir mat once its bristles flatten and stop scraping.

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The short version

Choose a doormat at least 80 percent as wide as the door and 18 to 24 inches deep: 24" x 36" for a standard front door, 18" x 30" for a narrow side door, and around 3' x 5' for double doors. Use coir under a covered porch and rubber on an exposed step, keep it on the landing, and pair it with an indoor mat.

Ready to measure your door? Shop Doormats and pick the width first.