For most sewing tables, start with an 18 by 24 inch mat: the Fiskars 18 by 24 inch mat has an exact listing, and OLFA’s current RM-SG-01 is the same size (Search Amazon for OLFA RM-SG-01 ). If you cut full fabric widths and long strips, step up to the Fiskars 24 by 36 inch flat mat , or to its folding version if the mat has to be put away. For a small table, OLFA’s RM-CG-01 is a 12 by 18 inch option (Search Amazon for OLFA RM-CG-01 ). The two OLFA links are labeled searches, for a reason explained below.
A rotary cutter needs a mat under the whole cut path. Our rotary cutter safety checklist puts it first: a flat self-healing mat under the full cut, because a mat that is too small makes you reach past its edge. This page covers the mat and how it pairs with a cutter; our rotary cutter list covers the cutters.
This list compares maker pages and Amazon listing text. We have not cut on any of these mats, and nothing here ranks how well one resists scoring or how long one lasts.
Pick the size by the longest cut you make
The most useful number on a mat is its longest side, because the mat has to sit under the whole cut. The sizes below are the ones these makers list.
| Mat size | Longest straight cut it can sit under | Mats here |
|---|---|---|
| 12 by 18 inches | About 18 inches | OLFA RM-CG-01 |
| 18 by 24 inches | About 24 inches | Fiskars 18 by 24 inch, OLFA RM-SG-01 |
| 24 by 36 inches | About 36 inches | Fiskars 24 by 36 inch flat and folding |
The middle column is arithmetic from the listed size, applied to the safety checklist’s rule that the mat should cover the full cut path. Measure your table before you choose, because a mat needs a flat surface at least as large as itself. Fiskars’ listing for the flat 24 by 36 inch mat describes it as sized for cutting full widths of fabric, extra-large squares and long strips, and its listing for the folding version says the same about cutting full widths of fabric from the bolt.
Fiskars 18 by 24 inch mat: the middle size
Fiskars’ listing describes a self-healing mat with measuring grids and 30, 45 and 60 degree bias lines for angle cutting. For care, the listing says to store it flat away from sunlight, heat and cold and to clean it with warm water and mild soap. It is sold by Amazon.com and listed as gray. View the Fiskars 18 by 24 inch mat on Amazon .
Fiskars 24 by 36 inch flat mat: the cutting-table size
The listing describes a double-sided, self-healing mat with measuring grids and the same 30, 45 and 60 degree bias lines, sized for full fabric widths, extra-large squares and long strips. The trade-off is space: a 24 by 36 inch mat needs a table it can lie flat on, and Fiskars advises storing its mats flat. View the Fiskars 24 by 36 inch flat mat on Amazon .
Fiskars 24 by 36 inch folding mat: for storage or travel
The same size in a folding design: Fiskars’ listing says it folds in thirds to simplify storage and travel, has a hang hole, has a non-slip base, and carries 30, 45 and 60 degree bias lines plus a square grid. Choose it when the mat has to be put away after each use or carried to a class. A flat mat is the simpler choice for a permanent table. View the Fiskars 24 by 36 inch folding mat on Amazon .
OLFA RM-SG-01 18 by 24 inch mat: OLFA’s current middle size
OLFA’s page says the self-healing surface reseals surface cuts, that one side has yellow grid lines for detailed cutting and the other is solid for general cutting, and that only rotary blades should be used on it. OLFA says the RM-SG-01 is designed for use with OLFA rotary cutters. Search Amazon for OLFA RM-SG-01 , a labeled search rather than an exact listing (see the note on model names below).
OLFA RM-CG-01 12 by 18 inch mat: for a small table
OLFA’s page for this mat repeats the self-healing surface, the grid side and solid side, and the rotary-blades-only advice. It adds that the mat is built with a multi-layer welding process for durability and has a hole for hanging and storage. Search Amazon for OLFA RM-CG-01 , also a labeled search.
A note on OLFA model names. OLFA’s retired-products page lists the older RM-SG, RM-CG and RM-MG. OLFA’s product pages mark those as discontinued and name the current models RM-SG-01, RM-CG-01 and RM-MG-01. The Amazon listings that Amazon’s catalog returned for OLFA mats were still titled with the older model names, and a title alone does not tell us whether a listing is the discontinued mat or the current one. So the OLFA links on this page are labeled searches for the current model names, not exact listings. Check the model name on the listing before you buy.
OLFA’s RM-MG-01 (24 by 36 inches) page gives two different thickness figures, 5 mm in its bullet list and 1.5 mm in its description. We left it off the list for that reason; thickness is worth confirming on any mat before you rely on it.
How to pair a mat with a rotary cutter
- Use rotary blades only. OLFA’s RM-SG-01 page says to use only rotary blades, and its RM-CG-01 page says rotary mat life is best preserved by using only rotary cutters and blades. Keep fixed-blade utility knives off the mat.
- Makers pair their own. OLFA says its mat is designed for use with OLFA rotary cutters, and the Fiskars listing suggests pairing the mat with Fiskars rotary cutters. Those are maker recommendations; neither page claims that mixing brands damages a mat.
- Match the cutter to the job. Our safety checklist lists a 45 mm cutter for straight strips, blocks and borders and a 28 mm cutter for curves, appliqué and small pieces. Our rotary cutter list names specific cutters.
- Add a ruler. A mat gives you a grid; a wide acrylic ruler gives your non-cutting hand something steady to press on. See our quilting ruler list .
- Think about scissors too. If your cuts are mostly curved garment pieces, our rotary cutter vs. scissors comparison and fabric scissors list cover that side.
What this list leaves out
- Rotating mats and connecting mat sets. OLFA also lists rotating mats and large connecting sets. We did not source those for this page.
- Unbranded multi-ply mats. Amazon sells many mats with no maker page. We did not source them, so this list does not rank them.
- Sewing-machine and floor mats. An under-machine mat or a chair mat is a different job from a cutting mat; see our anti-slip sewing table mat list and floor mat list .
Where to buy
The three Fiskars links go to new listings sold by Amazon.com that were in stock on October 29, 2026. The two OLFA links are labeled Amazon searches, for the reason given above.
Method and limits
This page compares OLFA’s product pages and the Amazon listing text for the Fiskars mats. It does not measure thickness, scoring resistance, warping or longevity, and it does not establish that any mat lasts longer than another. Fiskars’ product pages for these three mats could not be read, so the Fiskars entries rest on the Amazon listings.
Sources
Questions before buying
What size cutting mat do I need?
Choose a mat that sits under the whole cut. Our rotary cutter safety checklist says a mat that is too small pushes your hand toward its edge and makes the cut harder to control, and that you need a mat covering the full cut path for the job in front of you.
Can I use a utility knife on a rotary cutting mat?
OLFA says to use only rotary blades on its mats. Use the cutter the mat is meant for.
How should I store a cutting mat?
The Fiskars listing for its 18 by 24 inch mat says to store it flat away from sunlight, heat and cold and to clean it with warm water and mild soap. For the folding mat, follow the maker’s folding instructions.