How to choose a chair mat

In an eight hour workday, an office worker moves his or her chair more than 300 times per day. Given the frequency of these movements, a workspace without chair mats is more susceptible to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Chair mats are an ergonomic tool to reduce the likelihood of RSI and lower fatigue and an essential office supply.
Chair mats also protect your special rugs; carpet and flooring from damage caused by chair wheels and are available with a beveled edge for smooth on and off movement.

Chair Mat Shapes:

Standard Lip Chair Mats

Rectangle Chair Mats

Light Bulb Chair Mats

How to measure carpet thickness:

1. Straighten the end of a paper clip.
2. Sink straightened end of paper clip into the carpet so that it penetrates the carpet backing and reaches the floor below (you may have to wiggle the paper clip to force it through the carpet backing.
3. Grab the paper clip with your thumb and index finger at the point that it is flush with top of carpet. Be sure that you are not matting down the carpet with your hand.
4. Measure the distance between your fingers and the end of the paper clip.
5. Pile heights vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but generally, medium pile carpets are five-eighths of an inch thick. If your carpet is thicker than that, choose a chair mat for plush pile carpets. Standard pile carpets are about half an inch. If your carpet is much less than half an inch, go with the chair mats for low pile carpets.