The standard wrestling mat (freestyle and Greco-Roman) as specified by UWW (United World Wrestling) consists of a total mat area of 12 × 12 metres. Within this, the central wrestling area is a circle with a 9-metre diameter. This is where all active wrestling takes place. Surrounding the wrestling area is a 1-metre-wide passivity zone (marked in a different colour — typically yellow or red), and outside that a 1.5-metre protection area that extends to the mat edge.

The central circle within the wrestling area has a 1-metre diameter and marks the starting position for wrestlers. The mat surface must be made of approved foam materials covered in a non-slip outer layer (typically PVC), and the total mat thickness must be between 4cm and 6cm to provide adequate impact absorption. The mat must be laid on a flat, rigid surface — typically a competition platform elevated 1.1m from the ground for major competitions.

Judo mats (tatami) follow IJF regulations with a contest area of 8×8m to 10×10m surrounded by a 3-metre safety area, giving a total tatami area of 14–16 metres square. Sumo uses a unique circular dohyo (raised clay platform) with a 4.55-metre diameter contest circle marked by a ring of tawara (straw bales), on an overall platform of 7.27 metres diameter raised approximately 60cm from the ground.