Editing Mat (section)

{{Short description|Protective or cushioning floor covering}}
{{About|a piece of fabric}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}

{{multiple issues|
{{cleanup rewrite|date=March 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2016}}
}}

[[File:Welcome doormat.JPG|thumb|A doormat inscribed with a message]]

A '''mat''' is a hard or soft [[floor]] covering that generally is placed on a [[floor]] or other flat surface. Mats serve a range of purposes including:
* serving to clean items passed over it, such as a doormat, which removes dirt from the soles of shoes
* protecting that which is above the mat, such as a wrestling or [[Mat (gymnastics)|gymnastics mat]], or an anti-vibration mat
* protecting that which is beneath the mat, such as a [[place mat]] or the [[mat (picture framing)|matting]] used in archival framing and preservation of documents and paintings
* providing a regular or flat surface, such as a cushioned computer [[mousepad]]