Updated 14 October 2026
A leopard gecko heat mat should cover about a third of the tank floor at the warm end and must run on a thermostat set so the floor under the warm hide reads 90 to 95°F. For a 36 x 18 inch (40 gallon) tank that means a mat of roughly 12 x 18 inches. The Zoo Med ReptiTherm is the safest all-round choice, and an iPower mat is the budget pick. Without a thermostat, a heat mat can get hot enough to burn your gecko's belly, so buy the two together. Heat mats only work under glass tanks, not PVC or wooden enclosures.
Below are our heat mat and thermostat picks, a size chart, how mats compare with heat lamps, and how to install one safely.
Best leopard gecko heat mats
| Pick | Why we like it | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall: Zoo Med ReptiTherm under tank heater | Sold in sizes matched to tank volume, sticks firmly to glass and comes with feet to leave an air gap under the tank | Check price on Amazon |
| Best value: iPower reptile heat mat | Cheap, heats evenly and comes in several sizes. Pair it with a separate thermostat | Check price on Amazon |
| Best for big tanks: Fluker's heat mat | Large sizes for 40 gallon tanks and up, with a slim profile | Check price on Amazon |
Best leopard gecko thermostats
Every heat mat needs a thermostat. A mat on its own keeps heating until it reaches its maximum, which can be well over 100°F at the glass. Leopard geckos press their bellies to warm surfaces and don't always move away before they burn.
| Pick | Type | Why we like it | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget: Inkbird reptile thermostat | On/off | Simple, cheap and fine for a heat mat. Switches the mat off at your set temperature and back on as it cools | Check price on Amazon |
| Best for heat mats: Vivarium Electronics VE-200 | Proportional | Pulses power to hold the floor at a steady temperature instead of swinging up and down | Check price on Amazon |
| Premium: Herpstat | Proportional and dimming | Runs a heat mat or a heat bulb, with alarms and a display. Worth it if you keep several reptiles | Check price on Amazon |
If you also run an overhead heat bulb, it needs a dimming thermostat of its own, such as a dimming thermostat with probe.
Do leopard geckos need a heat mat?
Leopard geckos need a warm spot of about 90 to 95°F to digest their food, and a heat mat is one way to provide it. It is not the only way. Many keepers now use an overhead halogen bulb as the main daytime heat, because it warms the gecko from above the way the sun does and heats rocks and hides as well as the floor. ReptiFiles recommends overhead heat for this reason.
| Heat mat | Overhead heat lamp | |
|---|---|---|
| Heats | The floor and the gecko's belly | The gecko's back, the floor, rocks and the air |
| Light | None, so it can run at night | Bright light, so day use only |
| Running cost | Low, around 8 to 24 watts | Higher, around 50 to 100 watts |
| Works with | Glass tanks only | Any enclosure with a screen top or inside mount |
| Thermostat | On/off or proportional | Dimming |
A heat mat is a good choice if your room stays reasonably warm, if you want low running costs, or as night heat when the room drops below about 60°F. Many keepers use both: a halogen bulb in the day and a mat for belly heat. See our heat lamp and UVB guide for bulb picks.
What size heat mat for a leopard gecko tank?
Cover about a third of the floor at one end. That leaves a warm third, a middle and a cool third, so your gecko can move between temperatures. Most mats are sold by tank volume, which is a good guide.
| Tank | Floor | Heat mat size |
|---|---|---|
| 20 gallon long (too small for an adult) | 30 x 12 in | About 8 x 12 in, sold for 10 to 20 gallon tanks |
| 40 gallon breeder or 36 x 18 x 18 terrarium | 36 x 18 in | About 12 x 18 in, sold for 30 to 40 gallon tanks |
| 4 x 2 x 2 ft (120 gallon) | 48 x 24 in | About 18 x 24 in, or use overhead heat instead |
Not sure what tank you need? Our leopard gecko tank guide explains why 36 x 18 x 18 inches is the minimum for an adult.
How hot should a leopard gecko heat mat be?
Set the thermostat so the floor surface inside the tank, under the warm hide, reads 90 to 95°F. Measure it where your gecko lies, not on the mat itself. The rest of the tank should follow the temperatures in our care sheet:
- Warm hide floor: 90 to 95°F
- Cool side: 70 to 77°F
- Night: no lower than about 60°F
Check with an infrared temperature gun on the floor surface and a digital probe thermometer for the air. Stick-on dial thermometers are often wrong by several degrees.
How to install a heat mat
- Stick the mat to the underside of the glass at one end of the tank, before you add substrate. Smooth it flat so there are no air bubbles.
- Leave an air gap underneath. Use the feet that come with the mat, or rest the tank on its frame so the mat isn't pressed against the stand. A trapped mat runs hotter and can damage furniture.
- Plug the mat into the thermostat, and the thermostat into the wall.
- Put the thermostat probe inside the tank on the floor above the mat, under where the warm hide will go. Tape it in place so your gecko can't move it.
- Keep substrate thin over the mat. An inch or less of soil, or tile or paper towel, lets the heat through. Deep substrate blocks the heat, and the mat runs hotter trying to reach the set temperature.
- Set the thermostat to about 92°F and run the tank for a day. Check the floor under the warm hide with a temperature gun and adjust.
Common heat mat mistakes
| Mistake | Why it's a problem |
|---|---|
| No thermostat | The mat can overheat and cause belly burns |
| Mat inside the tank under the substrate | Your gecko can dig down onto it, and most mats aren't made for it |
| Mat under a PVC or wooden enclosure | The heat doesn't get through, and it can melt or scorch the base |
| Mat covering the whole floor | There is no cool side, so your gecko can't cool down |
| Heat rock | Heat rocks are known for hot spots and burns. Use a mat or a bulb instead |
| Probe on the mat side of the glass | The thermostat reads the mat, not the floor your gecko lies on |
Leopard gecko heat mat FAQ
Do leopard geckos need a heat mat?
They need a warm spot of 90 to 95°F. A heat mat on a thermostat is one way to provide it. An overhead halogen bulb is the other, and many keepers prefer it for daytime heat.
Should a leopard gecko heat mat be on all the time?
Yes, it can stay on day and night as long as it is on a thermostat. The thermostat switches it off when the floor reaches the set temperature. If you heat with a bulb in the day, you can use the mat only at night when the room gets cold.
Is a heat mat or heat lamp better for a leopard gecko?
Both work if they reach 90 to 95°F at the warm hide and run on a thermostat. A halogen lamp heats more like the sun and warms the whole warm side. A heat mat is cheaper to run, gives off no light and suits night heat.
What size heat mat does a leopard gecko need?
One that covers about a third of the floor. For a 36 x 18 inch (40 gallon) tank, that is a mat of roughly 12 x 18 inches, usually sold for 30 to 40 gallon tanks.
What temperature should a leopard gecko heat mat be set to?
Set the thermostat so the floor inside the tank above the mat reads 90 to 95°F. Measure at the surface where your gecko lies, with the probe taped there.
Can a heat mat burn a leopard gecko?
Yes, if it runs without a thermostat or the probe is in the wrong place. Belly burns are one of the most common heating injuries. A thermostat with the probe on the floor above the mat prevents them.
Setting up a new tank? See our leopard gecko starter kit checklist for everything else you need.