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Blocks, Straps & Props Comparison

Yoga Blocks vs Bricks: What the Sizes Actually Mean

Two makers will sell you the same object under different names and different names for different objects. Here is the table that sorts it out.

By Janet H.Updated How we pick
A mat with blocks set out beside it on an indoor floor
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Side by side

The two, next to each other

The verdict

Buy a standard 9 by 6 by 4 inch block unless you have small hands, in which case buy the 3 inch depth. Ignore the word "brick" entirely; it is used inconsistently and it does not tell you anything the dimensions do not.

Block, brick, and why it is confusing

In most of the market, "block" and "brick" are the same object. Some makers use "brick" for their denser or cork versions, some use it for the 3 inch depth, and some use the two words interchangeably within a single catalog page.

Because of that, the words tell you nothing reliable. The dimensions do, and every maker publishes them. If a listing says brick and gives you 9 by 6 by 4 inches, it is a standard block with a different name on it.

The size table

DimensionStandardSlimWhat it is for
Length9 in9 inThe face you lie a forearm or shin along
Width6 in6 inThe middle height; the one used most
Depth4 in3 inThe lowest height; also how wide your hand has to span
Weight, foamLightLighterBoth are easy to hold overhead
Weight, corkHeavyA little lessDepth is where cork weight adds up

The three-height design is the point of the shape. Rest a block on its largest face and it is 4 inches tall; on its side it is 6; on its end it is 9. A class that says "block at its lowest height" means that first one, and that is where the 3 inch versus 4 inch difference actually shows up.

Which to buy

IfBuyWhy
You are unsure4 in standardWhat classes assume, and the difference is small
You have small hands3 inEasier to grip firmly when standing on it
You want the lowest possible lift3 inAn inch matters in a seated forward fold
You are tall or very stiff4 inMore lift where you need it
You are buying twoMatchingTwo different depths in one pose is genuinely irritating

The one thing worth caring about more than depth is the edges: a contoured or well-beveled block is noticeably more comfortable in weight-bearing poses than a square-edged one, regardless of size. That, and the material — see cork versus foam.

In detail

Both, in full

Stock photo: close-up of bare feet on a mat beside a pair of blocksStock photo

Standard 4 inch

Gaiam Yoga Essentials Foam Block

The size most classes assume when they say block. The safe default.

As the manufacturer lists it · Gaiam

Material:EVA foamSize:9 in x 6 in x 4 in

What it gets right

  • Light enough to hold overhead without fatigue
  • Soft edges for hips, shoulders and the back of the head
  • Cheap enough to buy two

What it does not

  • Compresses under standing weight
  • Dents and scuffs quickly
  • Slides on a hard floor

Skip it if

you want to stand on the block in half-moon or standing splits.

Check price on Amazon

#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Gaiam Yoga Essentials Foam Block

Stock photo: close-up of bare feet on a mat beside a pair of blocksStock photo

Sold in both depths

REEHUT High Density Yoga Blocks (2-Pack)

Available in 3 inch and 4 inch, so you can match it to your hand span rather than the default.

As the manufacturer lists it

Material:High-density EVA foamQuantity:Two blocksSizes:Sold in 3 in and 4 in depths

What it gets right

  • Two blocks, which is what most beginners actually need
  • Denser than the cheapest foam blocks
  • Beveled edges are comfortable enough

What it does not

  • Still compresses under full body weight
  • Colors and finish vary between batches
  • Foam surface picks up marks

Skip it if

you want one block you will keep for a decade — buy cork.

Check price on Amazon

#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to REEHUT High Density Yoga Blocks (2-Pack)

Stock photo: blocks resting on the floor beside a matStock photo

Standard, with better edges

Hugger Mugger Cork Yoga Block

Same dimensions, contoured, which is the variable that matters more than the depth.

As the manufacturer lists it · Hugger Mugger

Material:CorkSize:4 in x 6 in x 9 inEdges:Contoured

What it gets right

  • Rounded edges make weight-bearing far more comfortable
  • Naturally grippy surface for sweaty hands
  • Stable enough to stand on

What it does not

  • Still heavy
  • Cork surface can shed slightly at the corners over years
  • Premium price for a block

Skip it if

you need two blocks and a strap on a tight budget.

Check price on Amazon

#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Hugger Mugger Cork Yoga Block

How we picked

Chosen on published criteria, and we say so

Most gear sites open by telling you how many hours they spent with the products. We have not used most of these, and we would rather say so than imply otherwise. Every pick here is chosen against criteria we publish — grip, cushioning, size options, what buyers report after a year of use, and whether the thing is still actually sold — and every manufacturer figure on the page is labeled as the maker's claim.

Nobody pays for a place on this page, no product was supplied free in exchange for coverage, and a specification the maker does not publish is never guessed at. See the full criteria and weighting.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Are yoga blocks and bricks the same thing?

Usually, yes. The terms are used inconsistently between makers, so read the dimensions rather than the name.

Are all yoga blocks a standard size?

9 by 6 by 4 inches is the common standard, with a 3 inch depth as the main variation.

Should I buy 3 inch or 4 inch yoga blocks?

4 inch unless you have small hands or want the lowest possible lift, in which case 3 inch.

Related

Keep reading

Update log

What changed

  • First published.

Receipts

Sources

  1. 1.Yoga Journal — The Best Yoga Blocks
  2. 2.OutdoorGearLab — The Best Yoga Blocks
  3. 3.Hugger Mugger — product information
  4. 4.Gaiam — product information

We have not used every product on this page, and we do not pretend otherwise. Thicknesses, materials, sizes and warranty terms are the manufacturer's published figures, shown as their claims. Anything about materials, skin or injury is linked to a source. Prices are set by Amazon and change constantly, so we never print one. Read the full method.