5mm vs 6mm Vinyl Plank Flooring: What’s the Difference?

The difference between 5mm and 6mm vinyl plank flooring is only 1 millimeter in overall thickness, but that number alone does not tell you which floor is better. Before comparing two products, find out whether the advertised thickness refers to the core, the total plank construction, or the core plus an attached pad.

This is one of the specifications I would look at carefully when shopping for luxury vinyl plank flooring.

A 6mm floor is not automatically better than a 5mm floor. You also need to compare the core construction, wear layer, surface protection, locking system, attached backing, plank dimensions, installation requirements, certifications, and warranty.

In other words, thickness matters, but it needs context.

What Does 5mm Vinyl Plank Flooring Mean?

A 5mm flooring specification means some portion of the flooring construction measures 5 millimeters thick.

The important question is: which portion?

Depending on how the manufacturer presents its specifications, 5mm could refer to:

• Total plank thickness
• Core thickness
• Flooring thickness before an attached pad

Do not assume every product labeled "5mm" is constructed the same way.

What Does 6mm Vinyl Plank Flooring Mean?

Likewise, a 6mm specification may refer to the total thickness of the flooring system.

But you still need to determine how that 6mm is constructed.

For example, one floor could have a 6mm core. Another could have a 5mm core plus a 1mm attached pad for a total thickness of 6mm.

Both might be described as 6mm flooring in a general comparison, but the construction is not identical.

How Much Thicker Is 6mm Than 5mm?

The mathematical difference is exactly 1 millimeter.

In inches:

• 5mm is approximately 0.197 inches
• 6mm is approximately 0.236 inches
• The difference is approximately 0.039 inches

That is a relatively small physical difference, which is another reason I would not choose between two floors based on this number alone.

Is 6mm Vinyl Flooring Better Than 5mm?

Not automatically.

If every other specification were identical, additional thickness might affect certain aspects of the flooring. In the real world, however, two products with different thicknesses often have other construction differences as well.

A well-designed 5mm product can be a better fit for a project than a poorly matched 6mm product.

I would want to know:

• What is the core made from?
• How thick is the core itself?
• Does the floor have an attached pad?
• What is the wear-layer thickness?
• What surface protection is used?
• What locking system connects the planks?
• What are the installation requirements?
• What certifications does the flooring carry?
• What does the warranty cover?

Those answers tell me far more than 5mm versus 6mm by itself.

Core Thickness vs Total Thickness

This is the distinction I want shoppers to understand.

Core thickness and total flooring thickness are not necessarily the same number.

A rigid core LVP product may combine several layers, including:

• Protective surface treatment
• Wear layer
• Printed design layer
• Rigid core
• Attached backing or pad

The advertised total thickness can include more than the rigid core.

When comparing flooring, look for a specification sheet that breaks down the construction instead of relying on a single number in the product title.

A Real Example: 5mm Core + 1mm Pad = 6mm Total

The Arvora LVT Collection at BELK Tile is a good example of why this distinction matters.

Arvora uses a 5mm SPC core plus a 1mm attached IPXE pad.

That gives the flooring a 6mm total thickness.

So if someone asked me whether Arvora is a 5mm or 6mm floor, simply answering with one number would leave out useful information.

The better description is:

5mm SPC core + 1mm attached IPXE pad = 6mm total construction.

That tells you what you are actually getting.

Does Thicker Vinyl Plank Feel Better Underfoot?

Thickness can influence how flooring feels, but it is not the only factor.

The core material, density, attached backing, subfloor, underlayment when approved, and overall flooring construction can all affect the experience underfoot.

A dense SPC floor, for example, generally has a firmer feel than some less dense rigid core constructions.

If comfort is important to you, compare the complete construction rather than assuming the thickest plank will automatically feel the softest.

Does Thicker LVP Make the Floor Quieter?

Again, thickness alone does not answer the question.

The backing material, subfloor, room construction, installation method, and flooring system can all affect sound.

An attached pad can be an important part of the construction, which is why I want to know whether a 6mm specification includes a backing layer or represents the core alone.

Does 6mm LVP Hide Subfloor Imperfections Better Than 5mm?

I would not use an extra millimeter of flooring thickness as a substitute for proper subfloor preparation.

Click lock flooring needs appropriate support underneath it.

Excessive high spots, low areas, debris, abrupt changes, or other conditions outside the manufacturer's flatness requirements should be corrected before installation.

A thicker rigid plank does not turn an unsuitable subfloor into an acceptable one.

Does Thicker Vinyl Plank Mean a Thicker Wear Layer?

No.

Total flooring thickness and wear-layer thickness measure different parts of the product.

You can have a relatively thick plank with a thinner wear layer or a thinner overall plank with a substantial wear layer.

That is why you should compare both numbers separately.

Our 22 MIL wear layer guide explains this specification in more detail.

Millimeters vs MIL: Do Not Confuse Them

This causes a lot of confusion when comparing vinyl flooring.

Millimeters and mils are not the same unit.

Millimeters are commonly used to describe overall flooring or core thickness.

MIL is commonly used to describe wear-layer thickness.

One mil equals 0.001 inch.

So a floor described as 6mm thick with a 22 MIL wear layer does not have a 22mm protective layer.

Those numbers describe two completely different measurements.

Does the Wear Layer Matter More Than Total Thickness?

I would not reduce flooring quality to either specification.

The wear layer helps protect the printed design from normal surface wear. Total thickness tells you something about the overall flooring construction.

Neither number describes everything about the product.

A more useful comparison includes:

• Total thickness
• Core construction
• Core thickness
• Wear-layer thickness
• Surface protection
• Attached pad
• Locking system
• Warranty

Does SPC Core Thickness Matter?

SPC flooring uses a dense stone polymer composite core that provides rigidity and dimensional stability.

Core thickness is one part of the product's construction, but core density, locking profile, backing, and the rest of the flooring system also matter.

If you are comparing rigid core flooring, start with our guide to SPC flooring.

What About SPC vs WPC Thickness?

Comparing the millimeter thickness of an SPC floor directly with a WPC floor can be misleading because the core constructions are different.

SPC generally uses a denser, firmer core. WPC typically uses a less dense core that can provide more cushioning underfoot.

A thicker WPC product and a thinner SPC product should not be compared based solely on their millimeter measurements.

Our SPC vs WPC flooring guide explains those construction differences.

Does Flooring Thickness Affect Click Lock Installation?

The performance of a click lock floor depends on more than plank thickness.

The locking profile itself matters.

A quality locking system needs to connect neighboring planks securely when installed according to the product instructions.

Subfloor flatness and correct installation are also important because unsupported movement can place stress on the joints.

Our click lock vinyl plank flooring guide explains how these systems work.

Does 5mm or 6mm LVP Need Underlayment?

You cannot determine underlayment requirements from total thickness alone.

Some flooring already includes an attached pad. Other products may require, permit, or prohibit certain separate underlayments.

If the flooring already has attached backing, do not assume adding another layer will improve it.

Too much cushioning beneath some click-lock systems can allow unwanted movement.

Use only underlayment approved for the specific floor.

Does 5mm or 6mm LVP Need to Acclimate?

Thickness does not determine the acclimation requirement.

A 5mm floor might have one requirement while a 6mm floor has another.

The flooring manufacturer determines the proper procedure for the specific product.

For example, Arvora's 6mm total construction requires 24-hour acclimation before installation.

Our LVT acclimation guide explains why you should follow the product-specific requirement rather than a universal rule.

Is 5mm Vinyl Plank Flooring Good for a Home?

A 5mm flooring product can be appropriate for residential use if its complete construction and installation requirements fit the project.

I would not accept or reject a floor simply because it measures 5mm.

Look at the wear layer, core, surface finish, locking system, backing, warranty, certifications, and intended application.

Is 6mm Vinyl Plank Flooring Good for a Home?

The same principle applies to 6mm flooring.

Six millimeters can be a solid overall construction, but the number needs context.

Find out how much of that thickness is core, whether an attached pad is included, what wear layer is used, and how the flooring is designed to be installed.

What Thickness LVP Is Best for Kitchens?

I would not choose kitchen flooring based on a 5mm versus 6mm comparison alone.

For a kitchen, I would pay attention to the complete flooring construction, water resistance, wear layer, surface protection, locking system, subfloor requirements, installation instructions, and how the floor will interact with cabinets and fixed islands.

A busy kitchen needs the right flooring system, not simply the biggest millimeter number.

What Thickness LVP Is Best for Pets?

Pet households should pay particular attention to surface protection and wear-layer construction in addition to total thickness.

A thicker core does not automatically make the decorative surface more resistant to scratches.

I would also consider color and wood visual. Floors with some natural-looking variation can sometimes make everyday dust, hair, and minor surface marks less visually prominent than extremely uniform dark finishes.

What Thickness Is Best for Concrete Floors?

The condition of the concrete matters more than choosing flooring simply because it is 5mm or 6mm thick.

The slab must satisfy the flooring manufacturer's requirements for flatness, moisture, cleanliness, structural condition, and vapor protection when required.

Do not expect an additional millimeter of flooring to solve a concrete subfloor problem.

Does LVP Thickness Affect Transitions?

Yes, finished flooring height matters when LVP meets another surface.

This is why I recommend thinking about transitions before ordering the floor.

A transition between two floors of similar height may use a T-molding. Where the LVP drops to a lower flooring surface, a reducer may be appropriate. Stairs require their own finishing solution, such as stair nosing.

Our LVT trim and transitions guide explains these pieces and where they are used.

Arvora LVT: A 6mm Floor With a 5mm SPC Core

The Arvora LVT Collection demonstrates exactly why I recommend looking beyond the advertised total thickness.

Its construction includes:

• 5mm SPC rigid core
• 1mm attached IPXE pad
• 6mm total thickness
• 22 MIL wear layer
• Aluminum oxide finish
• Micro-beveled edges
• Unilin Angle/Drop locking system
• No-adhesive click installation
• FloorScore and GREENGUARD certifications
• 24-hour acclimation requirement

Each plank is nominally 7 x 48 inches, with 12 planks and 29 square feet per box.

Arvora also has coordinated 94.5-inch T-molding, reducer, and stair nosing options for finishing transitions and steps.

You can explore all 10 Arvora LVT colors at BELK Tile.

So, Should You Choose 5mm or 6mm Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Do not make the decision based on 1 millimeter alone.

If I were comparing a 5mm floor with a 6mm floor, I would first determine exactly what each measurement includes.

Then I would compare the core, wear layer, surface protection, attached pad, locking system, plank dimensions, certifications, installation requirements, trim availability, and warranty.

That gives you a much better picture of what you are actually buying.

For a broader comparison checklist, see our complete guide to choosing luxury vinyl plank flooring.