Does a big desk mat quiet your keyboard more than a small mousepad?

Yes, because a small mousepad only sits under your mouse, leaving your keyboard clacking directly on the desk. A full desk mat adds a layer of felt, foam, or fabric that absorbs vibration and high-frequency noise, especially if you bottom out your keys. The mouse click sound barely changes, but the overall reverb drops. It won’t make typing silent — you’d need different switches or o-rings for that — but it takes the edge off on a hard desk.