How to Find the Most Ergonomic Desk Height
With this desk height calculator, you'll find the proper range your seat, desk, and monitor should be at. Choose between two working positions — sitting or standing — and in an instant, we'll give you a hint on how to prepare your workstation. Ergonomic desk height is a really important thing that shouldn't be neglected — unfortunately, standard desk height is adequate for rather tall people — around 6 ft. Luckily, you can use height-adjustable desks or non-standard chair height, footrests, and other tricks to overcome that problem.
How to Use the Desk Height Calculator
- Choose your measurement system — Imperial (ft / in) or Metric (cm).
- Enter your height. Don't forget to take into account the heels or soles of your shoes.
- Select your working position — sitting desk or standing desk.
- Click Calculate to receive personalized ergonomic recommendations.
For example, for a person who is 5 ft 7 in tall and works sitting, the calculator gives:
- Chair height: 16.5–18 in — make sure your thighs and feet are parallel to the floor, with thighs and lower legs forming a 90–110° angle.
- Desk height: 25–27.5 in — elbows and forearms should lie flat on the desk and armrests, with a 90–110° angle at the elbow.
- Monitor height: 46.5–48 in — looking straight, you should see the top third of the screen. Tilt the monitor 10–20° for best comfort.
Height Adjustable Desks — Is It a Good Idea?
If you're buying a desk only for yourself, there's usually no need to buy a height-adjustable desk — if you plan and measure everything properly in advance. However, if you are:
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Preparing shared workstations for people of different heights, you should definitely
consider height-adjustable tables:
- Sitting: optimally in the 22–33 in range, with a 5 in minimum range (25–30 in)
- Standing: optimally in the 35–47 in range, with a 4 in minimum range (38–42 in)
- Buying a desk for a child — as a child's height changes very quickly, a height-adjustable table that grows with your kid is a great investment.
If you can't afford or don't want to buy a height-adjustable table, you can compensate for the differences with a footrest or an adjustable chair.
Office Ergonomics — Should I Stand or Should I Sit?
If you have the opportunity, try both to see what works best for you! Recently, there has been an increase in interest in standing desks, as many reports praise their health benefits, improvement of worker productivity, and even an increase in life expectancy. On the other hand, others claim that stand-up desks are overrated and that there is no solid scientific evidence they significantly improve health — and that standing is not the same as exercise.
You should also remember that a dramatic change can lead to side effects. When switching from a sedentary desk to a standing desk, you may experience back, leg, or foot pain. People who stand a lot may also develop problems with varicose veins. If you want to try a standing desk, introduce changes gradually — start with 30–60 minutes per day. Also, don't forget to walk and stretch every half hour: our bodies are not meant to stay in one position for extended periods of time.
Standard Chair and Standard Desk Height
The average desk height is 29 inches (approx. 73.5 cm). Unfortunately, this height is suitable for only a small portion of the population — people around 6 feet tall. There is no universal standard desk height for stand-up tables, but you can expect them to be around 38–42 in (97–107 cm) in height.
When it comes to standard chair heights, there isn't one single standard. Your chair height will most likely fall in the 16–20 in range, but fortunately most office chairs are adjustable, so you can improve your ergonomics without spending extra money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the ergonomic desk height for a 5 ft 6 in person?
For a person who is 5 ft 6 in (66 inches) tall and working at a sitting desk, the recommended ergonomic measurements are approximately: chair height 16.3–17.7 in, desk height 24.6–27.1 in, and monitor height 45.8–47.3 in.
How high should a standing desk be?
A standing desk should be at your elbow height when standing — typically about 56–63% of your total height. For a 5 ft 7 in person, this translates to approximately 38–42 in (97–107 cm). The goal is to keep your forearms roughly parallel to the floor with a slight 10–15° downward angle.
How do I measure my desk height correctly?
Measure the distance from the floor to the surface of the desk. For the most accurate ergonomic setup, measure while wearing the footwear you typically use at work, as shoe soles can add 0.5–2 in to your effective standing height.
What if my desk is too high?
If your desk is too high for your height, your options include: raising your chair and using a footrest, getting an adjustable monitor arm, and using a wrist rest for your keyboard and mouse. If feasible, replace the desk with a height-adjustable model.
Does monitor height affect desk ergonomics?
Yes! The monitor should be positioned so your eyes naturally look at the top third of the screen while you sit or stand upright. Looking too far down strains the neck; looking up can cause eye fatigue. The recommended monitor height range from this calculator represents the approximate eye level — position the top of your monitor screen near that measurement.