Ergonomic Standards · 2026

Chair Height Calculator

Find the correct seat height, armrest position and lumbar support for your body. Stops the most common causes of back and hip pain from desk work.

Science-backed Instant results Free calculator

Quick Reference by Height

155cm

Seat: 38-40cm

Armrest: 19-21cm | Lumbar: 15-20cm from seat

165cm

Seat: 41-44cm

Armrest: 21-23cm | Lumbar: 18-22cm from seat

175cm

Seat: 44-47cm

Armrest: 23-25cm | Lumbar: 20-24cm from seat

185cm

Seat: 47-50cm

Armrest: 25-27cm | Lumbar: 22-26cm from seat

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Guide

How high should my chair be?

Your chair seat should be at a height where your feet rest flat on the floor and your thighs are parallel to it, with your knees at approximately 90 degrees. For most people this means a seat height of 41-47cm.

The exact height depends on your leg length, not your overall height. Two people of the same height can have different ideal seat heights if their torso-to-leg proportions differ. Always set chair height by knee angle, not by a number.

Armrest height

Armrests should support your forearms without raising your shoulders. Set them so your shoulders are completely relaxed with your elbows at 90 degrees. Armrests that are too high are one of the most common causes of upper trapezius pain and tension headaches in desk workers.

Lumbar support

The lumbar support should sit in the natural inward curve of your lower back, typically 18-24cm above the seat pan. This position varies significantly between people. If the lumbar support pushes you away from the backrest or causes discomfort, it is positioned incorrectly.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Sit in the chair with your feet flat on the floor. Adjust the height until your thighs are parallel to the floor and your knees are at 90 degrees. Your feet should be fully supported by the floor, not dangling. If the correct knee angle leaves your feet unsupported, use a footrest rather than raising the chair.

Use a footrest. A footrest that raises your feet to the correct height for your knee angle is the right solution. Do not raise the chair so high that your thighs angle downward to reach the floor -- this compresses the underside of the thighs and restricts circulation. A footrest costs very little and solves the problem completely.

No. Armrests should support your arms during rest breaks, not during typing. When actively typing, your hands should float above the keyboard with your elbows slightly away from your body. Resting your forearms on armrests while typing causes wrist deviation and restricts shoulder movement.

They work together. If your desk is fixed at a standard height, your chair height must be set to match it -- which may mean your feet do not reach the floor and you need a footrest. If your chair height is fixed, the desk should be adjusted to match your seated elbow height. Ideally both are adjustable, but in practice most people adjust the chair to the desk and add a footrest if needed.

Set up your full ergonomic workstation

Use our complete ergonomic guide for desk, chair, monitor and keyboard positioning.

Full Setup Guide Fix Neck Pain