Desk Height Calculator

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Guide

How high should my desk be?

Your desk height should place your forearms parallel to the floor when sitting upright, with your elbows at roughly 90 degrees. For most people sitting in a standard office chair, this means a desk height of 68-76cm (27-30 inches).

The exact number depends on your height and your chair height. A person who is 165cm tall needs a lower desk than someone who is 185cm. The formula is: desk height = floor-to-elbow height minus 2-3cm to allow the arms to rest comfortably rather than being propped up.

Standing desk height

For standing, the same principle applies: elbows at 90 degrees, forearms parallel to the floor. For most people this means a standing desk height of 95-115cm. The exact height is your standing elbow height minus 5-10cm.

The most common mistake

Setting the desk too high. A desk that is too high forces your shoulders to elevate and your wrists to extend upward. Both cause cumulative strain. If you feel tension across your upper trapezius by midday, your desk is almost certainly too high for your seated position.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Sit in your chair with your feet flat on the floor. Adjust the chair so your thighs are parallel to the floor and your feet are flat. The correct desk height is where your forearms rest comfortably parallel to the floor with elbows at 90 degrees. Measure from the floor to your elbow to get your target desk height, then subtract 2-3cm.

Standard fixed desks are 72-75cm tall. This works for people who are approximately 170-180cm tall sitting in a standard chair. If you are shorter or taller than this range, a fixed desk at standard height will cause postural issues over time. Adjustable desks or monitor/chair adjustments are needed to compensate.

Yes. Standing desk height should be approximately your standing elbow height minus 5-10cm. For most people this is 95-115cm. If you use the same desk for sitting and standing, a height-adjustable desk is necessary. Raising a fixed desk to standing height makes it unusable for sitting.

Indirectly yes. A desk that is too high raises your shoulders and arms, which pulls on the upper trapezius and can cause neck and shoulder pain. A desk that is too low causes you to hunch forward, loading the lower cervical spine. The correct desk height keeps your spine neutral from hips to neck.

Set up your full ergonomic workstation

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

Full Setup Guide Fix Neck Pain