Desk Height Calculator
Enter your height and position at the desk to calculate the optimal desk height and monitor height for a sitting or standing desk.
Recommended Desk Height:
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Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction. He holds several degrees and certifications.
Dr. Donna Schwontkowski is a retired chiropractic physician with an M.S. in Nutrition and Master's in Herbology. She also has an extensive background in teaching, writing, and editing, and loves natural foods cooking and working out.
How to Calculate the Ideal Desk Height
The most ergonomic desk height is dependent on your height, so it will vary for each person. The most comfortable height should allow you to work continuously with the angle between your forearm and upper arm between 70 and 135 degrees.[1]
If you’ve left your protractor at home, one tip for finding the right desk height is to align the height of the desk with your elbows while seated for a sitting desk or while standing for a standing desk. This desk height will be in the 70 to 135° range.
Standard Desk Height
Most desks sold today for use while seated are 29 to 30 inches high. Unfortunately, most traditional desks are not adjustable or customizable, although adjustable desks are becoming much more popular.
Standing desks, on the other hand, come in a variety of heights, and most standing desks are fully adjustable from 29 to 48″. If you’re very tall, you might need to hunt around for a standing desk that can extend above that range.
How to Calculate the Ideal Monitor Height
Like the desk, the most ergonomic height for the monitor is dependent on your height. The ideal monitor height is just below your eye level, and about the length of your arm away from your eyes.[2]
Adjust your monitor so that the top of the monitor is just below eye level using the adjustments on the monitor. If the monitor does not have an adjustable stand, consider a monitor riser or mount to offer some adjustability.
How to Calculate the Ideal Chair Height
For a sitting desk, the height of the chair is also an important consideration. The ideal chair height should allow your hips to be just slightly above your knees when sitting.[3]
In addition to height, pay attention to other adjustments such as lumbar support, tilt, and the armrest position.
Suggested Ergonomic Desk Heights
| Seated Position | Standing Position | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your Height | Suggested Desk Height | Suggested Monitor Height | Suggested Chair Height | Suggested Desk Height | Suggested Monitor Height |
| 4′ 10″ | 21″ – 23″ | 40″ – 42″ | 12″ – 14″ | 35″ – 37″ | 53″ – 55″ |
| 4′ 11″ | 21″ – 23″ | 40″ – 42″ | 13″ – 15″ | 35″ – 37″ | 54″ – 56″ |
| 5′ | 22″ – 24″ | 41″ – 43″ | 13″ – 15″ | 36″ – 38″ | 55″ – 57″ |
| 5′ 1″ | 22″ – 24″ | 41″ – 43″ | 14″ – 16″ | 36″ – 38″ | 56″ – 58″ |
| 5′ 2″ | 22″ – 24″ | 42″ – 44″ | 14″ – 16″ | 37″ – 39″ | 57″ – 59″ |
| 5′ 3″ | 23″ – 25″ | 43″ – 45″ | 14″ – 16″ | 37″ – 39″ | 57″ – 59″ |
| 5′ 4″ | 23″ – 25″ | 44″ – 46″ | 15″ – 17″ | 38″ – 40″ | 59″ – 61″ |
| 5′ 5″ | 24″ – 26″ | 44″ – 46″ | 15″ – 17″ | 39″ – 41″ | 60″ – 62″ |
| 5′ 6″ | 24″ – 26″ | 45″ – 47″ | 15″ – 17″ | 40″ – 42″ | 61″ – 63″ |
| 5′ 7″ | 24″ – 26″ | 46″ – 48″ | 16″ – 18″ | 40″ – 42″ | 62″ – 64″ |
| 5′ 8″ | 25″ – 27″ | 47″ – 49″ | 16″ – 18″ | 41″ – 43″ | 63″ – 65″ |
| 5′ 9″ | 25″ – 27″ | 47″ – 49″ | 16″ – 18″ | 42″ – 44″ | 64″ – 66″ |
| 5′ 10″ | 26″ – 28″ | 48″ – 50″ | 16″ – 18″ | 42″ – 44″ | 64″ – 66″ |
| 5′ 11″ | 26″ – 28″ | 48″ – 50″ | 17″ – 19″ | 43″ – 45″ | 65″ – 67″ |
| 6′ | 26″ – 28″ | 49″ – 51″ | 17″ – 19″ | 43″ – 45″ | 67″ – 69″ |
| 6′ 1″ | 27″ – 29″ | 50″ – 52″ | 17″ – 19″ | 44″ – 46″ | 67″ – 69″ |
| 6′ 2″ | 27″ – 29″ | 51″ – 53″ | 18″ – 20″ | 45″ – 47″ | 68″ – 70″ |
| 6′ 3″ | 28″ – 30″ | 52″ – 54″ | 18″ – 20″ | 45″ – 47″ | 69″ – 71″ |
| 6′ 4″ | 28″ – 30″ | 52″ – 54″ | 19″ – 21″ | 46″ – 48″ | 71″ – 73″ |
| 6′ 5″ | 29″ – 31″ | 53″ – 55″ | 19″ – 21″ | 47″ – 49″ | 71″ – 73″ |
| 6′ 6″ | 29″ – 31″ | 54″ – 56″ | 19″ – 21″ | 48″ – 50″ | 72″ – 74″ |
| 6′ 7″ | 29″ – 31″ | 54″ – 56″ | 19″ – 21″ | 48″ – 50″ | 72″ – 74″ |
| 6′ 8″ | 29″ – 31″ | 55″ – 57″ | 20″ – 22″ | 49″ – 51″ | 73″ – 75″ |
Ensuring your desk, monitor, and chair height is correct can prevent carpal tunnel and neck problems from occurring or worsening.
References
- Health by Design, Desk and work surface height, https://shop.healthydesign.com/Desk-and-work-surface-height.aspx
- Mayo Clinic, Office ergonomics: Your how-to guide, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169
- Desk Advisor, What is the desk height for best posture and ergonomics?, https://www.deskadvisor.org/standard-desk-height/