The standard desk height is an important factor to create an ergonomic workspace as it can help avoid discomfort and prevent long-term health issues.
The right desk height can help you stay focused so you can work comfortably and productively without having to compromise on your posture.
So what height should a desk be for comfortable posture?
The ideal desk height is between 28 inches to 30 inches from the floor to the desk tabletop for average people of a height between 5’ 8” to 5’ 10”.
At this height, the desk will provide adequate underneath space to put the chair and stretch your legs and feet without interfering with the desk frame.
However, the optimal desk height varies from person to person and depends on the person’s height, body type, and posture of work.
In this article, we’ll help you determine the right desk height for your posture and also give you some tips on how you can create a productive work environment.
Why Does Desk Height Matter?
The reason why desk height matters is Ergonomics.
Ergonomics defines your posture when you work. It ensures that you’re comfortable and there is no risk of issues like neck, back, and shoulder pain and eye strain.
Good ergonomics provides many health benefits and keeps you stay focused on your work and that is how it improves your productivity.
And good ergonomics can only be achieved when the desk height is optimal.
But if the desk height is not optimal and you’re working at the desk for long hours, it can make you feel discomfort and lead to pain in different parts of your body.
This difference in the desk height creates poor posture, which ultimately decreases your productivity by causing a higher risk of injuries.
That is why the proper desk height is an important factor for an ergonomic workspace.
What is Standard Desk Height?
Standard desk height is the key to improved energy level, a focused mindset towards the work, and a productive work environment.
And as we know, the right desk height can prevent issues such as back, shoulder, and neck pain as well as head and eye strain.
Hence, maintaining the optimal desk height is important for achieving ergonomic posture.
The standard desk height is where your arms, wrist, and shoulders are in a neutral position, your elbows are at 90 degrees, and your feet touch the floor when you’re seated.
The best desk height for your body should allow you to maintain this posture so that you can work for an extended period of time without having to compromise comfort.
With that said, the most ergonomic desk height is at your elbow’s height.
This is the optimal desk height that will allow you to work in comfort for a long period without having to worry about injuries.
Today, most computer and gaming desks are designed for use while a seated height of 20-30 inches.
However, traditional desks aren’t adjustable or customizable, while on the other side, standing desks are becoming popular for their ergonomic features.
What is the Most Ergonomic Chair Height
When it comes to ergonomics, chair height is also equally important to determine how comfortable you’re while sitting for an extended period of time.
With the optimal chair height, you can reduce strain on your back, neck, and shoulders, and create a comfortable and ergonomic workspace.
That is why finding the most ergonomic chair height is also essential.
The correct chair height is where your feet are flat on the floor, your knees are at a 90-degree angle, your shoulders are in line with your torso, your arms are parallel to the tabletop, the chair seat is not touching the back of your knees, and there is less stress on your joints when seated.
An ergonomic office chair can help you achieve a personalized seat height and armrest, and provide proper support to your sitting posture.
A height-adjustable chair can raise or lower the seat height to further improve comfort and sitting ergonomics based on your needs.
This will ensure that you’re in the proper sitting position and your body is less strained when working for hours on end.
What is Standard Desk Height for Gaming
For gaming ergonomics, the gaming desk height is an important factor to consider as it will ensure how comfortable you are when gaming for never-ending hours.
The gaming desk height needs to be comfortable so you can enjoy your gaming sessions without worrying about posture-related issues such as neck or back pain.
However, the ideal gaming desk will vary from person to person depending on their height, body type, and posture (sitting or standing).
But there are still some general guidelines that you should follow to find your most ergonomic gaming desk height.
With that said, the ideal gaming desk height is where the monitor is at your eye level or slightly below, your elbows are at 90 degrees with the desk, and your wrists are in a neutral position.
How to Find Ergonomic Desk Height
Now that you’ve known, why ideal desk height is important to maintain for office desks and gaming desks.
The ideal desk height for a sitting position is between 28-30 inches for average people of a height between 5’ 8” to 5’ 10”.
However, this height isn’t suitable for people who are taller or shorter than the average height people and may struggle to find proper support for their posture.
So what height should a computer desk be?
For people of the taller or shorter sides, we recommend a height-adjustable standing desk that can help to find the most ergonomic desk height.
Use Height Adjustable Standing Desk
Height-adjustable standing desks generally known as sit-stand desks are a type of computer desk that is designed to facilitate ergonomic benefits.
These desks are powered by an electric motor (single or dual) that lifts up and down the height of the tabletop in inches depending on users’ needs.
Since these desks are height-adjustable, they allow you to customize the desk height to the correct height to suit your posture.
That means a tall person and a short person both can share the same standing desk and find their most ergonomic sitting and standing positions.
But with a traditional computer desk, this isn’t possible.
Generally, standing desks support height adjustments between 22.6 inches to 48.7 inches which are considered an ideal standing desk height.
And that is why a standing desk is a go-to option to find the most ergonomic desk height for the office workplace as well as for the gaming station.
Find Your Ideal Desk Height
Whether you want to sit, stand, or both, to determine the best ergonomic desk height for your body, below is a simple desk height chart.
This chart represents the average desk height for sitting and standing positions for people of different heights as well as the average chair height in relation to the desk.
See what scale your height falls under and that row will indicate the ideal desk height and chair height for your posture.
| Your Height | Chair Height | Sitting Desk Height | Monitor Height | Standing Desk Height | Monitor Height |
| 5’ 0” | 16” | 23” | 43” | 39” | 57” |
| 5” 1” | 16” | 23” | 44” | 39” | 58” |
| 5” 2” | 16” | 24” | 44” | 40” | 59” |
| 5’ 3” | 16” | 24” | 45” | 40” | 60” |
| 5’ 4” | 16” | 25” | 46” | 41” | 61” |
| 5’. 5” | 17” | 25” | 47” | 42” | 62” |
| 5’ 6” | 17” | 26” | 47” | 43” | 63” |
| 5’ 7”. | 17” | 26” | 48” | 43” | 64” |
| 5’. 8” | 18” | 26” | 49” | 44” | 65” |
| 5’ 9” | 18” | 27” | 50” | 45” | 66” |
| 5’ 10” | 18” | 27” | 50” | 45” | 67” |
| 5’ 11” | 18” | 28” | 51” | 46” | 68” |
| 6’ 0” | 18” | 28” | 52” | 47” | 69” |
| 6’ 1” | 18” | 29” | 73” | 47” | 69” |
| 6’ 2” | 19” | 29” | 53” | 48” | 70” |
| 6’ 3” | 20” | 29” | 54” | 49” | 71” |
| 6’ 4” | 20” | 30” | 55” | 50” | 72” |
Using this desk height calculator chart, you can create an ergonomic workspace as the chart also contains monitor heights and chair heights.
Although, the above chart shows average data, but not an accurate desk height.
And since each person may have different body proportions such as different torsos, legs, and arms sizes, this data is not suitable for all.
So, you don’t have to be so accurate about this data. But as a rule of thumb, it can be considered as an average desk height.
Still, if you’re having a hard time finding the right desk height for your posture, the easiest way to overcome this complication is to buy a height-adjustable desk.
Tips to Correct Desk Ergonomics
Here are a few more ergonomic tips you can take to make your office place or gaming setup a more comfortable space.
- Consider choosing a chair with an adjustable seat and armrest as it will allow you to achieve the most comfortable sitting position.
- Consider using a keyboard tray and under-desk mouse pad as it will keep your hands in a neutral position when typing.
- Use a desk with a deep desktop as it will accommodate the monitor at the optimal distance and help maintain an optimal viewing experience.
- Utilize a monitor arm to lift the monitor at your eye level so you can prevent shoulder and neck pain and reduce head and eye strain.
- Choose a computer desk with round edges and a curved front as it will ensure you’re safe from scratches and sharp edges when working.
- Use an L-shaped desk as it can provide adequate space for computers and other items as well as give ample legroom to freely stretch your legs.
- Consider using an anti-fatigue standing mat as it can significantly reduce spinal compression and improve your work experience.
- Make your workplace a pleasant atmosphere by switching to a matte finish from harsh lighting as it can reduce glare and provide soothing to your eyes.
FAQ: Standard Desk Height
1. Is it better to have a desk too high or too low?
None of the options is ideal. Working at a too-high or too-low desk can cause discomfort and you may experience stress in your shoulder and arm muscles, pain in the back and neck, and lead to serious issues when working for an extended period of time.
2. What is the most ergonomic way to sit at a desk?
The best sitting position is where your feet are flat on the floor, your thighs are parallel to the floor, your knees are in line with your hips or slightly below, and your arms gently rest on the armrest with your shoulders relaxed.
3. What is the ideal height for a Computer desk?
The correct height for a computer desk is tailored by a few factors such as your height, body size, and your posture. However, 28 inches (71.12cm) is the standard desk height for people between 5’8″(172.72 cm) and 5’10″(177.8cm) tall.
Conclusion
Finding the ergonomic desk height is crucial to ensure you are comfortable and there is no risk of health issues when working for long hours.
The desk height needs to be ergonomic because a healthy work environment maximizes your productivity and makes work more enjoyable.
To determine whether the desk height is ergonomic, ensure your elbows are at a 90-degree angle, your hands are parallel to the desk, your shoulder and wrist are relaxed, and the monitor is at your eye level.
On the flip side, standing desks is a great way to create an ergonomic workplace as you can modify them as needed to the correct desk height for your posture.
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