Measure without shoes when possible and enter the value in centimeters.
Free setup calculator
Desk height calculator for sitting and standing
Estimate sitting and standing desk-height starting points, then refine them from measured elbow height, keyboard thickness, footwear, chair support, task and comfort.
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Suggested desk starting point71 cm
72%
- 27.8 in desk starting height
- Chair starting height: 44 cm
- 17.2 in chair starting height
- Adjust until forearms rest roughly parallel to the floor
Check your desk and monitor setup
Measure from the floor to the top of the keyboard keys and to your relaxed elbow while seated with your back supported. This comparison is a starting point, not a medical assessment or a prescribed chair adjustment.
Enter both positive measurements to compare heights.
Keep the main screen directly in front of your working position. Put an occasional secondary screen beside it, not at the far edge of the desk.
Start with the screen top at or below eye level. Adjust text size so you can read with your back supported; avoid leaning toward small text.
Viewing distance: OSHA suggests about 50–100 cm (20–40 in), adjusted for readable text, vision and task. Take regular movement breaks. Persistent pain, numbness or visual symptoms need professional assessment.
Source: OSHA monitor guidancePrivate workspace: entries stay in this tab’s memory and disappear when you reload or leave. Download your CSV before closing. Inputs are not included in analytics events.
Direct answer
What this tool calculates—and what it does not.
Use the result as a proportional starting point, not a prescribed height. For typing, compare it with your measured elbow height and the top of the working key surface. Adjust until shoulders remain relaxed, wrists stay near neutral and the task is reachable without leaning.
Transparent methodology
How the calculation works
The estimate uses 42% of standing body height for the desk and 26% for chair height. Those ratios are broad anthropometric starting points; body proportions, footwear, keyboard thickness, chair range, and the task can change the final setup.
Formula or decision ruleDesk starting height ≈ body height × 0.42; chair starting height ≈ body height × 0.26.
Inputs explained
Practical use
When this tool is useful
- Finding an initial seated desk and chair range.
- Checking whether a fixed desk may need a footrest or keyboard tray.
- Starting a workstation adjustment before buying equipment.
A reliable way to use it
- 01Support the feet
Adjust the seat or add a stable footrest so the feet do not hang.
- 02Match the surface to the elbows
Keep frequently used controls close enough that the shoulders do not lift or reach.
- 03Position the screen separately
Increase text size and move the monitor before leaning toward it.
- 04Add position changes
A reasonable setup still benefits from regular movement and task variation.
Interpretation
How to read the result
- Measure the actual desktop and keyboard surface; motor-display numbers can represent a different reference point.
- Save separate sitting and standing presets and recheck them after changing chair, footwear, mat or keyboard.
- Set the chair for stable foot support and comfortable knees first.
- Adjust the work surface so elbows stay near the body and shoulders remain relaxed.
- Test the setup during real typing and pointing tasks, then change one variable at a time.
- Use the additional setup checker for your own keyboard and elbow measurements, monitor arrangement and lens needs. It is not a diagnosis or a precise prescription from body height.
Boundaries
What the result cannot tell you
- Height alone does not capture torso, upper-arm, and lower-leg proportions.
- The estimate does not diagnose the cause of pain or numbness.
- Standing work, drafting, laboratory, and other tasks require different setup logic.
Common questions
Common questions about Desk height calculator for sitting and standing
What is the best desk height for my height?
A calculator can provide a starting point, but the final setting should be based on supported feet, relaxed shoulders, elbow position, input-device height, and the work being performed.
Should desk height be measured to the top of the desk?
Measure the surface supporting the keyboard or primary hand task. A thick keyboard, desk mat, or tray changes the effective hand height.
What if my desk is too high and cannot be lowered?
Raise the chair enough for relaxed forearms, then add a stable footrest. A keyboard tray may help when the desk remains too high.
What if my desk is too low?
Stable desk risers or an adjustable surface may help. Avoid compensating by collapsing the torso, dropping the chair too low, or holding the shoulders forward.
Can an ergonomic desk height fix back or neck pain?
A setup adjustment may reduce one aggravating factor, but pain can have many causes. New, severe, progressive, or persistent symptoms need appropriate professional assessment.
Optional next step
Follow app updates When reminders would help the habit stick
ErgoMate is the optional iOS companion for turning setup guidance and movement prompts into a repeatable workday routine.