The desk should meet your elbow, not your height
There is no single correct desk height. The target is the height at which your forearms rest level and your elbows sit at about 90 degrees with your shoulders relaxed. Two people of the same height can need different desks because leg-to-torso ratios differ, so the numbers below are a starting point, not a rule.
By body height
| Your height | Seated desk | Standing desk | Chair seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm (4'11") | 58–61 cm | ~71 cm | 40 cm |
| 160 cm (5'3") | 62–65 cm | ~71 cm | 42 cm |
| 170 cm (5'7") | 66–69 cm | ~73 cm | 45 cm |
| 175 cm (5'9") | 68–71 cm | ~75 cm | 46 cm |
| 180 cm (5'11") | 72–75 cm | ~76 cm | 48 cm |
| 190 cm (6'3") | 76–79 cm | ~81 cm | 50 cm |
| 200 cm (6'7") | 80–83 cm | ~86 cm | 52 cm |
A fixed 76 cm (30 inch) desk, the office default, is right for people near 180 cm and too high for anyone shorter — use a footrest or an adjustable desk if you are petite.
Set the monitor and chair around it
- Monitor. Top of the screen at or just below eye level, 50–75 cm away, tilted so you gaze down 10–20 degrees. Raise it on a stand rather than tilting your head.
- Chair. Roughly 10–12 cm below the desk, set so your thighs are level and your feet stay flat. Feet dangling means the chair is too high — add a footrest.
- Measure, don't guess. Sit normally with feet supported and measure floor to elbow. That single number beats any height-based formula, because arm and leg proportions vary widely.
Common questions
What is the ideal desk height for my height?
For seated work the surface should sit at your elbow height when your forearms are level and your upper arms hang straight down. As a rough guide that is body height times 0.40 to 0.42 in centimetres, so about 70 to 74 cm for a 175 cm person.
How high should a standing desk be?
At standing elbow height, roughly 71 to 76 cm for average adults but taller for tall people. Your elbows should bend at about 90 degrees with shoulders relaxed. A quick check: set it, rest your hands on the keyboard, and see if your wrists stay flat.
Where should my monitor sit?
The top of the screen at or just below eye level, about 50 to 75 cm from your eyes, so your gaze falls 10 to 20 degrees downward. Looking slightly down is easier on the neck than looking up.
