Finding Your Perfect Desk Height: A Tailored Guide Based on Height

When determining the optimal desk height, there is no one-size-fits solution. Although desks are designed to be a fit for most body sizes, it might be that you’re a tad bit too tall or too short to fit into the mold - that’s where adjustability comes in. But let’s take it step by step: first, we’re going to explain why desk size even matters and towards the end, we’ll give you the exact optimal desk height measurements you’ve been looking for.

Why desk height matters

The modern pace of life is pushing us towards a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, given how much time you likely spend sitting in your home office, it certainly makes sense to pay attention to optimal desk height in relation to how tall you are. After all, it affects your:

● Posture

● Health

● Productivity

Fail to do so, however, and you might suffer the negative consequences, including but not limited to:

● Discomfort

● Joint pain

● Back pain

● And more

According to studies, incorrect desk height can even be the cause of spinal disc issues.

It’s not just the height of your desk

For instance, the height at which you set your monitor can also be the cause of unnecessary strain on your neck and shoulders. Keep this going for a prolonged period of time, and you risk developing incorrect posture. Therefore, combining the optimal desk height with a proper chair is the way to go.

‘Standard desk height’ - is there such a thing?

Although ergonomic design guidelines generally stipulate that the typical height of a desk should be anywhere between 73 and 80 centimeters, the reality is, this does not take the user’s body measures into account. For instance, if you’re on the taller side of the spectrum, you’d typically need to raise your chair, otherwise it would be quite uncomfortable to sit like this.

Most desks are designed for the average user

The reason why a desk might fall in the 73 to 80 centimeter range is to make it a fit for most of the people out there based on average age and average height - however, that may or may not be you. In other words, this kind of range makes a desk fit for people between 5’8″ and 5’10″. If you’re overly short or overly tall, chances are you’re going to need to make some adjustments.

Optimal desk height depends on the unique proportions of your body

Instead of looking for the optimal desk height, it might be better to simply make sure that your limbs are in a comfortable position.

● Feet. Your feet should be on the floor. Your knees should be parallel with your hips or a tiny bit lower.

● Arms. Comfort is key, so make sure they’re not contorted. Your arm and forearm should be anywhere in a 70-135 degree angle.

● Elbows. Look for the 90-degree angle.

The optimal desk height for standing desks

To determine the optimal desk for four leg standing desk, a good way to go about it is to look at the angle between your arm and forearm - it should fall anywhere in the 90 to 110 degree range. Just don’t set it too low, as this is likely to put your wrists in an uncomfortable position and place additional strain on them. As for the angle of your monitor, it should be tilted slightly backwards (anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees will do).

Typical standing desk height examples

If you’re looking for a quick guide on how to set up your four leg standing desk, below you’ll find optimal measurements depending on your height:

● 5’0″. Anything from 91cm to 99 cm.

● 5’5″. Anything from 99cm to 107cm.

● 6’0″. Anything from 110cm to 119cm.

The complete optimal desk height guide for sitting and standing desks

If you want to dive in deeper and nail the perfect desk height for your exact height, please see the table below:

Pro tip: LiftSync Quad Pro is a solidwood four leg standing desk with an advanced stability system. It’s made of premium-grade materials that are made to last and an adjustable height in the range of 29.5 - 47.2. Dimensions: 63 x 31.5.

What if you can’t set the height of your desk?

Although a typical four leg standing desk will have an adjustable mechanism that lets you set its height as per your exact specifications, with ordinary office desks, you typically don’t get that luxury. That’s the bad news - the good news is that there’s a lot that can be done by simply getting an ergonomic chair that lets your body move in a comfortable position. Especially those gaming chairs that are more than suitable for typical day-to-day office use as well.

Best practices for getting the most out of your ideal desk dimensions

To get the most out of your desk as far as your health and productivity go, consider doing some of your work in a sitting position and some of it in a standing position and regularly switch up between them. Studies suggest that introducing a sit-stand desk to your daily routine tends to have a positive outcome for one’s health, particularly regarding the strain on one’s neck and shoulders.

What should the ideal standing-to-sitting ratio be?

Luckily for you, we’ve written a detailed guide on this exact topic! But keep in mind that these are just a couple of pointers to get you started. Don’t be afraid to experiment to discover your unique preferences!

Conclusion

Although desks tend to be designed with the average user in mind, they probably won’t be a good fit for you if you’re on the overly short or overly tall end of the spectrum. If so, getting a standing desk with an adjustable mechanism can be a true lifesaver. Long story short, you should consider getting a four-leg standing desk if you’re the type who loves to tweak things to perfection and strive towards the perfect setup in terms of desk height and the angle of your limbs. With that in mind, have a look at our catalog to see if there’s anything you like!