Quick answer
This desk height calculator takes your body height and estimates your chair seat height, sitting desk (keyboard) height and standing desk height from average body proportions, with an optional allowance for shoes. Your keyboard surface should sit at or just below elbow height with relaxed shoulders, so treat the numbers as a starting point and fine-tune to your own elbows.
How to use this tool
- 1Enter your height in centimeters or inches.
- 2Choose whether you work in shoes; the calculator adds about 2.5 cm (1 in) for typical footwear.
- 3Read the suggested chair seat, sitting desk and standing desk heights, plus your estimated seated and standing eye heights.
- 4Set your desk to the suggested height, then fine-tune: relax your shoulders, bend your elbows to about 90°, and adjust until your forearms are roughly level with the keyboard.
How does the desk height calculator work?
The desk height calculator estimates key heights from your total body height using average body-segment proportions from anthropometry references. Each output is a fixed ratio of your height, plus an optional shoe allowance of 2.5 cm (about 1 in).
| Output | How it is estimated |
|---|---|
| Chair seat height | Popliteal height (floor to the back of the knee), about 25% of body height, plus shoes |
| Sitting desk / keyboard height | Seat height plus seated elbow height (about 13.5% of body height), minus 1.5 cm so the keys sit just below the elbow |
| Standing elbow height | About 63% of body height, plus shoes |
| Standing desk / keyboard height | Standing elbow height minus 2.5 cm |
| Seated and standing eye height | About 45% of body height above the seat, or about 93.6% of body height standing |
The eye heights are there so you can place your monitor. The free monitor height calculator turns eye height into a screen position and viewing distance.
What desk height do I need for my height?
Here are the desk height calculator's outputs for a few heights, with shoes. Rounding may differ by a millimeter or two from the live tool.
| Your height | Chair seat | Sitting desk | Standing desk | Standing eye height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) | 60.7 cm (23.9 in) | 97.7 cm (38.5 in) | 147.6 cm (58.1 in) |
| 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) | 43.8 cm (17.2 in) | 64.5 cm (25.4 in) | 104.0 cm (40.9 in) | 156.9 cm (61.8 in) |
| 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | 46.3 cm (18.2 in) | 68.4 cm (26.9 in) | 110.3 cm (43.4 in) | 166.3 cm (65.5 in) |
| 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | 48.8 cm (19.2 in) | 72.2 cm (28.4 in) | 116.6 cm (45.9 in) | 175.7 cm (69.2 in) |
Compare these with the height of the desk you have now. If your desk is higher than your sitting desk estimate, you usually need to raise the chair and add a footrest so the keyboard ends up at elbow height.
How do I use it as a standing desk height calculator?
If you are buying or setting up a sit-stand desk, two numbers matter: your sitting and standing keyboard heights. The desk's adjustment range has to cover both, with a little spare for shoes or a thicker keyboard. Check the range before you buy, because a desk that cannot go low enough for sitting forces you into a higher chair and a footrest.
Below the results, a "Gear that fits your numbers" list turns your figures into specs to check, such as the height range a desk needs. It contains affiliate links, and the numbers work the same with any brand.
Once the desk is set, save both positions as presets if your desk allows it, so switching takes seconds rather than guesswork. Re-run the desk height calculator if you change shoes, chairs or keyboards.
How do I fine-tune my sitting and standing desk height?
The numbers are a starting point. Your own elbow height is the real target.
- Sitting: adjust the chair so your feet are flat (or on a footrest) and your thighs are roughly level. Let your shoulders relax and your upper arms hang by your sides.
- Bend your elbows to about 90°. The home row of the keyboard should be at or just below your elbow, with straight wrists.
- Standing: stand relaxed in your usual work shoes, repeat the elbow check, and set the desk so your forearms are level or angled slightly down.
- Check leg room. OSHA advises enough clearance under the desk for your legs and suggests height-adjustable desks or footrests when the fit is wrong.
If your desk has a keyboard tray, set the tray height, not the desktop. Our ergonomic desk setup guide walks through chair, keyboard and mouse placement in order.
Is the right standing desk height different for different tasks?
Yes. The calculator targets typing and mouse use. For other standing work, CCOHS gives these rough guides relative to elbow height:
| Type of work | Suggested surface height |
|---|---|
| Precision work (writing, fine assembly) | About 5 cm above elbow height, with elbow support |
| Light work (assembly, mechanical jobs) | About 5-10 cm below elbow height |
| Heavy work needing downward force | About 20-40 cm below elbow height |
For more on alternating positions, read our standing desk height guide. Most fixed office desks are about 29-30 inches high; why the standard desk height rarely fits explains what to do instead.
Why do my results feel slightly off?
Body proportions vary. People with longer legs relative to their torso may find the seat estimate low and the sitting desk estimate a little off, and the reverse is also true. Footwear, cushions and chair padding shift things by a centimeter or more.
That is why the elbow check matters more than any single number. If you share a desk, a height-adjustable desk with saved presets lets each user return to their own setting quickly.
When the desk height calculator has given you a starting point and you have fine-tuned it, run the ergonomic self-assessment to check the rest of your setup: chair support, screen, lighting and work habits.
This tool gives general ergonomic guidance, not medical advice. If you have ongoing pain, see a clinician.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a standing desk be?
For typing, the work surface should be at or slightly below your standing elbow height with your shoulders relaxed. For a 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) person in shoes, this calculator suggests about 110 cm (43.4 in).
What is the standard desk height?
There is no single height that fits everyone. A fixed desk suits one body size best, so shorter users often need a higher chair plus a footrest, and very tall users may need a desk riser or a height-adjustable desk.
Should my desk height match my keyboard height?
What matters is keyboard height. If your keyboard is thick or sits on a tray, set the height of the keys, not the desk surface, to just below elbow height.
My feet don't reach the floor when my chair is high enough. What should I do?
Use a footrest. Raise the chair until your elbows clear the desk at the right height, then support your feet so your thighs are roughly level and there is no pressure behind your knees.
Does the calculator work for drawing or heavy work?
It targets typing and mouse work. CCOHS suggests about 5 cm above elbow height for precision work, 5-10 cm below for light work, and 20-40 cm below for heavy work that needs downward force.
How accurate is a desk height calculator?
They use average body-segment ratios, and real people vary, especially in leg-to-torso proportions. Expect to adjust by a few centimeters to match your actual elbow height.