How high should a standing desk be?
The optimal standing desk height puts the keyboard at elbow level. Stand straight with your shoulders relaxed and your upper arms hanging by your sides, bend your elbows to about 90°, and set the desk so your forearms rest level on the keyboard and your wrists stay straight. Because a keyboard is 2–3 cm thick, the desk surface ends up a little below your elbow. For the screen, workplace guidance such as OSHA's computer workstation advice puts the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level, about an arm's length away.
The calculator estimates your standing elbow height as 63% of your height and your eye height as 93.6%, average body proportions widely used in ergonomics (Drillis & Contini). It then sets the desk 3 cm below the elbow and the top of the monitor 2 cm below eye level, and adds 2.5 cm for shoes.
Standing desk height chart
| Your height | Desk height | Top of monitor |
|---|---|---|
| 4'11" (150 cm) | 37.0 in (94 cm) | 55.4 in (141 cm) |
| 5'1" (155 cm) | 38.2 in (97 cm) | 57.3 in (146 cm) |
| 5'3" (160 cm) | 39.5 in (100 cm) | 59.2 in (150 cm) |
| 5'5" (165 cm) | 40.8 in (104 cm) | 61.0 in (155 cm) |
| 5'7" (170 cm) | 42.0 in (107 cm) | 62.9 in (160 cm) |
| 5'9" (175 cm) | 43.3 in (110 cm) | 64.8 in (165 cm) |
| 5'11" (180 cm) | 44.5 in (113 cm) | 66.7 in (169 cm) |
| 6'1" (185 cm) | 45.8 in (116 cm) | 68.5 in (174 cm) |
| 6'3" (190 cm) | 47.1 in (120 cm) | 70.4 in (179 cm) |
| 6'5" (196 cm) | 48.3 in (123 cm) | 72.3 in (184 cm) |
Values include shoes and are measured from the floor. Use them as a starting point; if your arms are long or short for your height, measure instead.
Measure for the ideal standing desk height
- Put on the shoes you'll wear and stand on your mat if you use one.
- Let your arms hang, then bend your elbows to 90° with the forearms level.
- Have someone measure from the floor to the underside of your forearm: that's your elbow height.
- Look straight ahead and measure from the floor to your eyes.
- Choose "I measured my elbow and eyes" above and enter both numbers.
Monitor height and distance
Most monitors on their built-in stand are too low on a standing desk, which makes you look down and push your head forward. Raise the screen with a monitor arm or a stand until its top edge is at or slightly below your eyes, and place it about an arm's length away, roughly 50–75 cm (20–30 in). Enter your monitor size and the calculator also gives the height of the screen's centre above the desk, which is the number you need when setting up an arm. If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, a slightly lower screen is usually more comfortable.
Sitting and standing
Save two presets on the desk if it has memory buttons: one for sitting, one for standing. When sitting, set the chair first so your feet are flat and knees about level with your hips, then bring the desk to elbow height in the same way. Change position during the day rather than standing for hours; sore feet and legs from standing too long are common. This is general setup guidance, not medical advice; if you have pain, ask a doctor or physiotherapist.
How we tested this tool
We compared every row of the chart with a separate calculation of the same formulas (for 175 cm with shoes: elbow 112.8 cm, desk 109.8 cm, eye 166.3 cm, monitor top 164.3 cm) and checked that the feet-and-inches and centimetre modes give the same result for the same height, that switching units keeps the entered values, that the measured mode uses exactly the numbers you enter, that a 27-inch monitor's centre is placed half its 33.6 cm height below the top, and that empty values show no result. Tested on desktop and at a 375 px phone width. The proportions are averages and will not fit everyone, which is why the measured mode exists.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a standing desk be?
Set the desk so that your forearms rest level on the keyboard with your elbows bent at about 90 degrees and your shoulders relaxed. For most people that is about 2 to 3 cm (1 inch) below standing elbow height: around 43 inches (110 cm) for someone 5 ft 9 in tall wearing shoes.
How high should my monitor be when standing?
The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level, about an arm's length away (roughly 50 to 75 cm or 20 to 30 inches). On a standing desk this usually means a monitor arm or stand, because most monitors on their own stand sit too low.
Is the height chart accurate for me?
The chart uses average body proportions, so it can be a few centimetres off if your arms or legs are longer or shorter than average. For an exact fit, stand in your usual shoes, measure the height of your bent elbow and your eyes from the floor, and use the measured mode.
Should I include shoes?
Yes, measure or calculate for the footwear you normally stand in. Typical shoes add about 2.5 cm (1 inch); thick trainers or an anti-fatigue mat can add more.
How long should I stand at a standing desk?
Alternate between sitting and standing during the day rather than standing for hours, and change position when you feel stiff or tired. Standing all day has its own problems, such as sore feet and legs. If you have pain, ask a doctor or physiotherapist; this page gives general setup guidance only.