Desk Height Calculator | Find Your Ideal Ergonomic Height Handle

Use our free desk height calculator to find the ideal height for your desk, chair and monitor based on your own measurements. Whether you sit, stand, or switch between the two, the right desk heightprotects your posture, reduces back and neck strain, and helps you work more comfortably for longer.

Enter your height below to get your personalised UK measurements in seconds.

---

 

How to Use the Desk Height Calculator

Measure your height (wearing your work shoes)

Stand against a wall in the shoes you normally wear at your desk. Footwear can add 2–5 cm to your overall height, and that small difference shifts every measurement the calculator gives you. If you use an anti-fatigue mat when standing, add its thickness too.

Choose sitting or standing

Pick the position you spend most of your day in. If you alternate between the two — which is what most ergonomists recommend — run the calculator twice and note both sets of measurements, then set those as presets on your sit-stand desk.

Adjust your workstation to match

The calculator gives you a recommended range, not a single number. Start at the middle of the range, then fine-tune by an inch or two until your elbows sit comfortably at 90–110°, your shoulders are relaxed, and your eyes naturally land on the top third of your screen.

---

Why Desk Height Matters for Posture and Productivity

The standard UK office desk is built to a fixed height of 73–76 cm (29–30 inches). That measurement suits people around 6 feet tall — and excludes most of the working population. If you're shorter, you end up reaching up to type, raising your shoulders, and tilting your head forward to see your screen. If you're taller, you slouch down to reach the keyboard, compressing your spine and rounding your back.

Either way, the cumulative effect is the same: neck and shoulder tension, lower back pain, wrist strain from typing at the wrong angle, and the eye fatigue that comes from a monitor sitting too low. The Health and Safety Executive's DSE guidance recognises desk height as a core component of workstation assessment, and the BIFMA G1 ergonomics standard specifies adjustable ranges precisely because no fixed height fits everyone.

Getting your desk height right is the single highest-impact change you can make to your workstation. It costs nothing if you have an adjustable desk — and it pays back in hours of working comfort every week.

---

Sitting vs Standing Desk Height — What's the Difference?

The principle is identical in both positions: your forearms should be roughly parallel to the floor, with your elbows at a 90–110° angle. The difference is where the desk surface sits relative to the floor, because your body's vertical position changes when you stand.

For seated work, desk heights typically range from 60–75 cm depending on your height. For standing, the same person needs the desk at 90–125 cm — usually 30–40 cm higher than their seated position. That's why fixed-height desks can't realistically support both: there's no single number that works for sitting and standing for the same person, let alone for two different people sharing the desk.

If you sit all day, a well-chosen fixed-height desk paired with a properly adjusted chair will serve you. If you want to alternate — or if more than one person uses the desk — a height-adjustable sit-stand desk is the only setup that genuinely works for both modes.

---

Recommended Desk Heights by User Height

This table gives you a quick reference for the most common heights. For your exact measurements, use the calculator above — it factors in shoe height and gives you a personalised range rather than a fixed point.

Your Height	Sitting Desk Height	Standing Desk Height
152 cm (5'0")	61–63 cm (24–25")	93–96 cm (37–38")
160 cm (5'3")	64–66 cm (25–26")	97–100 cm (38–39")
168 cm (5'6")	66–69 cm (26–27")	102–105 cm (40–41")
175 cm (5'9")	69–71 cm (27–28")	107–110 cm (42–43")
183 cm (6'0")	71–74 cm (28–29")	112–114 cm (44–45")
191 cm (6'3")	74–76 cm (29–30")	117–119 cm (46–47")

These are starting points, not absolutes. Your body proportions — particularly the ratio of your torso to your legs — mean your ideal might sit slightly above or below these ranges. Trust comfort over the chart.

---

What If Your Desk Isn't Adjustable?

Plenty of people inherit a desk that's the wrong height and can't change it. You can still get closer to the ideal:

If the desk is too high, raise your chair until your elbows are at the right angle, then add a footrest so your thighs stay parallel to the floor and your feet don't dangle. A lower keyboard tray clamped underneath the desk can drop your typing surface by 5–8 cm without touching the desk itself.

If the desk is too low, the options are more limited. Risers under each leg can lift the whole desk by 5–10 cm. Beyond that, you're usually better off replacing the desk — especially if you're tall, because typing at a desk that's too low forces you into a slouch that no chair adjustment can fix.

If you're replacing it anyway, this is the moment to decide whether a [fixed-height desk sized correctly for you][INTERNAL-LINK-1] or a [height-adjustable sit-stand desk][INTERNAL-LINK-2] is the better long-term answer.

---

Choosing the Right Desk for Your Height

Fixed-height desks

A well-chosen fixed-height desk works perfectly if you sit consistently, you're the only user, and the desk is sized correctly for your height. The advantages are simplicity, lower cost, greater stability, and a wider range of finishes and styles. Our [fixed-height desk range][INTERNAL-LINK-3] includes options sized for shorter and taller users, so you're not stuck with the standard 73 cm.

Height-adjustable sit-stand desks

If you want to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day — or if more than one person uses the desk — a [height-adjustable sit-stand desk][INTERNAL-LINK-4] is the right choice. Electric models with memory presets let you save your sitting and standing positions and switch between them in a few seconds. Our range covers single-motor desks for home use through to dual-motor heavy-duty desks for shared and intensive workspaces.

Accessories that improve any desk

Even with the right desk, a few additions make a real difference. [Anti-fatigue mats][INTERNAL-LINK-5] reduce leg fatigue when standing. [Active sitting chairs][INTERNAL-LINK-6] and stools keep your core engaged through the day. [Under-desk bikes][INTERNAL-LINK-7] add gentle movement without taking you away from work. And a [monitor arm][INTERNAL-LINK-8] lets you fine-tune screen height independently of the desk surface, which matters because the ideal monitor position is the same whether you're sitting or standing — but the desk height isn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard UK desk height?

The standard UK office desk is built at 73–76 cm (29–30 inches). That height suits people around 183 cm (6 feet) tall, which excludes a significant portion of the working population. Anyone shorter or taller than this benefits from either an adjustable desk or a fixed-height desk sized for them.

How do I know if my desk is the right height?

Sit at your desk with your hands resting on the keyboard. Your elbows should form a 90–110° angle, your forearms should be parallel to the floor (or angled slightly down), your shoulders should be relaxed, and your feet should rest flat on the floor. If you're raising your shoulders to reach the keyboard, the desk is too high. If your arms angle sharply downward, it's too low.

Should I measure my height wearing shoes?

Yes. Measure in the shoes you normally wear at work. Footwear adds 2–5 cm and changes every recommended measurement. If you use a standing mat, include its thickness in your standing measurement too.

Is a standing desk better than a sitting desk?

Neither is inherently better. Prolonged sitting and prolonged standing both cause discomfort over time — the goal is variation. The most ergonomically sound setup is a height-adjustable desk that lets you alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day, combined with regular short movement breaks.

How often should I switch between sitting and standing?

Most ergonomic guidance recommends changing position every 30–60 minutes. Start gradually if you're new to standing — 15–20 minutes per hour for the first week or two — and build up as your body adapts. Standing all day isn't the target; regular position changes are.

What if my desk isn't height-adjustable?

Compensate with your chair height and a footrest if the desk is too high, or with desk risers if it's too low. A keyboard tray can lower your typing surface by 5–8 cm without changing the desk itself. If those workarounds don't get you close enough, replacing the desk is usually the better long-term answer.

How does monitor height relate to desk height?

Your monitor should sit so your eyes naturally land on the top third of the screen when looking straight ahead. The screen should be roughly an arm's length away (50–70 cm) and tilted back 10–20°. A monitor arm gives you the flexibility to keep your screen at the right height regardless of how high the desk is — which is especially useful for sit-stand setups where the desk surface moves but the ideal screen position relative to your eyes does not.

Do children need different desk heights?

Yes. Children's desks need to scale with their height, and because they grow quickly, an adjustable desk or an adjustable chair with a footrest is the practical choice. Establishing good posture habits early matters — poor ergonomics in childhood often persist into adult working life.

---

Share this calculator

Found this calculator useful? You're welcome to share it on your own site. The simplest way is to link to this page so your visitors can use the live version:

https://savv-e.co.uk/pages/desk-height-calculator

A natural in-content recommendation works best — something like: _"For a quick way to find your ideal desk height, try _Savv-e's free desk height calculator."

If you run an ergonomics blog, occupational health page, or home-working resource, we'd love to be included.

---

References

Health and Safety Executive. Working with display screen equipment (DSE): A brief guide. HSE Books.

BIFMA International. ANSI/BIFMA G1: Ergonomics Guideline for Furniture Used in Office Work Spaces.

Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors. Guidance on DSE Work.

British Standards Institution. BS EN ISO 9241-5: Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals.