# Desk Height Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/everyday-life/desk-height/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The desk height calculator recommends the ergonomic height range for your desk, chair and monitor from your height, for sitting or standing work.

## Inputs

- Your height (in shoes) (in, cm, ft)
- Working position

## Results

- Desk height – from
- Desk height – to
- Chair seat height (sitting)
- Chair seat height – to
- Monitor top height

## Formula

```
Sitting desk: 0.4739 × H − 6.678 to 0.5538 × H − 9.427 (inches)
Chair seat ≈ 0.246–0.269 × H; monitor top ≈ 0.694–0.716 × H
Standing desk ≈ 0.612–0.642 × H (elbow height)
```

## Explanation

A good workstation lets you type with relaxed shoulders, elbows at about 90–110°, wrists straight and feet flat on the floor. The top of the monitor should be at or slightly below eye level, about an arm's length away. Height-based ranges are a good start; fine-tune for your body proportions.

### How to use the Desk Height Calculator

- **Your height (in shoes)**
- **Working position**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter your height (wearing your usual shoes) and choose sitting or standing.

### Tips

- Track a typical week before planning – real figures beat estimates.
- Break big tasks into smaller pieces and plan buffer time for interruptions.
- Re-run the numbers when your inputs change so plans stay realistic.
- Use results as a guide for decisions, not as a precise prediction.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Counting calendar days when the deadline is in working days (or the reverse).
- Forgetting breaks, setup and handover time.
- Assuming every day is as productive as your best day.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterYour height (in shoes)Units: in, cm, ftWorking positionChoose one: Sitting, Standing

### What each result means

- **Chair seat height (sitting)** = 0.2463×[Your height (in shoes)]
- **Chair seat height – to** = 0.2687×[Your height (in shoes)]

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Your height** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Your height (in shoes) (in)Desk height – from (in)33.59.250.2517.16725.183.7533100.540.913456.8

## Worked example

Inputs — Your height (in shoes): 67 in; Working position: Sitting.

Results — **Desk height – from = 25.1 in**; Desk height – to = 27.7 in; Chair seat height (sitting) = 16.5 in; Chair seat height – to = 18 in; Monitor top height = 47.2 in.

## FAQ

**What is the standard desk height?**
About 29–30 in (74–76 cm), which suits people around 5'10"–6'0"; shorter people often need a lower desk or a footrest.

**How high should my monitor be?**
The top of the screen at or slightly below eye level, 50–70 cm away.

**What if my desk is too high?**
Raise the chair and use a footrest so your feet stay supported.

**What formula does the Desk Height Calculator use?**
Sitting desk: 0.4739 × H − 6.678 to 0.5538 × H − 9.427 (inches).


## Sources

- [Cornell University Ergonomics Web – Workstation guidelines](https://ergo.human.cornell.edu/)