# Standing Desk Height Calculator

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

> The standing desk height calculator recommends the desk and monitor height for working standing up and estimates the extra calories you burn standing instead of sitting.

## Inputs

- Height (in shoes) (in, cm, ft)
- Body weight (lb, kg, g, oz)
- Hours standing per day

## Results

- Desk height – from
- Desk height – to
- Monitor top height
- Calories burned standing
- Extra calories versus sitting
- Extra calories per working year (230 days)

## Formula

```
Standing desk ≈ elbow height: 0.612–0.642 × body height
Monitor top ≈ eye level ≈ 0.94 × height
Extra calories = (2.0 − 1.5 MET) × body weight (kg) × hours
```

## Explanation

Alternating between sitting and standing reduces long periods of sitting. At a standing desk your elbows should be at about 90° with the keyboard at elbow height and the top of the screen at or just below eye level. Standing burns a little more energy than sitting – about 0.5 MET more, or roughly 30–50 extra calories an hour for most adults.

### How to use the Standing Desk Height Calculator

- **Height (in shoes)**
- **Body weight**
- **Hours standing per day**

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

### How it works

Enter your height in shoes, your weight and how many hours a day you stand.

### 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 enterHeight (in shoes)Units: in, cm, ftBody weightUnits: lb, kg, g, ozHours standing per dayA number

### What each result means

- **Desk height – from** = 0.612×[Height (in shoes)]
- **Desk height – to** = 0.642×[Height (in shoes)]
- **Monitor top height** = 0.94×[Height (in shoes)]
- **Calories burned standing** = 2.0×[Body weight]×[Hours standing per day]
- **Extra calories versus sitting** = 0.5×[Body weight]×[Hours standing per day]
- **Extra calories per working year (230 days)** = [Extra calories versus sitting]×230

### Example values

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

Height (in shoes) (in)Desk height – from (in)33.520.550.2530.8674183.7551.3100.561.513482

## Worked example

Inputs — Height (in shoes): 67 in; Body weight: 175 lb; Hours standing per day: 3.

Results — **Desk height – from = 41 in**; Desk height – to = 43 in; Monitor top height = 63 in; Calories burned standing = 476 kcal/day; Extra calories versus sitting = 119 kcal/day; Extra calories per working year (230 days) = 27,386 kcal.

## FAQ

**How high should a standing desk be?**
Around your elbow height with arms bent at 90° – about 41–43 in (104–109 cm) for someone 5'7".

**How long should I stand at a standing desk?**
Experts suggest alternating every 30–60 minutes rather than standing all day.

**Does standing burn many calories?**
Only a little more than sitting – the main benefit is breaking up long periods of sitting.

**What formula does the Standing Desk Height Calculator use?**
Standing desk ≈ elbow height: 0.612–0.642 × body height.


## Sources

- [Ainsworth B. E. et al. – Compendium of Physical Activities](https://pacompendium.com/)