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
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Height (in shoes) | Units: in, cm, ft |
| Body weight | Units: lb, kg, g, oz |
| Hours standing per day | A 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) |
|---|---|
| 33.5 | 20.5 |
| 50.25 | 30.8 |
| 67 | 41 |
| 83.75 | 51.3 |
| 100.5 | 61.5 |
| 134 | 82 |
Formula
Standing desk ≈ elbow height: 0.612–0.642 × body heightMonitor top ≈ eye level ≈ 0.94 × heightExtra calories = (2.0 − 1.5 MET) × body weight (kg) × hoursWorked 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.
Frequently asked questions
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.