You might be looking to buy a new desk and not sure the height of your desk will be. You might also be deciding whether to buy a standing desk or not. It can be daunting trying to figure out the proper height for you and your desk. Luckily, our researchers have spent countless hours researching and figuring out the standard computer desk height, so you don’t have to.
The importance of desk height
You can have the height of your desk be off and it can effect your back or your hands.
For instance, if the the desk height is too low for you, then you will be hunched over and your shoulders will round forward and your back will tighten up. It might not matter at first or you might not feel anything, but if you don’t have your desk at the proper height, then over time you might develop back issues, neck issues, or rounded shoulders. Not ideal.
If you have your desk height too low, then over time you might develop wrist problems without a keyboard pad or you might develop neck pain from looking up too much at the screen. Again, not ideal.
The two simple solutions are you buying a standing desk that will help limit how long and often you are sitting at your office desk. The other solution is getting up every 30 minutes to hour and taking a brief walk to adjust your body, so you don’t get too stiff while sitting in your office desk.
Correct desk height
According to ergonomic design standards, the average desk height or ergonomic desk height is 73 to 80 centimeters or 28.74 to 31.49 inches. The universal standard desk height or standard computer desk height should really be based on someone’s height that is why it’s a range.
- Ideally your elbow height is level with your keyboard when it’s not in the keyboard tray and your arms form a 90 degree angle.
- Your eye level should reach the top of your computer monitor.
- The proper desk height or ergonomic desk height will allow you to be comfortable while you are working at your desk.
The average height of a male is 5″9 and the average height of a female is 5″3. The average desk height is 28 inches and that height is for people that are 5″9. You can adjust the right height based on your own height.
Standing desk / Standing desks
A standing desk will help limit those aches and pains from sitting on your office chair and office desk all day. An adjustable standing desk will help eliminate getting the proper height when you are sitting at your office chair, since you have the option to stand and use your standing desk.
Having and using your standing computer desk will strengthen your legs and reduce the chance of blood clots forming in your legs, since there will be constant blood flow through your legs.
Make sure to balance standing and sitting, while using your standing computer desk though. If you stand for too long at your desk, your knees and feet can become sore.
The range of the standing desk height is between 38 inches and 46 inches. However, the standing desk height can go as high as 49 inches for people that are well over 6 feet tall.
No option for a standing desk or height adjustable desk
Maybe your in a situation where its not possible to get an adjustable desk or standing computer desk. You can try to get an ergonomic chair that has good back support and comfortable for those times where you have to sit at your sitting desk for an extended period of time.
Recap
The correct desk height is 28.74 to 31.49 inches. The correct height for a standing desk is between 38 inches and 46 inches.
At the end of the day the correct height really is what makes you comfortable and not have any body issues over an extended period of time.