The Right Desk Height for Your Body

Standard desk height is 29 to 30 inches. That number was designed around the average body, which means it’s slightly wrong for most people. Too high and your shoulders creep up. Too low and you hunch forward. Either way, the discomfort builds slowly enough that most people blame their chair before they ever question the desk.

How to Find Your Correct Desk Height

Sit in your chair with your feet flat on the floor and your back supported. Your elbows should be at roughly 90 degrees when your hands rest on the keyboard — that’s the height your desk surface should be at. For most people between 5’4” and 5’10”, standard height is close enough. Outside that range, it starts to matter more.

Fixed Desk Heights: When They Work and When They Don’t

A fixed-height desk at the right height is perfectly adequate for most professionals. The issue is buying a desk without checking the height against your body first — something almost nobody does in a showroom or online.

Solid Wood L-Shape Desk with Integrated Side Cabinet — Traditional Executive collection.

When a Standing Desk Makes Sense

If your correct sitting height puts you outside the standard range, or if you work long enough hours that variety matters more than precision, a height-adjustable electric desk removes the problem entirely. Set your sitting preset, set your standing preset, and switch between them without thinking about it.

71" L-Shaped Standing Desk, Walnut — Stand-Up Desks collection.

Desk height is one of the most overlooked ergonomic factors in a home office — and one of the easiest to get right if you check before you buy. Browse desks across every size and style.