The freedom to set your own ergonomic working height is a major perk of using a height-adjustable standing desk, whether at the job or at your home hobby office. Due to individual differences, there is no universally optimal height for a standing desk; therefore, you will need to experiment to find what works best for your body. Depending on the task at hand and the optimal ergonomic position for your legs, back, shoulders, arms, neck, and eyes, a height-adjustable standing desk’s tabletop can be adjusted to the perfect height for you.
An active step towards better health is switching to a standing desk. Obesity and metabolic syndrome, characterised by elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels, have both been associated to prolonged sitting.
But have you considered the proper office ergonomics of a standing workstation, such as the correct desk height and where to place your computer? Get started making your standing workstation comfortable with this visual guide to stand up desk dimensions.
Is A Standing Desk Right For Me?
Maybe. It’s possible that’s not the case.
The idea should be to get up and move about and change your posture regularly during the day, and a decent adjustable desk can help you achieve so. Many people find that standing for long periods of time is just as bad for them as sitting for long periods of time. The issue arises when one constantly engages in either of these activities. Investing in a workstation that can be adjusted to your needs will be a smart move for your health, productivity, and comfort on the job.
Should I Get A Standing Desk Or A Sit-Stand Desk?
Work can be done both sitting and standing up with the help of sit-stand desks and desktop conversion devices. There are even “perching” desks for people who want to stand while working. The term “perching” refers to a sit-stand or semi-seated posture in which the hip angle is open relatively broad. Designs that encourage standing upright or keeping a wide hip angle may be more to your liking. On the other hand, if you want to be able to switch between sitting and standing at will, a sit-to-stand layout should be your goal.
Correct Standing Desk Height
If you’re considering purchasing a standing desk, an adjustable model is recommended over a fixed one. The desk can then be adjusted to your ideal height.
The arms are positioned in the example at a right angle to the desktop, and the screen is at a comfortable viewing height.
A fixed standing desk from Varidesk is 47 inches tall; there isn’t actually an established industry standard for desks that allow users to stand while they work.
On the other hand, standing desks can be adjusted to fit users of various heights.
Set up your workspace and computer screen properly for your convenience and security at work.
The desk should first be raised to a comfortable level for your elbows. Because of this, it’s imperative to keep your elbows at a 90 degree angle (or the proper angle) with the ground.
According to this theory, a person of average height of 5’11” (180 cm) would feel at ease at a desk height of 44 inches (111 cm).
No specific distance between the screen and the user’s face is required, however most experts agree that a distance of 20 to 28 inches (51 to 71 cm) is within an acceptable range.
The minimal distance from your hand to your elbow shouldn’t be any shorter than the length of your middle finger.
The viewing angle should be between 10 and 20 degrees slanted upward, with the top of the screen at eye level. No need to raise or lower your head should ever be necessary.
A rapid estimate for standing desk converters is required in this situation. Remember how we said a desk should be 29 inches high? You must include this in the range of standing desk converter heights because a standing desk converter sits on top of your current desk.
Most people find that at or slightly below elbow level is their most comfortable height for a standing desk. This must be done while standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your elbows bent at a straight angle to the floor. The desk should be built at this height.
44 inches is a common height for standing desks, which is suitable for people who are 5 feet, 11 inches tall. This is merely a suggestion; rather, you should take into account your body proportions before deciding on a height. Of course, you could always purchase a standing desk that you could adapt to your requirements. Using a standing desk height chart, you can easily change the height of your current desk so that you may stand while working. What height is ideal for a standing desk?
To choose the ideal desk height for you, take into account your height and the following recommendations:
- Standing tall, with your shoulders back and your head parallel to the ceiling
- Keep your arms at your sides and bend your elbows 90 degrees.
- Raise the desk until your fingertips just touch the keyboard keys.
- To look above the top third of the screen, adjust the monitors’ heights.
With an adjustable height standing desk, you can work sitting or standing.
Regardless, you should adjust the height of the display so that it is level with your eyes, and the height of the keyboard so that your arms and wrists are in a natural position while typing. The optimal viewing distance for a computer display is between 20 and 28 inches from the user’s eyes. Keep your back straight and your elbows bent at a little more than 90 degrees; rest your wrists on something so that your fingers can droop slightly over the keyboard as you type.
If you intend to spend most of your time in a seated position, the first thing you should do is adjust the height of your chair so that your legs are at a comfortable angle. And then you can set the height of your adjustable height standing desk according to where your elbows hang while you’re sitting or standing. A man of average height (about six feet) should have his keyboard between 23 and 27 inches from the floor when typing comfortably. Keeping that in mind, prop up your screen with a monitor stand or even some books.
Why Should You Adjust Your Standing Desk?
Your arms, wrists, and hands should be in a hanging position when at rest when you are standing, so raise your standing desk to that height. However, the ergonomic 90-degree configuration with armrests that has been described here isn’t the ideal choice either.
The user’s head, neck, legs, arms, and wrists can all be taken into account when determining the ideal height for a stand-up workstation. If your workstation is too low, you run the danger of suffering major wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries. Your elbows should establish a 90-degree angle with the floor.
Your standing workstation’s ideal height may be influenced by your shoes. For instance, a person might opt to wear heels one day and sneakers the next. The desk must therefore have two distinct heights. Consider acquiring an electric standing desk with “height recall buttons” on the remote if you find yourself repeatedly altering your height.
When staring out the window, keep your eyes where they naturally gravitate—at the top of the screen. Set your monitor stand on some scrap paper to get the perfect height for ergonomic use.
Most standing workstations require the same steps to be followed. Additionally, whether you prefer sitting or standing, you can use the standing desk height chart to estimate the proportions for the elevation of your chair, keyboard, and display.
How to Determine the Perfect Standing Desk Height
- Maintain a good posture by standing up straight, lifting your chest, pulling your shoulders back, and letting them fall naturally to your sides as if you were putting your shoulder blades in your back pockets.
- Prepare your arms by placing them at your sides and bending your elbows so that your forearms are parallel to the floor.
- Measure – Make a note of the distance from the floor to the bottom of your elbow. Your ideal standing desk height is at that height.
Make careful to measure on the same surface and in the same shoes that you would wear to work. Take into account the compressed height of the standing desk mat, for instance, if you use one. You might need to alter your desk to account for any height changes whenever you switch shoes. Just make sure your workstation is at elbow height when you are standing straight up.
Taking Care of Your Neck and Back
When working at a standing desk, it’s especially important to adjust the height of your monitor and the distance between your eyes and the screen. As a result, screens should be positioned so that the upper one-fifth to one-third of the screen is at eye level.
If your standing desk is at the right height, you won’t have to squint or move your head to see clearly. This shift in your skull, however, has serious long-term ramifications for your neck. As a result, being on the ground level is prefered to being in a higher location.
The focus distance is another important factor to think about. Your optimal viewing distance from the screens is 24 inches. If your displays are too close together, you’ll experience less strain on your eyes, and if they’re too high or low, you’ll have an easier time adjusting to the ideal viewing height or distance.
Evaluating your back posture when sitting, standing, and walking might help you determine if you need to adjust the ergonomic monitor elevation. That’s because you’re slouching in one joint while the others remain straight. That being the case, you really ought to handle it.
Remember to Take Breaks
You should still get up and move around every once in a while to clear your thoughts, relax your eyes, and increase circulation, even if standing at your desk is preferable to sitting.
These brief rests may come naturally to some people, while others may benefit from a computer-generated prompt.
The use of a computer with built-in reminder software or a smartphone app that alerts you when it’s time for a break are both viable options. Both of these are widely available for no cost.
Two weeks of utilising a reminder programme reduced upper limb and back discomfort among contact centre workers, according to a research.
Though standing at your minimalist desk may be more productive than sitting, you should still take frequent breaks to stretch your legs, clear your head, and rest your eyes. The vast majority of people working on computers don’t need a constant electronic prompt to remind them to take short breaks.
You can also do things like download a rest notification app to your phone or computer to help you remember to rest. After only two weeks of using a reminder application, workers at a contact centre reported less upper limb and back pain, according to a study.
Is a Standing Desk Worth it?
- Studies have shown that working at a stand-up desk can boost productivity and mental acuity.
- Getting up from a seated position instead uses more calories than remaining inactive.
- Pain associated with prolonged sitting is alleviated thanks to the benefits of stretching, increased blood flow, and muscle engagement in the core, glutes, and legs.
- Participants noted an increase in their energy levels and general sense of alertness.
- Prolonged sitting is harmful to health.
- If you want to buy a standing desk but don’t have much place, you can choose a minimalist workstation.
Conclusion
Having a desk that is customised to your own preferences and needs is the best feeling in the world. Invest a few moments on retrieving the measuring tape to ensure you are making the most of your workstation.
It’s beneficial to have a desk that can be adjusted to your height, whether you choose to work standing up or sitting down, to alleviate the strain on your back, neck, and shoulders. Use the above table as a guide to determine the appropriate height of your chair, desk, or standing desk, and enlist the aid of a colleague to ensure that you are sitting comfortably.
Content Summary
- The freedom to set your own ergonomic working height is a major perk of using a height-adjustable standing desk, whether at the job or at your home hobby office.
- Due to individual differences, there is no universally optimal height for a standing desk; therefore, you will need to experiment to find what works best for your body.
- Depending on the task at hand and the optimal ergonomic position for your legs, back, shoulders, arms, neck, and eyes, a height-adjustable standing desk’s tabletop can be adjusted to the perfect height for you.
- But have you considered the proper office ergonomics of a standing workstation, such as the correct desk height and where to place your computer?
- Get started making your standing workstation comfortable with this visual guide to stand up desk dimensions.
- Investing in a workstation that can be adjusted to your needs will be a smart move for your health, productivity, and comfort on the job.
- On the other hand, if you want to be able to switch between sitting and standing at will, a sit-to-stand layout should be your goal.
- The arms are positioned in the example at a right angle to the desktop, and the screen is at a comfortable viewing height.
- Set up your workspace and computer screen properly for your convenience and security at work.
- The desk should first be raised to a comfortable level for your elbows.
- You must include this in the range of standing desk converter heights because a standing desk converter sits on top of your current desk.
- Most people find that at or slightly below elbow level is their most comfortable height for a standing desk.
- This must be done while standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your elbows bent at a straight angle to the floor.
- This is merely a suggestion; rather, you should take into account your body proportions before deciding on a height.
- Of course, you could always purchase a standing desk that you could adapt to your requirements.
- Using a standing desk height chart, you can easily change the height of your current desk so that you may stand while working.
- To choose the ideal desk height for you, take into account your height and the following recommendations:Standing tall, with your shoulders back and your head parallel to the ceiling Keep your arms at your sides and bend your elbows 90 degrees.
- Raise the desk until your fingertips just touch the keyboard keys.
- To look above the top third of the screen, adjust the monitors’ heights.
- With an adjustable height standing desk, you can work sitting or standing.
- Regardless, you should adjust the height of the display so that it is level with your eyes, and the height of the keyboard so that your arms and wrists are in a natural position while typing.
- The optimal viewing distance for a computer display is between 20 and 28 inches from the user’s eyes.
- And then you can set the height of your adjustable height standing desk according to where your elbows hang while you’re sitting or standing.
- Keeping that in mind, prop up your screen with a monitor stand or even some books.
- Why Should You Adjust Your Standing Desk?Your arms, wrists, and hands should be in a hanging position when at rest when you are standing, so raise your standing desk to that height.
- The user’s head, neck, legs, arms, and wrists can all be taken into account when determining the ideal height for a stand-up workstation.
- Your standing workstation’s ideal height may be influenced by your shoes.
- Set your monitor stand on some scrap paper to get the perfect height for ergonomic use.
- Additionally, whether you prefer sitting or standing, you can use the standing desk height chart to estimate the proportions for the elevation of your chair, keyboard, and display.
- Your ideal standing desk height is at that height.
- Take into account the compressed height of the standing desk mat, for instance, if you use one.
- You might need to alter your desk to account for any height changes whenever you switch shoes.
- Just make sure your workstation is at elbow height when you are standing straight up.
- Taking Care of Your Neck and BackWhen working at a standing desk, it’s especially important to adjust the height of your monitor and the distance between your eyes and the screen.
- If your standing desk is at the right height, you won’t have to squint or move your head to see clearly.
- The focus distance is another important factor to think about.
- Your optimal viewing distance from the screens is 24 inches.
- If your displays are too close together, you’ll experience less strain on your eyes, and if they’re too high or low, you’ll have an easier time adjusting to the ideal viewing height or distance.
- Evaluating your back posture when sitting, standing, and walking might help you determine if you need to adjust the ergonomic monitor elevation.
- Remember to Take BreaksYou should still get up and move around every once in a while to clear your thoughts, relax your eyes, and increase circulation, even if standing at your desk is preferable to sitting.
- The use of a computer with built-in reminder software or a smartphone app that alerts you when it’s time for a break are both viable options.
- Though standing at your minimalist desk may be more productive than sitting, you should still take frequent breaks to stretch your legs, clear your head, and rest your eyes.
- You can also do things like download a rest notification app to your phone or computer to help you remember to rest.
- After only two weeks of using a reminder application, workers at a contact centre reported less upper limb and back pain, according to a study.
- Is a Standing Desk Worth it?
- Studies have shown that working at a stand-up desk can boost productivity and mental acuity.
FAQs About Standing Desk
What is a standard size stand up desk?
StandStand is not adjustable, but you can buy the size that fits you (like a t-shirt!). Almost all tables and desks come in a standard height of 29-30 inches. So, no matter where you go, StandStand will likely be just about the same height from spot to spot once placed on top of a standard desk or table.
How do you measure for a standing desk?
Put Arms in Position: Rest your arms at your sides and bend your elbows to parallel your forearms with the floor. Measure – Take note of the height from the bottom tip of your elbow to the floor. That is your perfect standing desk height.
What is an ideal desk size?
You should buy a desk with dimensions that serve your usage most appropriately. For example, a standard large desk size that will suit most uses is 60-inch x 30-inch, with a height of 30-inches. These dimensions will comfortably accommodate most general use cases and should be used as a baseline.
What is a normal desk length?
Freestanding desks range in size, but common dimensions are 48, 60 and 72 in. (122, 152 and 183 cm) wide and 24, 30 and 36 in. (61, 76 and 91 cm) deep.
Is a standing desk healthier than sitting?
Standing burned 0.15 calories more per minute compared to sitting. If a 143-pound person stood for six hours a day instead of sitting, they would burn an extra 54 calories a day. In addition, the muscle activity from standing is also associated with lower risks for strokes and heart attacks, researchers