Ergonomics

Mastering Ergonomics: The Ideal Desk Height Guide

Mastering Ergonomics: The Ideal Desk Height Guide

You get the perfect home office desk, you already have the ergonomic chair, and you’re taking regular breaks throughout the day (or at least trying to). Your work from home routine is solid, yet something in your body doesn’t feel quite right. Sound familiar? You may want to examine your office desk height.

It’s no secret that desk height makes a difference in the way you work and feel. Too low? You’ll feel slouched over. Too high? Uncomfortable, too. While the average desk height is between 28 and 30 inches tall, we’re believers that there’s no “one size fits all” recipe when it comes to your home office setup.

People come in all shapes and sizes, so the “standard desk height” isn’t going to feel good for everyone. The ideal desk height for you will very likely differ from your co-worker — and that’s where ergonomics comes into play.

To help achieve the “just right” Goldilocks ergonomic desk height, read on for what to do — and what not to do. You may find that a tweak of a few inches makes a world of difference in your posture, comfort, and overall productivity.

How to Determine *Your* Ideal Ergonomic Desk Height

Sitting correctly at your desk takes trial and error — and measuring! There are desk height calculators that can help you get a baseline for a typical desk height. However, we recommend a simple measuring test that tailors your desk height to your specific body.

STEP 1: MEASURE THE DISTANCE FROM THE FLOOR TO YOUR ELBOWS

Holding a tape measure, sit or stand comfortably (if you’re using a standing desk, do the latter). Measure the distance from the floor to your elbows. This number is your sweet spot for where your office desk height should be. Easy as that!

STEP 2: ADJUST YOUR DESK

Match the measurement from Step 1 with your desk height. How does it feel? Remember, if you’re used to sitting with poor posture, good posture may feel a little weird at first — that’s ok! Your body will get accustomed to your new (and better) position with time.

STEP 3: FINE-TUNE YOUR ERGONOMIC DESK HEIGHT AND POSTURE

The number 1 rule of thumb is: your elbows should be around a 90-degree angle when you’re working. So if that’s you, you’re off to a good start!

Ideally, your shoulders are relaxed and slightly back, and your head is comfortably over your spine (and not turtling forward or tilting back). Your feet should be flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart. Depending on what shoes you’re wearing, you may need to adjust your desk height as well. Heels versus sneakers make a difference!

Lastly, notice your wrists. They should be hovering comfortably just above your keyboard and not feel like they’re dumping on your desk or computer.

Fern Digital Knit Office Chair

The Science Behind Standing Desk Heights

Standing desks are an investment that comes with big rewards. From improving your focus and boosting your mood to reducing back pain, there are many health benefits of standing desks. Research also suggests a link between increased sitting time and early death.

All this to say, a standing desk might be the secret ingredient to kicking your health and productivity up a notch or two. However, in order to make the most of your investment, you want to ensure your desk is set up properly — and you're doing what you can to keep your body feeling good.

HOW TO TRANSITION TO A STANDING DESK - TIPS AND TRICKS

How should you stand at a standing desk — and for how long? Are standing desks better for ergonomics? We’re sharing some tried-and-true tips so you can maximize the benefits of your desk.

  • Start small: Stand for less than 15 minutes at a time – and build to an hour from there. Research shows that our bodies thrive when we stand for one hour for every one to two hours that we sit.
  • Switch positions: It’s also important to stay dynamic while standing. That’s why we specialize in ergonomic sit-to-stand desks that allow you to easily switch positions, keeping your body happy and healthy. We highly recommend our Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat to help encourage these micro-movements.
  • Clear your space: Less obstructions (especially at your feet) means more space for your body to relax and maintain proper positioning.
  • Do desk exercises: Whether sitting or standing, try wrist exercises, calf raises, and gentle neck stretches. These can significantly improve how your body feels as you work, boosting your productivity as well. See more exercises you can do at your desk.
  • Take breaks: Every hour or two, go for a quick walk, whether it’s to re-fill your water glass or simply stand outside for a few minutes. Your body will thank you — and it’ll help improve your focus and overall mental health, too.
  • Be curious about your body: Start from the ground up — pay attention to your feet, legs, hips, shoulder, neck, and head. Notice where you could use a little support. Sometimes just raising your standing desk height a few inches, or tilting your screen can revamp your workflow.

Ergonomic Desks and Converters to Enhance Your Home Office Setup

An ergonomic desk will seriously level up your entire home office setup. See below for a roundup of the standouts from our line of award-winning ergonomic home office furniture.

UPSIDE SIT-TO-STAND EXTENDED RANGE WITH PROGRAMMABLE PADDLE

Our Upside Sit-to-Stand Extended Range with Programmable Paddle Desk is a bestseller for good reason. It has an adjustable desk height range, a durable surface, and plenty of space for sprawling papers, accessories, file folders, and more. Another big perk is this desk features a programmable paddle control that lets you personalize alerts to remind you to get moving.

Shop now (available in a variety of colors and sizes)

UPSIDE SIT-TO-STAND DESK, STANDARD RANGE

Another favorite, this desk allows you to easily adjust between sitting and standing throughout the day. With a durable and spacious worksurface, adjustable height range, and easy-to-use paddle control, this desk is all about making your life easier, more productive, and healthier.

Shop now (available in multiple sizes and colors)

Upside Sit-to-Stand Desk
Ergotron LearnFit Sit-Stand Desk
Ergotron WorkFit-T/TL Standing Desk Converter
Ergotron WorkFit-Z Mini Standing Desk Converter

ERGOTRON LEARNFIT SIT-TO-STAND DESK

Do you like to change up your scenery? This desk is for you. Ideal for small spaces, the Ergotron LearnFit Sit-to-Stand Desk can be easily rolled into place and set in position with two locking casters. It’s spacious, easy to use, and height-adjustable. There’s also an integrated cup holder, tablet slot, and pencil holder.

Shop now

ERGOTRON WORKFIT-T/TL STANDING DESK CONVERTER

If you don't have the space for a sit-to-stand desk, opt for this desk converter instead! The Ergotron WorkFit-T/TL Standing Desk Converter is compact and maximizes your workstation. Additionally, it's height adjustable with an easy-to-use paddle control. In other words, it offers many of the benefits of a sit-to-stand desk without investing in a brand-new desk.

Shop now

ERGOTRON WORKFIT-Z MINI STANDING DESK CONVERTER

We love our mini but mighty multi-tasker! With a compact worksurface perfect for small spaces, this standing desk converter features a generous two-tiered work surface for all your essentials and just the right amount of surface area to fit your monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse.

Shop now

Customize Your Home Office Setup With Ergonomic Accessories

Once you get an ideal chair and dial in your ergonomic desk height, what else can you do to create an ergonomic home office? From task lighting to anti-fatigue mats, here are our go-to accessories that you didn’t know you needed.

ANTI-FATIGUE MAT

Think of the Ergotron Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat as your humble movement hero. It will help you integrate healthy movement into your day through posture and position changes. A heads up: once you get used to this mat, you’ll have a hard time working without it!

TASK LAMPS

We could go on and on about the power of lighting. Good lighting is shown to boost moods, productivity, and focus. Not to mention, it can help you avoid getting a glare on monitors, which can lead to squints and eyestrain.

Check out our modern Alumina Lamp, UMA Audio Lantern, and Pixo Plus Table Light for sleek and chic lighting solutions.

INCONSPICUOUS CHARGERS

A slew of tangled chargers is distracting and just an eye sore. Luckily, there’s a world of wireless chargers to keep your desk looking tidy, which somehow just makes everything feel a little nicer.

Our magnetic chargers and wireless charger trays are aesthetic options that keep your devices charged in style. However, for those pesky wires you can’t get rid of, use a wire management basket and clips to keep all cords in one place.

ORGANIZATION SOLUTIONS

An organized space is a happier, more peaceful space. Hide your necessities in plain sight with our Artifox Bookends, Artifox Pegs, and Catch All Charging Tray. Check out more ideas to make your workplace more zen.

Very Office Chair
Fern Office Chair
Soji Office Chair
Zody Office Chair

Unlock a Healthier and More Productive Workspace With Optimal Ergonomic Desk Height

We all deserve to feel comfortable while we work — and the difference between a happy body (aligned spine/neck/and shoulders) and an unhappy one could depend on your desk height. So take the extra time to find the perfect height for you.

Check out our collection of ergonomic desks and office accessories — and learn more about the importance of ergonomics on your workflow and well-being.

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