In today’s world, when the average office worker spends around 1700 hours per year working on computers, standing desks are not just luxuries, they are necessary for our health. Standing desks allow users to sit or stand voluntarily throughout the day avoiding an unhealthy sedentary lifestyle that could lead to health complications and weight gain. With all the many benefits standing desks offer, it’s no wonder so many people are trading in their old-school desks for ones that feature adjustable height.
However, it’s important to set up and use proper standing desk ergonomics to reap the full benefits of the furniture. Every sit-stand desk will need to be adjusted to the proper standing desk height, which varies from person to person. Below, discover our guide on how to adjust the height of your desk to be ergonomic.
The Proper Height for Standing Desks
So, how tall should a standing desk be? This measurement will actually be based on the specific height of the person using the desk, so there’s not one specific answer. You want to get this measurement right because if your desk is even a few inches off, it may cause you to slouch or to strain your neck or wrists. It’s also important to adjust the height of the desk every day as shoes like high heels or anti-fatigue mats might make you taller.
Whether you are standing or sitting, start with arms at your sides and feet slightly separated with weight evenly distributed between your legs. Everyone is different, so a tailored approach to desk height will be more accurate than some of the standing desk height calculator measurements you find online. Follow the tips below and your desk will be the right height in no time!
Key Factors To Consider for Standing Desk Height
- Chair Height: Investing in an ergonomic chair for your workstation will provide the most amount of adjustability in tandem with the sit-stand desk. Always adjust your chair first to be comfortable with both feet flat on the floor and then move your desk to meet your hands.
- Chair Tilt: Tilt the chair forward slightly so that it fully supports your back and brings you closer to the desk. The back of the chair should be at a height that provides lumbar support. There should be a small space between the back of your knees and the edge of the chair when sitting.
- Elbow Height: While sitting or standing, your elbows should be bent at a 90-degree angle and your wrists should be able to lay gently on the keyboard tray. If this is not the case, raise or lower the desk or your chair to find the optimal height.
- Keyboard Tilt: If you have a keyboard tray that can be tilted, try tilting it back by 10 degrees. This will allow your wrists to be in the neutral position, which will be more comfortable and better for wrist health.
- Eye Height: Your screen monitor should be at eye level and approximately the distance of one monitor away. If your screen is very large, position it even further away. The ideal ergonomic monitor height suggests your eyes line up with the top 1/3 of the monitor so that you have to look down slightly to see the center of the screen. For those who wear bifocals, we recommend lowering the monitor more so that your eyes line up with the very top of the screen. To make up for this, tilt the monitor back by 20 degrees.
- Monitor Tilt: To set the proper monitor height, the screen should be tilted backward at 10 to 20 degrees to prevent you from slouching and looking down.
The Importance of Proper Posture
Posture refers not only to the body’s alignment but how this counteracts the strain of gravity. When your muscles and joints are positioned correctly, gravity’s pull does less damage as the stress is evenly distributed throughout the body. However, if something falls out of alignment or you slouch for long periods of time, you are increasing the strain on certain areas that can then get injured.
Take a moment to consider your posture. Whether in a sitting or standing position, posture is one of those things we’ve heard about since we were children, yet many people forget and slouch on a daily basis. While subtle changes in posture every day do not hurt in the short term, it’s very important to take care of the spine by practicing good posture so that in the long run, you do not create a buildup that leads to neck pain, lower back pain, or other health problems.
How to Get the Proper Stance
To get the right stance for a long day of work, stand with feet spread about a foot’s distance apart with your arms at your side. Your head should be aligned with your spine and your eyes looking straight forward at a level that is parallel with the ground. Your shoulders should be rolled back and down while your chest is forward, but not puffed out unnaturally. The best posture is evenly balanced between both legs. You should not be leaning to one side or the other or putting more weight in one hip. You should also keep a slight bend in the knees rather than locking into them to prevent knee strain. Imagine an invisible string pulling up through your torso and out the top of the head. That level of lift and feeling of alignment is how you should always feel when you are practicing good posture.
In addition to standing up straight, it’s a good practice to do a quick warm-up each morning to work out any places in your neck and back that might feel stuck. Some slow neck rolls and spine twists can make all the difference for the health of your spine.
Is a Standing Desk Worth It?
Yes, a standing desk is more than worth it! Let’s put it this way: What could be more priceless than your health? A height-adjustable standing desk can reduce neck and back pain and prevent the chance of developing numerous chronic illnesses, from cancer to diabetes, heart disease, and more. Plus, it is excellent for your circulation, helps reduce stress, burns calories to promote weight loss, and aids focus and productivity while at work.
What’s the Best Standing Desk?
When choosing an ergonomic workstation, you want one that is electric with customization options so that multiple people can use the same desk. The Yaasa Adjustable Desk stands out from the crowd with features that you won’t be able to find elsewhere at an affordable price. Like everything on our website, including The Yaasa Adjustable Bed, our products have been created with state-of-the-art designs that combine flexibility and durability. At the touch of a button, you can alternate between sitting and standing with little effort. When you want to lock the height for standing desk ergonomics that’s right for you, simply remove the keycard that comes with the Yaasa electric desk.
The Yaasa Adjustable Desk has a patented design for its sleek design with three color options to suit your office aesthetic. It’s cable-free to prevent falls in the workplace. It moves from a minimum height of 26 inches to a maximum height of 45.7 inches, so it is suitable for the whole family. It is a great desk for office workers or students and can be used at home as well. It can hold up to 176 pounds of weight, so even though it is light and portable, it can withstand the bulk of computers and books as needed. Plus, it comes in one pre-assembled piece with a lightweight and durable frame that makes setting up and moving the desk a breeze. No heavy lifting necessary!
If you constantly feel out of sorts after a long day of sitting at your desk why not give a quality standing desk a try? You’ll be amazed at how productivity increases when you are able to shift positions and get your circulation moving.
Medically Reviewed by Dr.Sarah Juul, DPT, OCS, FAAOM on June 7th, 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use a standing desk
To achieve the benefits of a standing desk, it is important to adjust the platform to your height. While knowing your height and health conditions are required for best results, the rule of thumb is to raise your standing desk to elbows’ height with the screen at eye-level and your wrists equal to the desk surface.
what height should a standing desk be?
How high your standing desk should be depends on your height. The standard recommended height is to raise your adjustable desk to your elbows.
For in-depth instructions, follow our standing desk height guide.
What are the benefits of a standing desk?
Standing desks have many benefits such as reducing back pain and improving one’s mood.
Learn more about the benefits of adjustable desks here.