How to Determine the Optimal Standing Desk Height

Standing desks are the new trend in today's modern work environment. Sitting-stand desks encourage users to limit the time they sit down, promote better posture, and mitigate health problems associated with sitting for long periods. But you'll want to choose the right desk height to achieve all these upsides. Here's our guide to working out the perfect standing desk height for comfort and productivity.

What Is A Standing Desk

A desk designed for a person to stand at while working. Instead of sitting in your work area all day, like you would with a traditional desk, sit-to-stand desks can be easily adjusted to promote good posture throughout the day, which can help mitigate health and physical issues such as back pain and poor circulation. Browse this blog to check out more benefits of a standing desk.

The stand-up desk is more than a health-focused trend. Sitting for too long is associated with health risks, including back pain and heart disease. They allow you to alternate suitable postures of sitting and standing to increase overall movement and reduce sedentary time.

To realize all the benefits of a standing desk, you have to position it at the right height. An incorrectly set desk results in discomfort and poor posture. So, what is your ideal height for a standing desk?

Characteristics of a Perfect Standing Desk

For the most comfortable and ergonomic standing desk work setup, your desk should meet the following criteria:

1. Ability to adjust: A standing desk should be easily adjusted to the perfect height for sitting or standing. The desk surface should be raised or lowered easily. Explore more height-adjustable standing desks.
2. Stability: The desk, while in use – especially while in motion between positions – should be stable. Having a desk that wobbles can be unsatisfactory and can also impede your productivity.
3. Ergonomics: Make sure the desk enables you to adopt a neutral position while standing. That means your arms will be at that angle, and the monitor should be at eye level.
4. Sufficient Working Area: The desk has wide enough to working, writing, studying, gaming, and other activities. It shouldn’t be too small, and it shouldn’t be too big.

The best standing desk is one that will provide you with a comfortable position for your work and won’t harm your body in the long run.

How Tall Should a Standing Desk Be

Your standing desk height should vary depending on your height and body type. Using a standing desk with the incorrect height can be uncomfortable and could undo any potential health benefits.

For more people, the ideal height for a standing desk is 38 to 50 inches, approximately 96.5 cm to 127 cm. For taller people, 175 to 180 cm, suitable for 75-85cm height. 180 cm - 200 cm, suitable for 85-90cm. For a petite person (165 - 175cm), a size 65 - 74cm is suitable. But that doesn't work for everyone.

As a rule of thumb, the proper height for a standing desk should be to place your elbows at a 90-degree angle while resting your arms on the desk. Your screen should be at eye level, and your feet should rest on the ground or a footrest.

Suppose you're not setting your desk to the correct height. In that case, you might be leaning forward (which can strain your back and neck), and then you're not taking advantage of all the great ergonomic features standing desks offer.

Factors to Consider for Desk Height:

• Body Proportions: For shorter or taller frames, then your list should consider this.
• Monitor Height: Your monitor should be at eye level when you’re standing (so you’re not always bending your neck up or down).
• Foot Rest: You can sit with your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.
• Keyboard and Mouse Height: Your arms are at 90 degrees, whether at the keyboard or using the mouse to prevent arm strain.

Steps to Determine the Right Standing Desk Height for You

1. Set the Desk Height According to Elbow Level

First, make sure the depth of the desk allows your elbows to form an approximately 90-degree angle with your forearms resting on the desk. Your forearms should be even with the ground; your hands should be on the keyboard without having to reach too far forward or downwards.

2. Adjust the Monitor Height

Keep your screen at your eye level, about 20 to 30 inches from your eyes. The top of the screen should be at or even slightly below your eye line. This means you don't have to lift your neck in order to look up or down when you're working.

3. Stand with Proper Posture

Stand flat-footed on the floor with the weight equally on both feet, knees softened. Do not stand with your knees locked back or stiff. Distribute your weight in your legs to fend off getting tired.

4. Use a Footrest If Necessary

You can use a footrest if your feet do not reach the floor comfortably. This enables your body to stand in its natural and most comfortable posture for an extended period.

5. Test and Adjust for Comfort

Once you have your desk and monitor at the proper height, stand at your desk for a while and see how it feels. Be very conscious of any back, neck or wrist discomfort. There might be some fine-tuning until you get the most comfortable fit.

6. Take Breaks

Even if your desk is at the perfect height, standing for extended periods can strain. Make sure you get up and walk around, stretch and move your body. This reduces muscle fatigue and increases circulation.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right height for your standing desk is essential for good posture and comfort, but there are other things to consider as well, like how long you should stand and how often you should take a break. A proper desk height lets you stand with your body in regular alignment, so you don't strain yourself and therefore increases productivity.

Of course, the ideal standing desk height may vary from one individual to the next based on body proportions. So, put some time into setting up your desk, monitor and keyboard to meet your needs. Little adjustments can have a big impact on how comfortable and effective your standing desk setup is.

FAQ

Q1. Is 30 inches too high for a desk?

For most people, a desk height of 30 inches might be too low for standing work, but it can be suitable for sitting work, depending on your height. A standard standing desk is typically between 40-50 inches high. You may need to adjust it based on your body type.

Q2. What is the height of a desk for a 5'2" person?

For a person who is 5'2" (157 cm), the ideal standing desk height is typically between 38-40 inches (96-101 cm). However, it's important to adjust based on your comfort level and the setup of your workstation.

Q3. Is it better for a desk to be too high or too low?

A desk should be slightly too high rather than too low. A low desk forces you to hunch or bend forward, which can lead to back and neck pain. If the desk is too high, you can adjust your chair or standing position, but a low desk is harder to correct.

Discover Comfort with Sunaofe

Are you in the market to upgrade your desk? Sunaofe provides an adjustable standing desk to make you more comfortable and correct your posture. High quality: With an exceptional range of ergonomic office furniture, Sunaofe combines design with nature to create a healthier and more productive user experience. Visit sunaofe.com and check out their selection of modern, stylish standing desks customized to fit you.