When it comes to work desks, finding the right height is crucial for optimal productivity and comfort. However, determining the right desk height can be a challenge, especially given the different options available, such as standing and traditional office desks.
In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on how to determine the perfect desk height for your needs regardless of desk shape or size. We cover everything regarding the ideal desk height to help you create a conducive workspace. Let's get into it.
Why Does Your Desk Height Matter?
Standing desks have proven an efficient way to combat issues resulting from long hours of sitting. But the ideal height of the desk remains crucial to the discussion. Here's why:
- Comfort: The proper desk height helps you maintain a healthy posture to avoid neck and shoulder strains, backaches, and eyestrain. Finding the perfect desk height means you no longer have to hunch over to access the devices and accessories on your desk.
- Productivity: The ideal desk height enables you to work comfortably and effectively, which, in turn, increases your productivity level. A good desk height also means that fatigue or tiredness is minimal in your daily workflow.
- Health: Improper desk height can cause musculoskeletal conditions including back discomfort and carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be detrimental to your general health and welfare. The right desk height helps forestall any damage to your health and posture.
What Is the Best Desk Height?
The most straightforward way to determine the perfect desk height for you is to ensure that your elbows are at a right-angle (90 degrees) to the surface of the desk whether sitting or standing. We explain how to reach this below. Alternatively, you can use our desk height calculator to find your ideal standing desk height.
For Standing:
- Start by standing up straight with your arms by your side. Then bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle. The distance from the floor to your elbow is a good gauge of how high your desk should be.
- Next, adjust the standing desk height so that your arms are at a 90-degree angle when you are typing or using your mouse.
- Finally, ensure that your shoulders are relaxed, and your wrists are straight when you are using the desk.
Your standing desk height must allow your elbow to stay at a 90-degree angle with your arm while you use the desk. This is crucial to engaging in a good standing posture. We recommend using them with sit-stand stools to get the best out of them.
For Sitting:
- Sit comfortably with your arms by your side. Then bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle. Use the distance from the floor to your elbow to gauge how high your desk should be.
- Next, ensure that the height of your desk enables you to sit upright with your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Your neck shouldn't have to work too hard to stare straight ahead at your computer monitor.
- Finally, make the necessary adjustment to ensure your desk height permits you to be seated with your feet flat on the floor and your knees at a 90-degree angle. Here, you may change your chair's height to correspond with your desk.
Try out various desk heights to determine which one is most comfortable for you. When sitting, we recommend combining your desk with ergonomic chairs to be able to make necessary modifications.
Every person is unique; your height, posture, and personal preferences may all affect the appropriate desk height. Finding the appropriate desk height will help you work more comfortably and lower your chances of discomfort and injury.
Use desks with changeable heights if you want to alternate between sitting and standing. They allow you to adjust the height of this type of desk to get into the best position for your comfort and productivity.
What Is the Average Desk Height?
Standing desks have a height of about 42 to 45 inches (107 to 114 cm), which is ideal for the majority of individuals. For sitting desks, the range is between 26 and 30 inches (66 to 76 cm). It's crucial to modify the height based on your height and posture to get the best results. To ensure optimum ergonomics and comfort, some persons prefer a higher or lower standing desk height.
If your standing desk is height-adjustable, you can experiment with different heights to see which suits you the best. To avoid strain on your arms and wrists, it's also crucial to make sure that your monitor is at eye level and that your keyboard and mouse are at a comfortable distance and angle.
Where necessary, get accessories such as monitor arms/stands to further improve the ergonomics of your standing desk workstation.
Why Use a Standing Desk?
Whether standing desks are worth it is a yes and no scenario. Working with a standing desk has several advantages over long hours of sitting but they are not recommended for a full 8-hour workday. Here is why they are preferable:
Benefit #1 - Minimize your sedentary habits
Sitting for extended periods increases your chances of obesity, backache, diabetes, and heart disease. You can decrease the amount of time you spend sitting and boost your daily movement by using a standing desk. A good routine between sitting and standing will help exercise your muscles and put less stress on your spinal discs.
Benefit #2 - Improve your posture
Standing desks can help you correct your posture and lower your chances of experiencing shoulder, back, and neck problems. More muscles in your legs and core are used while you stand, which aids in maintaining proper posture and increases blood circulation throughout your body. Standing helps you avoid unnatural sitting positions that can negatively impact your posture.
Benefit #3 - Boost your energy and concentration
Standing desks increase your alertness, vigour, and concentration. Your brain receives greater blood flow if you're standing up, which keeps you more alert and productive all day. You may boost your energy and concentration with accessories like a balance board.
Benefit #4 - Burn more calories
Comparing the number of calories you burn when sitting to standing, you get to maintain a healthy weight and enhance your general health much better with the latter option. To improve the outcomes, consider adding movements and intermittent moderate exercising to the mix. Don’t just stand, take a few minutes to walk around while you work. We recommend the same for users who sit at their desks during work.
Benefit #5 - Increase your overall health
By lowering your risk of sedentary-related health issues including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, using a standing desk can enhance your overall health. Finding a balance between standing and sitting during the day is crucial because standing up all day can have its own set of health issues, including foot and leg tiredness. To minimize the latter, get an anti-fatigue mat.
Darren Sherwood
How Long Should You Stand at a Standing Desk?
Generally, you should not sit all day to prevent developing sedentary position-related problems. But should you stand all day? The answer is no. The best thing is to work out a way to alternate between sitting and standing through your work hours per day. The use of an adjustable desk makes this a lot easier. You can easily switch to a standing or sitting position within minutes.
As a rule of thumb, you should not stand for more than 2 hours at a stretch to avoid joint aches and fatigue. If for some reason you may not be able to stand beyond an hour at a stretch, consider working with desk stools and chairs. Also, for anyone getting started with a standing desk, don't overreach. Start with 30 minutes to an hour of standing in between sitting and walking breaks and build your momentum up.
Darren Sherwood
Stand Smart
Getting your standing desk height right is not enough. You should properly set up your workstation with ergonomics in mind to make the most of your productivity. Ensure your monitor height, keyboard and mouse positioning are right.
Additionally, consider adding the necessary accessories to cushion your feet from standing sores. Don't neglect the power of breaks and short walks as you interchange between sitting and standing. And always ensure your feet are flat on the ground at all times when sitting or standing at your desk.
Your ideal standing desk height must allow you to maintain a healthy posture. There must not be a strain on your neck, eyes, arms, and back due to the height. And it most certainly must not force you to bend or slouch to see or reach your desk accessories.
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