Standing Desk Height Calculator
Find the correct standing desk height for your body. This free standing desk height calculator estimates your ideal standing desk height, sitting desk height, monitor position, and keyboard placement from your height, so you can set up an ergonomic workstation in minutes.
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How to use this calculator
Enter your height in feet and inches — the fields start at 5 feet 9 inches, a common adult height. Results update instantly as you type, so you can try different heights and see the recommended desk heights change in real time.
Use the standing desk height range to set your electric or manual desk's preset. The sitting desk height is useful if you use a separate fixed desk, or to check that your current desk plus chair combination is roughly right.
Set your monitor so the top of the screen is near the estimated eye-level height, and place your keyboard about 1 to 2 inches below your standing desk surface. Finally, read the health tip below: standing works best when you alternate positions every 30 to 60 minutes.
How it works
This calculator uses standard ergonomic guidelines based on body proportions:
- Standing desk height ≈ 0.62 × body height. This approximates your elbow height while standing with relaxed shoulders. It is shown as a range of the rounded value to one inch above, because real desks adjust in small steps.
- Sitting desk height ≈ 0.405 × body height. This approximates elbow height while seated. It is shown as a range of ±1 inch around the rounded value.
- Monitor top ≈ 0.936 × body height. This approximates your eye level while standing. It is shown as a single rounded value and labeled an estimate, because neck posture and screen size vary.
The formulas assume average body proportions, bare feet or flat shoes, and a keyboard placed directly on the desk surface. If you wear thick-soled shoes, use a keyboard tray, or have longer or shorter arms than average, adjust by an inch or two and go by comfort.
Disclaimer: these results are general ergonomic guidance, not medical advice. If you have back, neck, or joint problems, check with a qualified health professional before changing your workstation.
Frequently asked questions
What standing desk height is right for a 5'9" person?
A 5'9" (175 cm) person usually does well with a standing desk height of 43–44 inches (about 109 cm) and a sitting desk height of 27–29 inches. These come from the common ergonomic rules of thumb: standing desk height is about 0.62 times your body height, and sitting desk height is about 0.405 times your body height. Everyone's proportions differ, so treat these as starting points and adjust until your elbows rest near a 90-degree angle.
How often should I switch between sitting and standing?
Most ergonomics guidance suggests alternating every 30 to 60 minutes rather than standing all day. A simple rhythm that works for many people is 30 minutes standing followed by 30 to 60 minutes sitting, repeated through the workday. Listen to your body: if your feet, knees, or lower back start to ache, sit down and stretch.
Where should my monitor be when I stand at my desk?
The top of your monitor should sit roughly at eye level so you look slightly downward at the center of the screen. For a 5'9" person, eye level while standing is about 64 to 65 inches from the floor. That usually means raising the monitor well above a seated position, which is why a monitor arm or riser helps when you switch between sitting and standing. Keep the screen about an arm's length away and tilt it slightly back.
Do I need an anti-fatigue mat with a standing desk?
You do not need one to start, but many standing-desk users find an anti-fatigue mat makes standing for 30 minutes or more noticeably more comfortable. It reduces pressure on your feet and encourages small shifts in posture. Good shoes with supportive soles help too. If you stand on a hard floor and your feet or lower back ache, a mat is one of the cheapest upgrades you can buy.