Your standing desk height
–
How ergonomic desk height is calculated
The correct desk height is set by your elbows, not by the furniture catalog. When typing, your upper arms should hang relaxed, your elbows should be bent at about 90 – 100 degrees and your wrists should be straight. The keyboard surface therefore belongs just below elbow height – whether you sit or stand. RiseRight estimates elbow and eye heights from your body height using average anthropometric proportions, then adds footwear and an anti-fatigue mat.
Standing desk height ≈ 63 % of body height · Sitting desk height ≈ 42 % of body height (plus shoes)
These ratios fit most adults within a few centimeters. If your arms or legs are proportionally long or short, use the result as a starting point and fine-tune by a centimeter or two until your shoulders feel relaxed.
Chair first, then desk
When sitting, adjust the chair so your feet are flat and your thighs roughly horizontal; the seat height is about a quarter of your body height. Then bring the desk to your elbows. If the desk cannot go low enough, raise the chair and add a footrest.
Monitor height and distance
Place the top line of text at or slightly below eye level so your gaze falls 10 – 20 degrees downward, and set the screen about an arm's length away. Bifocal or progressive lens wearers should lower monitors further. Monitor arms make it easy to keep the right position both sitting and standing.
Choosing a standing desk
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|
| Height range | Covers your sitting and standing height. 2-stage frames ≈ 70 – 120 cm; 3-stage ≈ 60 – 125 cm and faster. |
| Lifting capacity | At least 1.5 × your total load for smooth, quiet operation and longer motor life. |
| Motors | Dual motors lift more evenly and handle heavy setups and wide desktops better. |
| Stability | Look for wobble tests at full height, cross-bars and wide feet. |
| Desktop size | 120×60 cm for laptops, 140 – 160 × 70 – 80 cm for dual monitors. |
| Controls | Memory presets, anti-collision sensors and a child lock. |
| Warranty | 5 – 10 years on the frame, 3 – 5 years on motors and electronics. |
How long should you stand?
Research suggests the benefit comes from changing posture, not from standing itself. A practical pattern is to switch every 30 – 60 minutes, aiming for a total of two to four hours standing spread through the day. Wear supportive shoes, use an anti-fatigue mat, and keep moving – walking meetings, stretching and short breaks matter more than the desk.
Setup checklist
- Save your sitting and standing heights as memory presets.
- Leave cable slack and use a cable tray so nothing pulls when the desk rises.
- Keep keyboard and mouse at the same level, close to the body.
- Check that the chair's armrests fit under the desk at sitting height.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a standing desk be for my height?
Roughly 63 % of your body height plus shoes – about 107 cm (42 in) for someone 170 cm tall, and 114 cm (45 in) for someone 180 cm tall.
What height should a sitting desk be?
About 42 % of body height: 71 cm for a 170 cm person and 76 cm for a 180 cm person. Standard 72 – 76 cm desks suit average-height adults.
Single or dual motor standing desk?
Single motors are fine for light setups. Dual motors lift heavier loads more smoothly and are recommended above about 70 – 80 kg or for wide desktops.
How long should I stand at a standing desk?
Alternate every 30 – 60 minutes, with a total of roughly two to four hours of standing per day.
Where should my monitor be on a standing desk?
Top of the screen at or slightly below eye level, about 50 – 75 cm away. A monitor arm helps keep it right in both positions.
About RiseRight
RiseRight is an independent, free ergonomic calculator based on published anthropometric data and office ergonomics guidelines. It helps people choose and set up height-adjustable desks. We are not affiliated with any desk manufacturer. It is not medical advice.
Every formula on this page runs entirely in your web browser. The numbers you type are never uploaded, stored or shared. Our goal is simple: give you an honest starting point so you can compare product specifications with confidence and avoid paying for capacity you do not need – or buying something too small to do the job.
The methodology combines widely published engineering rules of thumb, manufacturer data sheets and the electrical code practices that installers use every day. We review the assumptions regularly and update the calculator when typical product specifications change.
Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 28, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how RiseRight ("we", "us") handles information when you visit this website. By using the site you agree to this policy.
Information we collect
We do not require registration and we do not ask for your name, address or payment details. Values entered into the calculator are processed locally in your browser and are not transmitted to our servers. Like most websites, our hosting provider may automatically record standard server log data such as IP address, browser type, referring page and time of visit for security and performance purposes.
Cookies and advertising
We use Google AdSense to show advertisements that keep this tool free. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising at www.aboutads.info. To learn more, see How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.
Visitors from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are shown a consent message powered by a Google-certified consent management platform, where you can accept, reject or manage cookie choices. You can change your choices at any time from the privacy link displayed by that message. Some visitors may also be offered the option to view a short ad or complete another offer in exchange for access to the content; this choice is provided by Google and is entirely optional where alternatives are offered.
Analytics
We may use privacy-friendly, aggregated statistics to understand which features are used. These statistics do not identify you personally.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR or the CCPA/CPRA), you may have the right to access, correct or delete personal data and to object to certain processing. Because we do not keep personal data from the calculator, most requests can be handled by clearing cookies in your browser. For any other request, contact us at the address above.
Children
This site is intended for a general adult audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this section shows when it was last revised.
Terms of Use & Disclaimer
The calculator and articles on this website are provided free of charge for general information and educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on typical values and simplifying assumptions; real-world performance depends on the specific product, installation, climate, wiring and how you use your equipment.
Nothing on this site is professional engineering, electrical or financial advice. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and local electrical codes, and have permanent installations, transfer switches and grid-connected systems designed and installed by a licensed electrician or qualified installer. Never operate fuel-burning generators indoors or in enclosed spaces – carbon monoxide can kill within minutes.
The site is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, RiseRight is not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information or results provided. Product and brand names mentioned belong to their respective owners and are used for identification only. You may use the calculator for personal and commercial purposes, but you may not copy or republish the site content without permission.
RiseRight