Our ergonomic assessment tool is a quick and easy solution for determining the ideal height for your sit-stand desk, ergonomic chair, keyboard tray and monitor arm. Simply enter your own height; the desk height calculator will provide a set of reliable baseline measurements to help you work with maximum comfort and efficiency. Get started setting up your ideal ergonomic workstation with our desk height calculator: Tips for using the ergonomic adjustment tool Factor shoe height (typically 1'') or any clothing allowances into dimensions Adjust your workstation to vary posture throughout the day; standing while using the computer helps vary your posture the most Using bifocal lenses can require lower monitor heights Your comfort is most important. If a specific measurement feels uncomfortable or awkward, reposition your equipment so that it feels more comfortable This calculator is not intended as a substitute for professional on-site ergonomic assessment
Email or print the results for future reference Note that these measurements use an average of male and female anthropometric dimensions. Data is based on the 1988 Anthropometric Survey of United States Army Personnel. Ethnic and population differences can vary slightly. Learn more about setting up your ergonomic workspace Sit-stand desks are quickly becoming a popular trend in American workplaces. The idea is simple. By limiting the amount of time you spend seated in a given day, you can stave off a variety of potential health risks. Sit-stand desks also allow you to easily raise and lower your keyboard and monitor to proper heights. Check out our sit-stand desks or fill out our height adjustable desk selector tool for some expert suggestions on which desk will work for you. An ergonomic chair is designed to fit your body and keep you comfortable over the course of an eight hour work day. Features such as seat depth adjustment and adjustable lumbar support allow you to vary your posture and stay efficient.
View our selection of ergonomic chairs or fill out out ergonomic chair selector tool for expert recommendations. A keyboard tray is a crucial, yet sometimes overlooked component of any proper ergonomic setup. The role of the keyboard tray is simple: to bring the keyboard to you so you don't have to adjust to it. This can add up to a significant impact on quite a few muscles and tendons. Take a look at our ergonomic keyboard trays or fill out our keyboard tray selector tool to get expert suggestions. A monitor arm is a highly adjustable arm that attaches to your desk, usually with a bolt-through or clamp mount. Once you have your monitor arm installed, you will be able to adjust your monitor as needed throughout the day. This is especially beneficial to your eyes and your neck. Shop for monitor arms at The Human Solution or fill out our monitor arm selector tool to have one of our ergonomic experts provide recommendations. You can also complete our online OSHA Office Assessment Checklist for additional help configuring your office properly.
Ready to start building your perfect workstation? Browse the pages below to find the ergonomic desk and accessories that will work best for you. We offer endless combinations and customizations, so you can find what fits you and your space best!Quick Tip: Finding the Ideal Height For Your Task Chair That lever on the bottom of your adjustable task chair at your desk? Despite what your childish intuitions will tell you, it's not just for pranks. Take a moment to step away from your chair and make this one easy adjustment to improve your workspace ergonomics. According to the American Chiropractic Association, giving your chair the proper height adjustment can spare you from a load of problems. A chair that's too low can cause lower-back pain, carpal-tunnel syndrome and rotator-cuff strain in the shoulder. A chair that's too high can lead to what's called Golfer's Elbow—pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow. So if you're going to do just one thing to imrpove your office chair ergnomics, make it a height adjustment.
It's as easy as standing up. As you stand in front of your chair, adjust the height so the highest point of the seat (when in the horizontal position) is just below the knee cap. When you sit down, your feet should be flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90° angle, the ideal lower body position for sitting down at a desk. Adjusting your chair height is also a great way to check up on the ergonomics of the rest of your workstation. If you can't fit your legs under the desktop (you should have enough room to comfortably cross your legs at the knees) or there is not enough space to move them freely, your desk is too low for you. Put it on risers, or invest in a desk that's the proper height. If you can sit comfortably but you have to raise your arms to reach the keyboard or work surface, your workstation is too high. Find a way to lower your worksurface (a keyboard tray might help). Alternatively, you can adjust the chair height so your elbows are the same height as your desk and use a footrest high enough so you can lay your feet flat.
(Images: Shutterstock, Taryn Fiol)If you ever work at home, you know how important it is to choose the right desk. To prevent discomfort (and potential back problems), it's really important to choose the right height. Here's an easy way to do it. Most desks are around the same height, but a few inches can make a difference in your level of comfort. Fortunately, Unplggd has a good strategy for checking if a desk is the right height for you: When you're seated or standing in the position you'd use the desk, rest your arms at your sides, keeping your elbow at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms in line with your torso. If the desk is the right height, your hands should rest comfortable on the desk.This is great when you can choose the right desk height, but if you don't have a choice make sure you have an adjustable chair to compensate. A Quick Tip to Find Your Ideal Desk Height | Edit ArticleHow to Set Up an Ergonomically Correct Workstation Two Methods:Maintain a Healthy PostureSet Up Your DeskCommunity Q&A
Sitting for long periods can have serious health consequences, especially if one's posture and workstation are poor. To maintain a healthy posture and work more comfortably, here are tips on how to set up your workspace. Adjust chair height so that your feet are flat on the floor. This will keep your knees and hips at roughly the same height. To find this height, stand by the chair and raise or lower the seat pan to just below your elbows bent between 90 and 110 degrees. Take care that your elbows are not winged out, but instead hang with your upper arms at a comfortable, fairly vertical alignment. Your forearms should be parallel to the ground and your wrists in a neutral position. Since most desks are fixed height, it is best to adjust the chair height for the correct position of the arms and hands. Then, if necessary, provide support for the feet so that the underside of the thighs are just supported at the edge of the seat. Some desks do adjust in height, so look to see if there is such an adjustment.
Much modular office furniture (i.e. cubicles) allows for adjustment of work surface height, as well, although making this adjustment may require some work. Ask your employer or facilities department to help you adjust such a desk. Keep your wrist position neutral. Avoid bending your wrist sharply upwards or downwards to type. Consider split-design or tented-and-raised keyboard; otherwise, simply try to select one which is the right size for your hands. To help your wrists “float” over the keyboard, use a wrist rest; however, only use it if it actually elevates your wrists; depending on your position, this might actually encourage you to hold your hands at a bad angle. Many keyboards have tabs to raise the back, but check your wrist position before you use them. You may need to raise the front, instead. If your keyboard has no such adjustment, try propping up the front on a paint stick, a couple of erasers, or other such object. Change your posture regularly.
Regardless of how healthy your work posture is, sitting in any one position for an extended period is not healthy. If you have an adjustable chair, alternate between the following positions, all of which will keep your pose neutral and relaxed:Keep your torso roughly vertical, your thighs horizontal, and your lower legs vertical.Tilt the backrest of your chair back so that your torso reclines between 105 and 120 degrees from your thighs.Tilt the seat pan of your chair slightly so that the angle between your thighs and torso is slightly more than 90 degrees. Don’t overdo this or you will feel like you’re sliding. Make sure the other adjustments on your chair are correct for you, as well. Most ergonomic office chairs have adjustments for arm rests, seat depth, spring stiffness of any reclining feature, seat angle, and more. Keep your monitor between 20 and 40 inches (50 and 100 centimeters) from your face. Adjust the monitor so that the center sits at eye level. The monitor should always be directly in front of your face (preferably no more than 35 degrees to either side) and at or slightly below eye level.
However, if you wear bifocals and usually tilt your head back in order to look down through them at the monitor, lower the monitor (or raise your chair) so that the monitor sits 15 to 20 degrees below eye level; note that this may require you to tilt the screen slightly upwards toward your face. Avoid the need to tilt the head back, causing tension in the neck and shoulders. Consider getting a dedicated pair of glasses for computer work. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your monitor so that you can see clearly and without unnecessary strain. If you need the text larger to see, learn how to adjust the font and zoom in and out, without decreasing the resolution. Use a docking station to plug a laptop into a real monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Place your keyboard so that your upper arms hang vertically. Keep your keyboard at the right height. To reach the keyboard, your forearms should bend no more than 20 degrees above horizontal (if sitting) or 45 below (if standing).
Keyboard trays can lower the keyboard and mouse, and help keep them within easy reach. Good ones allow you to adjust the position and angle, as well. Consider a keyboard tray, especially if you are shorter. Place the mouse near the keyboard. Keep it in a position that will enable you to transition between typing and using the mouse with as little effect on your arm and wrist posture as possible. If you have a 10-key on the right side of your keyboard, you may want to use your mouse on the left side; this centers the part of your keyboard that you use most. You can also alternate left and right-sided mouse usage to dilute the effects of repetitive use. Choose a mouse which is the right size for your hands. Don't rule out "portable" mice (if your hands are smaller) or "gaming" mice if your hands are larger. Try to find a shop where you can try out a variety of mice. Adjust the mouse drivers in software, if you wish to change the speed of the cursor movement relative to the mouse movement.
Adjust it so it feels right for you. Arrange items within sight and reach. Place your phone, writing equipment, books and other frequently-used items within easy reach from where you sit. You should not need to stretch to reach frequently used objects. If you use a document holder, do not place it to one side of your monitor (unless you also use a second one on the other side); turning your head in one direction for prolonged periods fatigues the neck muscles. Instead, position the document holder directly beneath the monitor, angling it between the monitor and keyboard. If you touch type and do a lot of transcription, consider placing the document holder in front of you, with the screen to one side. The main focus of attention is then straight ahead with occasional movements to view the screen. Another option would be to provide a lectern that is positioned between the keyboard and screen. Get a phone headset. Show more unanswered questions Make sure that your computer is situated in a well-ventilated location for both your comfort and the condition of your computer.
Consider having a plant or two in your workspace. You should also make sure that the area receives sufficient heat and air conditioning so you are relaxed while working. If you operate multiple computers at the same desk, freeware called Synergy will let you use a single mouse and keyboard across both. Stop working and stretch or walk about every 30 minutes. If you forget, set an alarm on your computer, watch, phone or other instrument to remind you. There is a free program called Workrave, which reminds you to take shorter and longer breaks at intervals you set. Adjust the lighting and monitor position is such that there is no glare on the screen when you are facing it directly. You can improvise a monitor hood from cardboard, to see how one will work. Remember, ergonomics is about what works for you. Be on the lookout for ways to improve, and if you find an activity awkward or a position uncomfortable, continue to adjust the activity, the workspace, or both. Ergonomic adjustments don't need to be costly to work.
An old phone book or thick catalog makes a great footrest if you can't purchase a ready-made one. You can adjust it by tearing out or adding pages. A ream of office paper works, too. Wear a cap or visor if overhead lights are too strong. Avoid sitting with your back to a window, especially one which gets direct sunlight. Take "working breaks" to carry out other tasks, e.g. collecting and distributing post. If a walk to the drinks machine or restroom does not provide sufficient overall exercise, use one on another floor or take the long way around to get there. Office liquidators can be a good, affordable source of ergonomic office chairs, and they often have a variety. Try a whole range to narrow down which ones fit you. Then, adjust the best one(s) to fit your body and your work style. Try to move frequently, and avoid staying in one position for too long. Get up to shred a document or get a paper off the printer. Do not wait until you begin to have problems before making these ergonomic adjustments.