What this calculator does
Standing desk height is set from your elbow, not your height directly. The Cornell ergonomics ratio puts standing elbow height at about 0.62 times your total height, and the desk surface should sit 2.5 to 5 cm below that so your forearms are level or angled very slightly down.
For someone 170 cm tall that gives an elbow height of 105 cm and a desk at 100 to 103 cm. The range matters more than the single figure: comfort varies with shoe height, keyboard thickness and how you actually stand, so the recommendation is a starting point to adjust from over a few days.
The formula
Standing elbow height is 0.62 times your total height, which is the Cornell University ergonomics ratio. The recommended desk range is 2.5 to 5 cm below that, putting the keyboard at a height where the forearms are roughly parallel to the floor with the shoulders relaxed. Measurements assume the shoes you actually wear at the desk.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Elbow height | Floor to the underside of the elbow with arms hanging relaxed and forearms horizontal. |
| 0.62 ratio | The Cornell approximation of standing elbow height as a fraction of total height. |
| Neutral wrist | Wrists straight rather than bent up or down, which is what the height is really being set for. |
| Monitor height | A separate adjustment: the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Your height (cm) | Your height in centimetres, measured in the shoes you wear while working if they have any meaningful heel. |
When to use it
Setting up a new standing desk
Starting from a calculated height is faster than trial and error, and most discomfort at a standing desk traces back to a surface set too high.
Sharing a desk between people
Two people of different heights need noticeably different settings, and having both figures makes switching a known adjustment rather than a guess.
Checking a fixed-height desk
A standard desk at 73 to 75 cm is far too low for standing, and comparing against the recommendation shows how much of a riser is needed.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
What desk height suits each person?
A range of heights with the recommended desk range.
| Height | Recommended desk height | Standing elbow height | In inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155 cm | 91–94 cm | 96 cm | 37.8 in |
| 170 cm | 100–103 cm | 105 cm | 41.5 in |
| 185 cm | 110–112 cm | 115 cm | 45.2 in |
| 195 cm | 116–118 cm | 121 cm | 47.6 in |
Questions
How high should a standing desk be?
About 2.5 to 5 cm below your standing elbow height, which is roughly 0.62 times your total height. For a 170 cm person that is around 100 to 103 cm. Set it so your forearms are level with the desk and your shoulders are relaxed.
What if my desk is too high?
You will raise your shoulders to reach the keyboard, which is the most common standing desk complaint and shows up as neck and shoulder tension within days. Too high is considerably worse than slightly too low, so err downward.
Where should the monitor sit?
Top of the screen at or just below eye level, roughly an arm length away. Monitor height is independent of desk height and usually needs its own riser or arm, since a screen sitting directly on a correctly set desk is almost always too low.
How long should I stand for?
Alternating is the point rather than standing all day. Common guidance suggests changing position every 30 to 60 minutes, and standing continuously for hours brings its own problems with legs and lower back. A desk that moves is more useful than one fixed at either height.
For screen distance at the same desk, see the screen viewing distance calculator. For mounting a screen on the wall, see the TV mounting height calculator.