How High Should A Office Desk Be? Tips for Productivity

Anyone who has ever spent long hours at a desk knows that the right setup can make all the difference between a productive day and one plagued by aches and distractions. While we often focus on ergonomic chairs, adjustable chairs, and clever organisation solutions, incorporating office ergonomics, such as maintaining good posture with a standing desk, into your setup can significantly impact comfort, and desk height, an essential aspect of ergonomics, plays a central role in creating a comfortable and efficient workspace. The question comes up time and again: How high should an office desk be?

The answer is more nuanced than you might expect, blending universal standards with a layer of personalisation for health that brings true comfort and productivity to your daily routine, ultimately enhancing your comfort level.

Why Desk Height Matters

Desk height isn’t just a number. It has a direct effect on your posture, circulation, energy, and long-term well-being. Sit too low and your shoulders hunch. Sit too high and your wrists strain. Over time, these small misalignments can snowball into persistent back pain, discomfort, or even injury, which is why considering a standing desk can be beneficial.

The ideal desk height serves several purposes:

●      Supports natural alignment of your wrists and arms

●      Keeps your feet flat on the floor

●      Promotes upright posture without creating tension

●      Allows visibility of your screen without straining your neck

A great desk fits into your workspace so intuitively that you hardly notice it at all, especially when the desk height is optimally configured for your needs to enhance productivity. You simply get on with your work, free from nagging distractions.

Setting a Baseline: Standard Office Desk Heights

Start with some benchmarks. Most office desks found in New Zealand, and worldwide, are built to a standard height range of 710-760 millimetres (mm) from the floor to the work surface. That’s 71-76 centimetres, or roughly 28-30 inches.

Here’s a quick comparison commonly found in the industry:

These measurements cater to the “average” person. But as we all know, few real people fit the cardboard cutout mould.

One Size Does Not Fit All

While industry standards provide a solid starting point, using a height calculator can ensure your desk suits your body, not the other way around. Our heights, arm lengths, and ways of working vary more than we often think.

Several factors combine to influence your own optimal desk and monitor height:

●      Your height

●      The style and height of your chair

●      The tools you use (keyboard, mouse, monitor)

●      How much time you spend sitting vs standing can influence whether a standing desk is a suitable option for you

●      Tasks you perform (writing, drawing, typing, etc.)

A person 5’2” (157cm) won’t find 760mm as comfortable as someone who’s 6’3” (191cm). Likewise, someone favouring a tall, thick chair cushion may need to adjust accordingly.

Calculating Your Perfect Height

Here’s a straightforward method for finding your own “sweet spot”:

1. Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor to maintain good posture.
2. Adjust your chair so your knees are at a 90-degree angle.
3. Relax your shoulders.

Now, with your upper arms hanging naturally and your elbows bent to about 90-100 degrees, note the desk height your hands reach. That’s about where your desk surface should sit.

Your forearms should rest comfortably on the desk, with your wrists straight and shoulders relaxed. If the desktop is too high, your shoulders will hitch up. Too low, you’ll feel your upper back rounding and experience back pain, along with your wrists bending.

If you use a keyboard tray, the situation changes slightly, as the tray surface generally sits about 25-30mm below the main desk surface.

Customising for Task and Comfort

Most of us don’t just type all day. Maybe you sketch, sort paperwork, hold Zoom calls, or assemble products. Each task places different demands on your desk height.

●      Writing or drawing by hand: Slightly higher than keyboard height (by about 25-50mm) works better for free movement.

●      Using dual monitors: Ensuring monitor height and screen centre is at eye level helps avoid neck and upper back discomfort.

●      Standing desks: Whether adjustable or fixed, height should allow bent elbows and neutral wrists, just as when seated.

Some desks are height-adjustable, allowing you to set the surface exactly where you want. If that’s not an option, consider an adjustable chair instead: a higher or lower chair with an appropriate footrest (so your feet stay flat) can help customise fit.

Standing or Sitting? Blending Both

The sit-stand desk movement has reshaped the way offices look, even here in Aotearoa, with the introduction of the standing desk, promoting better health and productivity for employees. The trend isn’t just a passing phase; varying your position throughout the day helps break up monotony and reduces risks associated with prolonged sitting, like poor circulation or tight hips.

The same ergonomic principles apply when using a standing desk as when sitting: ergonomics ensure elbows are at roughly 90 degrees, screen at eye level, wrists in a neutral position.

If you alternate between sitting and standing, map out both heights:

Example for Typical Adult (165-185cm tall):

Adjustable desks, including standing desks, accommodate users of all heights, and a height calculator can help keep pace with your shifting work style throughout the day.

Practical Tips for Office Desks in New Zealand

With New Zealand’s diverse population and working culture, a flexible approach, incorporating office ergonomics, is key. Whether outfitting a home office in Wellington or a high-rise in Auckland, you’ll want to look at both the desk and the chair as a system.

Practical steps include assessing your comfort level to ensure your workspace is conducive to productivity and well-being:

●      Try before you buy: If shopping in person, “test drive” desks and chairs together.

●      Consider a footrest: This can fine-tune an otherwise slightly-too-high desk.

●      Raise or lower your monitor: Adjusting the monitor height with a riser can optimize your screen position if it's too low, or lower it if you’re craning your neck.

●      Keyboard trays: These make it easy to lower the key surface without replacing the entire desk.

Desk converters or standing desk options: A moveable platform can adjust the desk height by raising a section of your desk when you want to stand without the investment in a new desk.