Office Ergonomics & Standing Desk Height Calculator

Calculate optimal seated/standing desk height, chair elevation, eye level height, and monitor viewing distance.

Sit-stand desk height for your body height: how it is calculated

The tool estimates heights from your body height plus sole thickness (H): seated desk = 0.38 × H + 3 cm, standing desk = 0.63 × H − 2 cm, seat = 0.25 × H + 1 cm. For 1.75 m in trainers this gives 70 cm seated, 110 cm standing and a 45 cm seat. These are starting points to fine-tune with elbows at 90° and relaxed shoulders.

The tool's formulas

  • H = height + sole (0 to 6 cm depending on footwear).
  • Seated desk = 0.38 × H + 3; standing desk = 0.63 × H − 2; seat = 0.25 × H + 1.
  • Standing eye height = 0.93 × H, shown as a guide for the top of the screen.
  • Eye-to-screen distance = diagonal in inches × 2.54 × 1.2, at least 50 cm.

Results are rounded to the centimetre. The coefficients are average body proportions, not values from the standards' tables.

Example

1.75 m, 2 cm trainers, 27-inch screen: H = 177 cm. Seated desk 70 cm, standing 110 cm, i.e. 40 cm of travel between the two presets; seat 45 cm; standing eye height 165 cm from the floor; screen distance 82 cm.

Limits

  • The same height can hide longer legs or a longer torso: check elbows at about 90°, horizontal forearms and feet flat.
  • Below 162 cm (soles included) the seated desk drops under 65 cm; above 203 cm the standing desk exceeds 125 cm, outside the usual sit-stand range.
  • France's INRS puts the top of the screen below eye level and the distance at 50-70 cm; the tool increases distance with the diagonal (73 cm at 24 inches, 104 cm at 34 inches).
  • The footrest option changes no result and armrest height is not shown.
  • The 45 min seated, 15 min standing rhythm is a common rule of thumb, not an INRS prescription; INRS advises breaking up sitting ideally every 30 minutes.

Sources and dates: INRS, screen work (updated 11/06/2025); 650-1,250 mm range for a sit-stand desk, standard EN 527-1 (August 2011) as quoted in INRS brochure ED 6538; INRS, sedentary postures (updated 07/11/2023); the BIFMA G1-2013 reference has been revised into standard ANSI/BIFMA X10.1-2024 (checked 14/10/2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

What standing desk height suits someone 1.75 m tall?

With 2 cm soles, the tool computes 0.63 × 177 − 2, i.e. a 110 cm desktop when standing, against 70 cm seated. The right setting puts your elbows at about 90°, forearms horizontal and shoulders relaxed. Adjust by 1 or 2 cm if your wrists bend.

What adjustment range should a sit-stand desk offer?

Standard EN 527-1 (2011), as quoted by France's INRS, gives 650 to 1,250 mm for a sit-stand work surface. Before buying, compare that range with your two calculated heights. Someone over 2 m tall may need a standing height above 125 cm.

How far away should my screen be?

INRS generally recommends 50 to 70 cm, about an arm's length, with the top of the screen below eye level. The tool increases distance with screen size: 1.2 times the diagonal, i.e. 73 cm for 24 inches and 82 cm for 27 inches. With progressive lenses, INRS advises lowering the screen.

How long should I work standing each day?

INRS advises breaking up sitting ideally every 30 minutes and advises against replacing all seated work with standing. The tool suggests the common guide of 45 minutes seated then 15 minutes standing, with 5 minutes of walking. This rhythm is not a standard: increase standing time gradually.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.