Desk Ergonomics Calculator
Find your ideal desk height, chair height, and monitor placement from your body height.
This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.
How to use this tool
Enter your standing height and pick whether you measured it in centimeters or inches. Press Calculate setup and the desk ergonomics height calculator returns four seated measurements: the height of your chair seat, the height of your desk surface, the height to your elbows when seated, and where the top of your monitor should sit. Each value is shown in both cm and inches so you can use whichever your furniture is marked in. Adjust your chair and desk to those numbers, then sit upright and check that your forearms rest level with the desk.
The formula and how it works
desk height = body height x 0.43
elbow (seated) height = body height x 0.45
monitor top height = body height x 0.46
These ratios come from standard anthropometric guidance for a neutral seated posture. The desk surface lands close to your seated elbow level so your shoulders stay relaxed and your wrists stay straight while typing. The chair seat is set so your thighs are roughly parallel to the floor with your feet flat. For monitor placement, the top of the screen should be at or just below eye level, which for most people sits a touch above seated elbow height, so the top edge of the display lines up near the monitor top figure. Treat the results as a starting point and fine-tune by feel.
A real example
Say you are 175 cm tall. The chair seat works out to 175 x 0.25 = 43.75 cm (about 17.2 in). Your desk height is 175 x 0.43 = 75.25 cm (about 29.6 in), which is why most off-the-shelf desks ship around 73 to 76 cm. Your seated elbow height is 175 x 0.45 = 78.75 cm (about 31 in), and the top of your monitor should sit near 175 x 0.46 = 80.5 cm (about 31.7 in) measured from the floor. If your desk is fixed at 75 cm but the calculator suggests a chair seat that leaves your elbows too low, raise the chair and add a footrest so your feet stay supported.
Common questions
Does this work for a standing desk?
This desk ergonomics height calculator is built for a seated setup. For standing, a quick rule is to set the desk near your standing elbow height, which is roughly your body height times 0.62, and keep the monitor top at eye level.
Where exactly should my monitor go?
For good chair monitor placement, keep the screen about an arm's length away and tilt it back slightly. The top of the screen should sit at or just below eye level, which matches the monitor top figure measured from the floor when you sit upright.
My desk is not adjustable. What can I do?
Fixed desk height is common. Match the chair to the desk first using the desk height by height numbers, then add a footrest if your feet do not reach the floor and raise the monitor with a stand or stack of books to hit the suggested top height.
Why are everyone's ratios slightly different?
Body proportions vary, so an ergonomic setup based on total height is an estimate. Use the numbers as a baseline, then adjust until your forearms are level, your shoulders are relaxed, and your eyes meet the top of the screen without tilting your neck.
Is this medical advice?
No. These figures are general guidance for an ergonomic setup and are for educational use only. If you have pain or a specific condition, consult a qualified ergonomist or healthcare professional.