Correct Desk Height: The Elbow-Height Method

Educational only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you have persistent or severe pain, numbness, or tingling, see a healthcare professional. This article covers general workstation setup and does not assess any condition.

Quick answer

The correct desk height, or more precisely keyboard height, is about the height of your elbows when you sit or stand with relaxed shoulders and arms bent to about 90 degrees. That keeps your forearms roughly parallel to the floor and your wrists straight. Since most desks are a fixed height, you usually adjust the chair and add a footrest instead.

There's no single correct desk height that works for everyone, because it depends on how tall you are and how your chair is set. What matters is the relationship between your elbows and your keyboard. Workstation guidance, including OSHA's computer workstation eTool, describes a neutral position: shoulders relaxed, upper arms close to your body, elbows bent around 90 degrees, and wrists straight.

How to measure your ideal height (sitting)

Adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor and your thighs are roughly level.
Sit back against the backrest, let your shoulders drop, and let your upper arms hang naturally.
Bend your elbows to about 90 degrees with your forearms parallel to the floor.
Have someone measure from the floor to the underside of your forearm near the elbow, or measure it yourself with a tape against a wall. That's roughly where your keyboard's home row should be.

Remember it's the keyboard surface that matters, not the desktop. A thick keyboard adds height, so a slightly lower desk can work well.

How to measure for a standing desk

Stand in comfortable shoes with your weight balanced. Relax your shoulders, bend your elbows to about 90 degrees, and set the desk so the keyboard sits at that height. Your screen still needs to be at eye level, which will be higher when standing, so check it after changing the desk. Alternate between sitting and standing rather than standing all day.

If your desk is too high

This is the most common situation, since many standard desks are taller than ideal for shorter people.

Raise your chair until your elbows are at keyboard height.
Add a footrest (a box, books, or a step stool) if your feet no longer rest flat.
Use a keyboard tray that mounts under the desk to bring the keyboard lower.
Use a thinner keyboard.

If your desk is too low

Raise the desk on sturdy furniture risers or solid blocks under each leg. Make sure it stays stable.
Lower your chair, as long as your thighs still clear the underside of the desk and your feet aren't cramped.
Put the keyboard on a stable, flat board to lift it slightly.

Check your legs and knees

Make sure you have enough room under the desk to sit close without bumping your knees, and that drawers or bars don't force you to sit sideways. Clear clutter from under the desk so you can move your legs.

Mouse height matters too

Keep your mouse at the same height as the keyboard and right beside it. A mouse that's higher or farther away keeps your arm raised or reaching. A compact keyboard without a number pad lets you bring the mouse closer.

Quick test: are you at the right height?

Your shoulders stay relaxed, not lifted toward your ears.
Your elbows are near your sides and bent around 90 degrees.
Your wrists are straight and your hands float over the keys.
Your feet are supported.

Then check your screen. Changing chair height changes your eye level, so revisit monitor at eye level. For the full order of adjustments, read desk setup ergonomics.

Cheap fixes

Books, a box, or a step stool as a footrest.
A firm cushion to raise your seat when the chair maxes out.
Furniture risers for a low desk.
Moving the keyboard closer and the mouse beside it, which costs nothing.

Shared desks and multiple users

If more than one person uses the same desk, a fixed height can't suit everyone. Adjustable chairs, a footrest that's easy to move, and a keyboard tray let each person adjust quickly. A sit-stand desk with saved height presets is convenient but optional. Keep a sticky note of your own chair height setting so you can get back to it fast.

Check your own setup in 2 minutes

Answer a few questions about your screen, chair, desk, and habits to get a prioritized list of fixes, with cheap fixes first.

Take the free Desk Setup Audit

Frequently asked questions

What is the correct desk height?

The height that puts your keyboard at about elbow level with your shoulders relaxed and elbows bent around 90 degrees. This varies by person and chair setup.

My desk is too high. What can I do?

Raise your chair until your elbows match the keyboard, then add a footrest so your feet stay supported. A keyboard tray is another option.

Should a standing desk be the same height?

No. When standing, set the keyboard at your standing elbow height and raise the screen to your standing eye level.

Is a standing desk better than sitting?

Alternating between sitting and standing, and moving regularly, is generally more helpful than doing either all day.

Related guides

Educational only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you have persistent or severe pain, numbness, or tingling, see a healthcare professional. We reference widely used guidance (such as OSHA's computer workstation eTool) for general setup principles only.