The Ideal Office Chair Height (Height Chart)

Whether you’re tall or short, finding your ideal office chair height is crucial for a comfortable and ergonomic work experience. Your chair height can affect your posture, circulation, comfort, and overall productivity.  In this expert’s guide, we’ll give you an office chair height to help you find the ideal chair height for your height.

We’ll also explore the key factors to consider when adjusting your chair height, including your desk height, leg position, and seat depth. After reading, you’ll be able to find the perfect chair height for your body and enjoy a more comfortable and productive workday.

In This Guide

Ideal Office Chair Height Chart

If you want a quick way of looking up the proper chair height for a desk, refer to the following chair height table we’ve made. However, don’t rely too heavily on it because, at the end of the day, everyone’s body ratio is somewhat different, and what works for one person may not work for the next.

Your Height

Ideal Chair Height

5’0”

16.2”

5’1”

16.4”

5’2”

16.7”

5’3”

17”

5’4”

17.2”

5’5”

17.5”

5’6”

17.8”

5’7”

18”

5’8”

18.3”

5’9”

18.6”

5’10”

18.9”

5’11”

19.1”

6’0”

19.4”

6’1”

19.7”

6’2”

19.9”

6’3”

20.2”

6’4”

20.5”

6’5”

20.7”

6’6”

21”

6’7”

21.3”

6’8”

21.6”

6’9”

21.8”

6’10”

22.1”

6’11”

22.4”

What is the Standard Office Chair Height?

Unlike desks that have a standard height of 29″, there is no standard office chair height for a desk. Office chairs come in a variety of different ranges and are often measured from floor to seat. The typical range is from 16″ to 22″. We’ve looked at some popular office chair models and created a brief table to look at the height used by them.

Chair Model

Supported Height

Steelcase Gesture

16 – 21”

Steelcase Leap

15.5 – 20.5”

Herman Miller Embody

16- 20.5”

Duramont Office Chair

17 – 20”

Sihoo Office Chair

16.5 – 20”

SIDIZ

18.1 – 21.5”

ErgoHuman

17 – 21”

Something to bear in mind is that these are your standard ergonomic office chairs. Office chairs designed for different audiences, like for big and tall people, can be adjusted beyond the typical 21″ range. On the contrary, there are office chairs for small people that can go as low as 14.5.”

What is an Ideal Office Chair Height?

So now that we know the average office chair height used by some of the most popular brands let’s look into what an ideal height of an office chair is. Firstly, there is no universal office chair height that will match every person. That said, there is an optimal office chair height where the harmful consequences on your thighs, shoulders, back, and even arms, while you work are reduced. The ideal height of the chair is influenced by your own height and the desk’s height.

When sitting, the optimal seat height for a desk chair should be as follows:

  • Your knees should be bent 90 degrees, and your feet should be firmly planted on the ground at all times to minimize risk.
  • When using a computer, your forearms should be parallel to your desk at the same height, and your elbows should form an open angle between 90 and 110 degrees.
  • The monitor should be adjusted in a way so that the top of the screen is at eye level and about an arms-length away.

That being said, making an ergonomic workspace is challenging but not impossible since the two points mentioned above don’t always get along.

 

Considerations When Calculating the Ideal Chair Height

Now that we know the most important aspects to look for to achieve the proper chair height for a desk, here’s how to achieve each outcome.

Feet Firmly Touching the Floor

This is much easier to accomplish if you’re already sitting in the target office chair. Adjust the height of a desk chair with the lever until both of your feet are flat on the floor, and your knees are slightly lower than the level of your hips. This is to reduce the rotation of the pelvis, which in turn reduces the pressure in the lumbar discs and improve leg circulation. Remember, knees should be bent 90 degrees.

It’s also worth remembering to take shoes into account when calculating chair height. This is especially important when setting up a home office and shopping for a new office chair. What works in the store may not work at home because you didn’t take shoes into account.

Forearms Parallel to the Desk

Now that your height is set, it’s time to take care of your arms with the help of the armrests. Adjust the armrests so that when your forearms rest on the arm pads, your elbows are bent at approximately 90 degrees. Your shoulders should feel relaxed and comfortable at this stage. You should not have to lift or drop your shoulder.

An important thing to mention here is that you may find that your feet are off the floor when adjusting the chair for your arms. A footrest or even something to prop them up is a good method of fixing this issue.

Office Accessories to Consider

Height Adjustable Desks

Desks that can be adjusted in height are becoming common in workplaces as they promote healthy well-being. They reduce the amount of time you spend sitting, which eliminates several possible health complications. With these desks, you can effortlessly modify the height of your keyboard and monitor. You may raise or lower it to meet your height needs, which aids in maintaining the proper desk chair height. They’re great if your office chair lacks sufficient height adjustability.

Footrest

I’m not talking about chairs with built-in footrests. In this case, a footrest can be anything that will prop your legs up to prevent them from dangling, and it elevates your feet at a height comfortable for your body. Just like standing desks, footrests can also eliminate issues with your desk chair if it doesn’t have sufficient height adjustability.

Monitor Arm

This is an excellent consideration if your monitor lacks adjustability to achieve the desired height and angle that is beneficial to proper posture. A monitor arm is used to secure a monitor, which gives a lot more control over it. Additionally, you may move the monitor arm into the position of your choice to reduce eye and neck strain while maintaining a good posture.

Final Thoughts

There you have it. Achieving an ideal office chair height doesn’t have to be challenging. With this expert’s guide, you will be able to design an ergonomic environment.

Aligning the desk, monitor, and peripherals correctly is significantly simpler if you adjust the height of your chair appropriately. Sitting for a prolonged amount of time frequently leads to excessive and uneven lower-back tension, annoyance, and poor focus. That being said, obtaining a good sitting posture requires carefully changing the height of your workspace chair. Properly adjusting your office chair does not only lead to a comfortable and ergonomic sitting experience but also makes getting in and out of your chair simple.

I hope this guide has helped you in finding out the ideal office chair height. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Eric Moore

Eric Moore is the owner of Overheard on Conference Calls. As a corporate veteran, he’s seen and heard it all. And when it comes to office chairs, desks, and accessories, he’s used it all. As a former office furniture sales rep, he bring his expertise to provide readers the knowledge to choose the right products for them. He also has his OSHA Ergonomics Certificate.