Gaming Chair Dimensions: Height, Width, Seat Size and Recline Space
Racing-style gaming chairs are taller and deeper than office chairs and take far more floor space when they recline. These are their real dimensions, how to match one to your height, and how much room to leave behind it.
A typical racing-style gaming chair is 26 to 28 inches (66 to 71 cm) wide, 26 to 30 inches (66 to 76 cm) deep and 48 to 56 inches (122 to 142 cm) tall. The seat adjusts from about 17 to 22 inches (43 to 56 cm) off the floor and is 20 to 22 in (51 to 56 cm) wide including the side bolsters.
- Overall width
- 26-28 in (66-71 cm)
- Overall height
- 48-56 in (122-142 cm)
- Seat height
- 17-22 in (43-56 cm)
- Backrest height
- 30-35 in (76-89 cm)
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Gaming chair dimensions by type
"Gaming chair" covers everything from a reclining racing-style seat to a chair that sits on the floor. The types differ more in shape than in quality, so start with the space you have.
| Type | Inches | Centimeters | Seat height | Floor space when reclined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact racing chair | 25-27 × 25-28 × 46-52 | 64-69 × 64-71 × 117-132 | 16-20 in | About 27 × 48 in |
| Standard racing chair | 26-28 × 26-30 × 48-56 | 66-71 × 66-76 × 122-142 | 17-22 in | About 28 × 55 in |
| XL / big and tall racing chair | 28-31 × 28-31 × 52-58 | 71-79 × 71-79 × 132-147 | 19-23 in | About 30 × 60 in |
| Ergonomic mesh gaming chair | 25-28 × 25-28 × 45-52 | 64-71 × 64-71 × 114-132 | 16-21 in | Limited recline, about 28 × 40 in |
| Floor rocker | 20-26 × 25-33 × 24-32 | 51-66 × 64-84 × 61-81 | Seat on the floor | No recline |
| Pedestal rocker | 22-27 × 26-32 × 30-38 | 56-69 × 66-81 × 76-97 | 12-18 in | Rocks within its footprint |
Floor space when reclined assumes a recline of about 155 degrees with a footrest folded away. A fully flat 180-degree recline adds another 6 to 10 in.
Racing-style gaming chair measurements
The racing shape (tall narrow back, raised side bolsters, separate head and lumbar pillows) changes how the numbers on a spec sheet relate to the space you sit in.
- Seat width: the listed figure includes the raised side bolsters. The flat part you actually sit on is often 4 to 6 in narrower. ANSI/HFES 100-2007 asks for at least 17.7 in (45 cm) of seat width, which some racing seats meet only if you sit on the bolsters. Wide-hipped users should look for a flat seat or a "wide" model.
- Seat depth: 19 to 21 in is deeper than the 16 in average that BIFMA G1-2013 recommends, and most racing chairs have no seat slider. Shorter users end up with the front edge behind their knees, so they lean forward away from the backrest.
- Backrest: a 30 to 35 in back reaches the head of most adults, which is what the headrest pillow rests against. Users under about 5 ft 4 in often find the head pillow sits behind their neck rather than their head.
- Armrests: "4D" arms move up and down (usually 3 to 4 in of travel), forward and back, in and out, and rotate. Their tops typically sit 24 to 31 in above the floor.
- Recline: most racing chairs recline to 135 to 180 degrees, compared with 110 to 120 degrees for an office chair.
Choosing a gaming chair size for your height
Gaming chairs are not one size fits all. Several brands sell the same model in small, regular and XL versions keyed to user height and weight; check the brand's chart, because the cut-offs differ. The seat height is the first thing to check.
| Your height | Seat height you need | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) | 15-17 in (38-43 cm) | Small or compact model, seat depth 18 in or less, or a footrest |
| 5 ft 4 in-6 ft 2 in (163-188 cm) | 17-19.5 in (43-50 cm) | Standard racing or mesh chair |
| Over 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | 19.5-21 in (50-53 cm) | XL model, backrest 33 in or taller, seat rising to 21 in or more |
Seat height for your body is roughly a quarter of your height plus an inch for shoes; the office chair size guide has the full chart. Your desk must then sit about 7 to 10 in above the seat. A gaming chair at its lowest setting of 17 to 18 in puts a 5 ft 4 in user at the right height for a 25-inch desk, which is lower than any fixed desk. A height-adjustable desk or a footrest closes the gap; see the desk height guide for the numbers.
Gaming chairs are mostly rated for 250 to 300 lb, and XL models for 330 to 400 lb. Office chairs sold in the US are often tested to ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 or, for heavier users, X5.11 (users up to 400 lb). Many gaming chairs do not state a test standard, so treat their rating as the maker's own figure.
How much room a gaming chair needs
A reclining backrest swings behind the seat. With a backrest and headrest about 33 in long, the back extends roughly this far behind the seat when reclined:
| Recline angle | Back leans from vertical | Extra depth |
|---|---|---|
| 110° (office-style) | 20° | 11 in (29 cm) |
| 135° | 45° | 23 in (59 cm) |
| 155° | 65° | 30 in (76 cm) |
| 180° (flat) | 90° | 33 in (84 cm) |
Add the seat depth (19 to 21 in) and the extended footrest (another 12 to 18 in) and a fully reclined racing chair occupies about 5 to 6 ft (152 to 183 cm) of floor. At the desk, plan the usual 36 to 48 in behind the desk edge, and keep a wall or bed at least 30 in behind the seat if you recline while seated at the desk. A chair mat for a gaming chair should be at least 46 × 60 in (117 × 152 cm) to cover the base as you roll back.
- Under the desk: wide racing armrests at 26 to 28 in usually hit the edge of a 29 to 30 in desk. Lower them fully or check the desk's clearance under the apron.
- Ceiling and shelves: the top of the headrest at the highest seat setting can be 56 in or more, which clears most things but can hit a low wall-mounted shelf above a desk.
- Through doors: an assembled chair passes a 30-inch door easily. A flat recline is the only position that does not.
Gaming chair vs office chair dimensions
| Racing gaming chair | Mid-back office chair | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 48-56 in (122-142 cm) | 37-43 in (94-109 cm) |
| Backrest height | 30-35 in | 18-24 in |
| Seat depth | 19-21 in, rarely adjustable | 16-19 in, often adjustable |
| Seat height range | 17-22 in | 16-21 in |
| Recline | 135-180° | Up to about 115-120° |
| Base diameter | 26-28 in | 24-28 in |
| Weight of chair | 40-70 lb (18-32 kg) | 25-45 lb (11-20 kg) |
If you game sitting low and relaxed, a bean bag chair or floor rocker takes less space than either. For lounging with a footrest, compare with recliner dimensions.
Box size and assembly
Gaming chairs arrive flat-packed: the backrest and seat are the two largest parts. Expect a box about 32 to 36 in long, 24 to 28 in wide and 12 to 15 in thick, at 45 to 70 lb. That fits on the back seat or in the trunk of most cars, but it is a two-person carry up stairs. Assembly takes up about 6 × 6 ft of floor while you attach the back to the seat.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a gaming chair in height and width?
Most racing-style gaming chairs stand 48 to 56 in (122 to 142 cm) tall from the lowest to highest seat setting and measure 26 to 28 in (66 to 71 cm) wide across the base or armrests. The backrest alone is usually 30 to 35 in (76 to 89 cm) tall.
How big is the base of a gaming chair?
Gaming chair five-star bases are usually 26 to 28 in (66 to 71 cm) in diameter measured across the casters. That is 13 to 14 in from the center column to each wheel. Large and XL models use bases up to about 30 in.
What size box does a gaming chair come in?
Gaming chairs usually ship in a box about 32 to 36 in long, 24 to 28 in wide and 12 to 15 in thick (81-91 × 61-71 × 30-38 cm), weighing 45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg). The backrest is the longest part, so the box length is close to the backrest height.
Is a gaming chair bigger than an office chair?
Yes, in height and depth. A gaming chair's backrest is 30 to 35 in tall against 18 to 24 in for a mid-back office chair, so it stands 6 to 12 in taller overall. The seat is usually 1 to 2 in higher at its lowest setting, which matters for users under about 5 ft 6 in.
How much weight can a gaming chair hold?
Standard gaming chairs are usually rated for 250 to 300 lb (113 to 136 kg). Large and XL versions are commonly rated for 330 to 400 lb (150 to 181 kg). The rating applies to static weight; rocking back on a fully reclined chair loads the base and tilt mechanism far more.