Office Chair Dimensions: Overall Size, Seat Measurements and Ergonomic Ranges
Overall office chair sizes for planning a room, and the seat, back and armrest measurements that decide whether a chair fits your body and your desk.
A typical office chair is 24 to 28 inches (61 to 71 cm) wide and deep and 36 to 48 inches (91 to 122 cm) tall. The seat sits 15 to 22 inches (38 to 56 cm) off the floor, the range ANSI/HFES 100-2007 recommends, and is usually 18 to 21 in (46 to 53 cm) wide and 16 to 19 in (41 to 48 cm) deep.
- Overall width
- 24-28 in (61-71 cm)
- Overall height
- 36-48 in (91-122 cm)
- Seat height
- 15-22 in (38-56 cm)
- Base diameter
- 24-28 in (61-71 cm)
On this page
Office chair dimensions by type
"Width" here is the widest point, usually the armrests or the base. Height is the range from the lowest to the highest seat setting, measured to the top of the back or headrest.
| Chair type | Width × depth (in) | Width × depth (cm) | Overall height | Seat height range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armless task chair | 22-25 × 23-26 | 56-64 × 58-66 | 33-40 in (84-102 cm) | 16-21 in |
| Mid-back task chair with arms | 24-27 × 24-27 | 61-69 × 61-69 | 37-43 in (94-109 cm) | 16-21 in |
| High-back ergonomic chair | 25-28 × 25-28 | 64-71 × 64-71 | 42-50 in (107-127 cm) | 16-21 in |
| Executive chair | 26-30 × 27-31 | 66-76 × 69-79 | 44-50 in (112-127 cm) | 18-22 in |
| Big and tall chair | 27-31 × 27-31 | 69-79 × 69-79 | 42-50 in (107-127 cm) | 18-23 in |
| Drafting chair (counter height) | 24-27 × 24-27 | 61-69 × 61-69 | 45-55 in (114-140 cm) | 22-32 in |
| Guest/side chair (no wheels) | 22-25 × 22-25 | 56-64 × 56-64 | 32-36 in (81-91 cm) | 17-19 in (fixed) |
A chair's floor footprint is set by the base, not the seat. Five-star bases measure 24 to 28 in (61 to 71 cm) across the casters, and a chair that reclines needs another 6 to 12 in behind it. Racing-style chairs run larger; see the gaming chair dimensions for those.
Seat, back and armrest measurements
The overall size tells you whether a chair fits the room. These measurements tell you whether it fits you. The recommended figures come from ANSI/HFES 100-2007 and BIFMA G1-2013, which design for adults from the 5th percentile woman to the 95th percentile man.
| Measurement | Recommended | In cm | Typical chairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat height (floor to top of seat) | Adjustable within 15-22 in, at least 4.5 in of travel | 38-56 cm | 16-21 in |
| Seat width | 17.7 in minimum | 45 cm | 18-21 in |
| Seat depth (front to back) | 14-16 in small users, 16 in average, 17-19 in tall users | 36-48 cm | 16-19 in |
| Seat depth adjustment | 2.5-3 in of slide | 6-8 cm | Often 2 in, or none |
| Backrest height above seat | 17.7 in or more (13.9 in minimum) | 45 cm (35 cm) | 18-24 in mid-back, 26-32 in high-back |
| Backrest width at the lumbar | 14.2 in minimum | 36 cm | 17-20 in |
| Lumbar support height above seat | 5.9-9.8 in, adjustable | 15-25 cm | Fixed or 2-3 in of travel |
| Armrest height above seat | 6.7-10.6 in, adjustable | 17-27 cm | 7-11 in |
| Width between armrests | 18.1 in minimum | 46 cm | 18-22 in |
| Back recline | At least 15° of adjustment between upright (90°) and 115° | Tilt lock at 3-5 positions |
The seat depth matters most for shorter and taller users. Sit fully back: you should be able to fit two to four fingers between the seat's front edge and the back of your knee. If the edge presses into your calves, the seat is too deep and the backrest can't reach your lower back.
Office chair seat height by user height
The right seat height equals the distance from the floor to the back of your knee (popliteal height) plus your shoes, so your feet rest flat with thighs level. That is roughly a quarter of your height plus an inch.
| Your height | Seat height | Desk height for this seat |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) | 16 in (41 cm) | 23.5 in (60 cm) |
| 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) | 17 in (43 cm) | 25 in (64 cm) |
| 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | 18 in (46 cm) | 26.5 in (67 cm) |
| 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | 19 in (48 cm) | 28 in (71 cm) |
| 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | 20 in (51 cm) | 29.5 in (75 cm) |
The desk column shows the matching keyboard surface, explained in our desk dimensions guide. If your desk is a fixed 29 to 30 in and you are shorter than about 6 ft, the usual fix is to raise the chair to the desk and add a footrest (typically 3 to 6 in high) under your feet. A height-adjustable desk removes the compromise.
Many standard chairs bottom out at 16 to 17 in, which leaves users under about 5 ft 2 in with dangling feet. Look for a "short" or "petite" gas cylinder. Tall users need a seat that rises to 21 to 22 in and a seat at least 18 in deep; standard cylinders often stop at 20 to 21 in.
Chair and desk fit
- Armrests under the desk: arm tops sit at seat height plus 6.7 to 10.6 in, so 23 to 31 in from the floor. With a 30-inch desk and a 1.5-inch top, anything above 28.5 in stops at the edge. Height-adjustable or flip-up arms solve it.
- Clear knee width: the chair's base and your knees need about 30 in (76 cm) of clear width under the desk at minimum; ANSI/HFES 100-2007 recommends 41 in (104 cm).
- Roll-back space: leave 36 in (91 cm) behind the desk edge as a minimum and 48 in (122 cm) as the recommendation. A reclining chair needs the larger figure.
- Desk drawers: a center drawer 3 to 4 in deep lowers the clearance under the desk and can block the arms of most chairs.
Bases, casters and chair mats
Bases
Office chairs use a five-star base because five legs keep the chair stable when you lean or recline. Bases are 24 to 28 in (61 to 71 cm) in diameter, made of nylon or aluminum, and take a standard tapered gas cylinder, so most replacement bases fit most chairs. Big and tall chairs use reinforced bases up to about 30 in.
Casters
| Caster | Wheel diameter | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard twin-wheel | 2 in (50 mm) | Carpet, chair mats |
| Rollerblade style | 2.4-3 in (60-75 mm) | Hardwood, rugs; raises the seat about 0.5-1 in |
| Soft-tread (hard floor) | 2 in (50 mm) | Hardwood, tile, vinyl |
| Glides (no wheels) | Fixed chairs, guest seating |
Most chairs use a grip-ring stem 7/16 in (11 mm) in diameter and 7/8 in (22 mm) long. Check before ordering replacements, because some brands use a threaded stem or a 10 mm stem.
Chair mats
Common mat sizes are 36 × 48 in (91 × 122 cm) for a single desk, 45 × 53 in (114 × 135 cm) with a lip, and 46 × 60 in (117 × 152 cm) for wider desks. Measure the area you roll over, which is usually the desk width by 48 in deep.
Weight capacity and chair size
ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 sets the strength and durability tests for general-purpose office chairs; chairs built to it are generally rated for users up to 250 to 275 lb (113 to 125 kg). BIFMA X5.11 covers large-occupant chairs, tested for users up to 400 lb (181 kg). Those chairs usually also have seats 21 to 24 in wide and 19 to 21 in deep, so check the width between the arms, not just the rating.
For the full range of chair types beyond the office, including dining, accent and lounge chairs, see the chair dimensions guide. If you want a chair for reading or napping rather than desk work, the recliner size guide covers the space a full recline takes.
Delivery and box size
Most office chairs ship partly assembled, with the base, cylinder, arms and back packed around the seat. The box is usually about as wide and deep as the seat and back laid flat, roughly 25 to 30 in on the long side and 12 to 16 in thick, and weighs 35 to 60 lb (16 to 27 kg). Assembled chairs pass through any standard 30 to 32 in interior door, but a high-back executive chair may need the back tilted forward to fit through a car door.
Frequently asked questions
What are office chair dimensions in cm?
A standard task chair is about 61 to 71 cm wide and deep, 91 to 122 cm tall, with a seat 38 to 56 cm above the floor that measures about 46 to 53 cm wide and 41 to 48 cm deep. The five-star base is usually 61 to 71 cm across.
What size is a standard office chair?
A mid-back task chair with arms is typically 26 in wide, 26 in deep and 38 to 42 in tall (66 × 66 × 97 to 107 cm). High-back executive chairs are larger: about 27 to 30 in wide and 44 to 50 in tall.
How big is an office chair base?
Most five-star bases are 24 to 28 in (61 to 71 cm) in diameter measured across the caster wheels, with 26 to 27 in the most common. Big and tall chairs use bases up to about 30 in.
What size chair mat do I need for an office chair?
A 36 × 48 in (91 × 122 cm) mat covers a chair that stays at one desk. A 45 × 53 in (114 × 135 cm) or 46 × 60 in (117 × 152 cm) mat suits L-shaped desks or users who roll back to stand. Mats with a lip extend under the desk to protect the floor where your feet rest.
How much weight can an office chair hold?
Standard office chairs built to ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 are generally rated for users up to 250 to 275 lb (113 to 125 kg). Big and tall chairs tested to ANSI/BIFMA X5.11 are designed for users up to 400 lb (181 kg).