Standing Desk Dimensions: Height Ranges, Desktop Sizes and the Right Height for You
Height range is the dimension that decides whether a standing desk fits you, and it differs more between frames than desktop size does. Here are the ranges, the standard top sizes and how to work out your own sitting and standing heights.
Electric standing desks adjust from a low of 22 to 29 inches (56 to 74 cm) to a high of 46 to 51 inches (117 to 130 cm), and three-stage frames cover the widest range. Common desktops are 48 × 24, 48 × 30, 60 × 30 and 72 × 30 in (122 × 61 to 183 × 76 cm). BIFMA G1-2013 puts standing keyboard height for 90% of adults between 38.3 and 48.7 in.
- Lowest height
- 22-29 in (56-74 cm)
- Highest height
- 46-51 in (117-130 cm)
- Most common top
- 60 × 30 in
- Standing keyboard
- 38.3-48.7 in
On this page
Standing desk height range by frame type
A frame's height range comes from the number of telescoping leg stages. More stages give a lower minimum and a longer travel. Manufacturer figures sometimes exclude the desktop, so add the top's thickness (usually 0.75 to 1.25 in) to compare.
| Frame type | Lowest | Highest | Travel | Fits users about |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-stage legs (single or dual motor) | 27-29 in (69-74 cm) | 46-48 in (117-122 cm) | 18-20 in | 5 ft 5 in-6 ft 2 in |
| Dual motor, 3-stage legs | 22-25 in (56-64 cm) | 47-51 in (119-130 cm) | 25-27 in | 5 ft 0 in-6 ft 8 in |
| Hand crank | 27-29 in (69-74 cm) | 44-47 in (112-119 cm) | 16-19 in | 5 ft 4 in-6 ft 2 in |
| Desktop converter (sits on a desk) | Desk + 1-5 in | Desk + 15-20 in | 14-19 in | Depends on the desk under it |
For a named example, UPLIFT's published frame chart lists the V2 at 24.3 to 49.9 in (25.6 in of travel) and the V2-Commercial at 21.6 to 47.7 in, and says the first suits users roughly 5 ft 4 in to 6 ft 9 in and the second roughly 5 ft 0 in to 6 ft 3 in. The trade-off is typical: a frame that goes lower usually does not go as high.
The BIFMA G1-2013 ergonomics guideline calls for a range of 22.6 to 48.7 in to cover adults from a small woman (5th percentile) to a large man (95th percentile). Very few single-motor desks reach both ends.
Standing desk height by user height
When standing, your elbow sits at about 63% of your height. Add an inch for shoes and subtract an inch for the keyboard and you get a desktop height close to 0.63 × your height. The sitting column assumes a correctly set chair with feet flat on the floor.
| Your height | Sitting | Standing | Travel needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) | 22.5 in (57 cm) | 36.5 in (93 cm) | 14 in |
| 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) | 23.5 in (60 cm) | 38 in (97 cm) | 14.5 in |
| 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) | 24.5 in (62 cm) | 39.5 in (100 cm) | 15 in |
| 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | 25.5 in (65 cm) | 41.5 in (105 cm) | 16 in |
| 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | 27 in (69 cm) | 43.5 in (110 cm) | 16.5 in |
| 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | 28 in (71 cm) | 45.5 in (116 cm) | 17.5 in |
| 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | 29 in (74 cm) | 47.5 in (121 cm) | 18.5 in |
| 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | 30.5 in (77 cm) | 49 in (124 cm) | 18.5 in |
These are averages. People with long legs and a short torso need a higher standing setting than the table shows. To measure, stand in the shoes you work in, relax your shoulders, bend your elbows to 90 degrees and measure from the floor to the underside of your forearm. Then check that figure falls inside the frame's range with an inch to spare at each end.
Most frames easily reach standing height for average users. Where they fail is sitting height for shorter people: a desk that stops at 28 in is 3 to 4 in too high for someone 5 ft 3 in, the same problem as a fixed desk. The seated figures for each height are covered in more detail in the desk dimensions guide.
Monitor height when standing
Raise the monitor with the desk. BIFMA G1-2013 recommends the top edge of a 19 to 24 inch screen be adjustable from 56.8 to 71.4 in above the floor for standing work, against 43 to 54 in seated. A monitor arm with 12 to 14 in of vertical travel covers most users. For large screens, the guideline is that you look at the upper third of the screen when looking straight ahead.
Standing desk top sizes
Frames are sold separately from tops at many brands, and most frames have a width range (for example 41 to 72 in) that accepts several top sizes. Thickness is usually 0.75 to 1 in for laminate and 1 to 1.75 in for solid wood or butcher block.
| Top size (in) | Top size (cm) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 42 × 24 | 107 × 61 | Laptop, small apartment |
| 48 × 24 | 122 × 61 | Laptop plus one 24 in monitor |
| 48 × 30 | 122 × 76 | One 27 or 32 in monitor |
| 55 × 28 | 140 × 71 | Two 24 in monitors |
| 60 × 30 | 152 × 76 | Two 27 in monitors, or one ultrawide |
| 72 × 30 | 183 × 76 | Three monitors, or computer plus drawing space |
| 80 × 30 | 203 × 76 | Two people, studio setups |
| L-shaped 60 × 60 to 72 × 72 | 152 × 152 to 183 × 183 | Corner setups (3-leg frames) |
A desk that moves carries everything with it, so the depth figures for monitors are the same as for a fixed desk: 24 in for a laptop or small monitor, 30 in for 27-inch screens, 36 in for 32 to 34 inch ultrawides. Check the monitor size guide for the actual widths of each screen.
Frame footprint, capacity and stability
- Feet: the feet are usually 23 to 28 in long, so they stick out near the front and back of a 24 to 30 in deep top. Under-desk drawers and filing pedestals must fit between the legs and under the lowest height.
- Crossbar: frames with a rear crossbar or a central beam limit what can sit underneath. Measure the clear width between the legs, often 6 to 10 in less than the top width.
- Lift capacity: single-motor frames are usually rated around 150 to 220 lb, dual-motor frames around 250 to 355 lb, including the desktop. A 72 × 30 in solid wood top alone can weigh 60 to 80 lb.
- Wobble: every column desk sways more at full height than at sitting height. Three-stage legs and wider tops make it more noticeable. Commercial frames are tested to ANSI/BIFMA X5.5 for strength and stability.
- Cable slack: 26 in of travel means every cable from the desk to a wall socket or a tower PC on the floor needs about 30 in of slack. A cable tray under the top keeps it contained.
Room and clearance for a standing desk
The floor area is the same as for a fixed desk of the same top size, plus room to keep a chair out of the way while you stand. Plan for 36 in (91 cm) behind the desk at minimum and 48 in (122 cm) if possible, the same clearance the BIFMA-based guidelines give for seated work.
- Windowsills and shelves: a desk at 47 to 50 in will hit a windowsill (often 36 to 42 in high) and any wall shelf lower than about 52 in. Check every height the desk will pass through.
- Anti-fatigue mat: a typical mat is 20 × 32 in to 24 × 36 in and 0.75 in thick. It raises you by that much, so add it to your standing height.
- Chair: roll the chair aside or swap it for a stool. Our office chair size guide lists chair footprints, and the gaming chair guide covers the bulkier racing-style chairs.
Standing desk converters
A converter sits on an existing desk and lifts a keyboard deck and monitor. It is cheaper and needs no new desk, but it adds height above an already-high 29 to 30 in surface.
Good for
- Renters and shared desks
- Users 5 ft 8 in and taller, whose standing height is 16 in or more above a standard desk
- Trying standing work before buying a full desk
Watch out for
- Seated height stays at the fixed desk's height, usually too high for shorter users
- Most do not lower the keyboard below the desktop
- Units 36 to 42 in wide weigh 30 to 50 lb and take most of the desk surface
The University of Washington guidelines recommend converters that rise 16 to 20 in and can lower the keyboard 2 to 4 in below the work surface. For a 5 ft 6 in user at a 29.5 in desk, the standing height in the table above (41.5 in) is 12 in above the desk, inside nearly every converter's range.
Frequently asked questions
How tall should a standing desk be for my height?
Set the desktop at or just below elbow height while standing with relaxed shoulders. As a guide, that is about 38 in (97 cm) at 5 ft 0 in, 41.5 in (105 cm) at 5 ft 6 in, 45.5 in (116 cm) at 6 ft 0 in and 48 in (122 cm) at 6 ft 4 in, with shoes on.
What is the minimum height of a standing desk?
It depends on the frame. Three-stage frames commonly go down to 22 to 23 in, two-stage frames to about 27 to 29 in. The UPLIFT V2-Commercial frame, for example, is rated 21.6 to 47.7 in and the standard V2 24.3 to 49.9 in (manufacturer figures). If you are under about 5 ft 4 in, check the minimum before anything else.
What size standing desk do I need for two monitors?
A 55 to 60 in (140 to 152 cm) wide top fits two 24 or 27 inch monitors. Choose 30 in (76 cm) of depth for 27-inch screens and plan the monitor arms or stands to leave 18 to 24 in of viewing distance.
Are standing desks the same height as normal desks when lowered?
Yes and lower. A standard fixed desk is 29 to 30 in tall, and most electric standing desks drop to 22 to 28 in, which lets shorter users sit at the correct height without a keyboard tray.
How much weight can a standing desk hold?
Single-motor frames are usually rated around 150 to 220 lb (68 to 100 kg) and dual-motor frames around 250 to 355 lb (113 to 161 kg) including the desktop. The UPLIFT V2 2-leg frame is rated 355 lb by its maker.
What size is a standing desk converter?
Desktop converters are typically 28 to 42 in (71 to 107 cm) wide and 20 to 24 in deep, and add roughly 4 to 20 in of height. The University of Washington ergonomics guidelines recommend one that rises 16 to 20 in above the desk and can also lower the keyboard 2 to 4 in below it.