Use this page to estimate sitting and standing desk height from the height-range table on our standing-desk guide, then measure monitor top-of-screen height with the sit/stand worksheets from our monitor height guide. Every number below is taken from existing WorkspaceWisePro guides — not from invented NIST/OSHA multipliers.
Honest scope: Stature alone can drive desk height band estimates (on-site table). Monitor height still needs a tape measure (eye height − desk height). This calculator does not invent a “% of stature → eye level” formula.
How it works (rules cited)
| What the widget can output | Rule (paraphrase) | Source guide |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting desk height estimate | Lookup your stature band → sitting desk range; treat as starting point; verify with elbow-at-90° | Standing desk height — “Height Formula by Height Range” |
| Standing desk height estimate | Same table → standing desk range; verify with standing elbow-at-90° | Same guide |
| Precision desk height (either mode) | Desk surface ≈ bent-elbow height (knuckles / bottom of forearm); elbows ~90° (acceptable 90–110°) | Standing desk height guide — “Standing Height Formula” + “Setting Your Sitting Height”; also posture + ergonomic setup |
| Monitor top-of-screen (sitting) | C ≈ A − B (optional −0.5–1″ for just-below); top edge at/near eye level | Monitor height guide — sitting worksheet A–D |
| Monitor top-of-screen (standing) | G ≈ E − F (optional −0.5–1″); same eye-level rule | Monitor height guide — standing worksheet E–H |
| Sit↔stand arm decision aid | H = |G − C|; if H is more than a couple of inches, prefer an arm over a fixed riser | Monitor height guide — delta H |
| Viewing distance (guidance only) | Aim ~20–28″ (broader ~20–40″) | Monitor height guide; ergonomic home-office setup |
Not computed from stature alone: floor → eye height, or top-of-screen inches above the desk without A/B or E/F.
Interactive calculator
Enter your stature for desk-band estimates, verify with elbow height, then run the sitting (A–C) and standing (E–H) monitor worksheets. Units toggle between inches and cm for display only — formulas stay in inches.
1) Desk height from your stature
Estimates use the on-site height-band table only. Formulas stay in inches; cm is display conversion.
- Sitting desk range
- —
- Standing desk range
- —
- Matched band
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Starting estimates only. Always verify with the elbow measurement method.
- Average-height people often land ~40–44″ standing; taller ~45–48″; shorter ~36–40″ (tips, not substitutes for the table).
- Seated height is almost always ~4–8″ lower than standing — informational only.
2) Precision — elbow height
Preferred verify step: desk surface ≈ bent-elbow height (knuckles / bottom of forearm). Elbows ~90° (acceptable 90–110°). Sitting: adjust chair first (feet flat), then desk.
Tip: measure in the shoes (or bare feet) you actually work in — a ~1″ sole is a common error.
- Desk height target
- —
Verify: elbows ~90–110° · shoulders relaxed · wrists neutral · neck neutral.
3) Monitor worksheet — sitting (A–C)
Golden rule: top of screen at/near eye level (not the center). Optional just-below subtracts 0.5–1″ from C.
- C — top of screen above desk
- —
- Viewing distance tip
- Aim ~20–28″ (broader ~20–40″)
Tape-line method: mark eye level; set top edge at that line — or 1–2″ below.
Illustrative on-site sample: A=48″, B=29″ → C≈19″ (or ~18–19″ just-below).
4) Monitor worksheet — standing (E–H)
Same eye-level rule; different measurements. Run sitting first so H can compare sit ↔ stand targets.
- G — top of screen above desk
- —
- H — |G − C|
- —
Sources: Standing desk height guide · Monitor height guide
Quick reference by height
Desk ranges below are computed with the same on-site stature-band table the calculator above uses (heights 5′0″–6′6″ in 2-inch steps; cm is a display conversion at 2.54 cm per inch). They are approximations: confirm with the elbow-height method. Keyboard height follows desk height when you type on the desk surface. Top-of-monitor height cannot be derived from stature with our method; it needs your measured eye height (A) and desk height (B).
| Your height | Seated desk / keyboard height | Standing desk height | Top of monitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′0″ (152.4 cm) | 22–24.5″ (55.9–62.2 cm) | 35.5–38″ (90.2–96.5 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 5′2″ (157.5 cm) | 22–24.5″ (55.9–62.2 cm) | 35.5–38″ (90.2–96.5 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 5′4″ (162.6 cm) | 24.5–27″ (62.2–68.6 cm) | 38–41″ (96.5–104.1 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 5′6″ (167.6 cm) | 24.5–27″ (62.2–68.6 cm) | 38–41″ (96.5–104.1 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 5′8″ (172.7 cm) | 27–29.5″ (68.6–74.9 cm) | 41–44″ (104.1–111.8 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 5′10″ (177.8 cm) | 27–29.5″ (68.6–74.9 cm) | 41–44″ (104.1–111.8 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 6′0″ (182.9 cm) | 29.5–32″ (74.9–81.3 cm) | 44–47.5″ (111.8–120.7 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 6′2″ (188 cm) | 29.5–32″ (74.9–81.3 cm) | 44–47.5″ (111.8–120.7 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 6′4″ (193 cm) | 32–34.5″ (81.3–87.6 cm) | 47.5–51″ (120.7–129.5 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
| 6′6″ (198.1 cm) | 32–34.5″ (81.3–87.6 cm) | 47.5–51″ (120.7–129.5 cm) | Measure: C ≈ A − B (worksheet 3) |
Tape-line method (no calculator needed)
From the monitor height guide:
- Sit (or stand) in normal working posture.
- Look straight ahead; mark eye level on the wall (tape/sticky note).
- Set monitor so the top edge is at that line — or 1–2 inches below it.
Golden rule: top of screen at/near eye level — not the center (center-at-eye often forces an upward gaze).
Want the whole setup on one page? Get the free 15-minute ergonomic setup checklist (chair, desk and monitor).
FAQ
Can I get monitor height from my height in feet alone?
Not from on-site formulas. Our guides require measuring eye height and desktop height (worksheets A–B / E–F). Stature bands estimate desk height only.
Why show a range instead of one number?
The on-site stature table publishes ranges. Proportions (torso-to-leg ratio) shift the ideal — the guide says to always verify with elbows at 90°.
Do sitting and standing use the same monitor rule?
Same rule (top at/just below eye level + ~20–28″ distance), different measurements. Run both worksheets; use H to decide arm vs riser.
Is there a desk height chart by height?
Yes, see the quick reference by height table. It uses the same stature bands as the calculator, so both give the same desk ranges. Treat them as starting points and fine-tune with your elbow height.
Source guides
- How to Choose the Right Standing Desk Height — elbow formula, height-band table, mat/footwear notes, sit vs stand presets.
- Monitor Height Guide (eye-level, sit + stand worksheets) — golden rule, A–D / E–H, delta H, viewing distance.
- Improve Posture While Working from Home — monitor top at eye level; keyboard/mouse at elbow height.
- Ergonomic Home Office From Scratch — sitting desk ~28–30″ for most; monitor distance/tilt notes.
- Home Office Setup for Neck & Shoulder Pain — qualitative: top of screen near eye level; desk height so shoulders don’t shrug.
Research-based page using rules already published on WorkspaceWisePro. Not medical advice. Not a claim of hands-on measurement of every body/desk combination. Verify product specs on Amazon before purchase.
