How this calculator works
Standing work surfaces are set by elbow height, not by a fixed standard. With the arms hanging relaxed, the underside of the bent elbow sits at roughly 63% of standing height in adult anthropometric data, and published ergonomics guidance places the working surface in a band of about 60% to 65% of height. The keyboard and mouse go at that level so the wrists stay straight and the forearms stay roughly parallel to the floor. A monitor then sits higher, with the top of the screen near eye level. Standing all day is not the goal either: alternating between sitting and standing is what the ergonomics guidance recommends, and the seat and desk should swap around a few times a day.
Formula
standing desk height = 0.63 x body height. comfortable range = 0.60 x body height to 0.65 x body height. For 175 cm this gives 110.3 cm, with a range of 105.0 cm to 113.8 cm.
Worked example
At 175 cm in shoes the desk goes to about 110 cm, and anywhere between 105 and 114 cm keeps the forearms level. Someone 190 cm tall needs about 120 cm, while a 160 cm colleague is comfortable near 101 cm, which is why a fixed standing bench rarely suits a shared desk.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I subtract the thickness of an anti-fatigue mat?
Yes. The number is the surface height above the floor your feet stand on, so a 2 cm mat means setting the desk 2 cm lower than the figure shown.
Where should the monitor go?
Higher than the desk: the top of the screen about level with your eyes, and the screen about an arm length away. The desk height figure covers the keyboard and mouse, not the display.
Is standing all day better than sitting?
No. Ergonomics guidance recommends alternating postures, because prolonged standing has its own risks for the legs and lower back. Use a sit-stand desk to change position every 30 to 60 minutes.
Why use a range rather than one height?
Body proportions vary at the same overall height, and shoes, mats and posture shift the ideal by a couple of centimetres. Start in the middle and adjust until the shoulders drop and the wrists are straight.