Our previous articles have explained how to choose the right office desk and how to sit correctly at your desk, but whilst searching for the perfect desk, often people are looking without actually knowing what the ergonomically correct desk height is for their posture.
Why is it important?
In today’s society, we spend so much time looking at our screens. Whether it’s at our computers at work or our phones pretty much everywhere, we’re straining our eyes and bodies on a daily basis. That’s why it’s important that we know how to use technology responsibly. Given that all our body parts are connected, causing damage to one part can affect the rest of your body immensely.
Sitting incorrectly to accommodate for an incorrect desk height or a poor office chair causes you to subtly contort your body in uncomfortable ways, whether it’s your arms, legs, back, or even your wrists. This is most likely to cause you frequent back and neck pain. And, in more extreme situations, studies show that an incorrect desk height can lead to permanent back or disc damage.
Standard desk height
So, what is the height of an office desk that promotes good health and positive habits? The correct height for a computer desk is influenced by a few factors, including your height, the equipment you use, and your daily tasks. However, 28 inches (71.12cm) is the standard desk height that you should be using, especially if you’re between 5’8″(172.72 cm) and 5’10″(177.8cm) tall.
Working out the correct height
The chart below is a guide to a sitting and standing desk height average dependent on your height. You can also measure to obtain the correct height.
Office chair without armrests
Keep your arms at a right angle, parallel to the thighs. Be sure to sit in a relaxed position; do not tighten or raise the shoulders. Your colleague should now measures the distance from the floor to the bottom of your elbow. This is your individual desk-height to be adjusted at your desk.
Office chair with armrests
Adjust the armrests of your chair so that the arms are supported at a right angle. Do not raise your shoulders and neck, which causes muscle tension. Measure the distance from the top of the armrest to the floor. This measurement is your individual desk-height which should be adjusted.
To prevent injuries you should:-
- Adjust your chair height so you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor. This can help prevent repetitive strain injuries and your elbows should be by the side of your body so your arm forms an L-shape at the elbow joint.
- Place your feet flat on the floor. If they’re not, ask if you can have a footrest, which lets you rest your feet at a level that’s comfortable. Don’t cross your legs, as this may contribute to posture-related problems.
- Place your screen at eye level. Your screen should be directly in front of you. A good guide is to place the monitor about an arm’s length away, with the top of the screen roughly at eye level. To achieve this, you may need a monitor stand. If the screen is too high or too low, you’ll have to bend your neck, which can be uncomfortable.
For further information on choosing the correct desk height and all your office furniture enquiries, please contact us here.