If you went through an entire pandemic without ever sitting comfortably at your desk chair, you are not alone. To understand how on Earth others are sitting at desk chairs all day comfortably, you must first understand how the right desk chair height is important in order to get your desk height right. It’s actually science: your forearms should be at the same height as your desk, with your elbows angled about 90 degrees.
Of course, there’s more to sitting comfortably than the height of your chair—there’s a variety of features and components to consider when purchasing a desk chair or revamping your office space for maximum comfort, and efficiency. If you have lower back or sciatic nerve pain, you may want to consider adjustable high-density cushions.
Lucky for you, there’s a path out of discomfort for just about everyone who needs a desk chair. Whether you need more room in your seat chair or want to actively correct your posture while you work, finding the ideal desk chair height is essential for your comfort, and highly recommended for anyone sitting for long periods of time.
Standard Desk Chair Height
There’s no standard desk chair height because people who sit in desk chairs typically vary in height, yourself included. So, if you’re wondering how high your chair should be, you can assume the chair height will range between 17” and 21” from the floor. Plenty of office chairs will have adjustable components which are ideal for those who need more room, but if people call you short, you can find desk chair heights as low as 14.5”.
Finding a desk chair with adjustable height is crucial for your comfort and to fit your diverse workstyle, like sitting on your legs or slouching far into your seat so your boss can’t see you.
What Is an Ergonomic Chair?
Ergonomics is the science of designing for comfort, so you count on getting some additional support out of an ergonomic office chair for a few extra dollars. And, if you ask the experts, the only difference between working ergonomically or not, really depends on your chair and your desk. There’s plenty of office chairs on the market that can actually promote discomfort and perpetuate existing back problems, and if you know what I’m talking about then you understand the value in finding the perfect ergonomic chair, and your ideal chair height.
Office Chair Height
Most ergonomic designs include an adjustable height feature. You’ll want to understand how your own body, height and work style play into the exact office chair height for you. Enter: chair height role play at IKEA.
Lower Back Support
Sitting upright for extended periods of time places enormous pressure on our lumbar spine. Make sure you know the correct desk sitting posture for you and you purchase an ergonomic chair height that allows you to put your feet flat on the floor.
Sciatic Nerve Support
If you have to sit all day with sciatic nerve pain, you deserve a trophy every time you show up—you also deserve a chair that molds to your body. Find an ergonomic chair with a backrest between 12” and 19” that allows you to adjust the backrest and achieve the proper desk chair height for you.
Plus Size and Pregnancy
You may want an ergonomic chair with more wiggle room than a standard office chair which holds 250 lbs or go beyond the standard desk chair height for adjustable backrests and support. Office chairs for pregnancy come with wider seat options, plus a more generous height/weight capacity.
How to Calculate the Proper Desk Chair Height?
How high your chair should be depends on your own height and work style, but usually the seat of the chair should be between 16 to 21 inches from the floor.
- Your feet should be able to firmly touch the floor when seated.
- Knees are comfortably bent at 90 degrees, with forearms parallel to the desk and thighs horizontal.
- Give yourself about 2 inches between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat to make any necessary adjustments to the height based on the comfort of your seat incline.
Accessories to Complement the Ideal Office Chair
- An ergonomic phone case for you to effortlessly FaceTime your friends from your desk
- Adjustable foam foot rests can support your back and the sole
- Investing in a cup holder for your office chair to keep spills at bay
- Extra surface and storage space for your chair
If you can measure your own height, you should be able to find the optimal desk chair height for your office setup. Got a new ergonomic chair to assemble first? With all the options IRL and online, you may have more fun shopping than assembling your new office chair. Luckily, we’ve got Taskers in your area who can set up your new office space, hassle-free.
