Standing desks are the new trend — and for the right reasons. According to recent studies, employees who use standing desks are 45% more productive than those who use regular desks.
The idea is to give your body a break from long sitting hours. When you get tired of sitting down, you can simply get up and continue working. This eliminates the need for body stretching sessions and keeps you productive.
However, standing desks work only when they are of the right height. So, in today’s post, we will dive deep into the topic and discuss:
- Is a standing desk the right choice for you?
- Difference between standing and sit-stand desk
- What determines the ideal height for your standing desk?
- Ideal height recommendations
Let’s get started!
Is a Standing Desk the Right Choice for You?
Ever since the pandemic, many people have traded their traditional 9 to 5 jobs for a life of freedom and peace that remote work offers.
More and more people are now working as freelancers, solopreneurs, and work-from-home employees. This situation has given rise to the trend of home office setups, where people create a dedicated workspace within their houses.
But remote work is not all rainbows and unicorns. Since people aren’t confined to a 9 to 5 work period, they are spending more time working than ever. And, the long hours sitting at your home office desk can lead to the following health challenges:
- Obesity
Your body needs moderate to intense movement to burn the calories you consume. But, if you sit for too long, those calories are converted into fat and stored, leading to obesity.
- Joint Issues and Blood Clotting
Sitting for too long puts undue pressure on joints and slows down blood flow. This can lead to joint issues, deep venous thrombosis (where a blood clot develops in the leg, which can dislodge and lead to a heart attack or stroke), and varicose veins (where leg veins dilate abnormally).
Similarly, the muscles in your back and neck are also stressed. This triggers a constant throbbing pain that makes even the simplest movements (like bending down) a problem.
- Poor Posture
Ergonomic chairs and posture improvement exercises improve your posture to an extent. But they don’t fix it.
That’s because the human body adapts and when you spend hours sitting in front of a desk, the hunched back and drooping shoulders will evolve to become permanent features of your body.
The only way to fix this is to get up and change your work position.
- Cancer
Recent research shows that sitting for too long contributes to the risk of certain types of cancer. These include lung, colon, endometrial, and breast cancer.
Takeaway
If you can’t cut down the time you spend working but want to avoid serious health issues, a standing desk is definitely the right choice for you.
Standing Desk vs Sit-Stand Desk: What’s the Difference?
Previously, the standing desk was just one product type. It was a fixed-height desk that allowed people to work while standing. But over time, it has evolved to become a category with multiple subtypes, including:
- Fixed-Height Standing Desks like the UpDown Desk
- Sit-Stand Desks
- Desktop Risers
- Portable Standing Desks
Sit-stand desks are designed for people who want to adopt a hybrid workstyle. These desks are fully adjustable so that you can decrease or increase the desk’s height as per your working position.
On the other hand, a typical standing desk will have a fixed height. It can’t be adjusted for a sitting position, so you can work only while standing up. You also can’t switch it with another family member or friend – as the desk height might not be appropriate for them.
What Is the Ideal Standing Desk Height?
There is no one-size-fits-all standing desk height. Each person will have a different standing desk requirement based on their height. And once they have bought a desk of a certain height, they can’t adjust it.
So, it’s very important to determine the right standing desk height properly. Here’s a detailed step-by-step method to do it:
- Tape a measuring tape against a wall.
- Hold a pencil or marker in your hand and stand straight in front of the wall. Make sure there is some distance between you and the wall. Also, remember to face the wall.
- Look straight ahead and place your hands at your side.
- Now, gradually move your arms such that the elbows make a 90-degree angle with the wall.
- Use the pencil in your hand to mark the distance on the measuring tape. Make sure your hands create a 90-degree angle all the time or else the measurement won’t be right.
Once marked, step back and read the measurement. This is your ideal standing desk height!
Standing Desk Height Chart
If you’re doubtful about the measurement you took, don’t worry because we have created a standing desk height chart. Here are some recommendations based on different heights.
| Your Height | Standing Desk Height |
| 5’0” | 36.5 inches |
| 5’1” | 37 inches |
| 5’2” | 37.5 inches |
| 5’3” | 38 inches |
| 5’4” | 39 inches |
| 5’5” | 39.5 inches |
| 5’6” | 40.5 inches |
| 5’7” | 41 inches |
| 5’8” | 41.5 inches |
| 5’9” | 42.5 inches |
| 5’10” | 43 inches |
| 5’11” | 43.5 inches |
| 6’0” | 44 inches |
| 6’1” | 44.5 inches |
| 6’2” | 44.5 inches |
| 6’3” | 46 inches |
Frequently-Asked Questions About Standing Desk Height
What is the average standing desk height?
Most standing desk heights are between 38 and 44 inches. This is because the majority of men and women have heights between 5’3” and 6’0”.
Do standing desks burn calories?
Yes, standing desks burn calories and can help maintain your weight. Standing up burns 8 more calories than sitting (per hour). So, if you use a standing desk for 2 to 3 hours, you can burn 16 to 24 extra calories per day!
How low is too low for a standing desk?
A standing desk is too low when your elbows make a 100+ degree angle with the workstation (instead of the recommended 90-degree angle).
Final Thoughts: Is a Standing Desk Worth It?
Standing desks are definitely worth the investment – especially if you wish to boost productivity and remain healthy while working.
But in our opinion, a sit-stand desk might be a better option, especially for people who work long hours. This way, you won’t need two desks for working — you can simply re-adjust the height of your desk when you want to stand up and work!