In This Guide
Step 1: Measure Your Available Space
Before looking at desks, understand what your space can actually accommodate.
Floor Space Measurement
Measure the area where your desk will go:
- Width available: Wall-to-wall, or the section designated for your desk
- Depth available: How far from the wall can the desk extend?
- Chair space: Add 24-36" behind the desk for your chair and movement
💡 Pro Tip: Use Painter's Tape
Mark the footprint of potential desk sizes on your floor with painter's tape. Live with the mock-up for a day to see how it affects movement through the room before committing.
Vertical Clearance
Standing desks need vertical space that regular desks don't:
- Check for low-hanging shelves, cabinets, or sloped ceilings
- Most standing desks reach 48-52" at maximum height
- Your monitor will add 12-20" above the desktop
- Total clearance needed: approximately 60-72" from floor to any obstruction
Power Access
Note where power outlets are located. Electric standing desks need power, and your computer/monitors do too. Cables should reach without tension throughout the desk's range of motion.
Step 2: Determine the Right Desktop Size
Width (Left to Right)
| Width | Best For | Typical Setup |
|---|---|---|
| 40-42" | Minimal setups, tight spaces | Laptop or single monitor |
| 48" | Standard home office | Monitor + laptop, or single large monitor |
| 55-60" | Comfortable workspace | Dual monitors, peripherals |
| 72"+ | Power users, creative work | Multiple monitors, equipment |
Depth (Front to Back)
- 24" (standard): Works for most monitor setups; adequate screen distance
- 30": Provides more comfortable distance for large monitors (27"+)
- 20" or less: Too shallow for ergonomic monitor placement unless using a laptop
Depth matters more than many people realize. If your monitor is too close, you'll strain your eyes. Most ergonomic guidelines suggest 20-40" between your eyes and the screen. A 24" deep desk with the monitor pushed back provides roughly 18-20" of viewing distance—adequate but not ideal for large screens.
Minimum Functional Size
The smallest desk we'd recommend for productive work is approximately 42" × 24". This provides enough room for a monitor (or laptop on a stand), keyboard, mouse, and minimal extras. Going smaller works technically but often feels cramped.
Step 3: Check the Height Range
This is where standing desks differ most from regular desks. You need the desk to reach comfortable heights for both sitting and standing.
How to Determine Your Ideal Heights
Sitting Height
When seated with feet flat on the floor and arms at your sides:
- Your elbows should be at approximately 90 degrees when hands are on the keyboard
- The desktop should be at or slightly below elbow height
- For most people, this is 22-30" from floor to desktop surface
Standing Height
When standing with arms relaxed at your sides:
- Same principle—elbows at 90 degrees for keyboard use
- For most people, this is 38-48" from floor to desktop surface
- Taller individuals may need desks that go above 50"
Height Range by User Height
| Your Height | Sitting Desk Height | Standing Desk Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" - 5'4" | 22-25" | 35-41" |
| 5'5" - 5'9" | 24-27" | 38-44" |
| 5'10" - 6'1" | 26-29" | 42-48" |
| 6'2" - 6'5" | 28-31" | 46-52" |
| 6'6"+ | 30-33" | 50-54" |
These are general guidelines. Arm length, chair height, and personal preference all affect ideal desk height. When in doubt, choose a desk with a wider range.
Verifying the Height Range
Before buying, check that the desk's specified range covers your needs:
- Minimum height: Should reach your seated position (including any chair height adjustment)
- Maximum height: Should reach your standing position (with room to spare)
- Desktop thickness: Subtracts from effective minimum height (a 1" thick top means a desk with 25" minimum is really 26" at the work surface)
Common Standing Desk Sizes
Compact/Small Space (40-48" × 24")
- Fits most small offices and apartments
- Accommodates single monitor or laptop setup
- Limited surface area for papers and peripherals
- Easiest to place in corners or against walls
Standard (48-60" × 24-30")
- Most popular size range
- Room for dual monitors or single ultrawide
- Space for keyboard, mouse, notebook, and drink
- Balances functionality with space efficiency
Large (60-72" × 30")
- For power users with multiple monitors
- Room for additional equipment
- Requires significant floor space
- Often used for gaming or creative work
L-Shaped
- Maximizes corner space
- Provides large work surface in smaller footprint
- Good for multi-task setups
- Harder to move and reconfigure
Frequently Asked Questions
Within reason, yes. Most people underestimate how much desk space they'll use. However, in small spaces, there's a point where a larger desk creates more problems than it solves. Prioritize having adequate depth (24"+) over extra width.
Yes, especially for shorter users. A 1.5" thick solid wood desktop adds 1.5" to the minimum height. If the frame's minimum is 25", your actual work surface is at 26.5". Check whether manufacturer specs include or exclude desktop thickness.
Choose the desk with the wider range. You can always use less of the range, but you can't extend a desk beyond its limits. An adjustable chair can also help fine-tune seated ergonomics if the desk's minimum is slightly high.
Good catch—yes. Anti-fatigue mats are typically 0.5-1" thick, which effectively raises your standing height relative to the floor. If you use a mat only while standing, your ideal standing desk height is 0.5-1" lower than the floor-based calculation suggests.