What is the Standard Office Chair Height?

August 30th, 2021 | Office Furniture Blog

We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of having an ergonomic chair and how it helps professionals maintain proper posture, especially during long work hours. These high-quality chairs are an excellent investment not just in terms of aesthetics but also comfort and efficiency. If you’re already shopping for a new chair, learning the basics, like knowing the standard office chair height, will come in handy to help you make the right choice.

In North America, the standard desk height is 29 inches, however there is no real standard desk chair height.  Non-adjustable desk chairs’ height varies by manufacturer, so it’s very important that if you decide to go with a non-ergonomic office chair, that you know for sure it’s the right fit. Most desk chairs however, are adjustable and support a range of heights based on your physical requirements. While it is possible to find seats that can adjust to as low as 14.5 inches and upwards of 21 inches, standard supported heights are between 16 and 21 inches.

What Makes an Ideal Office Chair?

It all boils down to comfort. From an ergonomic standpoint, your office chair should be able to minimize the adverse effects of sitting for long periods. In addition, you shouldn’t feel a strain on your neck, shoulder, thighs, and arms as you work.

You know you’ve got the ideal office chair if your feet are effortlessly touching the floor and your knees are bent 90 degrees. Your shoulders should be relaxed. Your forearms should be at the same height as your desk, with elbows angled at 90-110 degrees.

This would be difficult to assess if you’re doing your shopping online. For this reason, we at Arenson Office Furniture encourage customers to visit our showroom so they can test our products.

One way to know if you have the right office chair height is by actually sitting on it. First, adjust the height lever until your feet touch the floor. There should be a 1-2 inches gap between the seat edge and your inner thighs. If you prefer to examine the chair standing up, adjust the seat until it is aligned just below your knee cap.

Here’s a quick chart to help you find the best office chair based on your height.

 

Your Height (feet)	Ideal Chair Height (inches)	Your Height (cm)	Ideal Chair Height (cm)
4’11”	15.9 inches	149 cm	40.2 cm
5’0″	16.2 inches	151.5 cm	40.9 cm
5’1″	16.4 inches	154 cm	41.5 cm
5’2″	16.7 inches	156.5 cm	42.2 cm
5’3″	17 inches	159 cm	42.9 cm
5’4″	17.2 inches	161.5 cm	43.6 cm
5’5″	17.5 inches	164 cm	44.2 cm
5’6″	17.8 inches	166.5 cm	44.9 cm
5’7″	18 inches	169 cm	45.6 cm
5’8″	18.3 inches	171.5 cm	46.3 cm
5’9″	18.6 inches	174 cm	46.9 cm
5’10”	18.9 inches	176.5 cm	47.6 cm
5’11”	19.1 inches	179 cm	48.3 cm
6’0″	19.4 inches	181.5 cm	49 cm
6’1″	19.7 inches	184 cm	49.6 cm
6’2″	19.9 inches	186.5 cm	50.3 cm
6’3″	20.2 inches	189 cm	51 cm
6’4″	20.5 inches	191.5 cm	51.7 cm
6’5″	20.7 inches	194 cm	52.3 cm
6’6″	21 inches	196.5 cm	53 cm
6’7″	21.3 inches	199 cm	53.7 cm
6’8″	21.6 inches	201.5 cm	54.4 cm

 

Accessories to Help You Achieve the Perfect Office Chair

 

Height Adjustable Desks

Many workplaces are adapting the use of height-adjustable desks. This desk type helps reduce the time you spend sitting and lowers potential health risks. Adjustable desks also allow you to raise and lower your monitor and keyboard to a comfortable height.

Keyboard Tray

Keyboard trays make it convenient to access your keyboard without adjusting your chair or desk.

Monitor Arm

A monitor arm is a desk attachment that allows you to make adjustments to your monitor as needed. It also helps keep your chair at the right desk chair height.

Footrest

A footrest keeps your feet at a comfortable height for your body. This accessory also allows you to solve any desk-chair height problem you may have.

Takeaway

For an ergonomic workplace, your office chair is at the right height. Sitting for extended periods can lead to one-sided lower-back strain, irritating pain, and poor concentration. Use highly adjustable office chairs, and align your desk, monitor, keyboard, and mouse with your body for better comfort and healthy sitting posture.