A standing desk is one of the most effective tools you can use to increase the amount of movement you do in a day. By alternating between sitting and standing, you constantly engage your muscles, keep blood and oxygen flowing through your body, and maintain proper posture. On the long term, this can help prevent the development of critical illnesses such as heart problems, blood pressure-related risks, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The key is to use the standing desk properly. And the first thing to ensure is the right height. So, how high should a standing desk be?

Standing Desk Height: What It Means

Before we answer the main question above, let us look at what height means when it comes to standing desks. Most sit-stand desks today are electric in nature. Meaning, they are operated by a motor, the device that controls their movement. All you have to do is to press a button in a keypad, and then the electric standing desk will move up or down.

When it comes to standing desk height, you have your sitting height and your standing height. The sitting height will be the desk’s default height, the height it will assume while you are seated (similar to a traditional fixed desk). Now, when it comes to the height we are talking about in this post, that will be the desk’s standing height—the height it will assume when you are standing while working. This is the height we need to identify to answer the question “how high should a standing desk be?”

Setting the Height of a Standing Desk

It’s important to note that the answer to the question above is not a fixed number. The height of the standing desk will depend on the height of its user. So, how do you arrive at that height? The main reference is your elbow.

The right standing desk height is elbow height. What does this mean? Well, a standing desk that is set in a correct height will be positioned such that when you place your hands and wrists on the desk, your elbow is bent in a perpendicular angle (90-degree angle). The height of the standing desk should be the height of your elbow, or a little lower.

Standing Desk Height Adjustment

Once you’ve found the answer to the question “how high should a standing desk be,” the next thing to do would be to set the height for your desk. This is easy thanks to the memory keypad that modern electric standing desks are equipped with. The memory keypad will allow you to save up to 4 preset heights in the desk so that you won’t have to keep setting and resetting it every time you use it. All you have to do is press one button, and your desk is activated to move to your saved height—that easy!

When shopping for a standing desk, make sure to pay attention to the desk’s height range. Some desks are designed for taller users, while others are engineered for shorter users. You’d want a desk that will match your specific height. Even better, find one with a wider height range, a desk that can cater to different types of users.

The MotionGrey Standing Desk

If you’re looking for the right standing desk, check our Motion Series standing desk. It’s a dual-motor desk with a height range of 23.6” to 49”. It will match both shorter and taller users, and setting the height is easy and can be done in a few seconds.

Check the features of the desk and see whether it’s something that will match you and your space.

About Us

MotionGrey is a Canadian standing desk company that specializes in ergonomic furniture. We supply and install only the best quality standing desks and ergonomic chairs in the country. We offer free shipping within Canada and the US.

What made you switch to standing desks? Our products are designed with wellness as the focal point. From our electric standing desks to our office and gaming chairs, we deliver best value by putting your health, safety, and comfort as top priority. Boost your creativity and level up work performance. We want you to create great outcomes so we’re providing you only the best tools to make them possible.

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, check out our Refund Policy.