What is the recommended desk height?
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[Last updated: September 2026]
The correct desk height does not depend solely on how tall you are.
The height of your chair, the length of your arms, the position of your keyboard and monitor, and quite simply, your own body proportions also play a role.
That is why there is no universal figure that works perfectly for everyone.
As a starting point, whether sitting or standing, look for a posture where you can work with your shoulders relaxed, elbows close to your body, and forearms approximately parallel to the floor.
From there, small adjustments of one or two centimeters can make a significant difference.
In this guide, we explain how to find the correct height for your desk, what references you can use based on your height, and how to take advantage of a height-adjustable desk to save your working positions.
What we have seen after several years of selling height-adjustable desks
There is one question we constantly receive at Tablakala:
“I am X centimeters tall. Will this desk work for me?”
That is a good question.
But after several years of selling height-adjustable desks, we have learned something important: height serves as a reference, but it does not determine the exact desk height on its own.
Two people who are 1.75 meters tall may need slightly different heights because they do not have the same arm, leg, or torso length.
That is why we use height for an approximation.
Then, we make fine adjustments using the body.
The desk should adapt to you.
Not the other way around.
1. What is the standard height of a desk?
Most fixed desks usually have a height of approximately 72 to 78 cm.
This measurement works reasonably well for a portion of the population, but it has an obvious limitation:
the desk is always the same height, but people are not.
For someone of average height, it may work correctly.
For a person who is 1.55 m tall, it may be too high.
And for someone who is 1.95 m tall, it may turn out to be too low.
The chair can correct part of that difference, but not always all of it.
This is precisely one of the main reasons why height-adjustable desks exist: they allow you to adapt the work surface to the person, instead of forcing the person to adapt to a standard height.
2. How to adjust desk height when working seated
If you work sitting down, start with the chair.
Not the desk.
Step 1: adjust the chair
Sit with your feet resting firmly on the floor.
If you cannot reach comfortably, you can use a footrest.
Your legs should remain comfortable, without the edge of the seat pressing excessively against the back of your thighs.
Step 2: relax your shoulders
Do not hunch your shoulders to reach the desk.
Let them drop naturally.
Step 3: position your arms
Keep your elbows close to your body and your forearms approximately parallel to the floor.
A common reference is an angle close to 90 degrees at the elbow, although there is no need to obsess over an exact figure.
Step 4: adjust the desk
Raise or lower the desk until you can use the keyboard and mouse without:
- raising your shoulders;
- bending your wrists excessively;
- leaning forward;
- moving your arms too far from your body.
That is your height.
Not what a chart indicates.
3. How to adjust desk height for standing work
The logic is practically the same.
Stand naturally, without trying to adopt a military posture or locking your knees.
Then:
- Relax your shoulders.
- Keep your arms by your sides.
- Bend your elbows at approximately 90 degrees.
- Adjust the tabletop until it is approximately at elbow height.
- Try that position for a few minutes.
If you have to raise your shoulders to type, lower the desk a little.
If you have to lean down or lean too heavily on the desk, raise it.
The idea is not to find a perfect figure.
It is to find your comfortable position.
4. Recommended desk height based on your stature
The following table can serve as an indicative starting point.
It should not be used as an exact formula.
| Height | Approx. height seated | Approx. height standing |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 60-64 cm | 90-96 cm |
| 160 cm | 64-68 cm | 96-102 cm |
| 170 cm | 68-72 cm | 102-108 cm |
| 180 cm | 72-76 cm | 108-114 cm |
| 190 cm | 76-80 cm | 114-120 cm |
| 200 cm | 80-84 cm | 120-126 cm |
Use these figures to get close to an initial position.
Then make small adjustments.
A centimeter up or down can be more noticeable than it seems when you spend several hours in front of the computer.
5. Monitor height also matters
The desk can be perfectly adjusted and still lead to a poor working position if the monitor is too high or too low.
As an initial reference, the top of the screen can be approximately at eye level or slightly below.
The screen should be in front of you, not permanently pushed to one side.
The distance will depend on the size of the monitor and your vision, but it should allow you to read comfortably without:
- moving your head closer;
- tilting your torso;
- straining your neck.
6. What height range do Tablakala desks have?
This is where the minimum and maximum height of the structure really starts to matter.
Not all height-adjustable desks have the same range.
Tablakala 1 Motor
The Tablakala 1 Motor model has an approximate range of:
71 to 121 cm
As a general reference, we recommend it for people roughly between:
160 and 195 cm tall
It is a good option for a standard home office, especially when you do not need to lower the surface very much.
Tablakala 2 Motors
The Tablakala 2 Motors model has a range of:
58 to 123 cm
As a general reference, we recommend it roughly for people between:
155 and 205 cm
Its greater downward range is especially interesting for shorter people.
It also uses a more robust structure, with 7x7 cm columns, 68x8 cm feet, and a load capacity of up to 125 kg.
You can check the differences between Tablakala 1 Motor and Tablakala 2 Motors here.
7. What if you are a short person?
When a shorter person looks for a desk, they usually look at the maximum height.
But they should probably look at the minimum height first.
A fixed desk of about 74 or 75 cm can still be too high even if you adjust the chair correctly.
This can end up forcing you to:
- raise the chair too much;
- lose stable support for your feet;
- raise your shoulders;
- work with your arms in an unnatural position.
In these cases, having a structure capable of going lower can make a significant difference.
Tablakala 2 Motors goes down to 58 cm, while Tablakala 1 Motor goes down to 71 cm.
For shorter people, that detail may be more important than having two motors.
It is not all about power.
The range also matters.
8. What if you are a very tall person?
For tall people, the opposite problem appears.
The desk needs to go high enough.
But there is another aspect to look at:
stability when elevated.
A structure can perform perfectly at 75 cm and wobble much more when it reaches 115 or 120 cm.
Therefore, if you are tall and will frequently work standing up, do not look only at the maximum height.
Also look at:
- weight of the structure;
- dimensions of the columns;
- size of the feet;
- frame design;
- thickness and weight of the tabletop.
In Tablakala 2 Motors, for example:
- 7x7 cm columns;
- 68x8 cm feet;
- 28 kg net structure without the tabletop;
- 3 cm thick Tablakala tabletops.
Stability does not come from writing "stable desk" on a product sheet.
It comes from the structure underneath.
If it weighs half as much, it is not magic.
Something has been removed.
9. What is the correct desk height if you use a laptop?
Here another very common problem appears.
When you work only with a laptop, the keyboard and screen are attached.
If you place the keyboard at a comfortable height for your hands, the screen is usually too low.
If you raise the laptop to position the screen correctly, the keyboard is too high.
The simplest solution is to use:
- a laptop stand;
- an external keyboard;
- an external mouse.
This way, you can adjust the screen and your hands independently.
For a home office used for many hours a day, it is very much worth it.
10. Memorize your heights and stop thinking about them
One of the most practical advantages of an electric height-adjustable desk is the memory settings.
Both Tablakala 1 Motor and Tablakala 2 Motors allow you to save four height positions.
For example:
Memory 1: sitting work.
Memory 2: standing work.
Memory 3: another person who uses the desk.
Memory 4: a specific position for video calls or any other use, such as a higher position to store the chair under the desk.
Once you have found your correct height, save it.
From there on, changing position only requires the press of a button.
It seems like a small detail.
But the easier it is to change your posture, the more likely you are to actually use the adjustable feature.
11. Frequent mistakes when adjusting desk height
Desk too high
The clearest sign is usually that you start to raise your shoulders to use the keyboard and mouse.
If that happens, try lowering it a few centimeters.
Desk too low
If you have to lean forward, round your back, or constantly lower your head, try raising the surface.
Monitor too low
This is especially common with laptops.
If you are permanently looking down, try raising the screen and using an external keyboard and mouse.
Monitor too high
It is also not advisable to constantly look up.
The top of the screen can be approximately at eye level or slightly below.
Looking for a perfect posture and staying still
This is perhaps the most important mistake.
Even a good posture ceases to be comfortable when maintained exactly the same way for many hours.
Change.
If you have a height-adjustable desk, use it.
Not to stand for eight hours.
But to not be in the exact same position for eight hours.
12. Is it better to work sitting or standing?
We would not pose the question that way.
Working sitting down is not bad by definition.
Working standing up is not automatically better either.
The problem usually lies in maintaining the same position for too long.
That is why the main advantage of a height-adjustable desk is allowing you to easily alternate between:
- sitting;
- standing;
- short breaks;
- movement.
Buying a height-adjustable desk alone will not change your life.
It is like signing up for the gym.
Signing up does not change your physical fitness.
You have to go.
The same applies to a Tablakala.
You have to use it.
Frequently asked questions about desk height
What is the standard height of a desk?
Most fixed desks are approximately 72 to 78 cm high. It is a common reference, but it does not mean it is suitable for everyone.
How high should the desk be when working seated?
It should allow you to use the keyboard and mouse with your shoulders relaxed, elbows close to your body, and forearms approximately parallel to the floor. The exact figure depends on your chair, height, and body proportions.
How high should the desk be for standing work?
A good initial reference is to place the tabletop approximately at elbow height while standing. Then make small adjustments until you find a comfortable position.
What desk height do I need if I am 180 cm tall?
As a starting point, approximately 72-76 cm sitting and 108-114 cm standing may be reasonable. These are indicative figures: the final adjustment should be made based on your actual posture.
What height do I need if I am 170 cm tall?
As an initial reference, approximately 68-72 cm sitting and 102-108 cm standing. Then it is advisable to adjust a few centimeters based on the chair, arm position, and equipment used.
Should the top of the monitor be at eye level?
As a general reference, it can be at eye level or slightly below. The important thing is to be able to look at the screen without keeping your neck constantly tilted.
Which height-adjustable desk is best for a short person?
It is advisable to pay special attention to the minimum height. Tablakala 2 Motors goes down to 58 cm, while Tablakala 1 Motor goes down to 71 cm, so the two-motor model offers more margin for shorter people.
Which height-adjustable desk is best for a tall person?
In addition to checking the maximum height, it is advisable to look at the stability of the structure when elevated. Tablakala 2 Motors reaches 123 cm and uses a more robust structure, which is why it is usually our recommendation for especially tall people.
The correct height does not come from a formula
Charts are for starting out.
But your body has the final say.
Adjust the chair first.
Then the desk.
Then the screen.
Look for relaxed shoulders, comfortable arms, and a position where you do not have to adapt your body to the furniture.
And change your posture throughout the day.
In our collection of standing desks, you can compare the height ranges of the Tablakala 1 Motor and Tablakala 2 Motors.
The desk should adapt to you.
Not the other way around.
