Chair Height Setting Calculator

Work out chair height setting instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Chair Height Setting Calculator

Seat height should equal popliteal height plus heel thickness so the feet rest flat with the thighs horizontal. Where the desk is fixed and too high, the seat must rise to bring the elbows level with the desk, roughly 24 cm above the seat, and a footrest of the difference is then essential to avoid pressure behind the knees.

Formulas

Ideal seat height

Seat = popliteal height + heel height

Desk driven height

Seat = desk height - 24 cm; footrest = the difference between the two

Worked example

With the default values below, Chair Height Setting Calculator returns Recommended seat height of 50.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Popliteal height, floor to underside of the kneeaccepts 30–60 cm: 43 cm
Shoe heel heightaccepts 0–12 cm: 3 cm
Desk heightaccepts 55–120 cm: 74 cm

Results

Recommended seat height: 50.0 cm
Clearance from seat to desk: 24.0 cm
Footrest height needed: 4.0 cm
Seated elbow height above the floor: 74.0 cm

Step by step

1Values used
2Ideal seat height
3Desk driven height
4Recommended seat height= 50.0 cm
5Clearance from seat to desk= 24.0 cm
6Footrest height needed= 4.0 cm
7Seated elbow height above the floor= 74.0 cm

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Preliminary estimate only. Workstation set-up should be assessed individually under the display screen equipment regulations.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Preliminary estimate only. Workstation set-up should be assessed individually under the display screen equipment regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Chair Height Setting figure worked out?

Seat = popliteal height + heel height. Seat height should equal popliteal height plus heel thickness so the feet rest flat with the thighs horizontal.

Why is a footrest not just optional comfort?

Dangling feet transfer body weight to the underside of the thigh, compressing blood vessels behind the knee. It causes numbness and, over time, contributes to circulatory problems.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 3 inputs: Popliteal height, floor to underside of the knee, Shoe heel height, Desk height. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.