Workstation Height Calculator

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

About Workstation Height Calculator

Work surface height is set relative to elbow height, not to a standard dimension. Precision work sits 5 to 15 cm above the elbow so the eyes are close enough without stooping; light assembly sits just below; heavy work sits 15 to 40 cm below so the arms can use body weight. The surface is then dropped by the height of the workpiece so the working point lands correctly.

Formula

Surface height

Surface = elbow height + task adjustment - workpiece height

task adjustment: +10 cm precision, -5 cm light, -20 cm heavy

Worked example

With the default values below, Workstation Height Calculator returns Recommended work surface height of 90.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Standing elbow heightaccepts 60–140 cm: 105 cm
Task typeone of Precision work — above elbow height, Light assembly — just below elbow, Heavy work — well below elbow: Light assembly — just below elbow
Height of the workpieceminimum 0 cm: 10 cm

Results

Recommended work surface height: 90.0 cm
Adjustment from elbow height: -5.0 cm
Acceptable range, lower bound: 85.0 cm
Acceptable range, upper bound: 95.0 cm

Step by step

1Values used
2Surface height
3Recommended work surface height= 90.0 cm
4Adjustment from elbow height= -5.0 cm
5Acceptable range, lower bound= 85.0 cm
6Acceptable range, upper bound= 95.0 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 design should be assessed by a competent ergonomist against anthropometric data for the actual user population.

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 design should be assessed by a competent ergonomist against anthropometric data for the actual user population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Workstation Height figure worked out?

Surface = elbow height + task adjustment - workpiece height. Work surface height is set relative to elbow height, not to a standard dimension.

What if several people share the bench?

Set it for the tallest and provide platforms for shorter workers, or use an adjustable bench. Setting it for the average leaves everyone uncomfortable.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 3 inputs: Standing elbow height, Task type, Height of the workpiece. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.