By the StandUpDesk.co.uk — UK Electric Standing Desk Reviews & Guides Team · Updated May 2026 · Independent, reader-supported

What Height Should an Electric Standing Desk Be? UK Sizing Guide by Height

Getting the desk height right is one of the most overlooked details when buying an electric standing desk, yet it's fundamental to comfort and whether you'll actually use it. A desk that forces your wrists into an angle or leaves your monitor at eye level only when you're craning your neck becomes a desk you avoid. The good news: there's a straightforward method to find your ideal height.

Why Desk Height Actually Matters

When sitting, your elbows should rest at roughly 90 degrees, with your forearms parallel to the floor and wrists neutral. The same applies when standing. If the desk is too high, you'll lift your shoulders and create tension in your neck and upper back. Too low, and you'll bend forward, straining your lower back. Over months, these small awkward angles compound into real discomfort.

Switching between sitting and standing also means you need a desk with the right range. Most electric standing desks in the UK sit at 65–75cm when lowered (seated position) and extend to 110–130cm or higher. You need to check both ends of that range work for your body.

How to Measure Your Ideal Height

The measurement that matters is your elbow height when standing naturally with your arms at your sides.

1. Stand barefoot against a wall
2. Bend your elbows at 90 degrees, keeping your arms relaxed at your sides
3. Measure from the floor to the inside of your elbow crease
4. This is your ideal standing desk height

For the seated position, measure from the back of your knees to your elbow using the same 90-degree rule. Most people find this is roughly 8–10cm lower than their standing measurement.

Note: these measurements assume a standard chair height (40–45cm). If you use a specialist gaming or office chair, verify its exact seat height from the manufacturer.

Height Guide by Your Height

Use your own measurements as the primary guide, but here's a reference table to orient yourself. These are approximate ranges accounting for natural variation in torso-to-leg ratio:

| Your Height | Seated Desk Height | Standing Desk Height | |---|---|---| | 155–160cm (5'1"–5'3") | 63–66cm | 67–73cm | | 160–170cm (5'3"–5'7") | 66–71cm | 73–82cm | | 170–180cm (5'7"–5'11") | 71–76cm | 82–92cm | | 180–190cm (5'11"–6'3") | 76–81cm | 92–105cm | | 190cm+ (6'3"+) | 81–86cm | 105–120cm+ |

These figures assume standard arm length proportions. If you have particularly long arms relative to your height, add 2–3cm to the standing range. Short arms, subtract 2–3cm.

What "Height Range" to Buy

When shopping, you'll see specs like "62cm–128cm" or "65cm–130cm" for standing desks. Your measurements should sit comfortably within that range, not at the edges.

If you're 165cm tall with a standing elbow height of 78cm, a desk that only goes up to 110cm is fine—you'll have plenty of room. But a desk that only reaches 100cm will feel low, and one that only lowers to 70cm will force your chair frustratingly high when you sit.

For most people in the UK:

• 5'3" or shorter: verify the minimum height sits at 63cm or below; maximum should be 110cm+
• 5'4"–5'10": a standard 62–128cm or 65–130cm range covers most needs
• 5'11" or taller: check the maximum height reaches at least 110cm, ideally 120cm+
• 6'2" or taller: look for desks rated to 120cm–130cm minimum

Many entry-level desks max out at 110–115cm. If you're tall, this can feel cramped when standing. It's worth paying extra for a full 125–130cm range.

Common Mistakes

Too-low seated position: Many people set the seated height to where it feels comfortable initially, which often means too low. Resist the temptation. Spend a week at the correct 90-degree angle—your posture will improve even if it feels weird at first.

Monitor placement: Your screen should be at eye level when standing. A desk at the right height won't help if your monitor is too high or too low. Use a monitor arm or stand to adjust independently of desk height.

Assuming standard proportions: Everyone's different. A 180cm person with short legs and a long torso may have different measurements than another 180cm person built the opposite way. Always measure yourself rather than assuming the table applies perfectly.

Buying without a range check: Some desks have very narrow adjustment ranges (10–15cm). If your seated and standing measurements are more than 15cm apart—which is common—you'll need a desk with wider range.

Moving Forward

Once you've established your measurements, you'll notice most quality electric standing desks in the UK cluster around similar height ranges. The variation then becomes secondary features: motor noise, memory presets, desktop size, and price.

For detailed reviews of specific models suited to taller users, check our guide to tall-person standing desks. For a complete overview of what makes a standing desk worth buying, read our pillar article on choosing the right electric standing desk.

Start with your elbow height. Everything else follows from there.