Great Postures
Resting elbow height is the height a desk should be for healthy keyboarding when seated or standing, which can vary greatly between individuals. Ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks help to accommodate the widest range of users.
Seated Height Guidelines
A well-designed, ergonomically advanced chair that allows a full range of healthy postures throughout the day and can contribute to worker wellness and productivity.
- Adjust the height of your chair as best as possible to accommodate your resting elbow height
- Neck is straight and head is evenly balanced
- Shoulders are relaxed so arms hang naturally and close to your body
- Top of monitor is at eye level or slightly lower and directly in front, so head is not turned
- Monitor screen should be at least an arm's length away
- Back has full contact with the backrest (sit all the way back in your chair)
- Elbows and forearms rest comfortably on the arms of your chair, or on worksurface, without bearing weight
- Forearms are parallel to the floor when keying or mousing
- Wrists should be straight when keying or mousing, not bent up or down
- Lower back fits into curved lumbar support
- Chair tension is adjusted so backrest reclines easily, yet provides smooth, even support, and encourages postural change
- Thighs are parallel to the floor
- Feet are flat on the floor
Standing Height Guidelines
Height-adjustable desks, when combined with monitor arms, allow a full range of healthy postures throughout the day and can contribute to worker wellbeing and productivity
- Adjust the height of your desk to accommodate your resting elbow height
- Neck is straight and head is evenly balanced
- Shoulders are relaxed so arms hang naturally and close to your body
- Top of monitor is at eye level or slightly lower and directly in front, so head is not turned
- Monitor should be at least an arm's length away
- Elbows and forearms are parallel to the floor when keying or mousing and should rest comfortably on the worksurface, without bearing weight
- Wrists should be straight when keying or mousing, not bent up or down
- Avoid locking knees to help maintain good posture
- Feet are flat on the floor