What Standing Desk Size do I Need?

The right size standing desk is important for maintaining sound ergonomics and ensuring a high level of practicality. Various factors such as the number of computer screens on the stand up desk or its capacity to fit into a small space need to be taken into account for the right desk size.

There’s no standard size when it comes to the best Australian standing desks. Each manufacturer creates different desktop sizes to fit different spaces and different purposes. The dimensions of the desk need to be considered separately from the ideal standing desk height as all-size desks raise and lower to the same elevation.

Key Takeaways

• Most standing desks have a length between 110 and 177cm.
• Ideal desktop width measures anywhere between 58cm and 73cm.
• At least 5cm needs to be space between the desk and surrounding walls or furniture.

What is the ideal size standing desk?

The ideal standing desk has a length of at least 110cm and a depth of at least 58cm. A sit stand desk should be a bit larger than you first estimated for proper comfort and practicality. An additional 5cm in depth matters for accessories such as monitor stands as well as for storing office supplies.

Issues if the standing desk being too narrow or too deep

A sit stand desk that isn’t fit for purpose with its size comes with a lot of issues that are more important than aesthetics.

• What you can expect with a desk surface that’s too narrow: A narrow workspace is bad for posture and the between the eyes and the monitor.
• Eye strain: The width of the tabletop dictates the distance between your eyes and the monitor. There’s an ideal distance that places the monitor at a minimum level of at least 52cm and a maximum distance of 73cm according to research. This minimum and maximum computer screen distance are important as it helps you avoid eye strain. A desktop that’s too narrow brings the monitor too close. A wider desktop might move the computer screen too far.
• No room for ergonomic typing: A very narrow desktop doesn’t support proper standing positions. You’re too close to the monitor and this puts pressure on your wrist, arms, and back when working, asides from also causing eye strain.
• Not having sufficient room for accessories: A very narrow desktop doesn’t come with the space you need for all of your office supplies. Notebooks, pencils, standing desk converters, smartphones, and other office supplies are often stored on the desktop as there’s no storage drawer under the sit stand desk as with classic desks. The correct height which supports proper elbow height, and elbows bent at 90 degrees are all characteristics of a desktop that’s sufficiently large to work in a correct angle or position.
• Multiple standing positions: A straight back with relaxed shoulders, proper room to keep feet apart, and even multiple monitors are attributes of a versatile adjustable desk that also supports multiple standing positions.
• Working at a standing desk allows almost complete freedom to work on almost any size of a desk, especially in the case of larger desktops. Having multiple working positions makes long hours of standing and sitting a bit easier on the body.

Sit stand desks that are too wide come with the following issues

There’s an upper limit when it comes to correct desktop sizing as well. Perfect standing desk height is coupled with the perfect standing desk size as you may pay extra for something that’s of no use to you.

• Unused work surface space: A larger height-adjustable standing desk costs more. It can cost a few times more than its smallest version. Unless there’s a practical reason for a larger size, the largest standing desk is not truly necessary.
• There’s no standard maximum desktop size: This being said, there’s no fixed maximum width and length with the desktop size. Desk dimensions are subject to the choice of the manufacturer when it comes to the largest options. The desk surface can measure up to 177cm in length. Still, there’s a smaller number of desks that even come with a 200cm length. Longer standing desks might only be reasonable when working with multiple monitors.

Adjustable desks that are too long face the following issues

Some of the most pressing issues of using a longer-standing desk than truly require include the following.

• Slower adjustment speeds: A longer desk is also a heavier desk. The extra weight of a standing desk may take longer to lower or elevate. If adjustment speed is of the highest importance, you can prioritize smaller or shorter adjustable desks over longer desks or fixed-standing desk alternatives. At the same time, a standing desk converter can also be an alternative to a slow-to-adjust stand up desk. This is an important consideration to make when deciding between an electric desk and a desk converter.
• Unused desk space: A large desk may be practical when needed, but it takes up too much space at home or the office. A desk that’s over 150cm in length requires more space which is often a premium at home where a dedicated workspace is often a corner standing desk.

Electric adjustable standing desks that are too short can come with the following problems

Shorter desktops have their own set of problems if you don’t match them to your work requirements.

• No stable for large monitors: A short desktop is not the most supportive solution for a multi-monitor setup. If your line of work requires multiple displays, you may benefit from investing in a larger desk that comes with a wider footprint and a more stable work surface for your computer displays and the extra weight of a larger monitor stand.
• Not suitable for 2 or more monitors: Apart from stability, a smaller up-down desk might not be as large as 2 or more combined monitors. This means co-workers can’t easily move along your desk at the office when monitors are wider than the desk itself.

Ideal desk dimensions for every type of user

Here are some of the best adjustable desk dimensions according to each type of use.

1-person adjustable desks

110cm (L) x 58cm (W) – ideal dimensions

1-person height adjustable desks need to be at least 110cm for a comfortable working space. This size supports minimum accessories such as a keyboard tray or a cable management tray or net. You can maximize a smaller adjustable desk by using 2 smaller computer displays or one larger display that can be used in different lines of work.

2 person desks

179cm (L) x 76cm (W)

A 2-person desk needs to measure at least 179cm in length and have a 76cm width. More comfortable setups can measure around 200cm. A 2-person desk needs to fit at least 2 displays. Apart from the size of the monitors, you also need to factor in a minimum space between the displays for 2 people to sit and stand comfortably.

Office stand up desk size for everyday use

134cm (L) x 73cm (W)

Going for medium-sized standing desks is recommended as a balanced choice needed for standard office work. Most people don’t need a desktop longer than 130-140cm. Furthermore, office space constraints may limit bringing in larger desks.

Home sit stand desk dimensions

134 (L) X 73cm (W)

Unless working in a small space, a home-use standing desk should have balanced sizes that aren’t too small or too large. Dimensions between 134 and 177cm (length) are ideal for one-person sit stand desks used at home.

1 monitor standing desk dimensions

110cm (L) X 58cm (W)

You can save money by choosing a smaller standing desk if you only need 1 monitor.

2 monitor setups and ideal dimensions

177cm (L) X 76cm (W)

You need a desktop that measures anywhere between 177 and 200cm for a dual monitor setup with a wider table top that has a width of at least 76cm. 2 monitor setups are ideal for 1 or 2 persons. Software engineers or architects may need to use more than 1 monitor.

3 monitor setups for standing desks

200cm (L) X 76cm (W)

A triple monitor setup requires the longest and widest standing desks. The width of these desks measures around 76cm while the length can measure up to 200cm.

Children’s standing desk sizes

76cm (L) X 60cm (W)

Ideal adjustable desk sizes for children come with a length between 76 and 106cm in length. Standard 60cm width is seen on most standing desks for children. Most adjustable desks for children have a 55cm minimum elevation point and a 106cm maximum elevation point.

Tall person standing desk height dimensions

74cm to 121cm

The maximum elevation is important for the tallest people. Maximum standard height sits around the 121cm mark for most sit stand desks.

Short person ideal standing desk height

70cm to 121cm

Minimum desk height adjustments are important for shorting people and for sitting positions.

What to consider when choosing the size of a standing desk

Buying your first electronic adjustment desk is an exciting time. Here’s what to consider in terms of sizes so that you make an inspired decision.

Room size/workspace available

What’s your available space for your new desk? This is the first characteristic to take into account with a new purchase. Make sure you measure the space for the desk with at least 5cm clearance at the back of the desk and on its sides.

The number of users

Up to 2 people can work at the same standing desk at home or the office. 2-people sit stand desks can be space-saving as opposed to having 2 one-person standing desks.

The shape of the standing desks

Regular and L-shaped standing desks can be used for work. Extra space for small printers, an additional keyboard, or even a laptop can come in the form of an L-shaped desk. To find out what the best corner standing desks are in Australia, read this comparison.

Purpose

What do you plan to use the standing desk for? Regular office work might not require too many accessories and the largest standing desks.

However, gaming, video editing, graphics design, and other creative types of work might require extra monitors, larger keyboards, dedicated speakers, a standing desk mat, or more cable management accessories.

Number of monitors

A desk for only 1 monitor can be compact while a dual monitor or a triple monitor setup needs a desktop of up to 200cm in length. Make sure you estimate the number of monitors and their size before deciding on the right desktop.

Weight

Larger table tops for 2 or 3 monitors are also heavier. Make sure the weight of the desktop is supported by the frame and motors of your standing desk if purchased separately. For more information on a standing desk weight capacity, read this article next.

Budget

The size of the sit stand desk influences its cost considerably. The larger the desktop the more you’ll have to pay for it.

Height and build of the person

Ideal desk dimensions also refer to the height adjustment range of an electronic desk. Make sure your chosen desk elevates to your height or lowers to your ideal height if you’re a shorter person.

Ergonomic/health considerations

Other considerations include adaptability for special needs such as wheelchairs which need to fit under the desk. You may also need to use a standing mat to reduce pain while standing for long hours. Make sure you estimate the extra adjustability range and desk size characteristics for your purpose.

How to maximise space on a small standing desk

A smaller standing desk might still be enough for most users. The key is to organize your workspace properly and to only use the tools and accessories you need in your line of work,

Use the right size monitor

Desktop monitors come in all shapes and sizes. Many use a laptop, a laptop, and a monitor, or only a single monitor setup. In this case, even a larger computer display is enough for a single person in most lines of work. Flat or curved monitors on a monitor arm, tilted slightly or in a straight position support ergonomic standing or sitting even on a small sit stand desk.

Consider using a keyboard tray

If you feel you’re small stand up desk is too small, you may consider adding a keyboard tray. This is a type of tray that goes under the desktop for your keyboard, practically clearing the desk’s surface and opening up more space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

A standing desk needs to be at least 100cm long and at least 73cm wide. These types of desktops are configured to allow your eyes to be at a good distance from the computer monitor. The width of the desk is important for posture as it supports your keyboard and your body’s positioning or posture. The length of the stand up desk is important for your expected number of displays. A one-person standing desk is ideal for 1-2 monitor setups. A 2-person stand up desk is ideal for 3+ displays.

Choosing the wrong standing desk is mostly about choosing one that’s either too small or too large. A smaller standing desk may not fit all of your displays (plus laptops and accessories) while a stand up desk that’s too large may be slower to adjust and it may be an unnecessary higher acquisition cost.