July 8, 2025, 12:27 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
If you suffer from tension and pain in the neck and back area, your dining or desk table might be to blame. If the table is at the wrong height, it can affect your posture. To determine the ideal table height, you should consider your own height and the type of table.
Many people spend a large part of their day sitting at a desk. Prolonged sitting can lead to posture problems and back pain, making breaks important. It becomes particularly critical when sitting not only for long periods but also incorrectly. This is especially true if the desk is too high or too low. myHOMEBOOK explains how to determine the optimal desk height.
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Determining Desk Height–What Matters
When choosing the right desk based on height, there are several factors to consider. The optimal desk height depends partly on the type of desk. Whether it’s a writing desk, dining table, or standing desk, the height requirements vary.
In addition to the desk’s function, body height is also important. You should consider the height of the person who will use the desk most. For a dining table, however, you should aim for an average height to accommodate various users.
Finally, the seat height should be considered. The distance between the seat of the chair and the tabletop should be large enough to sit comfortably. The knees should not hit the table. Ideally, the distance is between 27 and 32 centimeters. To calculate the optimal seat height, divide the body height by 3.72. For a height of 170 centimeters, the ideal chair would be about 45.7 centimeters high.
Writing Desk
Body height is most important when calculating the optimal desk height for a writing desk. Generally, the forearms should rest on the tabletop at a right angle while sitting. Depending on body height, you should choose a desk of different heights. Rough guidelines are as follows:
- Body height up to 160 cm: 65 cm desk height
- Body height 160–170 cm: 70 cm desk height
- Body height 170–180 cm: 75 cm desk height
- Body height over 180 cm: 80 cm desk height
For even more precision, you can calculate the ideal desk height by dividing the body height by 2.48.
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Dining Table
The values recommended for a writing desk also apply to a dining table. However, it’s important to note that more than one person uses the table. Quite the opposite: The dining table is the place in the house where the family gathers and guests are entertained. Therefore, you should not rely on just one body height but choose an average.
Most dining tables are typically 75 centimeters high. This standard height ensures that people of different heights can sit comfortably at the table.
Standing Desk
Many desks today are height-adjustable, allowing them to be converted into a standing desk at the push of a button. Here, too, the user’s body height is crucial. You should raise the desk so that the forearms can rest comfortably at a right angle on the tabletop.
Coffee Table
For a coffee table, health is less of a concern than the aesthetics and appearance of the living room. Generally, you should choose a table that is just below the height of the sofa. Typically, the height ranges between 30 and 50 centimeters. A coffee table that is too high quickly looks disproportionate and disrupts the overall harmony.