Standard Desk Height and Dimensions

A standard desk is 29–30 in (74–76 cm) tall, 24–30 in (60–76 cm) deep and 48–60 in (120–150 cm) wide. That height was set for an average adult on an adjustable chair, but it is really a compromise: the right desk for you is about 39% of your own height. The tables below give the standard sizes and the height that fits your body. To make one at your height, see how to build a desk.

Standard desk dimensions

A writing desk without a computer can be smaller: 36–48 in wide and 20–24 in deep. An L-shaped desk is usually two 24 in deep tops, 48–60 in long on each side.

Desk height for your height

When you sit with your feet flat and your shoulders relaxed, your forearms should rest level on the desk, with your elbows at about 90°. That puts the top of a sitting desk at roughly 39% of your height, and a standing desk at about 61%.

These are starting points, measured with shoes on. If you type a lot, go 1/2–1 in lower; if you mostly write or draw, a little higher is fine. If you share a desk or cannot build it to your size, keep the standard 29–30 in and adjust the chair, then add a footrest so your feet stay flat.

Desk depth

Depth decides how far the screen sits from your eyes. With a keyboard in front, a 24 in (60 cm) desk puts a monitor about 20 in away, which is close for anything larger than 24 in. A 30 in (75 cm) deep desk gives 26–28 in, the usual comfortable distance. Corner desks and L-shaped desks gain depth in the corner, which is why they suit large or multiple screens.

Legroom, drawers and aprons

The space under the desk matters as much as the top. Keep at least 25 in (64 cm) of clear height under any drawer, rail or apron: a drawer under the top often steals that legroom on a 29 in desk. Put drawers in a pedestal at one side instead, 15–18 in (38–46 cm) wide. A pedestal of drawers on each side needs a desk about 60 in (150 cm) wide to leave 24 in for your knees.

L-shaped desk dimensions

Keep the return shallower than the main top: the inside corner then stays within reach, and the desk does not eat the room.

Building a desk to your size

A home-built desk does not have to be 30 in tall. Measure yourself in your chair, take the height from the table above and build to it. Our desk plan recalculates every panel when you type a new width, depth or height, from 65 to 80 cm (25 1/2 to 31 1/2 in):

A desk top sags over the years like a shelf. Once the span between the legs or pedestals passes about 30 in (75 cm), give a 3/4 in (18–19 mm) top a rail or a modesty panel under the back edge, or use 1 in (25 mm) board. You can check your span with the same calculator we use for shelves: