How to Set Up a Standing Desk

On this page (9 sections)

1. Where should you place a standing desk?
2. How high should the desk and keyboard be?
3. How should you position the monitor?
4. How can you arrange the space under the desk?
5. Does a standing desk need a floor mat?
6. Should you add a tall chair to a standing desk?
7. How do you switch between sitting and standing?
8. What should you check after the first day?
9. What is the simplest standing desk setup?

A practical standing desk setup starts with a stable desk, a centered screen, and a keyboard positioned near elbow height. Leave enough clear floor space to shift your stance, then alternate between sitting and standing instead of holding one position for hours.

Set up the room before fine-tuning the desk. A sensible layout keeps the screen easy to see, the controls within reach, and power cords away from your feet.

Where should you place a standing desk?

Place the desk on a level floor with room to stand, move, and adjust the chair. Choose a spot where you can see the screen without facing glare and reach power without running cords across a walkway.

Check the whole work area before moving the desk into place. Make sure doors, drawers, and nearby cabinets can open, and leave space behind the desk for cables and wall plugs.

Avoid placing the monitor directly in front of a bright window. If the desk has to face one, use a shade or turn the screen to reduce reflections, then check the view at both sitting and standing heights.

Keep the floor near the desk clear. A footrest, mat, or chair base should not block a door or make you step around cords.

How high should the desk and keyboard be?

Set the work surface so your elbows stay close to your sides and your forearms are roughly level while typing. Keep your shoulders relaxed and wrists straight rather than reaching up or leaning down toward the keyboard.

Stand naturally in the shoes you usually wear at your desk. Raise or lower the desk until you can type with your hands near elbow height, then adjust the keyboard and mouse so both are easy to reach.

Put the mouse beside the keyboard on the same level. Keep it close enough that you don't need to extend your arm or lift your shoulder to use it.

If you switch between sitting and standing, save or note a comfortable height for each position. Recheck the setup after changing shoes, chair height, or the thickness of a floor mat.

How should you position the monitor?

Center your main screen in front of you and adjust it so you can read without tipping your head up or down. Start about an arm's length away, then change the distance or text size until the view feels comfortable.

The top of the screen can serve as a starting reference, but the best position depends on your screen size and vision. Keep the display low enough that you can look slightly down at the main viewing area without rounding your neck.

For two monitors, put the screen you use most directly in front of you. Place the second beside it and angle the pair inward, so frequent viewing doesn't require repeated far turns.

A laptop used for long sessions is easier to position with an external keyboard and mouse. For a two-screen layout, see our guide to the Best Office Chair For Dual Monitor Desk Setup, which also considers the space and movement a dual-screen desk needs.

How can you arrange the space under the desk?

Keep the area under the desk open enough for your feet and legs to move freely. Move bins, power strips, and unused equipment away from the front edge and from any moving desk parts.

Route cables along the desk frame or wall, leaving slack for the desk's full height range. Secure loose cords so they don't snag when the surface rises or lower onto your feet.

Stand with your feet about hip-width apart and shift your weight now and then. A small footrest or a low stable support can let you change leg positions, but it should not wobble or block your stance.

Place frequently used items within easy reach. For add-ons that support the workspace, see home office desk accessories.

Store occasional supplies farther away so the desktop stays clear for the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and a drink.

Does a standing desk need a floor mat?

A standing mat adds a cushioned surface underfoot, but it should fit the space and stay flat on the floor. Keep the mat clear of chair wheels and make sure its edges don't create a trip point.

The Ergodriven The Standing Desk Mat has a 3D surface and measures 29 x 26.25 in. Its polyurethane foam is 2.7 in thick, and care instructions call for wiping it with a damp cloth.

Check how the mat affects your stance and keyboard height. If it raises you enough to make the desk feel too low, adjust the desk rather than reaching up to type.

A mat is optional. Start with a clear floor and comfortable shoes if you don't want one, and take regular movement breaks either way.

Should you add a tall chair to a standing desk?

A tall chair can provide a perch for changing positions, provided its seat and foot support suit your height. It doesn't replace a regular chair for every seated task, so check the height range and available leg support before choosing one.

The Primy Drafting Chair Tall Office Chair has flip-up armrests, adjustable lumbar support, and an adjustable footrest ring. Its seat has a 3 in cushion, and the chair is designed for standing desks as well as sitting desks.

Primy gives the chair's dimensions as 25.2 x 25.2 x 48 in. Check the space under your desk and the chair's fit at your preferred working height before buying.

For another tall-seat option, the Brick Attic Drafting Chair with Backrest has an adjustable height, an adjustable footrest ring, and a removable backrest. Its seat height is 29.15 in, so compare that measurement with your desk and your own comfortable sitting position.

See our Best Desk Chair for Standing Desks guide for more chair options. If you need a chair specifically for a standing-height surface, compare the Best Computer Chair for Standing Desks and Best Office Chair For Standing Desk guides.

How do you switch between sitting and standing?

Change positions when you begin to feel stiff or restless, and make each change easy to repeat. There is no single schedule that fits everyone, so use reminders as a prompt to move rather than a rule to stand for a set number of hours.

Start with short standing periods if standing for long stretches feels tiring. Lower the desk and sit when you need to, and consider a brief walk or a change in stance between tasks.

Keep the chair close enough to pull in without moving the monitor or keyboard. A clear floor and reachable desk controls make switching less disruptive.

Choose accessories that solve a specific problem in your setup. Our guide to best standing desk accessories covers add-ons that can support a more usable workspace.

What should you check after the first day?

Review your setup after using it for a work session, and adjust any position that makes you reach, crane your neck, or brace your shoulders. Check both desk heights if you sit and stand, since a good standing position can still leave a seated setup awkward.

Confirm that the screen stays centered, the mouse remains close, and cords move freely across the desk's full range. Clear anything that drifts into the leg space or makes the mat and chair compete for floor room.

If you work at an angled or compact desk, compare the layout with our Best Office Chair For Corner Desk Setup guide. The chair's footprint and the desk's shape can affect how easily you reach the keyboard and turn toward the screen.

What is the simplest standing desk setup?

For a reliable standing desk setup, place the desk on level flooring, set the keyboard near elbow height, and center the screen at a comfortable viewing distance. Keep cords and storage out of the foot area, then change positions regularly.

Choose the Ergodriven mat if you want a shaped cushioned surface underfoot. Consider a Primy or Brick Attic drafting chair if you want a tall seat with foot support, and compare its height with your desk before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

Where should a standing desk be placed?

Put it on a level, stable floor with enough space to stand comfortably and move the chair out of the way. Check that the monitor won't face a bright window, cables can reach outlets without crossing a walkway, and drawers or doors can open without hitting the desk.

How high should a standing desk be?

Set the surface so your elbows stay near your sides and bend at about a right angle while your hands rest on the keyboard. The right height varies by person, shoes, and equipment, so adjust it while standing naturally and keep your wrists relaxed.

Where should a monitor sit on a standing desk?

Center the main monitor directly in front of you, about an arm's length away as a starting point. Raise or lower it so you can read without leaning your head forward or tilting it back, then adjust distance and text size for a relaxed view.

Should you use a mat with a standing desk?

A cushioned standing mat can add a softer surface underfoot, though it doesn't replace changing positions or taking breaks. Choose a mat that fits your standing area without creating a trip edge, and keep it out of the path of a rolling chair.