Medically reviewed by M. Thurairaj, Registered physiotherapist. · Last reviewed June 2026.
Why standard setups do not fit everyone
A fixed-height desk and a one-size chair suit an average build, but if you are taller you may end up hunching down to a low screen and desk, and if you are shorter you may perch with your feet dangling and reach up to the desk. Both leave you working in awkward positions that load the neck, shoulders, back and arms over a long day. The fix is adapting the setup to your height.
Adapting for your height
The principles are the same for everyone: screen near eye level, back supported, forearms roughly level when typing, and feet flat with thighs supported. If you are taller, you may need to raise the screen and desk or chair higher so you are not looking and reaching down. If you are shorter, lower the chair or raise the desk, and use a footrest so your feet are supported rather than dangling. Adjust each element to your body.
Cheap fixes and the bigger picture
You do not need expensive furniture; books or a stand to raise a screen, a cushion for support, and a box as a footrest can adapt most setups cheaply. As always, no setup removes the need to move regularly and take breaks. If your height leaves you with persistent neck, shoulder or back tension at a desk, a massage can ease it, and we can suggest practical tweaks suited to your body and space.
Key takeaways
- Standard desks suit an average height, not everyone
- The same principles apply; how you achieve them differs
- Taller: raise the screen and desk; shorter: lower chair, add a footrest
- Cheap fixes work; movement and massage still help
Frequently asked questions
Why is my desk uncomfortable if I am tall or short?
Standard desks and chairs suit an average height, so taller people hunch down and shorter people perch and reach up. Adapting the screen, chair and desk heights to your body fixes this.
What should a shorter person do at a too-high desk?
Lower the chair or raise the desk so your forearms are level, and use a footrest so your feet are supported rather than dangling. A box works fine as a footrest.