Kneeling chair vs office chair

How a kneeling chair is built

A kneeling chair has a seat angled forward, usually somewhere around 20 to 30 degrees from flat, and one or two padded rests for your shins below it. The frame is often a wooden or metal X shape or a rocker, and some versions have castors. Your hips sit higher than your knees, and part of your weight goes onto the shins.

Because of that shape, most kneeling chairs have no backrest and no armrests. Some newer designs add a small back support. Adjustment is usually limited to seat height, sometimes the seat angle or the distance between the seat and shin pads.

How an office task chair differs

A task chair is built around a flat or slightly sloped seat with a supportive backrest, and it adjusts to fit you: seat height, often seat depth, back angle with a tilt, lumbar support and armrests. The HSE display screen equipment guidance describes a chair that is stable and adjustable, with your forearms roughly horizontal at the keyboard and your feet flat on the floor or a footrest.

Some task chairs include a forward tilt, which angles the seat slightly forward for leaning over the desk. It gives a little of the kneeling chair's open hip angle while keeping a back and arms.

Side-by-side comparison

The table compares the two types on design features. Kneeling chair designs vary more than task chairs, so check the specific model.

How long people tend to use them

Because a kneeling chair has no back and puts weight on the shins, many users find they prefer it for shorter spells, then switch to a normal chair or stand. Makers of kneeling chairs commonly suggest building up time gradually. The HSE's general advice on display screen work is to break up long periods with changes of activity or posture, and alternating between seats fits naturally with that.

A task chair is designed to be sat in for longer, because the back, arms and tilt take some of the work of holding a posture. That is why most people treat a kneeling chair as an extra rather than their only seat.

Kneeling chair vs ball chair, and using both

A ball chair is an exercise ball in a frame with castors, sometimes with a small back. Like a kneeling chair, it has little adjustment and no armrests. It differs in that the seat moves under you and your weight stays on the seat rather than the shins. Both are best treated as occasional seats.

If you want to try a kneeling chair, keep your task chair for long sessions and set the desk to suit both. Our how to use a kneeling chair guide covers seat angle and shin pad position, and our ergonomic chairs guide covers task chairs with forward tilt and good adjustment.

See ergonomic office chairs →

Frequently asked questions

Are kneeling chairs better than office chairs? They are different rather than better. A kneeling chair changes your sitting angle; a task chair offers back support and more adjustment. Many people use both.

Can I use a kneeling chair all day? Most users switch to another seat for part of the day. Follow the maker's guidance and change position regularly.

What are the pros and cons of kneeling chairs? Pros: an open hip angle, small footprint, simple design. Cons: no back or arms on most, limited adjustment and slower to get in and out.

Does an office chair with forward tilt do the same job? It gives a similar forward seat angle while keeping back and arm support, so it suits people who want one chair.