Standing desk sizes: widths and depths explained

Common widths and depths

Most electric desks and desktops follow similar sizes, though some brands use 110 or 150 cm widths.

Depth: the overlooked figure

Depth sets how far your screen can sit from your eyes and whether you have room for a keyboard, mouse and notes in front of it. The HSE suggests the screen at a comfortable distance, often about arm's length. On a 60 cm deep desk with a monitor on its stand, the screen often ends up closer than that. A monitor arm helps by pushing the screen to the back edge.

Narrow-depth desks of 50 to 60 cm suit alcoves and small rooms. Our small standing desks guide covers these.

Width and frame fit

Frames adjust in width to fit a range of tops. A frame's stated top range might be 100 to 180 cm wide and 60 to 80 cm deep. Check this if you plan to fit your own top. Wider tops on a frame near its limit can sag or wobble more; our wobble guide covers why.

Remember that the feet usually stick out further than the top at the sides or front, so check the frame's foot length and width too.

Height range

Height ranges vary by frame. Two-stage legs often give about 70 to 120 cm. Three-stage legs often give about 60 to 125 cm or more. The range must cover your seated elbow height and your standing elbow height in shoes. Use our desk height tool to check.

Clearance around a moving desk

A sit-stand desk needs space to move. Check what sits above and below it at every height.

• Window sills and shelves above the highest position
• Radiators and sockets behind, with a few centimetres gap
• Drawer units and chair arms below the lowest position
• Room behind the desk for your chair, typically about 90 cm or more
• Cable slack for the full height range

Measuring your room and your setup

Before choosing a size, mark the desk outline on the floor with masking tape and live with it for a day. Sit where the chair will go and check you can walk past. Then lay out your monitors, keyboard, laptop and any paperwork on a table and measure the width and depth they actually take up.

Allow a little extra width for things that tend to gather on a desk: a lamp, a phone stand, a notebook and a mug. If you use a drawing tablet or a second keyboard, add those too. It is easier to live with a desk 20 cm wider than you need than one 20 cm too narrow, as long as the room allows it.

Desktop thickness and materials

Most supplied tops are 18 to 25 mm chipboard with a laminate or melamine finish. Wider tops benefit from being thicker, as a 180 cm top supported only by two legs can sag in the middle over time. Bamboo and solid wood tops look good but add weight, which counts toward the frame's load rating.

If you supply your own top, check the frame's stated minimum thickness and the screw positions. Our build guide covers fitting a top to a frame.

Corner and L-shaped desks

L-shaped desks combine two tops, often 140 to 180 cm on the long side and 100 to 120 cm on the return. They need a larger floor area and usually three legs and motors. Our corner standing desks guide compares them.

If you have space for a 160 or 180 cm desk, our electric standing desks guide lists models in those sizes.

Compare electric standing desks →

Frequently asked questions

What size standing desk do I need for two monitors? Usually 140 to 160 cm wide and at least 70 cm deep. Monitor arms make a narrower desk work.

What is the standard standing desk width? Common widths are 120, 140 and 160 cm, with 100 and 180 cm also widely sold.

Is 60 cm deep enough? For a laptop or one monitor, often yes. For larger screens, 70 to 80 cm is more comfortable.

How much room does a standing desk need? The desk footprint plus space behind for your chair and clearance above and below for movement.