# Standing desk sizes: widths and depths explained Source: https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/standing-desk-dimensions Published: 2026-10-12 Publisher: Chair and Posture **In short:** Standing desktops usually come in widths of 100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 cm, and depths of 60, 70 or 80 cm. A 120 by 60 cm desk suits a laptop or one monitor. For two monitors, 140 to 160 cm wide and 70 to 80 cm deep is more comfortable. Height ranges of about 60 to 125 cm cover most adults. Allow clearance around the desk for movement. Choosing a standing desk size is about more than the space in your room. Width decides how many screens and how much paperwork fit; depth decides how far the screens sit from your eyes; and the height range decides whether the desk fits you at all. This explainer sets out common sizes in cm, what each suits, and the clearance a moving desk needs. For height alone, see our [height chart](https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/standing-desk-height-chart). ## Common widths and depths Most electric desks and desktops follow similar sizes, though some brands use 110 or 150 cm widths. | Size (W x D) | Suits | | --- | --- | | 100 x 60 cm | Laptop, small rooms | | 120 x 60 cm | Laptop plus one monitor | | 140 x 70 cm | One large or two smaller monitors | | 160 x 80 cm | Two monitors and paperwork | | 180 x 80 cm | Two or three monitors, PC on desk | | L-shaped | Corner rooms, multiple work areas | Common standing desk sizes and what they suit ## 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](https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-small-standing-desks) 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](https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/standing-desk-wobble) 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](https://chairandposture.co.uk/tools/desk-height-fit) 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](https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/how-to-build-a-standing-desk) 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](https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-corner-standing-desks) compares them. If you have space for a 160 or 180 cm desk, our [electric standing desks guide](https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-electric-standing-desks) lists models in those sizes. [Compare electric standing desks](https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-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. ## Buying guides on this topic - https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-electric-standing-desks - https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-small-standing-desks - https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-corner-standing-desks ## Sources - [HSE: Working safely with display screen equipment](https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/)