DDimensions.
Step-by-step guide

Planning an Office Desk Space

A comfortable single-person workstation is built from three things: a desk, a chair, and the clearance behind the chair to get in and out of it. This guide sizes each one in turn, then combines them into a full desk space.

1

Start with the desk

A fixed-height desk is set to suit an average-height adult, typically 711–762 mm (28–30 in) off the floor — sit-stand desks adjust well beyond that range. On plan, the work surface needs to be wide enough for a keyboard and monitor(s), and deep enough to keep the screen at a comfortable viewing distance without crowding the front edge.

View desk height reference →View desk width & depth reference →
1220–1524 mm / 48–60 in wide610–762 mm / 24–30 in deep
Standard fixed heightRange
711–762 mm28–30 in
Sit-stand adjustable rangeRange
660–1270 mm26–50 in
Width (typical single desk)Range
1220–1524 mm48–60 in
Width (overall range)Range
1067–2032 mm42–80 in
Depth (front to back)Range
610–762 mm24–30 in
2

Add the chair

Seat height should let the feet rest flat on the floor with the knees near a right angle, while keeping the forearms level with the desk surface — an adjustable range of 406–533 mm (16–21 in) covers most adults. On plan, a task chair with armrests occupies roughly 580–710 mm wide by 560–610 mm deep (23–28 × 22–24 in) while pulled in and in use.

View chair seat height reference →View chair footprint reference →
580–710 mm / 23–28 in wide560–610 mm / 22–24 in deep
Adjustable rangeRange
406–533 mm16–21 in
Width (across arms)Range
580–710 mm23–28 in
Depth (seat to backrest)Range
560–610 mm22–24 in
3

Combine into a full desk space

The desk and chair alone aren’t enough — a comfortable workstation also needs room behind the chair to push back, stand up, and (if that space doubles as a walkway) let someone pass. That clearance is measured from the back of the chair, pushed fully in, to the nearest wall, cabinet, or obstruction, and is added to the desk depth to get the total front-to-back footprint.

DESKCHAIRCLEARANCE ZONEDesk depth610–762 mm / 24–30 inClearance915–1220+ mm / 36–48+ inTotal depth1525–1980+ mm / 60–78+ in
Minimum (roll back & stand only)Minimum
760 mm30 in
Recommended (comfortable rollback)Recommended
915–1065 mm36–42 in
With walk-through behind the chairRange
1220–1525 mm48–60 in
Total workstation depth (desk + clearance)Range
1525–1980 mm60–78 in
  • Measured from the back of the chair, pushed fully in, to the nearest wall, cabinet, or other obstruction.
  • Add this clearance to the desk depth (610–762 mm / 24–30 in) to find the total front-to-back footprint of a single workstation.
  • Increase toward the higher end for reclining or larger-format task chairs, or where the space behind the chair also serves as a shared corridor.

Putting it together

Desk depth (610–762 mm / 24–30 in) + chair clearance (915–1220+ mm / 36–48+ in) = total workstation depth of about 1525–1980 mm (60–78 in). Plan for the higher end of every range if the space behind the chair also serves as a shared walkway, or if the chair reclines.

View the full clearance reference →

All office desk space dimensions

711–762 mm
28–30 in

Standard Desk Height

Ergonomics

Fixed-height work surface for seated desk work, matched to an average-height adult.

deskofficeergonomics
1220–1524 mm
48–60 in

Standard Office Desk Size (Width × Depth)

Ergonomics

Typical plan dimensions of a single-person office desk or workstation surface.

deskofficeworkstation
406–533 mm
16–21 in

Office Chair Seat Height

Ergonomics

Adjustable seat height range for a task chair, measured floor to seat surface.

chairofficeergonomics
580–710 mm
23–28 in

Office Chair Footprint (Width × Depth)

Ergonomics

Plan footprint of a task chair — including armrests and casters — while seated at the desk.

chairofficefootprint
760 mm
30 in

Office Desk & Chair Clearance (Space Behind the Chair)

Ergonomics

Clear floor space required behind a desk chair to roll back, stand up comfortably, and — if needed — let someone pass.

chairdeskoffice