The Tall Person’s Home Office Setup Guide
Heads up: this post has affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Product | Best For | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Desktronic HomePro | Tall standing desk (51.2″ max) | Check Price |
| Ergotron LX Tall Pole | Monitor high enough for your eyes | Check Price |
| Steelcase Series 1 | Chair with a deep, adjustable seat | Check Price |
| Monitor Riser Stand | Cheap screen height fix | Check Price |
| Laptop Stand | Laptop at eye level | Check Price |
| Desk Leg Risers | Raising a fixed desk | Check Price |
My top pick: Desktronic HomePro. For really tall people, the desk is the piece that breaks most setups. This one goes high enough that you stop compromising everywhere else.
Standard office furniture is designed for people around 5’9″. If you’re 6’3″, every single piece is a little wrong, and “a little wrong” times eight hours a day adds up to a stiff neck, a sore lower back and knees that bang the underside of the desk every time you stand up.
Fix it in this order. Desk first, then chair, then screen.
1. Get a desk that goes high enough
Sitting, your desk should be at elbow height with your feet flat. For tall people that’s often higher than a standard 29 to 30 inch desk. Standing, it might need to be 47 inches or more. An adjustable desk solves both, and here are the best standing desks for tall people, with a height chart.
Stuck with a fixed desk? A set of desk leg risers can lift it a couple of inches. Cheap, and it fixes the knee-bang problem.
2. Pick a chair with a deep seat
Tall people need seat depth. If the seat is too short, your thighs hang unsupported and you slide forward. Look for a chair with seat depth adjustment and a high backrest, like the Steelcase Series 1. If you’re tall and broad, see big and tall office chairs.
3. Raise the screen (higher than you think)
This is the one tall people get wrong most. The top of the monitor should be at or just below eye level, and tall eyes are high. A regular monitor stand rarely gets there. A monitor arm with a tall pole does. On a budget, a monitor riser gets you a few inches. On a laptop? A tall laptop stand plus a separate keyboard is non-negotiable.
4. Spread out your hands
Long arms and broad shoulders like a wider stance. A split keyboard and a big mouse help more than you’d expect. Here’s my list of ergonomic gear for big hands.
FAQ
What desk height do I need if I’m tall?
Sitting, your desk should be at elbow height with your feet flat. Standing, people around 6’4″ usually need about 45 to 47 inches. Measure your own elbow height to be sure.
How do I stop my knees hitting my desk?
Raise the desk with leg risers or switch to an adjustable desk, and lower your chair a bit if your feet aren’t flat.
Why does my neck hurt even with a good chair?
Your monitor is probably too low. Raise it so the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level.
Do tall people need a special chair?
They need a chair with enough seat depth and a high backrest. Many standard chairs are too shallow for long thighs.
