Match Your Desk Height and Footrest to the VDT Guideline

These are the standards in the Ministry of Employment and Labor's VDT work management guideline, and an adjustable desk should be fitted to your body and then locked in place.

The guideline is written for workers who use video display terminals at a workplace. It is not a legal standard that applies directly to your home or personal workspace, so read it as a reference when you choose a desk and footrest. Chair specifications are covered in the chair checklist, and screen height and viewing distance in the monitor height article.

What height should the desk be?

Article 5(3), item 3 of the guideline splits work surface height into two cases. If a keyboard support has been installed separately, the height of that support is the reference.

If your desk's height can't be changed, check that the height in the spec sheet falls within 60-70 cm before you order.

What space do you need under and in front of the desk?

The guideline also sets requirements for the width of the work surface and the space for your legs. It has to be wide enough to hold the work equipment, such as the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and a document holder. Use a work surface without a center drawer, and leave room around the space under the desk so your legs stay comfortable while you sit and work. The front edge of the work surface should be rounded so it protects your body.

How much room should you leave in front of the keyboard?

Article 5(2), item 7 requires at least 15 cm between the edge of the work surface and the keyboard so your wrists can rest. It also says you should be able to use a support (pad) that eases the strain on your wrists. The Policy Briefing advises adjusting your chair height so your wrists aren't bent while you use the keyboard and mouse.

When should you use a footrest?

Article 6 treats the whole soles of your feet resting on the floor as the baseline posture. If your feet still don't reach the floor after you've set the desk height, put in a footrest, installed at a height and angle that meet the conditions. The guideline text gives no dimensions for the footrest itself. When you shop, check the spec sheet to see whether you can adjust its height and angle.

How do you set your knees and the front of the chair?

The guideline says to keep the inside angle of your knees at around 90 degrees. It also says to leave a gap, roughly enough to slip your fingers in, between the front edge of the seat and your calves, so your calves and thighs aren't pressed.

What should you check before choosing a desk?

• Desk height: if it can't be changed, check that it's 60-70 cm from the floor; if it's adjustable, check that you can set it around 65 cm and fix it there.
• Under and in front of the desk: check that there is no center drawer, that there's enough space around your legs, and that you can leave at least 15 cm between the edge of the work surface and the keyboard.
• Feet and knees: check that the whole soles of your feet reach the floor. If they don't, look for a footrest with adjustable height and angle. Also check that the inside knee angle is around 90 degrees and that there's a gap between the seat front and your calves.