The best office chair is the one that adjusts to the person who sits in it. Look for a seat that goes up and down far enough for your legs, a seat depth that leaves a little space behind your knees, a backrest that supports your lower back, and armrests that drop low enough to stay out of the way.
Price and looks come after that. A chair that cannot be adjusted to fit you will be uncomfortable after a few hours, however good it looks in the photo. If several people share the chair, for example at a till or a back office desk, adjustability matters even more.
The numbers below come from the CSA Group office ergonomics guideline as summarized by Western University’s health and safety team. They are a good checklist when you read the dimensions on a product page in the office chairs range.
The measurements that matter
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Seat height | Adjustable within about 38 to 51 cm (15 to 21 in) |
| Seat depth | Adjustable within about 38 to 50 cm (15 to 20 in), or a seat slider |
| Seat width | At least 45 cm (18 in) |
| Backrest height | At least 45 cm (18 in) |
| Backrest width | At least 35 cm (14 in) |
| Recline | Adjustable from about 93 to 113 degrees |
| Lumbar support | Height adjustable over roughly 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in) |
Not every chair lists all of these. When a product page leaves out the seat height range, check the retailer’s specification tab or the manufacturer’s sheet before you order, especially if you are shorter or taller than average.
Seat height and depth
Seat height is measured from the floor to the crease behind your knee, with the shoes you normally wear. Set the seat so your feet rest flat on the floor and your thighs are roughly level. If the seat cannot go low enough for you to keep your feet flat at your desk height, a footrest helps.
Seat depth is the distance from the front edge of the seat to the backrest. The back of your knees should not press against the front edge: you should be able to fit two or three fingers between the seat and the back of your knee. A seat that is too deep pushes you forward, away from the backrest. A seat slider, which moves the seat pan forward and back, is the easiest way to get this right.
Backrest and lumbar support
The backrest should follow the curve of your spine and leave room for your shoulders to move. Look for:
- Lumbar support that curves outward at the small of your back and can be moved up or down.
- A recline you can lock at a slightly open angle, rather than a back that is fixed upright.
- Tilt tension that lets you lean back without the chair tipping too easily.
- Enough height to support the shoulder blades if you lean back often.
Mesh backs stay cooler in a warm office or shop. Padded backs feel softer at first but can get warm over a long shift. Neither is better for everyone, so choose based on the room and on personal preference.
Armrests
Armrests cause more problems than people expect. If they are too high they push your shoulders up, and if they are fixed they may hit the edge of the desk so you cannot pull the chair in close. Good armrests:
- Adjust in height so they match your resting elbow height.
- Go low enough to slide under the desk.
- Sit back from the front edge of the seat, about 15 cm (6 in), so they do not block the desk.
- Can be flipped up or removed if you do not use them.
Matching the chair to the desk
A chair is only half of the setup. Most fixed desks are a standard height, so the chair has to make up the difference. Sit with your shoulders relaxed and your elbows bent at about a right angle: your keyboard and mouse should be at or just below elbow height. If the desk is too high for that, raise the chair and add a footrest. If you are choosing a new desk at the same time, an adjustable or standing model in the office computer desks range gives more room to get it right. Screen height is covered in the guide to choosing and setting up a monitor.
Other things to check
- Base and casters: a five-point base is standard. Hard floors suit soft casters, carpet suits hard ones.
- Weight rating: check the maximum user weight on the product page.
- Controls: levers you can reach while seated make it far more likely the chair actually gets adjusted.
- Assembly: most chairs ship flat-packed. Check whether tools are included.
- Warranty: read what the retailer and manufacturer cover, and for how long.
Gaming chairs and drafting chairs are sold alongside office chairs. A drafting chair is taller, for counter-height work such as a cash desk or a workbench. A gaming chair often has a high back and a headrest but fixed cushions, so check the same adjustments as for any other chair.
Quick checklist
- Seat height adjustable so your feet sit flat on the floor.
- Two or three fingers of space behind the knee.
- Lumbar support at the small of your back, adjustable in height.
- Recline that locks, with adjustable tension.
- Armrests that adjust in height and clear the desk.
- Casters that suit your floor.
- Maximum user weight and warranty checked.
Common questions
How much should I spend on an office chair?
There is no fixed amount. Spend enough to get the adjustments in the checklist above, because a cheaper chair without seat depth or armrest adjustment may not fit you. For a chair used for a full working day, adjustability is the best value.
Is a mesh chair better than a padded chair?
Neither is better for everyone. Mesh breathes and stays cooler; padding feels softer. Comfort depends far more on whether the chair fits your body and is set up properly.
What if my back still hurts after adjusting the chair?
Check the rest of the desk too: screen height, keyboard position and how often you stand up. If pain continues, speak to a doctor or a physiotherapist rather than relying on a new chair to fix it.
