How High Should a Laptop Stand Be?

A laptop stand should be high enough that the top edge of the screen sits at or slightly below your eye level, about an arm’s length away. That is the guidance from both OSHA and Mayo Clinic. For most people seated at a standard desk, that means raising the laptop several inches, and much higher if you stand.

There is no single “correct” stand height in inches, because it depends on your height, your chair, your desk and your laptop’s screen size. Here is how to work out your number in about two minutes, and what changes when you switch from sitting to standing.

Where should the top of a laptop screen be?

The OSHA computer workstation eTool recommends that the top line of the screen be at or slightly below eye level, so you look slightly down at the centre of the display without tilting your head. Mayo Clinic’s office ergonomics guidance says the same: place the monitor directly in front of you, about an arm’s length away, with the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level.

A laptop sitting flat on a desk puts the screen well below that line. You end up looking down at it, head tilted forward, for hours at a time. A stand sets the screen position. What it cannot do on its own is position your hands, which is why the second half of this guide matters.

How do I measure the right laptop stand height?

You need a tape measure and your usual chair.

1. Set your chair first. Adjust the seat so your feet rest flat on the floor and your thighs are roughly parallel to it. Everything else is measured from this position.

2. Measure your eye height above the desk. Sit upright, look straight ahead, and have someone measure from the desk surface to the level of your eyes. Write the number down.

3. Measure your screen. Open your laptop to its normal angle and measure from the desk to the top edge of the screen. This is the height your screen already adds.

4. Subtract. Eye height above the desk minus screen height is roughly how much lift you need, then aim a little lower so the top edge sits at or slightly below eye level.

Example: if your eyes sit 18 inches above the desk and your open laptop screen reaches 9 inches, you need about 9 inches of lift, minus a little for the “slightly below” margin. Your numbers will differ, which is why an adjustable stand beats a fixed one.

How far away should the laptop be?

About an arm’s length. OSHA suggests a viewing distance of roughly 20 to 40 inches from the eyes to the screen. If you find yourself leaning forward to read, increase the text size rather than pulling the laptop closer. On a stand with an extending arm, push the screen back until you can read comfortably while sitting against your chair’s backrest.

Do I need a separate keyboard with a laptop stand?

Yes, for anything longer than a quick check of email. Once the screen is at eye level, the laptop’s own keyboard is too high to type on with relaxed shoulders. Cornell University Ergonomics Web recommends keeping the keyboard at or slightly below elbow height with your upper arms relaxed at your sides.

A basic external keyboard and mouse on the desk surface, with the raised laptop behind them, gives you both: screen at eye level, hands at elbow level. This is the setup every ergonomic guideline is aiming for. Our ergonomic desk setup guide walks through chair, keyboard and monitor positions together.

How high should a laptop stand be for a standing desk?

The same rule applies: top of the screen at or slightly below eye level. The difference is the distance. If you raise your desk to standing height, the lift you need is similar to sitting. If you stand at a fixed-height desk or counter, you need much more lift, which is where tall stands earn their place.

The Lifelong UPRYZE and the Lifelong Ergonomic Sit-to-Stand stand both rise to 20 inches. The sit-to-stand model adjusts from 2.1 to 20 inches. Both have 20 arm positions and an arm that extends to 13 inches, so you can set a seated height, then raise the screen when you stand without changing stands. Pair either with an external keyboard on the desk and the laptop sits at eye level while your hands stay at elbow height.

If you share your screen often, the Lifelong 360° Rotating Laptop Stand rises to 16 inches, holds up to 22 lbs, and swivels a full 360 degrees with a click at every 45 degrees.

What else should I check when choosing a stand?

Laptop size. The UPRYZE and the 360° stand fit 10- to 17-inch laptops. The sit-to-stand model fits 11- to 17-inch laptops, tablets and MacBooks.

Stability at full height. Look for a solid metal frame and a wide base. All three Lifelong stands use aluminum frames.

Airflow. An open platform lets air move under the laptop during long calls or heavy work.

Portability. If you move between home and office, check folded size and weight. The sit-to-stand model weighs 4.3 lbs and folds flat.

Compare all three in the laptop stands collection. For more on why screen height matters in the first place, read 5 Evidence-Based Benefits of a Laptop Stand for Neck Comfort, and for a side-by-side buying checklist, see our laptop stand buying guide.

FAQ

Is eye level too high for a laptop screen?

The top edge of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level, not the centre of the screen. That puts your natural line of sight a little below the top edge, which is where OSHA and Mayo Clinic recommend.

Can a laptop stand be too high?

Yes. If you tip your head back to see the top of the screen, lower the stand. Your neck should stay neutral, with your gaze angled slightly downward.

What if I wear bifocals or progressive lenses?

Many people with bifocals or progressives find a slightly lower screen more comfortable, since they read through the lower part of the lens. Lower the stand a step at a time until you can read without tilting your head back.

How high should a laptop stand be for a 13-inch versus a 16-inch laptop?

A larger laptop screen is taller, so it needs slightly less lift to reach the same eye-level line. Use the measure-and-subtract method above with your own laptop open to its normal angle.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have ongoing pain, talk to a doctor or physical therapist.