Which work chair fits your sitting or standing height?

Q: What seat height do I need for a standing workstation?

For raised workbenches of 95 to 110 cm use a high chair with 55 to 70 cm seat height and a footring. At standing desks up to 120 cm, 65 to 80 cm works so the elbows rest relaxed.

Q: When is an ESD work chair required?

At every workstation inside an EPA per DIN EN 61340-5-1. The chair needs a dissipative cover and conductive castors so the resistance stays below 10⁹ Ω and the charge drains safely to the floor.

Q: Fabric or faux leather - which is better?

Fabric upholstery breathes better and is more comfortable over long shifts. Faux leather wipes clean and resists oil and cleaners, so it is better for workshop, lab and cleanroom.

Q: What does a permanent-contact backrest mean?

The backrest follows every movement and stays in contact with the back at all times. This supports the lumbar zone when leaning forward and back, which relieves strain during multi-hour sitting.

The right work chair depends on working height, daily use and environment. This guide explains the difference between fabric, faux leather and dissipative ESD covers, when a permanent-contact backrest makes sense, and how to match seat height to a sitting or standing workstation.

5 minStand: 2026-07Geprüft: Technical editors

View work chairs

42-55 cm

seat height at a bench

55-80 cm

high chair for standing

< 10⁹ Ω

ESD chair resistance

8 h

full-shift design

Inhalt

Seat and bench height
Cover and material
Daily use and ergonomics
Frequently asked questions

How does seat height match working height?

Seat height must follow the working surface, not the other way round. As a rule of thumb the elbows rest relaxed at bench height while the feet stay flat on the floor or a footrest. A standard bench of about 72 to 76 cm needs a standard chair, while a raised workbench or standing desk needs a high chair with a footring.

Standard chairs usually adjust from about 42 to 55 cm using a gas lift. High chairs for standing workstations reach 55 to 80 cm and require a height-adjustable footring so the legs are never left dangling.

At sit-stand workstations a sit-stand stool or saddle seat relieves the legs without the person fully sitting down. This keeps the spine active and delays fatigue.

Fabric, faux leather or ESD - which cover?

The cover depends on the environment and cleaning needs. Fabric upholstery breathes well and stays comfortable over long shifts, faux leather (PU) wipes clean and suits oil, grease or moisture, and a dissipative ESD cover is mandatory at electronics workstations.

Fabric upholstery: breathable, high comfort, ideal for office and inspection stations.
Faux leather / integral foam: wipeable, resistant to oil and cleaners, good for workshop and lab.
ESD cover: dissipative (< 10⁹ Ω) with grounding through conductive castors, mandatory in the EPA per DIN EN 61340‑5‑1.
Permanent-contact backrest: follows your movement and supports the lumbar zone continuously.

At an ESD workstation the chair must carry the operator's charge to the floor through conductive castors and a dissipative cover. An ordinary upholstered chair breaks the grounding path and puts sensitive components at risk.

ESD workstation

How to set up a compliant EPA from the ground up.

Read the guide

How does daily use shape the choice?

The longer the daily sitting time, the more adjustments you need. For an 8-hour full-shift use the chair should adjust seat height, backrest height, tilt and counter-pressure separately. For short inspection stations a simple height adjustment is often enough.

A permanent-contact mechanism keeps the backrest against the back at all times and supports you when leaning forward or back. For full-shift use it is the most effective protection against one-sided lumbar strain.

Choose castors: hard castors for soft floors (carpet), soft castors for hard floors.
Match the gas lift to body weight so height stays easy to adjust.
Plan a footrest or footring when the feet do not reach the floor flat.

Frequently asked questions

What seat height do I need for a standing workstation?

For raised workbenches of 95 to 110 cm use a high chair with 55 to 70 cm seat height and a footring. At standing desks up to 120 cm, 65 to 80 cm works so the elbows rest relaxed.

When is an ESD work chair required?

At every workstation inside an EPA per DIN EN 61340‑5‑1. The chair needs a dissipative cover and conductive castors so the resistance stays below 10⁹ Ω and the charge drains safely to the floor.

Fabric or faux leather - which is better?

Fabric upholstery breathes better and is more comfortable over long shifts. Faux leather wipes clean and resists oil and cleaners, so it is better for workshop, lab and cleanroom.

What does a permanent-contact backrest mean?

The backrest follows every movement and stays in contact with the back at all times. This supports the lumbar zone when leaning forward and back, which relieves strain during multi-hour sitting.

Looking for the right work chair?

We supply work chairs with fabric, faux leather or dissipative ESD covers - from swivel stools to permanent-contact chairs for full-shift use.

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For every height

Standard and high chairs with footring available.

ESD compliant

Dissipative covers and castors per 61340-5-1.

Ergonomically checked

Permanent-contact mechanism for full-shift use.

Expert advice

We help with height, cover and equipment.