03 · SEATED FIT
Office chairs
Compare office chairs by seat height, depth, armrest adjustment and desk clearance. Find UK buying guides, measurement checks and setup advice.
Updated November 2026
A good place to begin
What are you working on?
Choose the situation closest to yours, or browse the full guide collection below.
Start with seat fit
Find a usable depth that lets you sit back with space behind your knees.
Read the guide Buying guideCompare adjustable seats
Check slider travel and the actual usable depth at each end.
Read the guide Measurement guideCheck the chair against the desk
Measure armrest height, the underside and the space for the castor base.
Read the guideFeatured · Buying guide
Office chairs for shorter users
Compare the UK Steelcase Series 1 and SIHOO M59AS by minimum seat height, usable depth and armrest clearance. Measure your own fit before buying.
Read the guide
Before you choose
Check the fit from the seat up.
Measure the seat
With your usual footwear on, check seat height and depth while sitting back with your feet supported.
Measure the armrests
Measure from the floor to the top of the arms at your working seat height, and across their outside edges.
Check the desk opening
Compare the armrests with the lowest obstruction beneath the desktop, then check the castor base clears the legs.
Browse by task
Office-chair guides
21 guides, organised to help you choose, measure and set up your space.
21 guides shown
Choose a chair
Start with the seat and backrest adjustments relevant to your working position.
Office chairs for shorter users
Read the guide Buying guideOffice chairs for people with long legs
Read the guide Buying guideOffice chairs for shared workstations
Read the guide Buying guideOffice chairs with a seat-depth slider
Read the guide Buying guideOffice chairs with adjustable lumbar support
Read the guide Buying guideOffice chairs with forward tilt
Read the guide How-toWhat to check when buying a refurbished office chair
Read the guideSeat and desk fit
Measure the chair against your body, desk and available floor space.
How to measure office chair seat height
Read the guide How-toMeasure office chair seat depth
Read the guide How-toHow to measure usable office chair seat width
Read the guide How-toWill your chair fit under the desk?
Read the guide Buying guideOffice chair weight ratings and seat fit
Read the guide How-toOffice chair armrest adjustments explained
Read the guide How-toWhy an office chair tilts back while you type
Read the guideArms, wheels and care
Check arm arrangements, floor-compatible castors and model-specific care.
Office chairs with flip-up armrests
Read the guide Buying guideArmless office chairs for small desks
Read the guide How-toOffice chairs with manufacturer-approved removable arms
Read the guide Buying guideOffice chair castors for hard floors and carpet
Read the guide How-toHow to measure an office chair castor stem
Read the guide How-toWhat to do when chair wheels hit a footrest
Read the guide How-toHow to clean mesh and fabric office chair seats
Read the guidePractical advice
Measure from a chair you already use
With your usual footwear on, sit well back and see where your feet settle. Measure the seat height that lets you rest your feet flat or on a stable footrest. Check whether the seat edge leaves a little space behind your knees. Use those measurements when looking at a maker’s seat-height range and shortest seat-depth setting. The seat-height and seat-depth guides explain where to measure.
Will the armrests slide under?
With the chair at your working height, measure from the floor to the top of the armrest. Compare it with the lowest part of the desk the arms need to pass. Check the space between the desk legs and the outside width of the chair, including the castors. Follow the desk-clearance checks before relying on a chair’s parked position.
Look for adjustments you can use
Try the seat-height lever, depth slider and armrest controls if you can. When buying online, look for a dimension drawing and check that it is for the same base, cylinder and armrests as the listing. For more on workstation arrangement, see HSE display screen guidance.
Read desk measurements for clearance around drawers and rails, or desk accessories for footrest fit.
Common questions
Common office-chair questions
Which chair dimensions should I check?
Start with loaded seat height and depth, armrest height and width, and the castor-base footprint. Compare them with your body, desk opening and available floor space.
Will a chair that parks under the desk also fit for work?
Not necessarily. Check clearance at your actual working seat height, with the armrests positioned as you use them.
Can I judge comfort from the chair’s overall height?
Overall height does not describe the seat and armrest ranges. Use the relevant measurements and, where possible, try the chair in your working setup.
Does adjustable seat depth guarantee a chair will fit?
No. Check the usable endpoints with the backrest positioned as you will use it, then compare seat height, width, armrest adjustment and the floor space needed.
Should I choose replacement chair wheels just by their diameter?
Check the chair maker’s compatibility guidance, stem type and dimensions, socket fit, intended floor and any change in seat height. Wheel diameter alone does not establish compatibility.