How do I know if my desk is ergonomic?

You don’t always notice it right away. What could be more harmless than a desk? A chair, a surface, a screen. Nothing complicated.

And yet?

Eight hours a day, five days a week, 48 weeks a year… Your workstation is probably where your body spends most of its waking life. So the real question isn’t “Is my desk nice to look at?” It’s: Is it working for me—or against me?

Here are 10 simple, smart, and (almost) painless questions to diagnose your ergonomics.

1. Are my feet touching the floor?

Let’s start from the ground up. Literally.

When seated, your feet should rest flat on the floor, with your knees at roughly 90 degrees. If your legs are dangling or your knees sit higher than your hips, your body compensates. And when the body compensates for too long, it eventually complains.

Tip:

If your chair is too high but you need that height for your desk, a footrest can make all the difference. It’s discreet—and surprisingly effective.

2. Is my back supported or fending for itself?

A good chair isn’t just something you sit on. It’s something that supports you.

Your lower back (that famous lumbar curve) should be supported. If you tend to collapse like a croissant left too long on the baking tray, that’s a clue.

Quick test:

Sit up straight, then relax slightly. If you feel a gap between your lower back and the backrest, you probably need better lumbar support.

A lumbar cushion can upgrade an average chair.

But if your chair dates back to the fax-machine era, it might be time for a real upgrade.

3. Where is my screen positioned?

Your monitor should be at eye level. Not lower. Not significantly higher.

If you constantly tilt your head downward, you’re inviting neck tension. If you lift your chin to see the screen, that’s not much better.

Simple benchmark:

The top of your screen should align roughly with your eyes when you’re sitting upright.

Using a laptop? We love it for mobility. We love it less for ergonomics.

If you work more than an hour a day on a laptop, a stand plus an external keyboard and mouse are essential.

4. Are my shoulders relaxed?

Type a few lines.

Now check in with your shoulders.

Are they creeping up toward your ears? Tension.

Raised because your desk is too high? Tension.

Rounded forward? Still tension.

Your forearms should rest naturally, elbows at about 90 degrees, shoulders relaxed.

Tip:

If your desk is too high and not adjustable, raising your chair without adding a footrest creates a new problem. Ergonomics is a system. Adjust one element, reassess the others.

5. Am I reaching for my mouse?

Your mouse and keyboard should be close, aligned, and accessible without overextending your arm.

If you have to “go get it” every time, your shoulder is working overtime.

Clue:

Your elbows should stay close to your body. If your arm drifts away like you’re hailing a taxi, there’s room for improvement.

6. Do I have pain regularly?

Let’s be honest. Your body is an excellent indicator.

Neck stiffness at the end of the day

Tension between the shoulder blades

Tingling in the wrists

Persistent lower back pain

These are messages. An ergonomic workstation isn’t the one that feels comfortable for five minutes. It’s the one that stays neutral—almost invisible—after several hours.

7. Do I move?

Here’s a simple truth: The best ergonomic setup will never replace movement. The human body isn’t designed to stay still—even in perfect posture.

Ideally:

Micro-breaks every 30 to 60 minutes

Stand up for a few minutes

Gentle stretches

Alternate sitting and standing when possible

A height-adjustable desk can be an excellent investment. But only if you actually use it.

8. Is my lighting tired of me or am I tired of it?

We talk a lot about backs and shoulders. Much less about eyes.

Poor lighting makes you lean toward the screen, squint, and create unnecessary tension.

Check:

Screen positioned perpendicular to windows (to avoid glare)

Adjusted brightness

Comfortable font size (no, that’s not cheating)

Ergonomics isn’t just about body position. It’s about reducing visual and cognitive strain too.

9. Does my space match the reality of my work?

Ergonomics isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Does your job involve:

Mostly screen work?

Handling paper documents?

Frequent calls?

A headset prevents you from trapping the phone between your shoulder and ear. A document holder reduces repetitive movements.

Identify daily irritants. Small adjustments can create cumulative results.

10. The real question: do I feel good?

Ergonomics isn’t a cold checklist. It’s the pursuit of balance between comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.

A good workstation should:

Reduce fatigue

Support concentration

Preserve your energy at the end of the day

If you leave your desk feeling like you “survived” instead of worked, there’s probably room for optimization.

In summary: the 6 fundamentals

Feet flat on the floor

Supported back

Screen at eye level

Relaxed shoulders

Arms close to the body

Regular movement

Simple. Logical. Effective. And your back will thank you.