The establishment and recommendation of standard workbench height is not without a reason. A workplace has to be geared towards the activity. The consequences of a working height that is not optimal can result in back pain and other health problems, among other things. But how do you find out the ideal work bench height for yourself? What is the standard workbench height? This article will help you with that.
Table of Contents
- The optimal workbench height
- Practical tips for optimal workbench height
- Optimal workbench height
- Video standard work bench height
In many companies, the optimal workbench height is often discussed. But even in the diy sector it is important to work at suitable work tables in order to prevent damage to health and to protect health in the long term.
If a table is too low, it usually requires a stooped position when working, which is very stressful for the intervertebral discs, the neck and the spine.
Standards of work tables
According to the standard from 2011 there are four types for the height of workbenches, which can be found in this informative article.
However, the average workbench height is more important than standards.
Of course, there are a few individual factors to consider in order to determine the standard workbench height:
- How tall is the person who works at the workbench?
- Will the work be carried out mainly while sitting or standing?
- What work will be carried out?
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The optimal workbench height
An ergonomic adjustment of the average workbench height depends on the type of work to be done. A different amount is required depending on whether a great deal of force is required or whether fine work and skill work are to be done.
The trade association for trade and goods logistics gives the following average values for men:
Fine work – working height 100 cm – 110 cm
For fine work such as creating drawings, it makes sense if the elbow can be supported. That is why the recommended table height is around 1 meter.
Light work, skill work – working height 90 cm – 95 cm
When providing some workpieces, which does not require too much effort, the working height of the workbench should be 10 cm – 15 cm below the elbow.
Working with great effort – working height 75 mm – 90 cm
Low working heights are well suited to work that requires a lot of force, such as heavy or force assembly work. A height of 15 cm – 40 cm below the elbow is recommended here.
Since quite rough work is usually carried out on a workbench, a height of 75 cm to 90 cm is recommended as the optimal workbench height.
The most important thing in a workshop is of course the standard workbench height, this is where most of the work is carried out. In order to be able to work there as ergonomically as possible, the height of the workbench plays a decisive role. But how high should the ideal workbench be?
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Adjust the worktop to your height
As is so often the case, there is unfortunately no general answer. How high the average workbench height should be depends on the one hand on the activity that is carried out on it. On the other hand, of course, on the size of the person who works on it.
So how tall should a workbench be? Since the inclusion of different sizes would go well beyond the scope of this article, we will use the average size as a guide. This is 1.65 m for women and 1.77 m for men. Basically, you can use the following rule of thumb as a guide: If you let your arms hang down loosely while standing and the worktop is at the same height as your wrists, it is a very good work bench height.
So let’s take a closer look at the activities that are typically performed on a workbench. Here we differentiate between the following fields of activity:
- Fine work
- Skill work
- Working with great effort
Fine work is understood to mean all work that requires high precision and where you have to look at the workpiece very carefully. This includes everything that has to do with drawing, sketching, soldering or model making. For such fine work it is best to place the workbench a little higher so that you can comfortably support yourself with your elbows.
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Low worktop when working with a lot of effort
Skill work such as grinding, polishing or the assembly of workpieces naturally also requires precision, but is associated with greater effort. For this work, the worktop should be high enough that the workpieces are about 15 centimeters below the elbow.
Work with increased effort includes activities such as planing, sawing and drilling.
Customize workbenches with adjusting screws
Theoretically, the right and best standard workbench height has now been found, now it’s time to practice. Adjusting screws are indispensable here; workbenches can be precisely adjusted to the individual working height with adjusting screws. Many workbenches are factory-fitted with height adjusters or adjusting screws, but many models can also be retrofitted.
The advantage of adjusting screws: If the field of activity changes or if someone else wants to work at the workbench, the height can be adjusted in next to no time.
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More detailed table about sizes of the average workbench height
| Human height, cm | Head measurement from crown to chin, cm | Measurement of the hand from the fingertips to the elbow, cm | Workbench worktop height, cm (vise 14 cm) | Workbench worktop height, cm (vise 18 cm) |
Workbench worktop height, cm (vise 22 cm) |
| 165 | 21-22 | 41-42 | 87-89 | 83-85 | 76-79 |
| 170 | 21-22 | 42-43 | 93-91 | 87-89 | 83-85 |
| 175 | 22-23 | 43-44 | 94-96 | 90-92 | 86-88 |
| 180 | 22-23 | 44-45 | 98-100 | 94-96 | 90-92 |
| 185 | 22-23 | 45-46 | 102-104 | 98-100 | 102-104 |
| 190 | 23-24 | 46-47 | 105-107 | 101-103 | 97-99 |
| 195 | 23-24 | 47-48 | 109-111 | 105-107 | 101-103 |
| Human height, feet(′) | Head measurement from crown to chin, inch(“) | Measurement of the hand from the fingertips to the elbow, inch(“) | Workbench worktop height, (vise 5.5 inch(“)) | Workbench worktop height, (vise 7 inch(“)) |
Workbench worktop height, (vise 8.5 inch(“)) |
| 5’4′’ | 8″- 8.5″ | 16″ – 16.5″ | 34″ – 35″ | 32.6″ – 33.5″ | 30″ – 31″ |
| 5’5′’ | 8″ – 8.5″ | 16.5″ – 17″ | 36″ – 36.6″ | 34″ – 35″ | 32.5″ – 33.5″ |
| 5’74’′ | 8.5″-9″ | 17″ – 17.5″ | 37″ – 37.7″ | 35.5″ – 37″ | 34″ – 34.5″ |
| 5’90” | 8.5″-9″ | 17.5″ – 18″ | 38.5″ – 39.3″ | 37″ – 38″ | 35″ – 35.5″ |
| 6′ | 8.5″-9″ | 18″ – 18.5″ | 40″ – 41″ | 38.5″ – 39″ | 40″ – 41″ |
| 6’2′’ | 9″ – 9.5” | 18.5″ – 19″ | 41″ – 42″ | 39″ – 40″ | 38″ – 39″ |
| 6’4′’ | 9″ – 9.5” | 19″ – 19.5″ | 43″ – 44″ | 41″ – 42″ | 40″ – 41″ |
Source
Conclusion
The height of the workbench has a big influence on your work and, above all, on your health. That is why it makes sense to purchase a workbench that is ideal for you in terms of height, or at least that can be individually adjusted in height. In this overview, you can choose the average workbench height that is right for you.
If you want others to work with the workbench as well, an adjustable workbench is recommended. So you can change the height at any time for different work and other craftsmen can also work ideally on your workbench.
