If you are currently setting up your home or work desk then you might be wondering how to do it in an ergonomic way. Setting things up so you can work ergonomically will provide you with the proper foundation to work and will help prevent many common work place problems.
One of the first things you might wonder about when setting up your desk is what is the ideal height of a keyboard? You want to make sure your keyboard is at the right height since you will use it often during working.
What is the ideal height of a keyboard?
There are tools out there that can help you calculate the ideal height of your keyboard and desk.
You can also use your own judgement and basic principles of ergonomics to design your workstation in a way that works for you. Here’s a short way to figure out how to place your keyboard at the right height.
- Pull up your chair to your desk and sit up straight but relaxed while resting your hands on your keyboard.
- Are your wrists flat? They should be flat and not bent.
- Are your wrists level? Wrists should be level and slightly lower than your elbows.
- Are your arms straight? Your upper arms should be hanging straight down from your shoulders. Elbows should be at your sides, neither in front or behind you.
- Are your shoulders relaxed? Shoulders should be relax and not hunched up or being pulled down by your arms.
If you need to make some adjustments, try doing the following actions.
Keyboard is too high try the following:
- Get a keyboard trays f you don’t have one.
- Lower your keyboard tray.
- Adjust your chair height.
- Lower your desk if it is an adjustable desk.
Keyboard is too low, try the following:
- Raise the keyboard tray if you have one.
- Raise your desk.
Ideal Keyboard Height & Use Tips
Keyboard placement for vertical hanging arms. Your upper arms should hang vertically when using your keyboard in the proper placement. You shouldn’t have to extend your arms forwards or bend elbows back to type properly.
Keep your keyboard at the right angle and height for typing. Once you’ve found the right height you need to make sure when you reach for the keyboard you are at the right angles. Your forearms should not bend more than 20 degrees above horizontal when you are sitting. If you are standing and typing then the degree would be 45 below.
Keep your mouse near the keyboard. Your mouse is part of the computer use experience and keeping it in a position near you will help you transition between typing and using the mouse with little effort and effect on your arm and wrist posture.
Use an ergonomic keyboard. Using an ergonomic keyboard is a great idea if you plan to be typing for long amounts of time. Combine using the best ergonomic keyboards with the right workstation setup for the perfect situation. You might like one of these top ergonomic keyboards listed below.
Kinesis Freestyle Solo Keyboard
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 7000
Using an ergonomic keyboard in addition to having your keyboard at the ideal height for your body and work style is crucial to keeping pressure off your wrists and arms. This will help save you from the pain and problems many people face when using a keyboard on a daily basis. If you can just do these simple things you will prevent problems and save yourself a world of hurt!