Office Chair Armrests Hitting the Desk? Measure the Clearance First

Quick Answer: Lower the armrests below the desk's underside, or slide them back and in; don't drop the whole seat unless the desk is too high anyway.

• Not sure where they hit: Find the first point of contact. Start with Step 1 to measure the clearance
• The armrest tops hit the underside: They sit too high. Use Fix A to lower the armrests
• The armrest fronts hit the desk edge: They stick out too far. Use Fix B to move them back

• Difficulty: Easy.
• Tools: Tape measure and a flashlight.

Jump to:

• Step 1 - Measure Armrest Height Against the Desk
• Step 2 - Clear the Armrests Without Losing Your Seat Height
• Step 3 - Roll In and Sit at Your Working Spot
• Common Mistakes
• FAQ

Why Armrests Catch on a Desk

To slide under a desk, the armrests have to pass below the lowest thing hanging under it. That might be the desktop itself, but often it's an apron, a keyboard tray, or a crossbar that sits lower.

Sometimes height isn't the issue at all. The front of the armrest can hit the desk's edge or a leg because it sticks out too far forward or sideways.

Knowing which part touches first tells you which adjustment to make, so you don't change your seat height for nothing.

Step 1 - Measure Armrest Height Against the Desk

1. Keep your normal seat height: Set the chair where you sit to type and leave it there.
2. Roll in slowly: Push the chair toward the desk until something touches, and note which part of the armrest hits what.
3. Measure the armrest: Measure from the floor to the highest point of the armrest pad, in inches (centimeters).
4. Measure the desk opening: Measure from the floor to the underside of the lowest part the armrest has to pass, whether that's the desktop, an apron, or a tray.
5. Subtract: Take the armrest height from the opening height. A negative number means the armrest is too tall to fit under.

Example only - use your own measurements: an opening of 26.5 in (67 cm) and an armrest top of 27 in (69 cm) leave the armrest 0.5 in (1.3 cm) too tall.

What your results mean:

• The armrests hit a keyboard tray: The tray's height may need setting first. See How High Should an Under-Desk Keyboard Tray Be?
• A standing desk lowers onto the armrests: That's a desk-travel problem, so set the desk's lowest stop above the armrests instead of changing the chair.
• The armrest tops hit the underside, and the arms can go lower: Use Fix A.
• The height fits, but the armrest fronts hit the edge or a leg: Use Fix B.
• The arms are at their lowest and the desk can rise: Use Fix C.
• Nothing adjusts far enough: Use Fix D.

Step 2 - Clear the Armrests Without Losing Your Seat Height

Fix A - Lower the Armrests

Use when: The armrest tops hit the underside, and the arms have room to go lower.

Before you start: Keep your fingers out of the gap between the armrest post and its sleeve, since it closes as the arm drops.

What you need: Your clearance number from Step 1.

1. Find the height button: It's usually on the side or front of each armrest post.
2. Lower one step at a time: Press the button and push the armrest down until it clicks into the next position.
3. Match both sides and retest: Set the other arm the same and roll in again.

Check: Both arms pass under without touching and still give your forearms a place to rest; continue to Step 3. If they bottom out first, go to Fix C.

Fix B - Slide or Pivot the Armrests Out of the Way

Use when: The height fits, but the armrest fronts hit the desk edge or a leg.

What you need: The chair's armrest controls; many armrest pads slide or swivel.

1. Slide the pads back: If the pads move front to back, push them toward the backrest.
2. Pivot them in: If the pads swivel, turn the fronts inward so they clear a desk leg.
3. Change your approach: Roll in straight and centered, since an angled approach can catch one corner.

Check: The chair rolls in without the pad fronts touching; continue to Step 3. If the pads can't move far enough, go to Fix D.

Fix C - Raise an Adjustable Desk a Little

Use when: The armrests are at their lowest, and the desk can go higher.

Before you start: Roll the chair away from a standing desk before it moves, so the desk can't catch the armrests on the way.

What you need: Your shortfall from Step 1.

1. Raise by the shortfall: Lift the desk just enough to clear the armrests.
2. Check your typing height: Sit and type; the desk shouldn't now feel too high for your hands.
3. Save it: On a standing desk, store this height as your sitting preset.

Check: The armrests clear and typing still feels comfortable; continue to Step 3. If the desk now feels too high, lower it back and use Fix D.

Fix D - Change the Armrests When Nothing Else Fits

Use when: No setting on the chair or desk clears the armrests at your seat height.

What you need: The chair's model name and its options.

1. Check for flip-up or lower arms: Some chairs offer armrests that fold up or a lower-reaching arm as a part.
2. Remove them if the maker allows: Some chairs are built to run without armrests; others need them for the backrest, so check first.
3. Consider a different chair: Look for armrests that go low enough for your desk.

Check: The changed setup clears the desk; continue to Step 3.

Step 3 - Roll In and Sit at Your Working Spot

1. Roll in slowly: Approach the desk as you normally do and stop at your working spot.
2. Check both sides: Look for any contact on the left and right.
3. Type for a few minutes: Confirm you sit close enough without leaning forward.

PASS: The chair rolls to your working spot with no armrest contact, your seat height hasn't changed, and the armrests stay locked where you set them.

FAIL: An armrest still catches, or you had to lower your seat below a comfortable typing height to get in.

NEXT ACTION:

• Tops still catch: Lower further with Fix A or raise the desk with Fix C.
• Fronts still catch: Recheck the pads with Fix B.
• Seat had to drop: Restore your seat height and use Fix D.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Dropping the whole seat to get the armrests under.

What happens: The arms fit, but the desk now sits too high for your hands.

Instead: Keep your seat height and adjust the armrests or desk.

Mistake: Measuring to the desktop when an apron sits lower.

What happens: The numbers say the arms fit, but they still hit the apron.

Instead: Measure to the lowest part the arms must pass.

FAQ

Why does only one armrest hit?

The two arms may be set at different heights, or something under one side sits lower, such as a tray bracket. Measure each side on its own.

My armrest pad slopes. Which point do I measure?

Measure the highest point of the part that goes under the desk, since that's what touches first.

This guide covers armrests that block a chair from reaching the desk. It doesn't cover armrest height for supporting your arms while you type.

Written and edited by Lio Lim

Every guide on The ErgoDesk Lab is reviewed before it goes live so each step leads to a clear next action. Spotted something unclear or wrong? Let us know, or read how these guides are made.