Home / Desk accessories

Under desk foot rest: when you need one and how high it should go

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-18.

We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

Do you need a footrest

Start with your chair, not the footrest. OSHA's computer workstation guidance says the seat should let your feet rest flat on the floor or on a footrest. The usual reason to need one is a desk that is too high for you: you raise the chair until your elbows line up with the keyboard, and your feet leave the floor.

OSHA describes the problem this creates. When the seat is too high, your feet are not supported, which makes it harder to keep the natural S-shape of the spine and can lead to fatigue, restricted circulation, swelling, numbness and pain. Its suggested fix, when the seat cannot be lowered without putting the keyboard or monitor too high, is a footrest that gives the feet stable support.

If you can lower your chair and still type comfortably with your feet flat, you may not need one at all. A laptop stand or a lower keyboard can sometimes solve the same problem from the other end.

Three footrests compared

Figures are from Mind Reader's, Mount-It!'s and VIVO's product pages.

How high should a footrest be

Set your chair first so your elbows sit close to your body and your forearms reach the keyboard without raising your shoulders, as OSHA's keyboard guidance describes. Then sit back and let your feet hang. Measure from the floor to the soles of your shoes: that gap is roughly the footrest height you need.

A gap of 3 to 7 in fits the Mind Reader or Mount-It! range. A gap closer to 10 in, common with drafting stools or high counters, needs a taller platform such as the VIVO STAND-FT01. OSHA also notes that a footrest may lift the knees slightly, which can relieve pressure on the back of the leg from the front edge of the seat.

Tilting or flat

A tilting platform lets you rock your feet forward and back as you work, and lets you set an angle that suits your ankles. Both the Mind Reader and Mount-It! models tilt. VIVO does not list tilt for the STAND-FT01, so treat it as a fixed platform, which some people prefer when they want a firm, steady surface on a tall stool.

Whichever you choose, the surface should stop your feet from sliding. All three makers list a textured or non-skid top, and VIVO adds padding underneath so the footrest itself does not slide on the floor.

Size and fit under the desk

Measure the space under your desk before you order. The Mind Reader and Mount-It! platforms are about 17 in wide and 13 in deep, enough for both feet side by side. VIVO's frame is 14.4 x 15.7 in at its widest point with a 10.125 x 15.7 in platform.

Check that a desk crossbar, drawer or keyboard tray will not block the footrest at the height you need, and that your knees still clear the underside of the desk with your feet raised.

Moving through the day

A footrest supports one seated posture; it does not replace moving. OSHA's guidance on working positions says sitting still in the same posture for long periods is not healthy, and suggests changing position often: small adjustments to your chair, stretching, standing up to walk for a few minutes, and doing some tasks standing. A tilting footrest is one small way to keep your legs moving while you sit.

For the rest of your setup, see our guides to an ergonomic keyboard, an ergonomic mouse and a wrist rest.

Which one to buy

Choose the Mind Reader FTREST-BLK if your feet are only a few inches off the floor and you want a light tilting platform. Choose the Mount-It! MI-7801 if you prefer set height positions with a little more range at the top. Choose the VIVO STAND-FT01 if you sit on a tall chair or stool and need the platform up to 10 in or more.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Should I use a footrest under my desk?

Use one if your feet do not rest flat on the floor once your chair is set for your desk. OSHA's workstation guidance recommends a footrest in that case.

How high should an under desk foot rest be?

About the gap between the floor and your soles when you sit with your chair set for typing. The picks here cover 3.25 to 6.25 in, 4.25 to 6.75 in and 5 to 10.25 in.

Is a tilting footrest better than a flat one?

Neither is better for everyone. A tilting platform lets you rock your feet and set an ankle angle; a flat one stays level and firm.

Can a footrest help with leg swelling?

OSHA notes that unsupported feet can contribute to restricted circulation and swelling, but a footrest is not a treatment. See a doctor about swelling that persists or affects one leg.

Sources

• Computer Workstations eTool: Chairs (osha.gov), OSHA
• Computer Workstations eTool: Keyboards (osha.gov), OSHA
• Computer Workstations eTool: Good Working Positions (osha.gov), OSHA
• Adjustable Under Desk Foot Rest with Textured Surface (mindreaderproducts.com), Mind Reader
• Ergonomic Footrest - Adjustable Height & Angle (MI-7801) (mount-it.com), Mount-It!
• Height Adjustable Foot Rest (STAND-FT01) (vivo-us.com), VIVO

Sources checked 2026-10-18.