Find the correct monitor height: how to set up your screen properly

1. What is the correct height for your monitor?

The correct height for your monitor is more important than many people think. If your screen is too low, you will quickly start working with your head and neck tilted forward or downwards. This may seem harmless, but in the long term, it can cause tension in your neck, shoulders, and upper back.

The general guideline is simple: the top of your monitor should be approximately at eye level when you are sitting upright. You will then be looking slightly downwards towards the centre of the screen. For most people, this is the most relaxed viewing direction.

Do you work behind a screen all day? Then a well-adjusted monitor is not a minor detail, but an important part of an ergonomic workstation.

Why eye level is so important

Your head is quite heavy. As soon as you hold your neck slightly forward or downwards for an extended period, the strain on muscles and joints quickly increases. A monitor at the correct height helps to keep your head in a natural position.

This supports a better working posture and allows you to work more comfortably, especially during long working days.

2. How do you set up your monitor correctly?

Setting up a monitor correctly doesn't have to be complicated. Always start with your sitting posture. Sit properly at your desk with your feet flat on the floor and your shoulders relaxed. Only then should you look at the position of your screen.

Set the top of the screen at eye level

The top edge of the screen should ideally be roughly level with your eyes. This way, you will naturally look slightly downwards, without bending your neck.

Place the monitor directly in front of you

Place your screen directly in front of your body. If your monitor is slightly turned to the left or right, you will unnecessarily strain your neck by constantly making a small turn.

Maintain a sufficient viewing distance

For most workstations, a distance of approximately an arm's length is comfortable. If you sit too close to the screen, your eyes have to work harder. If you sit too far away, you often tend to lean forward instead.

Also pay attention to the height of your desk and chair

The monitor can be perfectly positioned, but if your chair or desk is incorrectly adjusted, your working posture will remain suboptimal. Ergonomics always works together: chair, desk, screen, and input devices must be coordinated.

3. What common mistakes are made?

In many workplaces, the monitor is not set up correctly. This is logical, as many standard setups are actually too low. These are the mistakes we see most often.

The monitor is too low

This is the most common mistake. Especially with standalone monitors without a riser and with laptops, we see that the screen is too low. As a result, you are constantly looking downwards.

The monitor is too far back or too close

An incorrect viewing distance causes your eyes to tire more quickly or your body to automatically move towards the screen. Both situations are undesirable.

Working on a laptop without a stand

A laptop is convenient, but often less ideal ergonomically. The screen and keyboard are attached to each other. If you set the screen at the correct height, the keyboard will be too high. If you leave the keyboard in a good position, the screen will be too low.

Only looking at the screen and not at the rest of the workstation

A good monitor position is important, but it is not isolated. Incorrect chair adjustment, a desk that is too high, or poorly placed accessories can also cause complaints.

4. What solutions are there if your monitor is too low?

Do you notice that your screen is too low? Fortunately, there are simple solutions to quickly make your workstation more ergonomic.

Use a monitor stand

With a monitor stand, you can easily raise your screen to a better viewing height. This is often the quickest and most practical solution for a fixed workstation.

Monitor stand

Easily and stylishly raise your screen with one of our monitor risers.

Monitor stands

Choose a monitor arm

Do you want more flexibility? Then a monitor arm is an interesting option. With it, you can adjust not only the height but also the distance and viewing angle of your screen more precisely.

Working on a laptop? Then use a laptop stand

For laptop use, a laptop stand is a logical step. In combination with a separate keyboard and a separate mouse, you create a workstation that is much better suited to your body.

Check your entire workstation

A higher monitor helps, but also immediately look at the rest of your workstation. Is your chair correctly adjusted? Is your desk at the right height? Can you work relaxed with your arms and shoulders? It is precisely this combination that makes the difference.

6. Conclusion

The correct height for your monitor is fundamentally simple: the top of the screen should be approximately at eye level, and you should look slightly downwards towards the centre of the screen. Yet, this often goes wrong in many workplaces, often without people immediately realising it.

By setting up your monitor correctly, you work more comfortably and reduce the chance of neck and shoulder complaints. Especially if you spend a lot of time behind a screen, this is a small adjustment with a big effect.

Do you want to further improve your workstation? Then it is smart to also look at solutions such as a monitor stand, monitor arm, or a complete ergonomic workstation setup.