How To Adjust Office Chair? – Quick & Easy Methods 2022

Reviewed By Chiropractic Specialist

Investing in a chair that offers proper support while being comfortable is essential for your health.

Your seat should fit and support your entire body weight. You can maximize the health benefits of your office chair by following these steps.

As a result of these steps, you will improve your posture and prevent lower back pain.

There are two Methods Of How to adjust office chair

Adjusting an Office Chair

To avoid back pain and problems, you should sit on a properly adjusted office chair when working at a desk height for computer work or studying.

People who sit for long periods on unfitted ergonomic office chairs commonly develop seriously overstretched ligaments in their spines, as well as disc problems.

1

Method 1- Adjusting An Office Chair

workstation is the right height
1

Make sure your workstation is the right height.

Ideally, your workstation should be able to be adjusted in height, but few do.

If your workstation cannot be adjusted, you will have to change the height of your chair.

Make sure that the highest point of your workstation is just below your kneecap if your workstation can be adjusted.

When you sit with your hands resting on the desktop, adjust your office chair height so that your elbows form a 90-degree angle.

Workstation angle affects elbow angle
2

Workstation angle affects elbow angle.

To enjoy healthy and comfortable office seating, position your desk close to you with your arms parallel to the spine.

Place hands on the computer keyboard or workstation surface depending on frequency. Ensure that both are 90 degrees apart for optimum comfort level – if higher than elbows, the seat is too low!

For getting an ideal height adjustment lever below the chair’s seat (usually left side) while sitting.

Your feet should be level with your seat
3

Your feet should be level with your seat.

To maintain proper ergonomics, keep your feet flat on the ground and leave a five-centimeter gap between your calf and the chair’s edge.

Taller people may need to raise their workplace chairs and workstations till they can comfortably slide in two fingers while seated.

To ensure optimal knee angle alignment while sitting, use an adjustable footrest or a higher surface to raise those tired feet, providing much-needed elevation!

calf and the front of your office
4

The distance between your calf and the front of your office chair should be measured.

Try to pass your fist between your office chairs and your calf. Your calf should be separated from the edge of the chair by a fist-sized space (about 5 cm or 2 inches). This measurement determines the adjusted seat depth of the chair.

You’ll need to bring the backrest forward if it’s tight and challenging to fit your fist in the space. You can do this in most ergonomic office chairs by turning a lever on the right side of the seat.

Use a low back or lumbar support if the chair’s depth isn’t adjusted. You can change the back backward if there is too much space between your calves and the edge of the chair.

A lever will usually be located on the right side of the seat below the seat. To avoid slumping or slouching at work, the depth of your office chairs must be correct. A good lower back support will minimize the strain on your back and help you avoid common back injuries

Adjust the height of the backrest.
5

Adjust the height of the backrest. 

With your feet down and your calves a fist’s distance from the chair’s edge, move the backrest up or down to fit your back correctly.

It will provide the best back support this way. Over the lower back’s lumbar support, you should feel firm support.

A knob should be located on the back of the chair that allows the backrest to be adjusted.

The backrest is easier to raise while standing than to lower while sitting, so start by introducing it. 

Once seated, adjust the chair’s backrest to fit in the small of your back. You may not be able to change the backrest height on all chairs

front edge of the seat curves towards the floor
6

Adjust the angle of the backrest to fit your back

A backrest at a comfortable angle should support you while you sit in your preferred excellent posture. It would help if you didn’t have to lean back or forth more than you usually would to feel it.

A knob on the back of the chair will lock the backrest angle in place.

While monitoring your monitor, lean forwards and backward to unlock the backrest angle. Once you’ve found the proper angle, secure the backrest. Some chairs allow you to modify the angle of the backrest, while others do not.

When the armrests are at a 90-degree angle
7

When the armrests are at a 90-degree angle

They should barely touch your elbows. While resting your hands on the desktop or computer keyboard, the armrests should barely touch your elbows.

Your arms will have to be positioned awkwardly if they are too high. You should be able to swing your arms freely. You are resting your arms on the armrests while typing will place additional strain on your fingers and supporting structures.

The armrests of some chairs can be adjusted with a screwdriver, whereas others can be adjusted with a knob.

The lower portion of your armrests should be checked. Chairs with adjustable armrests are not available on all models. Whenever the armrests in a chair are too high or cannot be adjusted, remove them to prevent shoulder and finger pain.

Assess your resting eye level
8

Assess your resting eye level.

When you adjust your screen to the correct line of sight, working on a computer can be comfortable and straightforward. To maintain appropriate posture, face forward and slowly open your eyes while seated in a chair so your eyes are level with the monitor.

If necessary, place something behind it, so you don’t have to strain your neck gazing up or down at any time.

Following these tips will make working more accessible and more pleasurable for hours!


2

Method 2 – Choosing The Correct Chair

chair is the right size for your body
1

Make sure the chair you choose is the right size for your body.

Finding the proper fit for your size and shape, especially regarding seats, can be difficult. Most conventional models are made with 90% of the population in mind, making it difficult to find a good fit for those who do not neatly fit under this umbrella!

If you want that all-important personalized feel, you may have to move beyond an ill-suited solution and into custom-made or adjustable terrain.

Choose a chair with controls
2

Choose a chair with controls that can be easily operated while sitting.

A chair with simple controls will allow you to modify your office chair to fit your body while sitting. You can adjust all the pieces to your body by sitting in the chair.

Choose a chair with a height
3

Choose a chair with a height- and tilt-adjustable seat.

The chair’s height must be adjustable to your body and demands when adjusting a chair. Correct sitting necessitates a tilt as well.

front edge of the seat curves towards the floor.
4

Make sure the front edge of the seat curves towards the floor.

With the curve along the edge, your knees will have more space, and your thighs will be more comfortable. Additionally, the seat should not put pressure on the knees or the back of the thighs.

non slippery fabric chair
5

Nonslippery fabric and breathable is the best choice for a chair.

When selecting a workplace chair, ensure it keeps your office cool and comfy while providing the proper grip. Not too sweaty or slick – ideal for productivity!

Adjustable Height
6

Adjustable Height

To ensure your comfort and safety, it’s essential to make sure that you can adjust the backrest on your chair. By doing so, you’ll be able to prevent any potential aches or pains in your lower back.

Armrests should be spaced evenly
7

Make sure the chair has a stable five-point base.

Ensure your workspace is built for success by finding the right office chair. With a five-point base, you’ll be able to find balance and stability while seated on sturdy wheels or casters to match your desired mobility level!

Make sure your chair has adjustable armrests.
8

Make sure your chair has adjustable armrests.

While typing or working, armrests should never restrict your movement. Adjustable armrests can be adjusted to fit your body size and arm length.


How Important Is It To Have A Good Workstation?

Maintaining the correct posture is vital to comfortable, productive work.

A properly rooted workspace starts with a chair that provides all adjustments necessary for employees to position themselves comfortably during their duties.

Make sure that no part of your body suffers extended strain over time. While adjustable desks are ideal (albeit more expensive than other options), an adjustable chair and footrest can also serve as viable solutions at lower costs.


How To Adjust Office Chair If It Is Fixed In Height?

It is critical to adjust your chair height for the best ergonomics to ensure productive and comfortable work.

You won’t be able to move about quickly if the seat is too low, which might inflict pressure on your body over time.

Conversely, if the seat is too high, reaching the work surface may put pressure on joints such as the elbows or wrists, so make sure they are comfortable.

Why not invest in a footrest for extra assistance when sitting in an elevated position?

This should keep both feet flat while seated, allowing maximum comfort throughout long hours of computing!


FAQs

Why is there a knob on the bottom of my office chair?

It is a knob that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the force needed to tilt the device. Using a tension tilt feature, you can decide how much force is required to recline a chair.

How do the levers on my chair work?

To lock or unlock the chair’s tilt, some manufacturers use levers or paddles similar to those used for seat height office chair adjustments or use a single lever or rod.

Should you sit higher or lower at your desk?

Support your sit-to-stand movement by raising your chair
A low-level seat will cause contact stress and possible pain in these joints with prolonged use. A comfortable seat height is one where you can easily place both feet on the ground and bend your knees and hips at 90 degrees.

How does my office chair not lean back anymore?

The recline lever of your office chair may be damaged or worn out if it no longer leans back. Check the recline lever on the chair upside down for damage or denting.

Do I need to adjust my chair if it’s too high?

It is correct to sit at a chair height when your feet are flat on the floor, and your knees are slightly lower than your hips (with shoes on).

Is there a way to fix an adjustable chair that won’t stay up?

The most common solution for fixing an office chair is to use a hose clamp. It’s easy and cheap, and you can do it at home in just a few minutes – you don’t have to disassemble the office chair. Although there are other alternatives, such as using PVC pipe, hose clamps are more popular

Ron Mason
I, Ron Mason, am a retired forestry professional. My previous profession was that of an environmental educator, specifically as a Forester, with the USDA Forest Service. Additionally, I have worked as a contract forester in the private sector. With a strong background in science and engineering, my expertise lies in timber stand management, forest ecology, and wildlife biology. I am a dedicated woodworker and take pleasure in crafting furniture, tables, cabinets and other wooden items as a hobby.