Calculator
Workbench Height Calculator
At 5 ft 10 in (70 in) your standing elbow height is about 44 in. Heavy hand-tool work wants the top about 11 in under the elbow, 33 in; general assembly 7 in under, 37 in; fine layout and electronics near the elbow, 43 in. A comfortable reach for a bench you stand at is about 28 in deep.
Workbench height and depthUpdates as you type
37.1 in for general work
- Standing elbow height (about 63 percent of height)
- 44.1 in
- Heavy work
- 33.1 in
- General work
- 37.1 in
- Precision work
- 43.1 in
- Comfortable bench depth (about 40 percent of height)
- 28 in
Elbow height as a fraction of stature is an average from published human-body data, not your exact number: stand relaxed with your forearm level and measure floor to elbow. Add the thickness of an anti-fatigue mat if you use one.
Adjustable benches and mats
Matched to this result.
Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.
Both ways to buy: Amazon and direct from Grizzly
Each card shows an Amazon pick and a Grizzly Industrial pick for the same job, with one line on when to choose which.
6 ft adjustable workbench
Choose the Amazon bench to keep spending down; choose the Grizzly bench when you run power tools on it every weekend and want the built-in outlets.
Hardwood-top workbench
The Amazon bench is a height-adjustable hardwood top; the Grizzly bench is a fixed heavy-duty oak top on steel legs for a bench that never moves.
Prices change often and Grizzly runs sales, so the buttons show current prices.
Height depends on the work
A bench height that is right for planing is wrong for assembly. Heavy work wants the top low, so you can bear down with your body weight: about 11 in under standing elbow height, near the palm of a relaxed hand. General assembly and machine work sit about 7 in under the elbow. Precision work, such as layout, electronics or setting up a lathe, wants the surface close to the elbow so your forearms are level. We estimate standing elbow height as about 63 percent of your stature, an average from published body-size data; measure your own for a better answer.
One bench, two heights
Many garage owners solve the problem with an adjustable-height bench. See the workbench section for size and layout by garage, and the bench size calculator for how long a bench fits next to a parked car.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best workbench height?
For a 5 ft 10 in person, about 37 in for general work, 33 in for heavy hand-tool work and 43 in for precision work. Adjustable benches avoid the compromise.
How deep should a workbench be?
About 40 percent of your height is a comfortable reach, 28 in at 5 ft 10 in. Garage benches commonly run 24 to 30 in deep; deeper benches need a reach tool or a step.
Does an anti-fatigue mat change bench height?
Yes, by the thickness of the mat, usually 3/4 to 1 in. Measure with the mat in place.
This page is researched guidance, not professional electrical, engineering or safety advice. Circuits, loads and clearances depend on your house, your service and your town: have a licensed electrician confirm any wiring, and check local code and each manufacturer's manual before you act.
