How tall is your workbench

[TheClaw]

I realize this is personal preference. I'm used to a bench top that is 38" tall. Yet, with a new dual 46" box setup my height is changing and it's complicating how I frame out the entire unit. How tall is your bench? What is the consensus about a comfortable ergonomic height for working?

Image for illustration only. Credit to @tarmy

 

[WillyBoy]

An old story told by my father, quoting his father. I never knew my grandfather but he must have been a real pisser.

Regarding the height of a workbench, he's reported to have said, "You put a pencil up your *** and mark it." while wagging his rear end sideways as though using a pencil in his *** to mark a wall behind him.

Essentially saying that a comfortable working height is '**** high". Since then I've found that height to be too low. I have a herniated disk and other stuff going so a higher surface is better for me.

All of this to say essentially, ymmv, Your mileage may vary.

 

[bdbecker]

What is the consensus about a comfortable ergonomic height for working?

Whatever works best for you. Even people who are the exact same height will have differing opinions on what the "right" bench height is. If you are worried about the new height, take a few minutes to mock something up with boxes, scrap boards, or whatever you have handy. Stand at it, pretend to work on it, and see what you think. That'll tell you more than anything you read online.

 

[tworley]

38" for me.

 

[LopezBart]

36"-38" is standard. Better too high than low; one can always add a mat in front. The ideal height varies a lot for people w/ unusual body proportions; my dad was pretty short esp. as he got older, but had very long arms ( we referred to this as a high ape index ), so he was comfortable w/ a very low sink. The rest of us got back aches washing the dishes there.

 

[Higgins]

An old story told by my father, quoting his father. I never knew my grandfather but he must have been a real pisser.

Regarding the height of a workbench, he's reported to have said, "You put a pencil up your *** and mark it." while wagging his rear end sideways as though using a pencil in his *** to mark a wall behind him.

Essentially saying that a comfortable working height is '**** high". Since then I've found that height to be too low. I have a herniated disk and other stuff going so a higher surface is better for me.

All of this to say essentially, ymmv, Your mileage may vary.

WoW!
Was around 5ish at the time, and frequently he would use his greasy finger to mark what ever he was working on!!

 

[T45]

I really prefer different heights depending on what I'm doing. Roll carts I prefer the lower ones (low 30's) vs the taller ones (upper 30s to mid 40s). For actual worktop and work-benches, I tend to prefer the bar height surfaces, eg around 40 in.

 

[UserNameAttempt3]

When I build a new one, since I'm 6'2" with a bad back, 40" is where I'm going to make the table top at.

I have a standing desk for work and typing at 42" is about perfect.

 

[jayemm]

I remember reading someplace that one rule of thumb was the work surface height, with arms at your side, to be even with where your wrist meets your hand. I have mine about 2-1/2" lower at~34".
Another rule was the top surface of the bench vise to be even with forearm parallel to floor.
Naturally have to adjust to whatever works best.

 

[TheClaw]

I remember reading someplace that one rule of thumb was the work surface height, with arms at your side, to be even with where your wrist meets your hand. I have mine about 2-1/2" lower at~34".
Another rule was the top surface of the bench vise to be even with forearm parallel to floor.
Naturally have to adjust to whatever works best.

That makes a lot of sense. I knew there would be a scientific answer to this. Sure beats putting a pencil in your *** (@WillyBoy)

Progress pictures

 

[u2slow]

40-44" for me in most cases.

My biggest work top right now (40" x 96") has to be tall enough for my welding machines to roll underneath.

My "heavy" bench is lower (36") because the vise adds working height to whatever i'm doing.

My tool chests all have top-boxes, and get their own wall (skinny side of the shop) because they're only 18-20" deep.

 

[Gangly]

I prefer a higher table height, so mine is between my belly button and waist. I’m 6’7” though, so maybe I over compensated for always having to lean down to access tabletops and counter tops. Whatever the reason, I have a work bench height around 44-45 inches, and I love it.

 

[Real_PhillBert]

I have mine at about 42" right now. I really prefer more of a bar height than a counter height.

I'm considering a box that's 46" tall, and if I buy that I'll raise the bench to match.

 

[tarmy]

I realize this is personal preference. I'm used to a bench top that is 38" tall. Yet, with a new dual 46" box setup my height is changing and it's complicating how I frame out the entire unit. How tall is your bench? What is the consensus about a comfortable ergonomic height for working?

Image for illustration only. Credit to @tarmy

Thanks for the credit OP!

I like a higher bench…so mine is 44” avg. on a slope garage floor. I have 4 work areas all about the same.

 

[Just Puttering]

Mine is 41" high. Built it 7 years ago and it has always seemed to be the perfect height for my 6'5".

 

[pima67]

Really depends on how tall you are OR length of your legs OR distance from floor to your elbows when your forearms are bent as if working on an item on the bench top.

 

[Whitworth]

Detail work; I want it pretty high so I don't have to hunch over to see.

Hand planes, routers, hand drills; I want it fairly low so I can put my back into it.

Assembly bench; want it really low so the work isn't looming over my head.

 

[jhelrey]

I have two. Both are at different heights. Depending on what I'm working on dictates which one I use.

 

[Shiftless]

I’m just 5’8 and I like my 38 inch high bench. I originally built it to 36 inches but added an extra thick top a few years ago and it is comfortable for me.

 

[ATC]

I'm 6'5" with a messed up back. Mine is around 42-44". I haven't exactly measured it...I just set it on blocks to level it at a comfortable height (outdoor workbench).

 

[larry_g]

To me it makes a lot of difference if your working on a project wearing magnifiers or assembling engines/transmissions. The project should be at a height that makes it easy to work on. So in my shop I have benches/tables from 30" to a bit above 40" Sometimes I sit to to work on things.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[JohnX14]

It depends what you are doing on your "bench". My bench is 42" I'm happy with it. Good thing because it isn't designed to be easily or at-all modified. I built a 4' x 8' multi-purpose work table on casters. I cut it down from 36" tall to 30" (ish) because I was cutting, then assembling, van and shop cabinets, and the table was so tall for me that I needed to step on a ladder or milk crate just to assemble a lot of what I was doing. That extra 6" in height was definitely inconvenient.

 

[Smilodon]

I thought of getting one about 5 feet tall to make me feel like a kid hanging out in the garage again!

 

[four.cycle]

mine is an old kitchen counter with 2" x 6" car decking on top, so 37" from the floor to the top.

 

[Russell_Reid]

I am 6'2" tall. I built all my workbenches (5) at 35". Matches the height of my table saw, the bed of my chop saw and the height of my collapsible saw horses (home built) with 3/4 ply on them. Anything can be an out feed or work support. All my small stationary tools (bench drill press, bench band saw, bench grinder, etc) end up at a good work height for me. Assembly work also is at a good work height. If I am at the bench doing smaller work I sit on my height adjustable rolling stool. I am happy with how it all works and haven't had any issues.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I’ve had workbenches from 36” to 48” high. I’m 5’ 11”, and 42” works best for me.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm just over 6' and wear work boots most of the time. I built my benches and work spots at 40".

 

[TurnipTruck]

I am 5’10” and my back agreed with the height of my 37” tall jobsite table saw, so I built all six tables and benches to match. I was given a 42” high steel table and didn’t like it until I cut it down.

 

[BigGarage]

I just went out and measured it. 39" from floor to surface. I'm 6' 1" and it is perfect for me.

Damn it's cold outside

 

[rd65]

mine is an old kitchen counter with 2" x 6" car decking on top, so 37" from the floor to the top.

Looks a lot like mine. More storage shelf than workbench.

 

[rd65]

Mine are built off old kitchen cabinets. Tops are a bit taller as they are solid core doors. Spend some time at your kitchen counter and see if that is comfortable for you. I'm only 5-9 so kitchen height works fine.

 

[Spareparts]

I built mine Belt High,I am 5'9" so the benches tops are 38".

 

[four.cycle]

Looks a lot like mine. More storage shelf than workbench.

I think that "workbench" will still look like that when they carry me out of here. Been trying to get it cleared off for almost 30 years. The pile just keeps getting taller.

 

[rd65]

I think that "workbench" will still look like that when they carry me out of here. Been trying to get it cleared off for almost 30 years. The pile just keeps getting taller.

Yep, as soon as I clean mine up, I turn around and it's right back to be covered with "stuff"

 

[Lumpy102]

My woodworking bench is 35 in. (I was 5'9") which conveniently pretty much lines up with my tablesaw. I prefer planing and sanding at this height. My Rousseau cabinets with top are 42 in. including the top, which I find too tall to work at, however my welding bench is at 34 in. which puts the vice jaws at 42 in. Most of what I work on isn't flat so the lower bench height works well for me, and I find it wears on my shoulders to be working at shoulder height or above, and I absolutely hate working off the floor.

 

[whateg01]

I work on a variety of things. Sometimes I just get a milk crate to set the work on. Sometimes 2 milk crate. Sometimes the welding bench. Sometimes the work surface on the toolbox. I've thought about doing this.

 

[bigredcornhead]

Mine is 37 inches, but i should have made it taller so i can put an icon box underneath the damn thing lol.

 

[Dagny]

That makes a lot of sense. I knew there would be a scientific answer to this. Sure beats putting a pencil in your *** (@WillyBoy)

Progress pictures

Nice receptacles solves the ground up or down problem.

 

[Dagny]

not sure what I did there

 

[Dig Doug]

It depends on what I’m working on or what I’m doing

tool box is at 40
rolling cart/table is at 32

Last week, I was rebuilding a 3 piece bead lock wheel for my can am and the lower height worked best for that task