Glossary
Standing desk converter
A platform that sits on top of an existing desk and lifts a keyboard and monitor to standing height, a cheaper alternative to a full standing desk.
A standing desk converter is a platform, usually with a spring-loaded or gas-lift mechanism, that sits on top of an existing desk and raises a keyboard tray and monitor shelf to standing height when needed. It is a way to add sit-stand flexibility without replacing the whole desk or dealing with a full electric base.
For tall users, the key limitation is the converter's own maximum height, which is added on top of the existing desk's height rather than replacing it. A converter that raises the work surface by 16 inches on a desk that is already at a below-average height may still fall short of true standing height for someone well over six feet.
Before buying, add the converter's stated maximum height to the desk it will sit on, and compare that total against your actual standing elbow height, the same way you would check a full standing desk. Converters also take up desk depth even when lowered, which is worth considering in a smaller workspace already tight on room.
Where this comes up
- Best Tall Desk ConvertersBuying guide
- Setting Up an Ergonomic Desk When You Are TallArticle