Dimensions / Furniture / Desks / Writing desk
A writing desk is 76–152 cm (30–60 in) wide, 46–61 cm (18–24 in) deep and 71–76 cm (28–30 in) tall, shallower than a standard desk at 61–76 cm (24–30 in). It stands on legs rather than drawer pedestals, so any drawers sit in a shallow band under the top.
| Width | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 76–152cm30–60 in | 46–61cm18–24 in | 71–76cm28–30 in |
Sources: Autonomous. Checked October 2026.
Enter the desk and the wall you have in mind. The desk goes against the wall; each check uses the numbers in the tables on this page.
All in centimetres. 1 in = 2.54 cm.
It takes 110 cm of your 200 cm wall and leaves 90 cm.
Writing desks often go in an alcove or under a window: measure between whatever stands on either side.
There is 105 cm behind the desk, and pulling the chair out to get up takes 91 cm.
Measured from the front edge of the desk to the wall or furniture behind you.
There is 95 cm between the legs, and knees need at least 52 cm.
Measure under the top, between the legs or between a leg and a drawer.
Fitting a desk into a small room? Photograph the wall, mark its width in SizeMarker and check the desk before you order.
Mark a photoWidth × depth × height of each type.
| Desk | Width | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing deskThis page | 76–152 cm30–60 in | 46–61 cm18–24 in | 71–76 cm28–30 in |
| Compact desk | 91–122 cm36–48 in | 46–61 cm18–24 in | 71–76 cm28–30 in |
| Standard sitting desk | 122–183 cm48–72 in | 61–76 cm24–30 in | 71–76 cm28–30 in |
| Executive desk | 152–183 cm60–72 in | 76–91 cm30–36 in | 71–76 cm28–30 in |
| L-shaped deskEach side | 152–183 cm60–72 in | 61–91 cm24–36 in | 71–76 cm28–30 in |
| Standing deskHeight adjustable | 122–183 cm48–72 in | 61–76 cm24–30 in | 71–122 cm28–48 in |
Sources: Autonomous
Width × depth × height, and the storage under the top.
| Desk | Size | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA MICKECable outlet at the back | 105 × 50 × 75 cm41 3/8 × 19 5/8 × 29 1/2 in | Drawer, max load 50 kg |
| Pottery Barn Farmhouse | 91 × 51 × 76 cm36 × 20 × 30 in | 1 drawer, 4 cm (1.5 in) tall inside |
| Pottery Barn Warren | 118 × 52 × 77 cm46.5 × 20.5 × 30.5 in | 3 drawers, 8 cm (3 in) tall inside |
Sources: IKEA (MICKE) · Pottery Barn (Farmhouse) · Pottery Barn (Warren)
OSHA’s minimum space under a desk, and the space to leave behind it.
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| Knee space width, minimum | 52 cm20 in |
| Foot room under the desk, minimum depth | 60 cm24 in |
| Leg clearance under the topHeight | 50–72 cm20–28 in |
| Behind the front edge, for the chairMinimum, to push back and stand up | 91 cm36 in |
| Wall to the end of the chair spaceWriting desk 46–61 + 91 | 137–152 cm54–60 in |
Sources: OSHA · OSHA (desks) · University of Washington
76–152 cm (30–60 in) wide, 46–61 cm (18–24 in) deep and 71–76 cm (28–30 in) tall. IKEA’s MICKE, for example, is 105 × 50 × 75 cm.
It is a table on legs, without drawer pedestals, so any drawers sit directly under the top. That is why it is also called a leg desk, or a bureau plat in French.
Not always. OSHA’s minimum foot room under a desk is 60 cm (24 in) deep, and many writing desks are only 46–61 cm (18–24 in) deep, so against a wall your feet may reach the wall first.
Very little. Pottery Barn’s Farmhouse writing desk has one drawer 4 cm (1.5 in) tall inside; its Warren desk has three drawers 8 cm (3 in) tall inside.
Leave at least 91 cm (36 in) behind its front edge for the chair, so with the desk itself you need 137–152 cm (54–60 in) out from the wall.
Buyers looking at writing desks ask about the depth and the drawer first, because a shallow desk is why they are looking. Mark the real width, depth and height on your own desk photo in SizeMarker, as in the picture at the top, and send one product card for WhatsApp or WeChat.
