The Best Office Chair for a Tall Person: 4 Numbers to Check First

If you're tall, you know how it goes. The seat is at its highest setting, your knees are still above your hips, and the lumbar curve is pressing somewhere near your belt instead of your lower back.

The best office chair for a tall person isn't always the one sold as "big and tall." It's the one that gets four measurements right: top seat height, seat depth, back height, and a weight rating that matches how you'll use it. Brand matters less. If the seat doesn't go high enough, nothing else on the chair will make up for it.

This guide covers each of those four numbers and shows which Eurotech chairs meet them.

Take two measurements first

You'll need a tape measure and your usual work shoes.

1. Floor to the back of your knee. Stand straight and measure from the floor to the crease behind your knee. Your ideal seat height is roughly this number.
2. Your desk height. Measure from the floor to the top of your desk. You'll need it at the end.

Write both down. They'll tell you more than any "fits up to 6'5"" claim.

Number 1: maximum seat height

Tall people usually run out of seat height before anything else. Compare your knee measurement with each chair's top setting. Here are the top seat heights from Eurotech's official specs:

The Xtreme's top setting is more than 2" higher than the GEN2's, even though they're from the same family. For a tall person, that can be the whole difference.

If your knee measurement is right at a chair's maximum, you're using the last bit of its range. A chair whose top setting is a little above your number gives you room to adjust.

Number 2: seat depth

Long legs mean long thighs. On a shallow seat, your thighs hang off the front edge, and more of your weight ends up on a smaller area.

Sit all the way back. You want two to four fingers of space between the seat edge and the back of your knee. A sliding seat (seat depth adjustment) makes that much easier to get right.

A lot of lists skip this part. The Xtreme has the highest seat on this list but also the shallowest seat pan. If most of your height is in your legs, check the depth before you decide. The GEN2 or Apollo II may fit you better even though they don't go as high.

Number 3: back height and lumbar position

A long torso needs the lumbar support to sit higher. If it can't move, the curve ends up in the wrong place. Look for back height adjustment:

• The Ergohuman GEN2 back is 27.17" to 29.92" tall and has back height adjustment.
• The Xtreme, BT-400, 24/7, Apollo II, and 4x4 XL all list a 2.8" ratchet back height adjustment.

A headrest helps if you recline. The GEN2 and Xtreme both come with one. If you sit upright and type most of the day, you'll get less out of it.

Number 4: weight rating and daily use

Height and weight often go together, so check how the chair is rated. Eurotech's standard warranty assumes a 40-hour work week and a 275 lb limit unless noted otherwise.

Two chairs are exceptions:

• The BT-400 Big and Tall, which Eurotech says "offers a weight capacity of 100 lbs more than a standard Eurotech chair." It also has a wider seat.
• The 24/7 Intensive Use, built with extra-thick cushions for long shifts. It has its own warranty: five years on components and two years on upholstery and foam.

Which chair fits which tall person

Tall, average build, desk work: the Ergohuman Xtreme. It has the highest seat here, forward tilt for typing, and a headrest. Check the seat depth first.

Tall with long thighs: the Ergohuman GEN2 or the Apollo II MFST5400. Both have deeper seats and seat sliders. The Apollo II is the value pick and adds an adjustable lumbar pad.

Tall and heavy, or sharing a seat around the clock: the BT-400 for weight capacity and a wider seat, or the 24/7 for round-the-clock use.

A five-minute fit test

Once the chair arrives, go through these in order:

1. Raise the seat until your thighs are about level and your feet are flat.
2. Slide the seat so there's a small gap behind your knees.
3. Move the back up until the lumbar curve meets the small of your back.
4. Set the arms so your shoulders can relax.
5. Check your desk. If your elbows end up below the desktop, the desk is the problem, not the chair.

That last step catches a lot of people. Even in a well-fitted chair, you'll hunch at a desk that's too low. A sit-stand desk or a higher work surface may help more than another chair would.

Browse our high back chairs and the Big & Tall / 24/7 collection.

Three mistakes tall buyers make

Buying "big and tall" by default. Big and tall chairs are wider and rated for more weight, which is great if you need that. If you're tall and slim, you may be paying for width you don't need. Check seat height and depth first.

Ignoring back height. A chair can have a great seat range and still put the lumbar curve down by your hips. Make sure the back adjusts, and check where the curve actually lands on you.

Trusting height claims. Your overall height doesn't tell you your leg length, torso length, or desk height. The four numbers in this guide do.

Frequently asked questions

What seat height does a tall person need?

High enough that your thighs are about level and your feet are flat. Measure from the floor to the back of your knee in your work shoes. The chair's top seat height should reach at least that.

Is a big and tall chair the same as a chair for tall people?

No. "Big and tall" usually means a wider seat and a higher weight rating. If you're tall but slim, a chair with a high seat range and seat depth adjustment, such as the Ergohuman Xtreme or GEN2, may suit you better.

Do I need a headrest if I'm tall?

Only if you recline. If you sit upright and type, the headrest often won't reach you anyway. If you lean back to read or take calls, choose a chair with one.

What if my desk is too low?

Raise the desk or use a sit-stand desk. In a perfectly set chair at a 29" desk, a tall person will still round their shoulders. The chair and desk have to work together.

How do I know if the seat is deep enough?

Sit all the way back. You should be able to fit two to four fingers between the seat edge and the back of your knee. If your thighs hang off the front, the seat is too shallow.

Send us your height, your knee measurement, and your desk height, and we'll help you choose a chair. Shipping is free. Email service@ergoessentials.co or call (303) 879-5355.

All dimensions and warranty terms are from Eurotech's official product and policy pages at eurotechseating.com.