To convert a desk to a standing desk, put a standing desk converter on it: a platform that lifts your screen and keyboard to standing height and lowers again when you sit. Choose the width by your monitors, the lift by how often you switch (gas spring or electric) and check the weight rating. If you want the whole desk to move, a full standing desk is the better buy.
Converter or standing desk?
Both let you switch between sitting and standing. The difference is what moves: a converter lifts a platform on top of the desk you already have, while a standing desk raises the whole desktop on its own legs.
A converter is the better pick when:
- You want to keep the desk you have, or you cannot replace it (a rented office, a shared desk, a built-in unit).
- You want to try standing for part of the day without buying a new desk.
- You need to move your sit-stand setup between rooms or offices.
- Your budget is smaller: a converter costs less than a full standing desk.
A standing desk is the better pick when:
- You want the whole work surface to move, not just the screen and keyboard.
- You are setting up a new workspace anyway.
- You use a heavy setup, such as several large monitors, that needs more room and capacity than a converter platform offers.
| Solution | What it does | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor riser | Raises the screen to eye level | You only sit and need the monitor higher. |
| Standing desk converter | Lifts screen and keyboard together, sit or stand | You want to stand at the desk you already have. |
| Full standing desk | Raises the whole desktop | You are building a new workspace or need the full surface to move. |
Compare both on our standing desk converters and standing desks pages.
How to choose a converter
Four things decide which converter fits: its width, the depth of your desk, the lift type and the weight rating. The comparison tables on our standing desk converters page list these for every model, so you can filter by what you need.
Width: match it to your monitors
Measure the setup you will put on the platform. A single monitor or a laptop fits a compact converter. Two monitors side by side need a wide platform, or a converter with a built-in dual monitor mount that holds the screens on arms above the surface. Make sure the platform does not hang over the edges of your desk, which makes the setup less stable.
Desk depth and footprint
Measure your desk's width and depth, then check the converter's base size. The base should sit fully on the desk with room left for a notepad or a drink. Some converters move forward in an arc as they rise, and others lift straight up. A straight lift needs less room in front of the desk, which helps in cubicles and small home offices.
Lift type: gas spring or electric
- Gas spring (manual): you squeeze a handle and the spring helps you lift or lower the platform. No cable or outlet needed, and usually a lower price.
- Electric: a motor moves the platform at the push of a button. It takes no effort and suits people who switch many times a day. It needs a power outlet.
For posture, both work the same once set to the right height. The real difference is effort: if switching is easy, you are more likely to do it often.
Weight rating
Add up the weight of everything that will sit on the converter: monitors, laptop, speakers, lamp. Choose a model whose rated capacity is above that total, so it lifts smoothly and stays steady when you type. Overloading a converter makes it wobble and wears out the lift.
Height range and keyboard tray
Check that the converter rises high enough for your standing height and lowers far enough for comfortable sitting. A lower keyboard tray lets you keep the keyboard below the screen, which is easier on your neck and wrists than a single flat surface.
Will a converter damage my desk?
Quality converters have rubber feet or padded bases that protect the desktop and stop the unit from sliding. Your desk needs to be sturdy enough to carry the converter plus your equipment. Avoid glass-top desks unless the converter's maker says they are suitable.
Setting up your converter for good posture
A converter only helps if it is set up well. These steps take a few minutes.
Find your heights
Start with the keyboard. Whether you sit or stand, your arms should be relaxed with your elbows bent at about 90 degrees, so your wrists stay straight while you type. When you stand, raise the converter until you reach that angle. When you sit, lower it and adjust your chair so you keep the same posture with your feet flat on the floor.
Then set the monitor. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level, so you look straight ahead instead of tilting your head. If your monitor sits too low on the platform, a monitor arm or riser fixes that.
Arrange the rest
- Monitor distance: about an arm's length away, so you can read without leaning in.
- Mouse: right next to the keyboard, so you do not reach or twist your wrist.
- Cables: leave enough slack for the full lift and tie them together, so nothing snags or unplugs when the platform moves.
- Clear the desk first: take everything off before you unpack and place the converter, and check that it sits level and steady before you load it.
Ease into standing
Alternate between sitting and standing rather than standing all day. Start with short standing periods and add time as you get used to it. An anti-fatigue mat makes longer standing periods more comfortable, and shifting your weight or stretching now and then keeps you from stiffening up.
DIY standing desk: what to know
You can make a quick standing desk by stacking books or boxes under a laptop or monitor. It is a free way to test whether you like working on your feet. But a DIY stack does not adjust: to sit again you have to take it apart, and it is hard to get the keyboard and screen at their own correct heights.
A converter solves both problems. It moves between sitting and standing in seconds, and its separate keyboard level keeps your hands lower than your eyes. If a DIY test tells you that you like standing, a converter is the next step; if you want the whole desk to move, look at a full standing desk.