If your chair must be raised to reach the desk comfortably and your feet no longer rest flat, a footrest can fill the gap. Build or choose one to fit your own chair and desk: ergonomics guidance calls for full-foot support, room to move, and a position that does not force your knees into an uncomfortable angle, but it does not prescribe one universal footrest height or DIY plan.
First check whether a footrest is the right fix
Set up your usual chair at your usual desk and adjust the chair for the work surface. Ideally, your feet rest flat and your thighs are roughly parallel to the floor. Mayo Clinic recommends adjusting chair height to let your feet rest flat, or using a footrest so your thighs are parallel to the floor. See Mayo Clinic’s office ergonomics guide.
If lowering the chair enough to support your feet makes it difficult to work at the desk, a footrest may help. OSHA says that feet should be fully supported by the floor or a footrest when desk height is not adjustable. Chair and desk setup still matter; a footrest is not a substitute for a workstation that fits in other important ways. OSHA’s guidance is available under Good Working Positions and Chairs.
Fit the footrest to your body and desk
There is no source-backed standard height for a homemade footrest. Find a comfortable height in your actual seated position rather than copying a measurement from a generic plan. The top should support both feet without pushing your knees into a sharply bent or overly straight posture. Your feet should be able to shift forward and sideways instead of being confined to one position.
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#1 Best Overall
- Desk Foot Rest with 6 Six Height Adjustment: Our foot stool can be adjusted according to your height, office chair height, and desk height, allowing you to have an ergonomic sitting posture. The adjustable foot rest comes in six different heights (3.1", 3.9", 4.9", 5.7", 6.5", 7.3") to help you find your most comfortable sitting position. The height can be adjusted by rotating the screws on both sides of the footrest under the desk, which is easy to operate.
- Ergonomic Footrest Under Desk: Using an ergonomically designed footrest under your desk is good for your body. The footrest can raise the center of gravity of the lower body, and with the support of the feet, keep the back straight without oppressing the thighs, thereby maintaining a comfy sitting posture. Regular use of an under-desk footstool can also help relieve back stress and pain, reduce fatigue caused by sitting for long periods, and help you feel more energetic every day.
- Under Desk Foot Massager: Our feet rest for under desk features a small-particle massage surface and four massage rollers. While working, place your feet on the foot rests under your desk and roll the rollers. It can not only massage the soles of the feet but also promote blood circulation and completely relax the legs.
- Durable and Sturdy Under Desk Foot Stool: The black office foot stools are made of high-quality materials Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The legs of the desk footrest have non-slip pads at the bottom to prevent slipping, allowing you to enjoy foot massage more easily. What’s more, the office footstool won’t deform or collapse like a memory foam pad, it's easier to clean than a memory foam pad.
- Various Applicable Scenarios: The footrest under the desk is detachable, making it easier for you to carry out. You can enjoy the massage foot rest anywhere whether it is an airplane, office, home, travel, or computer gaming.
OSHA recommends a footrest surface deep enough for the whole foot and wide enough to allow some forward and sideways movement. Its Workstations — Seats, Stools, and Backrests guidance also prefers a footrest that can be adjusted in height. If adjustability is practical for your build, it can make the support easier to tune; it is not a reason to sacrifice stability.
Check the under-desk space
Before settling on the platform’s size or placement, sit at the desk and make sure the footrest does not crowd your knees or feet or block small position changes. Keep the area beneath the desk clear. OSHA’s seated-workstation guidance gives minimum workspace clearances of 20 inches (52 cm) wide, 17 inches (44 cm) deep at knee level, and 24 inches (60 cm) deep at foot level. These figures describe workspace clearance, not footrest dimensions. See OSHA’s Work Space guidance and Desks.
Rank #2
- [Comfortable Experience] The BlissTrends foot rest has two layers: the lower layer measures 16.2"*9.9"*2.0", and the upper layer is 3.7" thick. The foot stool is ergonomically designed with sufficient height and curvature to better relieve the pressure on your limbs and discomfort when sitting for long periods of time
- [Adjustable Height] Our foot rest is a two-piece set with touch fasteners between the upper and lower layers so you can adjust the height of the foot rest according to your usage needs. When you want to adjust the thickness of the foot rest, you only need to pull the zipper and touch fasteners between the two layers of the foot rest to switch the thickness
- [Easy to Clean] The cover of the foot rest is installed with a zipper and it can be easily removed for machine washing. The foot rest’s fabric is easy to clean. The foot rests are perfect for the office. You only need to wash regularly, you can enjoy the comfort of the foot rests for a long time
- [High Quality Material] The core of the foot pillow is made of high quality foam, which is supportive and does not easily collapse or lose shape. The bottom of the foot pillow is made with a non-slip design, which ensures that the foot pillow does not easily shift when being used
- [Multiple Use Options] The foot rest can be used under your feet or behind your knees. Whether in the office or on the go the foot rest can make sitting more comfortable. Also great as an airplane footrest. You will gradually develop the correct sitting habits in the process of using the foot rest under desk at work, which can effectively relieve the pressure on your spine and allow your body to be more stretched
Plan a simple, stable platform
A basic DIY concept is a platform supported above the floor. The ergonomics guidance does not prescribe a particular material, set of dimensions, fasteners, joinery method, or load rating, so those are choices for the builder rather than official specifications. Start with the fit checks above, then choose a construction approach suited to your tools, skills, and intended use.
- Make the top large enough for both feet and for modest forward and sideways movement.
- Choose a height that supports your feet without forcing an uncomfortable knee position.
- Keep the platform and its supports within the available under-desk space.
- Build a stable base; remove sharp edges and avoid protruding fasteners.
- Test the finished footrest in the actual workspace. It should not rock or slide during ordinary use.
These are practical build-safety checks, not dimensions or construction standards issued by OSHA or Mayo Clinic. If you cannot make a stable platform that fits the space, consider an adjustable ready-made model instead.
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Rank #3
- Ergonomic Office footrest: Foot area surface measuring 13" by 9.6". Our footstools under the table provide all-day foot massage. Keeping your feet and legs elevated will help improve your posture. Rest your foot at work or when resting at home after a long day at the office.
- Comfort & Swingable: Our footrest can swing forward or backward to bring you the comfort you want. Supporting your feet reduce leg pressure, improves sitting posture and relieves fatigue from sedentary activities.
- Durable and Easy to Clean: Our footrest stool is made of premium thickened pp material, the bottom has a non-slip pad to Increase friction to prevent sliding. This foot rest can be cleaned directly. Very convenient.
- Textured surface with Massage and Rollers: Our footstool can be used for foot massage, which can promote blood circulation, the design of the roller meets the needs of office workers to relieve stress. Foot moves with the roller to get more relaxed and cozy feeling.
- Portable & Lightweight: Snap-on design, easy to assemble, no other tools required. Can easily fit into backpacks and handbags without taking up too much space. You can easily carry this footrest to the office, home, or travel.
Compare the practical options
| Option | What to check | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade platform | Does it support both feet, allow movement, fit under the desk, and remain stable? | You can tailor the fit, but you must choose the materials, dimensions, and construction method yourself. |
| Ready-made adjustable footrest | Can you set its height to suit your chair, and does its surface support your feet while leaving room to move? | It avoids a DIY build, but you still need to check its fit and stability at your workstation. |
| Small stool or sturdy books | Do they provide steady temporary support without crowding your legs? | Mayo Clinic suggests these when a footrest is unavailable; the suggestion is not a tested DIY construction plan. |
The comparison is based on fit criteria, not on a product test or ranking. For the temporary alternatives, see Mayo Clinic News Network’s home office ergonomics tips.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ergonomic Office footrest - Helps to improve posture by keeping your feet and legs elevated. Rest your legs in your office while working, or at home after a long day, Man Gifts as Office Desk and PC Gaming Accessories
- Adjustable Height - Height is manually adjustable to 3 different positions: 4.3" , 5.5 ", 6.7" (11cm/14 cm/17cm). Super easy for you to find the perfect position to suit your needs
- Easy Angle Adjustment - Tilts -30°- +30°to support your legs at your preferred angle. The Angle can't be fixed, which rocks back and forth which encourages leg movement
- Massage Textured Surface - Comes with a large non-skid surface (17.13" X 13.19"), free-floating platform texture made up of geometric circular bumps for enhanced stress reduction during the work day. Perfect for office and home use
- Pre-Assembled For Use- This adjustable foot rest is pre-assembled for immediate use. Non slip feet enhances overall stability. Sturdy construction offer you comfortable experience while you’re working or studying
Rank #4
- Ergonomic Comfort: This foot rest features a height and curvature that supports your legs, easing pressure from sitting for hours. It's designed to improve comfort while helping you maintain a healthier posture
- Adjustable Height: Featuring a three-layer design with a 3.7" thick main foot rest and two 2" thick base layers, this foot rest allows for flexible height adjustments. Each layer can be easily attached or removed with touch fasteners, ensuring optimal comfort
- Premium Material: Crafted from high-density foam, this foot rest provides strong, lasting support without sinking or losing shape. The non-slip bottom keeps it stable wherever you use it, making it a reliable choice for long-term comfort and stability
- Easy to Clean: The removable cover with a zipper is machine washable, making maintenance a breeze and keeping your foot rest fresh for everyday use. Just unzip, machine wash, and enjoy, perfect for daily use at home or work
- Versatile Design: Use it under your desk for ergonomic leg support, under your knees for extra comfort, or flip it into a rocking foot rest for relaxation. This compact, adaptable foot rest brings comfort wherever you need it
Test and adjust before relying on it
- Sit in the chair and at the desk you plan to use, with the chair adjusted for the work surface.
- Place both feet on the platform. Check that the whole foot is supported and that your knees are not forced into an uncomfortable angle.
- Shift your feet forward and sideways. Reposition or revise the platform if it restricts those movements.
- Check that your knees and feet have room and that the footrest does not interfere with available under-desk clearance.
- Press and reposition the footrest on the floor to check for rocking or sliding before using it at your workstation.
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