Summary: desk width decides how many people fit in one row, how many monitors you can use comfortably, and how many units go into a container. For administrative work 1200 mm is enough; for work that opens two documents side by side, 1400 mm is the balance point; for design, CAD or two large monitors, 1600 mm is where the desk stops feeling tight. The most common depth is 600–700 mm at a 750 mm surface height. This guide gives comparison tables, the row-capacity formula, and the sizing mistakes that cost the most in procurement.
The three widths that dominate the staff desk market
Almost every staff desk we produce sits at one of three widths: 1200, 1400 and 1600 mm. A 1500 mm width exists but is rarely specified because it neither saves space nor adds meaningful monitor capacity.
| Width | Working capacity | Best for | Desks per 6 m row |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 mm | One 24″ monitor + keyboard + one open A4 document | Data entry, call centre, admin, space-constrained offices | 5 units |
| 1400 mm | One to two monitors + keyboard + two A4 documents side by side | General staff, accounting, customer service, back office | 4 units |
| 1600 mm | Two 27″ monitors + keyboard + open A3 document | Design, CAD, editing, technical staff, supervisors | 3 units (1200 mm left for circulation) |
The last column matters when you draw the floor plan: a 6-metre row filled with 1200 mm desks seats five people, while 1600 mm desks seat three, with leftover space too short for another desk. That two-seat difference per row sets the capacity of the whole floor.
Width by type of work
A more accurate rule is based on the work, not the job title. Our team uses the table below when building project quotations, and it can be copied straight into a tender specification.
| Type of work | Minimum width | Comfortable width | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data entry, telemarketing | 1000 mm | 1200 mm | One monitor, one document, headset |
| Administration, finance | 1200 mm | 1400 mm | Two documents side by side, calculator, small printer |
| Customer service, back office | 1200 mm | 1400 mm | Two small monitors still fit at 1400 mm |
| Graphic design, CAD, editing | 1400 mm | 1600 mm | Two 27″ monitors plus a drawing tablet |
| Supervisor, team leader | 1400 mm | 1600 mm | Room to seat one visitor beside the desk |
If the company has no standard yet, the simplest approach is to size the desk for the most demanding role in the team and apply that width to everyone. Uniformity is cheaper at the next purchase, and the floor plan can be rearranged without buying new desks.
Depth: 600, 700 or 800 mm
Depth is often ignored because price is driven more by width. In practice depth decides whether the monitor can sit 50–70 cm from the eyes without being pushed against the wall.
- 600 mm — enough for one monitor without a monitor arm. Common in narrow offices and for back-to-back desk runs.
- 700 mm — the most balanced standard. There is room for the monitor, keyboard and documents in front of the keyboard. This is the depth we use for most staff desks.
- 800 mm — specified when using a monitor arm, two monitors, or an A3 document in front of you. Every extra 100 mm of depth reduces circulation behind the chair.
For back-to-back desks, two 700 mm desks total 1400 mm — still leaving a 1000 mm aisle in a 2400 mm room. At 800 mm depth the total becomes 1600 mm and the aisle shrinks to 800 mm, passable but tight when two people cross.
750 mm height and legroom
A 750 mm surface height is the standard on almost every office desk we produce and suits users from roughly 155 to 185 cm when paired with a height-adjustable chair. What needs checking is not only the top height but the legroom:
- Minimum legroom 600 mm wide, 600 mm deep and 620 mm clear height under the desk.
- Modesty panels should stop 100–150 mm above the floor so feet do not hit them when swivelling.
- Mobile pedestals take 400–500 mm; keep the other side clear so the user can turn the chair.
Desks with an integrated power panel such as the BG-2455W2 1600 mm move sockets into the back panel, so legroom stays clear and no extension lead runs across the floor.
Calculating desks per row
The formula we use when drawing layouts: desks = (row length − 200 mm) ÷ desk width, rounded down. The 200 mm allowance is an end gap.
| Row length | 1200 mm desks | 1400 mm desks | 1600 mm desks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 metres | 3 units | 2 units | 2 units |
| 6 metres | 5 units | 4 units | 3 units |
| 8 metres | 6 units | 5 units | 4 units |
| 12 metres | 9 units | 8 units | 7 units |
The gap is obvious on a 12-metre row: nine people versus seven. For 60 staff, a 1200 mm layout needs about seven rows while a 1600 mm layout needs nine — two extra rows is the floor area of a small meeting room.
Four sizing mistakes that cost the most
- Specifying 1600 mm for everyone. More floor area, fewer units per container, and staff who only use one monitor get space they never touch.
- Choosing 1200 mm for two-document work. Documents end up on laps or on top of the keyboard, and the complaint becomes “the desk is too small” when the real issue is the width.
- Ignoring depth while measuring the room. A 1600 × 800 mm desk looks fine on a 2D plan, but the aisle behind the chair shrinks to 600 mm and the chair cannot be pulled out.
- Not matching the height of existing desks. Mixing 750 mm and 720 mm desks makes a row look uneven and complicates shared panel mounting.
40HQ container loading
Width changes the number of units per container because volume changes, even at the same 700 mm depth. The figures below are practical estimates for knock-down desks without pedestals and are used when calculating landed cost per unit.
| Desk width | Volume per unit | Estimated units per 40HQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 × 700 mm | 0.18 m³ | 300–330 units |
| 1400 × 700 mm | 0.20 m³ | 270–300 units |
| 1600 × 700 mm | 0.23 m³ | 240–260 units |
The 60-unit difference between 1200 mm and 1600 mm is worth several thousand dollars of freight per container. Mixed-container composition is covered in the 20ft & 40HQ container loading guide, and per-unit cost simulation in the 2026 office desk price guide.
The width mix we recommend for new projects
For a 40–80 person office, the mix most of our clients choose is: 60–70% desks at 1200–1400 mm for admin and operations staff, 20–25% at 1600 mm for technical teams and supervisors, and the remainder in special units such as counters or small meeting tables. The mix keeps cost per seat low without shortchanging teams that genuinely need a wider surface.
Useful starting points: BG-2241W2 1200 mm with red A-legs, BG-2418W2 1400 mm in dark wood, BG-24820W12 1400 mm in beige, and BG-2455W2 1600 mm with a power panel. Paired layouts are in the workstation category.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal desk width for one person?
For general office work, 1200–1400 mm is the ideal range. Below 1200 mm two A4 documents cannot be opened side by side; above 1600 mm the extra floor area is usually better spent on storage.
Is 1200 mm wide enough for two monitors?
It fits two 21–22 inch monitors without side speakers, but keyboard and documents get tight. For two 24-inch monitors or larger, use 1400 mm or a monitor arm so the monitor bases stop eating the desk surface.
What desk depth is comfortable?
700 mm is the most balanced depth for staff desks. Choose 600 mm in narrow rooms without a monitor arm, or 800 mm when using two large monitors or A3 documents.
Does desk width affect import cost?
Yes, because volume per unit changes and therefore the number of units per container differs. The gap between 1200 mm and 1600 mm can reach 60 units per 40HQ, which moves landed cost per desk.
Verifiable company facts
- Legal entity: Foshan BG Office Furniture Co., Ltd. — 佛山市毕戈家具有限公司 (USCC 91440606MA4UKCYD6A)
- Founded: 2015 — 10,000 m² ISO 9001 certified factory in Lecong, Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, China
- Export experience: 50+ countries, including importers, dealers and project contractors in Indonesia
- Services: OEM/ODM, mixed containers, Form E ACFTA, 25–35 day production lead time
To request a layout drawing based on your room dimensions or a staff desk quotation, send your requirement list and destination city through the contact form, email sales001@fsbige.com, or call/WeChat +86-18928562556.