Do You Need a Footrest Under Your Desk?

This situation is more common than you might think. If your desk is on the tall side and does not lower, the only way to type comfortably is to raise your chair, which often lifts your feet off the ground. Shorter people run into this frequently. In these cases, a footrest fills the gap between your feet and the floor so your legs are supported rather than hanging.

The benefit of proper foot support flows all the way up your body. When your feet are planted, the weight of your legs is distributed properly and the pressure comes off the underside of your thighs, which improves circulation and comfort. It also helps you maintain the slight, healthy angles in your hips and knees instead of sliding forward in your seat to reach the floor.

To use a footrest well, adjust it so your feet rest flat with your knees at roughly a right angle and your thighs comfortably supported. Some footrests tilt, which lets you rock your feet gently and encourages small movements that keep your legs from getting stiff. That subtle motion is a bonus for circulation during long sitting sessions.

So do you need one? If your feet already rest flat and comfortably on the floor at your ideal typing height, you can skip it. But if you find your feet dangling or you are tucking them under your chair to compensate, a footrest is a cheap and effective fix that improves comfort throughout your lower body.