Bench Height Explained | Paul Sellers 

I’ve been working with wood for over 35 years. Started with bench built from a set of plans that said bench height was determined by the dimension between the floor and your wrist with your arms hanging comfortably at your sides ( I think it worked out to about 28” for me). My new bench came with a wealth of lower back pain. I kept shimming it up to try and make it more comfortable and then heard you talk about this issue maybe 10 years ago. My bench was at about 36” by then and still was causing problems with my back and shoulders if I worked for more that 2 or 3 hours at a stretch. I decided to quit trying half measures and took your advice. I’m 6’2” so I built a new bench at 40” tall and ended up shimming it another 2”. I could kick myself for not doing it sooner. I can work as hard and as long as I like with no back fatigue at all. I still get tired but that’s because I’m almost 70 not because I’m using an I’ll fitting bench. Thanks for the advice.

Also people should be aware that the standing joiners/rubo/Scandinavian/etc. Benches are not the only benches, there are several low bench/sitting bench designs that have worked for several cultures

Hi Paul. I just wanted to say a few words about how much I enjoy your videos. I'm fairly new to your channel but watched most of them already. I'm not new to woodworking though, as I served my time as an indentured joiner from 1964 at the tender age of 15. I'm no longer working in the trade but still working as a professionally qualified and chartered building surveyor. I still enjoy making items in my small shed and since watching your channel have reverted back to hand tools rather than macuinery. I was introduced to your channel by my step son a few months ago who is a RIBA qualified architect and keen DIY er. He also has a RU-vid channel called The Garden Workshop restoring old tools and he did a great job of a No. 4 plane by the way. I tonally admire and respect your enthusiasm for restoring the old tradition, just what is needed now before the real craftsmen disappear along with their knowledge and skills. I have taken on board many of your techniques as 100% improvements to the way I was taught many years ago. Keep up the good work and best wishes for your future channel. Kind regards Ken Briscoe.

I'm a 5'2" hobby woodworker, using that as my starting point 31-32" is about right. And having used my workbench at that height for a couple years its right on the money. Good stuff as always Mr. Sellers! Thank you!

Thanks Paul. I think you have the soundest advice when it comes to bench heights. My bench is 35" tall and I'm 6' tall. It is too short. Now, over the years, I have adapted to it by sitting at a stool for many operations (layout, chopping out wasted, etc) and that has helped. I need to raise it up. I took a recent woodworking class at a local adult education place. They had two benches at 39" and I worked at one of them. It was absolutely wonderful at this increased height. I have "shoes" to put around each leg and will do so before my next big project and I will increase it to 40". I think that most of the talking heads regarding bench height really must not work much at a bench much. Then you get those that just parrot what they have heard. Again, you are without a doubt providing the best advice on this.

Thank you for the info. I'm going to build a new bench later this year and I've been struggling with this issue. I have a arthritic condition in my spine and have to limit my work. Your information will help me greatly!

No matter what the field of knowledge, a person who really knows what he is talking about, can make it seem simple. Thank you, Paul.

Thanks for the advice, Paul!Another idea that may benefit some - when I was building my bench, I put the top together and then set it on adjustable height saw horses and played around with different heights on that while I was making the joinery for the legs/trestle. I found a height that seems to be perfect for me. But it did end up being roughly around 38” like Paul suggested. There’s only been a handful of tasks that I found myself crouching over too much for, so I put together a shop stool to lower myself and rest my back (I’ve had a couple surgeries on my lower back, so I’m a little more sensitive than some when it comes to that). Happy woodworking!!

Excellent and useful advice, which applies equally to kitchen work surfaces.

Thank you! You've just settled something I've been wrestling with in setting up my shop.

I am 5´10´´ (1770mm) tall. I bought a second-hand woodworking bench that was 2´7/8´´ (810mm) high. Whenever I worked on it, I got back and neck pain. I decided to increase its height by 2´´ (25.4mm). My back and neck got better, although I still had pain. Again I increased it another 2´´ in height. I did this at the suggestion of Paul Sellers years ago. I never had back and neck pain again. thank you mr. P. Sellers.

I am somewhere between 6’ 3-4”. I have struggled with this for years. Thank you for the video.

Thanks for all the tips, Paul! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

excellent timing! I’m just starting to build a bench and was overthinking the height to make it. Thanks Paul!

I'm 5'-6" tall I struggled for a while to figure it out. It is still a little off for me. Thanks for your advice! Take care!

Just by watching your videos, I've deduced that the height to your belt buckle is roughly the ideal height for a bench.

Prior to this video view, I used a standard counter height in my kitchen. Finished height is usual 36" to top of counter. Im 5' 6". Not knowing, the bench felt comfortable all these years. Thanks Paul. Nicw video.

I am a complete novice without a bench and limited tools. I usually clamp things to the kitchen table 🙈 My current project is a dog create, mostly using pallet wood. Thank you for these inspirational videos.

The standard work on dimensions of furniture etc. "Human Dimension & Interior Space" says for a workbench: while standing, between elbow and workspace 8.9 - 15.2 cm depending on how much power is used for the work. Heavy work, lower bench.

Always excellent advice!

I'm in the process of building some workbenches for bookbinding. I've got one that is designed for me to work at while standing (1m high) part done and will then be making one for use when sitting down. I did exactly what Paul did to come up with the height of the standing bench. I started at 1.1m and spent a week working at it before reducing by 2cm at a time until I found the most comfortable height. I'll be doing exactly the same with my sitting bench. By the way, I'm 5' 11" but slowly shrinking as old age catches up and my bench is designed so I can either raise myself by having a platform in front of the bench or lower it by trimming some off the legs.

Excellent points

I'm also 5'-10" and i build all the work surfaces in my shop at 36" I was spending a lot of time thinking about bench heights until I realized that my kitchen counters were a comfortable height and i'd been working on those for years. It works for me so far. I made my mobile table saw stand with a 36" working height so i can use my bench as an outfeed table or side support if needed. I made a low workbench at 18" which adds some flexibility to my work space. Its also easy to take outside when the weather is nice.

I agree, I would rather a bench I just made be slightly high then I can lower it, I don't like the idea of raising it with some kind of blocks since I want my bench to be stable.

Spot on. It's never any good if a bench is too low or high and you're left stooping over work, or having to reach beyond your comfort zone. I'm 6'2" and my bench is set at 40" / 100cm.

I'm just over 5'8" and set out to build a 35" 890mm bench. As the build evolved I decided I needed to make it heavier, adding another 36mm to the top thickness and then added a sacrificial 6mm hardboard sheet on top of that, making it just shy of 37". Glad it ended up taller as it's turned out to be kind on the back, but if I really need to get over the work, a couple of pieces of scaffold board instantly provide a solution..

Thank You!!! Great Advice Will Due!!!! 👍

All my surfaces fell within 32"-36". Funny thing--Yesterday I was measuring all the work surfaces in my shop to make a proper sized stool--jointer, router table, tool box, table saw, workbench, and moveable cart--every one of them fell within that range of 32"-36". Now I can't unsee it. I'm 5' 10" and this seems a good height to me.

I'm 5'11. My bench was built 37" tall. It didn't feel right so its now 38" 3/4. If I stand up straight and bend my arm from the elbow with my lower arm parallel to the bench there's approx 2 inches clearance. I find it ideal for planing, chopping and crosscutting. It makes sense to me.

Thanks for this 😊

Have you been spying on me, or reading my mind? I literally started making a second bench this week, and have been deciding if I need to change the height or not. 😊 Thanks for the video. I appreciate the advice. Keep up the great work, Paul! 👊

Thank you

I'm 6'7"/201cm tall and 44"/112cm works well for me for my work bench. I'll usually have my assembly table a little lower, and cabinets at 40"

Ive found that over the years and the iterations of new benches over the years that i have been making them higher each time, but it seems to depend on what im working on, if im doing detailed work i like the bench a lot higher but if im sawing a lot or planing a lot i like it a little lower, its tricky.

Paul could you do a video on bending wood as I've inherited a marble top that I'd love to set into a ring on table top and make some arched legs and it's one of the things I was never taught at college

I did exactly this, started in a new shop a few years ago and I am 6'2. Had back and neck aches real fast so I cut some blocks of waste material into 4" and sat the bench on them and tacked a few pins to let the bench move without falling off the blocks. The aches soon eased and when I had something small in the vice I found my stance was slightly more spread instead of leaning over my work. Nice to know what I did was the right thing to do.

Your right ❤

Спасибо!

Thanks Paul, the important point here is it is personal and varied by personal circumstances, usage and preference. I am a couple of inches shorter than you but also have my benches at between 38" & 40" depending on use ( handtool vs bench top machines ) as I have a long standing (no pun) back problem ! There is a trade off between height for lower back (stooping) and shoulder pain though !

Thanks

My training is in human biodynamics and ergonomics in workplaces. As a general rule of thumb, a good working height for benches (culinary, woodwork, factory assembly), is at the height of the front of the ‘anterior superior iliac spine’ of the iliac crest of your pelvis. You can feel for this with your hands - the part of the iliac spine you can feel in the front. stick a piece of paper tape from left to right and get someone to measure the distance to the floor, this will be a pretty ideal bench height for most purposes. For lower and higher work, you can always adjust your stance as Paul suggests.

You are a living treasure

I could never understand why most commercially built work benches are built around 33" high. when i was an apprentice back in the 1970's the college benches always seemed low to me. I'm 5'10" so when I built my bench, I made it 36" high, and that seems a comfortable height for me. But now having listened to you, i'm tempted to put some 4X2 under each leg to raise it to 38" to see if I find it even more comfortable. Having said that, I also have another bench that is 32"high, I prefer the lower height for certain tasks like sharpening tools and assembling.

Sorry Paul, I had to have a giggle. "I lift him/her) up". I pictured you standing behind some shorter guy and you holding him up to the appropriate working hight. You have a strong back indeed. LOL. My bench is set at 92cm. I'm 180cm.

I measure the surface to meet my iliac crest of the hipbone. I’m 6’-1” tall, and my bench height based on my hip height is (perhaps a staggeringly too high for 5’-9”) at 42 inches! Still below my elbow height, and very comfortable.

My first bench I set at 36 inches. I used standard height for kitchen cabinets. And I found that using a vice was a pain. My new bench is at 40 inches. Still not done but can't stop thinking how it willl be

I'm 5'4 1/2" my bench and work top areas are 33" and suit me fine to work on and see work pieces clear. I do like you say, I raise and lower my body as required and I don't need to change my height very much so I still maintain the pressure and strength as if fully standing. If there is a need for a lower level while working on something I would make a special work top area for that need or use a portable work bench because I wouldn't need a lower level too often thanks

This workbanch hight is best because i read all the information on workbanch pdf its good enough to work. My hight is same as paul sir . 😅

I'm 6'3" and went and built my workbench to also be used as an outfeed table. that was a mistake and if I'm doing much with my hand plane my back starts to hurt a lot. I actually like to lift my table saw up, but there's no simple way to do that. I think I'm just going to start by raising my workbench for now and figure out something else to be used for the table saw's outfeed.

Yep! I have a weak lower back, am 5'8" and all my benches are set at 37-38".

Practical wisdom trumps theoretical dogma. Mr Sellers is a great teacher.

I am just finishing my first bench build, a Paul Sellers standard bench out of Douglas Fir, and I went as tall as I could with it. It is almost 4" taller then my previous bench. It was roughly as tall as the middle of my wrist and I found it was causing me back pain when both planning and chiseling, and I often was jumping between standing and sitting to feel best. At 6'-2" I hope the taller bench will be better for me, but I plan to experiment a fair bit.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that the idea put out awhile back that you should have a shorter bench of 32-34 inches is based on a false premise. The reason this height was emphasized is because that was the height of historical benches. But, there is one major flaw that I don't think was considered. The average height of people back in the 1700s was around 5'5". So, most people were around 4-5 inches shorter a couple hundred years ago than today. So...if the correct height for a 5'9" male today is 37-38 inches, a 5'5" male would be....32-34 inches. The benches back then were lower because...the people were shorter. The justification that you had to lean over to use more of your core rather than just arms for all day planing of rough stock seems like a justification after the fact. Everybody would have had really bad backs from planing all day with a low bench. It seems like a higher bench means they would have beefier arms, but less back pain.

If anybody is building THE SELLER'S WORKBENCH, it is easy enough to make it a bit shorter, but stool up on (SAY) 1/2" (12mm) packs. Then add or remove until you get to your preferred height. Simple enough I think.

5'7 and bench height is 34.5'' but will easily add to it if necessary. Thanks Paul

The best bench height is so subjective. I'm also 5'10" and had always used a 36" high bench. Then I switched from using Stanley planes to wooden planes and found 36" uncomfortably high for planing. I now use a 32" high bench and plane with my whole body and not just my arms. For sawing I use a moxon vice which raises me back up to 38". In addition, I pull a seat up to the bench and sit for finer work whenever possible.

While, probably, nothing beats personnal experimentation, there is an interesting scientific study which investigates pain in various parts of the body in relation to different workbench height. People of different age and stature, male and female, participated in the tests. search for : "The ergonomics and design of an inclusive best-fit solution to workbenches" by William F. Caughran - Brunel University. The second part is about able bodied persons. The conclusions are: - the standard commercial workbenches (at about 800 mm height) have the worst score. - the workbench height which minimise pain (in various body parts) and fatigue is about 150 mm below elbow height. This, for me (1.75 m), correspond to Paul Sellers recommendation and is how I build the workbench I am happy to use.

Would you use the same height/logic for all work surfaces?

When I'm able to make a simple bench in a year or two, its going to have to be smaller than most as I'm 5'6" and my roommate is 5'4". I'm chuckling imagining the average man walking into my garage and looming over everything haha

Поддерживаю автора! Сам, по прошествии некоторого времени, пришёл к выводу, что нет универсальной высоты верстака. У каждого мастера она будет индивидуальна. Нужно лишь выяснить, какова она лично для тебя. Тогда и работать легче будет, и спина с шеей не будут болеть.

I just finished a beautiful split top roubo. I’m 6’0” and found that 36 and a quarter inch is perfect for me.

Makes sense.

I quit a decent job because I was too tall for the benches and my workarounds got in the way of colleagues because our benches weren’t wide enough. And I was going thru a midlife growth spurt that I didn’t notice til a few years later!

I would have thought some formula on body length or hip height (plus or minus x) would be a great starting point, is there anything like that? And yes working height is important. When building low objects in my job I build a secondary table top that I can work on that is 4-5 inches high. It really helped speedier work aswell as save my back.

Sorry to make light of this but when you leaned over the bench all I could see was Oliver Hardy in the same position getting the backside of his overalls planed by Stan Laurel in Busy Bodies. 😂

I'm 6' and im just finishing my new bench and for now it is around 42" (105cm) and I'm thinking is is what Paul said? I mean adding 3-4"(7-10cm) to his 38"(96cm) or it should be added to the most popular size he mention namely 35"(89cm)? I get that I should just experiment but wanted to know to what height those 3-4" are meant to be added?

One thing that is quite clear, is that the bench height Paul is using is not optimized for planing. The bench is so high he is unable to use the plane in an effective way by shifting his weight, and so is forced to use nearly only his arms. But of course he has chosen the height to suit his style of working, the conditions he's working under, and wouldn't want to have it in any other way. But I find it peculiar that he seems ignorant about the advantages of a lower bench. I would like he were to talk about the pros and cons of different heights, and at least mention why workbenches throughout woodworking history, for hundreds of years, never have been so high as his recommendations.

I love Christopher Schwartz and built his Roubo bench. He advocates for a low bench but I just have to disagree. I agree with Paul. The vast vast majority of us are not dimensioning wood for 8 hours a day. Most of us use the bench for layout, joinery, finish hand work, and also to use as a work holding surface for some power tools. All those tasks are done easier with a taller bench as Paul points out. I had to add 2 inches to my bench and I still ended up building a seperate bench with a moron vise in it that was higher for sawing joinery.

My bench is 950mm high; thats pretty high; i’m 6ft or 183cm, planes are sharp; wouldn’t mind the bench a little lower; but shel be right til I build my forever bench

SPOILER: bench height is the measured distance between the floor and the top of your bench!

You're talking about average height and adjustments for various people, without showing where it should be on an individual's own body. "What you want is a bench which fits you", but no indication of what "fits" is. Looks to me that you've set your bench height at your hip joint.

Wouldn't a measurement to to elbows or hands me better? I ask because some people have long legs and short torsos, others long torsos and short legs. James

😃

I like 38" and I'm only 5'3". I have pretty awful eyesight so I appreciate the extra (relative) height

I have a 35” high bench (and I am 5’10”) and I cannot fathom using one 4-5” taller. Not realistic for me.

What is the suggested height for someone in a wheelchair?

I’m 6ft 4, I find all kitchen, work benches sinks, atms etc all way too low.

Way easier, no math required: stand in your usual work shoes and bend your elbow to 90 degrees. Turn your hands palm down and measure palm to floor. Subtract 15cm (6 inches) and that's probably the best height for the bench (measured to the top surface, NOT the leg length).

It looks as though your bench is about at belt height.

DavidBarronFurniture had an interesting take on bench height. He made two alternative benchtop vices, a Moxon vice and a shoulder vice, which clamped into the main vice to provide raised workholding for dovetailing and fine work, whilst leaving the bench low enough for planing and major sawing tasks. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F58OXcx3VxM.html

bellybutton heght, +/- an inch or so

Bench height = Your height/2 plus 1"

I am a member of a woodworking forum, and recently asked other members to give their bench heights, and their own height. Twenty five or 30 responses came in, giving some useful data. Most people fit very well with the formula "half your height, plus 50 to 75mm".....which also fits with what you use. I can imagine that the major variations would be for carvers, who are leaning over (and leaning on) their work all the time, so probably would want a bench up to 150mm taller than that given by my formula above. I don't think that there is enough emphasis given to saw horses, which is where quite a lot of woodworking gets done in a hand-tools-biased workshop. I cringe when I see people using a handsaw in a vice, especially for cross-cutting, as this is the natural territory of the saw horse (and knee). So along with bench height, a quick look at saw horse height might be in order. Oh, and tidy your bench! You should never have so much stuff on a bench that you are constrained to work only in a couple of square feet.