How much space should you leave between desks?

TLDR 

• The right amount of space keeps everyone comfortable and safe. Enough room lets people move easily, reduces distractions, and keeps walkways clear in case of an emergency. 
• Aim for 2 to 2.5 meters between desks. Walkways should be at least 61 to 91 cm wide, and never less than 71 cm near exit paths for safety. 
• For ergonomic desks placed back-to-back, leave about 1 meter of space behind each chair. This allows people enough room to get in and out without hitting others. 

Why is the space between office desks important? 

The space between office desks affects how comfortable, focused, private, and safe people feel. With enough room and good planning, people can easily sit down and get up, walk past each other, and work without disturbing others or being disturbed. 

Too little space between standing desks can make chairs hit each other, cause distractions, or reduce privacy. It can even cause pain if the bump is hard! But the right spacing keeps office walkways safe for moving around every day and allows quick exits during emergencies. 

What's the ideal distance between office desks? 

Dimensions.com suggests leaving about 2 to 2.5 meters between 2 workstations. This distance includes space for desks, walkways, and enough room for chairs to move, so everyone can sit, stand, and walk by easily. 

How much space you need depends on your desk size and the room you have. If you are updating your office, our guide to height-adjustable desk dimensions can help you check whether the desk fits and gives you enough space to use your chair and move around comfortably. 

How close can desks be to each other? The minimum distance 

If your office space is tight, it's important to know the minimum requirements. Here are recommendations: 

• Leave at least 61 to 91 cm between desk rows. This gives people enough room to walk and lets ergonomic desk chairs move easily (Dimensions.com).
• For safety, exit paths need to be at least 71 cm wide from start to finish. Any walkway used as an exit should meet this width (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

If the space is smaller than these guidelines, it can feel crowded and may bother people when it matters most. 

How far apart should back-to-back desks be? 

Picking a back-to-back layout is efficient because the desks share a central line, making it easier to manage cables down the middle. The most important thing to think about is the space behind each seat. According to Dimensions.com, an empty chair needs about 46 to 76 cm of space, called static space. When someone moves back or stands up, they need more room, about 1 metre per person, called moving space. 

Since 2 people share the space between back-to-back desks, it’s important to have enough room to move without bumping into each other. This setup works well with adjustable desks that have a shared centre support to keep cables tidy as the desk moves up and down, and if you want to know more about the definition of a standing desk, here’s what they are and how they work.