Office chair checklist: the adjustments that matter before you buy
A chair is the piece of home office furniture you touch the most, and product listings often bury the details that matter under marketing language. This checklist summarizes the features OSHA's computer workstation guidance describes for a supportive chair, so you can compare product pages feature by feature.
Backrest and lumbar support
OSHA recommends a lumbar support that is height adjustable, so it can be placed to fit your lower back. It also describes a recline adjustment of at least 15 degrees from vertical, and a backrest that locks in place or has adjustable tension to provide resistance to lower back movement.
When reading a product page, look for the words height-adjustable lumbar, recline range, and tilt lock or tilt tension. A fixed lumbar curve may fit some people well and others poorly, which is why adjustability is the feature to check.
Seat height and depth
According to OSHA, seat height is right when the entire sole of your foot can rest on the floor, with the back of the knee slightly higher than the seat. Check the seat height range on the listing against your own measurements.
Seat depth should be adjustable so the seat supports most of your thigh without pressing into the back of your knee. OSHA also describes a padded seat with a rounded, waterfall front edge. Shorter users benefit most from depth adjustment, and OSHA notes the backrest should move forward and backward for the same reason.
Armrests are optional
OSHA treats armrests as optional. If a chair has them, they should be large enough to support most of your lower arm but small enough not to get in the way, made of soft material with rounded edges. Set them so your lower arms just make contact when your arms rest comfortably at your sides.
If armrests cannot be adjusted properly or stop you from pulling close to the desk, OSHA's advice is to remove them or stop using them. Removable or height-adjustable armrests give you that flexibility.
Base and casters
OSHA recommends a strong, five-legged base, and casters that are appropriate for your floor type. Hard floors and carpet often call for different casters, so check what the manufacturer specifies.
Before you buy
OSHA's guidance says increased adjustability ensures a better fit for the user, and recommends testing chairs before purchase where possible. If you buy online, check the merchant's return policy first, and adjust the chair together with your desk, keyboard and monitor once it arrives.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-11-07.