How to adjust your computer chairs

Written by mary lougee
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How to adjust your computer chairs
Computer chairs adjust to provide comfortable all-day seating. (office chair image by Ekaterina Sidorenko from

Computer chairs are available in many different styles with several adjustments possible for a comfortable seating position. Some styles of computer chairs do not have all adjustments available and some have none. Adjusting a computer chair will supply the user with a non-stressful position to work at a desk for an entire day without back, leg or neck fatigue. Aching muscles in any part of the body after a long day in a computer chair indicates a chair that needs adjustment.

Skill level:

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Things you need

  • Adjustable wrench

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  1. 1

    Sit in the computer chair and lift the handle on the right side under the chair to adjust the chair height to a lower position. Lift the handle slightly for incremental adjustments.

    Alternately, some chairs have a turning wheel for height adjustment that turns counterclockwise to lower it.

  2. 2

    Raise the chair height by standing up and pulling the handle upwards. This will achieve the tallest height. If the computer has a turning wheel for height adjustments turn the wheel clockwise to raise the chair height.

  3. 3

    Sit in the chair and lift the handle slightly for incremental downward adjustments.

  1. 1

    Reach one hand under the front of the seat while sitting in it and turn the knob counterclockwise to tighten the seat-back tension.

  2. 2

    Turn the knob clockwise while sitting in the chair to loosen the seat-back tension so that the back reclines at a larger angle to the seat.

  3. 3

    Make adjustments and then lean back to test the back tension. Adjust in either direction until the seat supports your back most comfortably.

  1. 1

    Stand behind the chair and place one hand on each side of the seat-back.

  2. 2

    Pull upwards to raise the height of the seat-back. The preset height adjustments will snap into place at each height.

  3. 3

    Push the back down with one hand on each side while standing behind the chair to lower the back. Make adjustments and then sit in the chair to reach the optimal comfort level.

  1. 1

    Press the small button on the inside of a chair arm with one hand and pull the arm up with the other hand to gain arm height. Repeat for the other arm and adjust to the same height. Some chairs do not have this type of arm adjustment but have fixed positions.

  2. 2

    Press the small button on the inside of a chair arm and press down on the arm with the other hand to lower the arm height. Adjust the other arm in the same manner.

  3. 3

    Loosen the arm bolts underneath each arm with an adjustable wrench by turning them counterclockwise. Slide the arms outward to the side away from the seat to gain more seating room or inward towards the seat to decrease seating room.

  4. 4

    Tighten the arm bolts by turning them clockwise with an adjustable wrench.

Tips and warnings

  • The chair back should support the upper and lower back fully to relieve back pain and stress while working.
  • Tilting the seat forwards keeps circulation in the legs flowing. The seat should not bind on the backs of knees or it will cut off blood circulation in the lower legs.

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