So what IS the correct position for the monitor?

[Onasi]

In front of you, obviously. There, got the joke out of the way.

Anyway, I’ve been getting a bit OCD about my display height recently. For years I set all my monitors up just based on whatever kinda feels right, but I’m not getting any younger and slight neck stiffness made me consider ergonomics again. So I went trawling for guidelines and they seem all over the place. A lot of them advocate for eyes lined up with the top of the monitor. That seems a bit odd with modern larger displays like my 32-incher. Some are more vague and go for “around the top third”. Some, weirdly, even suggest center of the screen. Another rule of thumb was sitting back at an appropriate chair height, stretching ones arm horizontally and then the middle finger should be roughly at center of the screen and that would indicate proper monitor height (eyes would be around upper fourth like that, I suppose).

Another thing is tilt. I saw recommendations anywhere from completely flat, no tilt, to around 10-15 degrees away from you. I usually tilt just a bit, around 5-7 degrees, so that also raised an eyebrow.

I didn’t make this a poll since there are so many options and I really just wanted to hear some opinions and experiences on the matter. Hell, maybe someone worked at a place with regular ergonomic evacuations (or was even involved in those) and got some wisdom to share.

 

[tabascosauz]

32" didn't stop me from sticking to the top-of-monitor principle. I just angle it upwards ever so slightly if I do, works great in a stack with an upper 27". In line or a little bit higher than eye level, either is fine. I do have a very comfy chair, though.

Bigger 16:9 panels though (ie. 42" or 43" 4K), and it's not really too practical anymore, but I'm sure that one's pretty obvious. Correct position is whatever feels comfortable and doesn't cause you health troubles.

 

[Solaris17]

Hell, maybe someone worked at a place with regular ergonomic evacuations

Its a really big part of our safety training and they take it seriously since we sit at desks for so long.

Our training is internal and created by that team but this and my last company follow this:

Maintaining the Correct Ergonomic Monitor Height

It can be hard to set up a supportive, ergonomic workstation. Read our guide to maintaining the correct ergonomic monitor height when working.

www.cmd-ltd.com

TL;DR top of monitor at eye level. Arms length away. I do this at home as well. It doesnt matter if its sit or stand. The best thing you can do for yourself is PROPERLY setup your chair. It takes more than 45 seconds (more like 15min) but once its properly dialed in you would be surprised how easy it is to maintain correct posture etc without activly thinking about it.

My job has me infront of a PC all day and I do it a lot at home too. Its worth it to me, to spend $$$$$$ on chairs and monitors. They are my tools.

 

[AsRock]

For me personally, chair \ desk setup already and center point of the monitor but i all so using a 42.5" monitor.

 

[Beginner Macro Device]

Arms length away.

Can't complain about ridiculously short arms but I feel offended if my display is that close to me. 43", or 110 cm is the bare minimum for the eye-to-display distance if we're talking classic non-curved 27" panels. Having eyes at the very top of the display also doesn't help that much, I'm very comfortable when my eyes are at about 75% monitor's height. Tilt is probably non-existent, didn't bother fine measuring. I work like this since I built my current desk and my back problems caused by sports injuries are arsing me way less than they did before.

 

[Sithaer]

For me its about arms length distance and center point with no tilt.
I've used all of my monitors this way and its what I'm comfortable with.

 

[MarsM4N]

Centered, eyes meet at the top 1/3rd mark (higher would be stressful for the eyes), one arm length away. Note: had to get a monitor arm for the perfect spot & distance. The stand was useless.

Also like mentioned already, seating position is important. Legs should be at a 90 degree angle touching the floor, arms should lay relaxed on the table (incl. elbows). So you need enough space on your desk to move the keyboard & mouse a arm length away from you. You can also add a wrist rest & a XXL mouse mat for some extra comfort.

 

[dgianstefani]

Equidistant from eyes, so, curved.

 

[P4-630]

Height and distance may differ, also depends on monitor size, it's personal imo.

 

[AusWolf]

The official recommendation is (or has been) the top bezel at eye level.

Personally, I prefer mine a tad higher, with my eye level about 2 3rds of the height of the display (just a bit above the middle point). It's curved - it's designed to curve around your eyes, not your waist, imo.

 

[Bill_Bright]

The best thing you can do for yourself is PROPERLY setup your chair.

^^^This^^^

Typically, the height of your desk is fixed (yes, there are adjustable but most users have fixed height desks). But your chair height really needs to be adjusted for your arms and wrists and how they approach the keyboard to minimize carpel and other RSI issues. This is why any monitor I buy MUST have height adjustment too.

 

[Deleted member 237269]

Can't complain about ridiculously short arms

For me its about arms length distance and center point with no tilt.
I've used all of my monitors this way and its what I'm comfortable with.

Monitor at T.Rex arms length.

 

[Onasi]

Yeah, a lot of people mentioned chair setup and on that front I am good. Those guidelines I followed to the letter always.

One funny thing I noticed throughout the years is that the “default” desk height is actually pretty weird - it seems a carryover from the time where desks were used for writing with a pen, not PC use. So are some of the common recommendations regarding them. Often mentioned how for taller users a taller desk is needed, but that is actually debatable. If you want neutral shoulders and arms with keyboard and mouse when having long arms (which a lot of taller people have), more height of the desk is actually counterproductive.

Anyway, I’ll try out the top of the monitor at eye line with a 10 degree tilt, since that was overwhelmingly the most recommended setup. See how I’ll like it. A bit lower than normal for me, but the tilt should even things out.