If you use a standing desk, you know that you can relieve tension in your body by switching positions. Besides sitting versus standing, one key aspect of risk-free working is the position and movement of your wrists. Even with an adjustable standing desk, some of us may still encounter issues with finding a good neutral position for the wrists.

So in terms of ergonomics, is a standing desk complete without a keyboard tray, and do you need one? 

A keyboard tray improves ergonomics at your standing desk

A keyboard tray improves ergonomics at your standing desk: In addition to the height-adjustability of your standing desk, a keyboard tray offers another adjustable platform for typing that can be tilted, lowered, or slid on. It supports a neutral wrist posture and even frees up your desk surface.

Ergonomic wrist position

First, the problem with keyboard placement is that if it is too high or low, you end up extending or flexing your wrists. Over time, this can lead to muscle strain and potential injury. 

Ideally, you want your wrists to be in a neutral posture, with your elbows angled at around 90 degrees (forearms parallel to the floor). 

To achieve a neutral wrist posture, the solution would be to optimize your keyboard placement.

A keyboard tray helps with ergonomic keyboard placement – it is designed to let you lower, tilt or slide your typing surface to prevent typing in an awkward posture for long hours. Changing the tilt of the keyboard tray can be extremely helpful as it lets you fine-tune the height and angle at which you type. This cannot be done on the surface of your standing desk alone. 

Typing height

If you use a standing desk with a fixed height that is too high for your wrists, you may need a keyboard tray. This is especially true if you work on surfaces like a high floating shelf, bookshelf, or any fixed-height surface. The keyboard tray will help you maintain a neutral wrist posture. 

On the other hand, if you are a sit-stand desk user, you can simply raise the desk or lower it to find the right typing height for your wrists.

• Once you set your desk is the right height, you might not need a keyboard tray – although a keyboard tray or an ergonomic keyboard is still a good idea for the utmost wrist comfort.

• You might need to raise your desk higher to accommodate the comfortable viewing of screens at eye level. Your working devices, such as laptops and monitors, may not have enough height, which makes you increase the height of your desk. But this can result in your keyboard being positioned too high when atop the standing desk. In this case, you have a decision to make – you can either invest in a 1) keyboard tray or; 2) equipment like monitor or laptop stands to elevate your screens.

Important note: Anything you use on a daily basis deserves to be of the highest quality – in this case, it is wise to invest a little more upfront to make your standing desk setup as comfortable as possible. Consider this when deciding between the multiple tools you can add to improve the ergonomics of your standing desk – be it a keyboard tray, an ergonomic keyboard, or a monitor arm.

Freeing up of desk surface

If you use an under-desk keyboard tray, it reduces clutter on your desk surface and could slide out of the way when not needed. This increases your usable desk surface space.

This is important because a cluttered desk surface is not just distracting, but can also lead to strain.

If your standing desk is too small and cluttered, you could end up reaching for your tools. Worse, you will suffer if you cannot comfortably place your keyboard and mouse directly in front of you. Your keyboard and mouse should be placed where your arms and wrists naturally end up.

This article was originally published on unboundist.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.

Considerations before getting a standing desk keyboard tray

Keyboard trays are not perfect, and they are an additional investment that may be a tad expensive. So before you invest in a keyboard tray, there are some questions you may want to ask.

1. Will you use tools to prop up your monitors and laptops?

If you use an adjustable sit-stand desk, and the reason you are considering a keyboard tray has to do with the viewing height of your screens, ask yourself: Will you consider using tools to prop up your monitors and laptops?

For instance, a monitor stand or arm will let you elevate your monitor above your desk to the height you like, so that you do not have to raise the desk surface. This lets you keep your desk surface low enough to accommodate your wrists, keeping them in a natural, neutral posture.

Besides, monitor arms tend to be more popular, as they provide a clean look to your workspace, freeing up the back area of your desk. 

Further, some people prefer monitor arms to a keyboard tray, as a keyboard tray may feel a little awkward. 

After all, preferences are a subjective matter, so go with what feels right for you.

2. Can you free up space on your desk surface? 

If your issue is a lack of space for your keyboard, can you free up the surface of your sit-stand desk? If you can declutter your desk, you can save up on an expensive keyboard tray which may be unnecessary, especially when you can adjust the height of your desk.

To free up space, using monitor arms to elevate your monitors is one solution. Besides, basic organization of storing items in drawers and other shelves can help. 

If you need more ideas, you can source for them here and work towards minimalist desk spaces.

3. How large of a keyboard tray do you need?

Before you invest in a keyboard tray, make some measurements. How large of a keyboard tray do you need?

To do this, simply get an idea of the minimum space that you need to use your keyboard and mouse comfortably. Place both your keyboard and mouse on a flat desk, and measure the area they take up when your wrists are typing in a comfortable, neutral position. 

Do not force fit your keyboard and mouse onto a keyboard tray that ends up being too small.

4. How will you attach the keyboard tray?

If you want to avoid drilling holes, you would opt for the clamp-on keyboard trays. If that is the case, what’s left is to find a keyboard tray that attaches to your desk with no issue. 

Just check the amount of space available under your desktop, and see if there is anything directly under the front edge of the desk (such as a support frame) that may obstruct the attachment of the keyboard tray. Check the thickness of your desk and the specifications stated by the keyboard tray manufacturer.