How high should a footrest be if I'm 5'2"?

Aim for somewhere between 4 and 5 inches. Your knees should sit at roughly 90 degrees with your thighs parallel to the floor — if your knees are higher than your hips, the footrest is too tall.

Do I need an adjustable one?

If you might switch chairs, yes. A fixed-height footrest only works for one chair-height combination. Adjustable models cost about $10 more and pay that back the first time you swap chairs.

Will a stack of books work?

Short term, sure. But books don't tilt, and a flat horizontal surface under your heels actually puts pressure on your calves. Even a $25 wedge footrest is dramatically better.

Category 01 · Footrests

The cheapest ergonomic upgrade on your desk.

A good footrest is forty bucks and fixes more posture problems than a chair twenty times its price. The catch: the "right" one depends on your height, your back, and whether you sit, stand or fidget. Four guides below.

Best footrest for short people working from home
If your feet dangle, your hamstrings have been quietly complaining for years. Here's the fix.
Best footrests to relieve lower back pain
Why elevating your feet shifts pelvic tilt — and the three picks that do it best.
Rocking footrest vs flat footrest
Movement vs stability. We break down who each style is actually for.
Best footrest for a standing desk converter
Standing all day is its own ergonomic mess. A bar-style footrest is the missing piece.