A monitor riser has one main job: lifting the screen so the top of it sits at or slightly below eye level. OSHA’s computer workstation guidance on monitors says just that, and adds that the center of the screen should normally sit 15 to 20 degrees below horizontal eye level. After height, check three things: the platform has to hold your monitor’s stand base, the load rating has to exceed the monitor’s weight, and the riser has to leave enough desk depth for your keyboard.

Work out how much height you need

Before you shop, measure the gap between your eye height and the current top of the screen, with the desk set where you normally use it. That gap is roughly the height the riser needs to add. Each of the three sources frames the target a little differently:

  • OSHA: the top of the monitor at or slightly below eye level.
  • Cornell University’s ergonomics program: your eyes should line up with a point about 2 to 3 inches below the top of the monitor casing (CUergo guidelines ).
  • CCOHS: a monitor set too high causes discomfort and, over time, neck and shoulder problems. On a tall or portrait-mode screen, the top shouldn’t sit higher than your eyes, and people who wear bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses may be more comfortable with it slightly lower (CCOHS on monitor positioning ).

Too much lift is the common mistake. OSHA notes that putting a monitor on top of a computer case “will raise it too high for all but the tallest users.” If you wear bifocals, OSHA suggests lowering the screen below the usual recommendation and tilting it up toward you.

Distance matters too. OSHA’s preferred viewing distance is 20 to 40 inches from eye to screen. A deep riser at the back of a shallow desk can change that distance, so check it once the riser is in place.

On a standing desk, the riser moves with the desktop. Set the desk to the correct elbow height for both sitting and standing, then check the screen in both positions. If you only ever get one of them right, the desk height is the issue, not the riser. Stackaudit.net covers matching desk height to screen height in how to set a standing desk height for the right monitor level .

Fixed or adjustable height

A fixed riser works when you know the exact lift you need. An adjustable one suits a shared desk, a monitor you might replace, or a measurement you aren’t sure of. The three risers compared below show the range:

  • The VIVO STAND-V000D is fixed at 4.6 inches tall.
  • The 3M MS80B uses stacking columns that adjust from 1 inch to 5 7/8 inches, in 1 5/8-inch steps.
  • The Fellowes Office Suites 8031101 adjusts between 4 and 6 1/2 inches.

If you need more height than a riser offers, or want to adjust depth and tilt as well, a monitor arm is the better tool. Stackaudit.net compares mount types in how to choose a monitor mount type for a standing desk .

Platform size and load rating

The platform has to hold the monitor’s stand base, not the width of the screen. Measure the base’s width and depth and compare them with the riser’s top. For two monitors, look for a wider model. VIVO sells the same design in 39.4- and 55-inch widths, as well as the 23.8-inch model listed below.

For load, find the monitor’s weight with its stand on its spec sheet and pick a riser rated above it. The listed ratings are 44 lb for the VIVO STAND-V000D and 80 lb for both the 3M MS80B and the Fellowes 8031101.

Depth is the trade-off. The riser sits on the same desk as your keyboard and mouse. The VIVO is 10.3 inches deep, the Fellowes is 14.06 inches, and the 3M’s top is 15 x 12 inches. A deeper riser leaves less room in front for your hands.

Storage underneath

The space under a riser is useful when it has a defined purpose:

  • 3M MS80B: 11 inches between its columns.
  • Fellowes 8031101: room to stow a laptop underneath, plus a supply drawer.
  • VIVO STAND-V000D: an open shelf on steel feet with anti-slip silicone pads.

If you plan to slide a keyboard underneath, check the clearance against the keyboard’s height before you buy.

Standing desk checks

Two checks apply only to sit-stand desks:

  • Lift capacity: a riser adds weight that the desk motor has to lift, along with the monitor and everything else on the desktop. Add it to your total using standing desk lift capacity .
  • Cable slack: raising the monitor uses up some of its cable length. Check that the video and power cables still have slack with the desk at full height. Stackaudit.net has a guide on preventing cable strain at a standing desk .

Three risers compared

Riser Height Size Load rating Notes
VIVO STAND-V000D 4.6 in, fixed 23.8 x 10.3 in 44 lb Particle board top, steel feet with silicone pads; 15, 39 and 55 in widths sold separately
3M MS80B 1 to 5 7/8 in in 1 5/8 in steps 15 x 12 in 80 lb Stacking columns, 11 in between columns, non-skid base
Fellowes Office Suites 8031101 4 to 6 1/2 in 19.88 x 14.06 in 80 lb Laptop space underneath, supply drawer, non-skid rubber feet

Retailers list different maximum screen sizes for the Fellowes 8031101, so go by its platform size and load rating rather than the screen size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high should a monitor riser be?

High enough that the top of the screen sits at or slightly below eye level, which is OSHA’s guidance. Measure the gap between your eye height and the current top of the screen, then pick a riser whose height or adjustment range covers it. Bifocal wearers usually need the screen lower.

How much weight capacity do I need?

More than the monitor weighs with its stand, as listed on the monitor’s spec sheet. The risers compared here are rated at 44 lb (VIVO STAND-V000D) and 80 lb (3M MS80B and Fellowes 8031101).

Is a monitor arm better than a riser?

An arm adjusts height, depth and tilt and frees the desk surface, but it needs a VESA mount and a place to clamp. A riser is simpler and adds storage underneath, but it only changes height and takes up desk depth.

Sources

Sources checked October 3, 2026.