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Best Footrests & Keyboard Trays (2026): Fix a Desk That's Too High
Standard fixed desks are about 29–30 inches tall. For many people, especially anyone under about 5'10", that's too high to type with relaxed shoulders. You have two fixes: raise your chair and support your feet with a footrest, or lower your keyboard with an under-desk tray. This guide covers both.
Quick picks
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Mount-It! Ergonomic Footrest (MI-7801) | Most adjustable footrest | Check price |
| ComfiLife Foot Rest | Softest, most comfortable | Check price |
| StrongTek Wooden Rocking Footrest | People who fidget | Check price |
| Fellowes Office Suites Underdesk Keyboard Drawer | Lowering the keyboard on a fixed desk | Check price |
| VIVO Clamp-on Keyboard Tray | No drilling | Check price |
How to choose
First, find out how big the gap is
Use our calculator to get your ideal sitting desk height and compare it with your desk. If your desk is 2–4 inches too high, either fix works. Much more than that and a keyboard tray, or a height-adjustable desk, is usually the better answer.
Footrest: raise the chair, then support your feet
Set your chair so your elbows are level with the desk, then measure the gap between the floor and your feet. That gap is the footrest height you need. Adjustable-height footrests make this easy to dial in.
Keyboard tray: lower the keyboard instead
A tray lowers your keyboard and mouse below the desktop so you can keep your chair at a normal height. It works well when several people share a desk or when your chair can't go high enough.
Check your desk before buying a tray
Clamp-on trays need a desk edge they can grip (check the thickness range on the listing). Track-style drawers screw into the underside, so they need a solid wood or particleboard desk and enough clear depth underneath.
Specs side by side
| Product | Type | Adjustment | Install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount-It! Ergonomic Footrest (MI-7801) | Footrest (platform) | Height 4.25–6.75 in, tilt ±30° | Free-standing |
| ComfiLife Foot Rest | Footrest (memory foam) | Two heights (removable base layer) | Free-standing |
| StrongTek Wooden Rocking Footrest | Footrest (rocking, wood) | Rocks; fixed height | Free-standing |
| Fellowes Office Suites Underdesk Keyboard Drawer | Keyboard drawer | 3 height settings, up to about 2.5 in below the desk | Screws into desk underside |
| VIVO Clamp-on Keyboard Tray | Keyboard tray (clamp-on) | Fixed below desk edge | Clamps to desk edge (check thickness range) |
Manufacturer specifications. Ratings can differ between variants and colors, so confirm the exact model on the listing.
The shortlist
Most adjustable footrest
1. Mount-It! Ergonomic Footrest (MI-7801)
A sturdy platform footrest whose height and tilt you can change, which makes it easy to match the exact gap under your feet.
What we like
- Height and tilt adjustment
- Large 17 × 13 in platform
- Textured surface
Trade-offs
- Hard surface, less cushy than foam
- Height changes take a moment to set
Skip it if: You want a soft cushion to rest your feet on.
Check Mount-It! Ergonomic Footrest (MI-7801) on Amazon →Softest, most comfortable
2. ComfiLife Foot Rest
A memory-foam footrest with a removable base layer for two heights and a washable cover. A popular, comfortable option if you only need a small lift.
What we like
- Soft memory foam
- Removable, washable cover
- Can be flipped to rock your feet
Trade-offs
- Foam can compress over time
- Less height range than platform footrests
Skip it if: You need more than a few inches of lift.
Check ComfiLife Foot Rest on Amazon →People who fidget
3. StrongTek Wooden Rocking Footrest
A curved wooden footrest that rocks under your feet, letting you move your ankles and calves while you work.
What we like
- Rocking motion keeps feet moving
- Solid wood build
- Simple, nothing to adjust
Trade-offs
- Fixed height
- Hard surface, so socks or shoes help
Skip it if: You want your feet to stay perfectly still.
Check StrongTek Wooden Rocking Footrest on Amazon →Lowering the keyboard on a fixed desk
4. Fellowes Office Suites Underdesk Keyboard Drawer
A slide-out keyboard drawer with a mouse tray that mounts under the desk and sits slightly below the desktop. The classic fix for a desk that's a little too high.
What we like
- Lowers keyboard and mouse together
- Mouse tray fits on either side
- Slides away when not in use
Trade-offs
- Requires screwing into the desk
- Limited drop, so it's not for very high desks
Skip it if: You rent furniture or can't drill into your desk.
Check Fellowes Office Suites Underdesk Keyboard Drawer on Amazon →No drilling
5. VIVO Clamp-on Keyboard Tray
VIVO's clamp-on trays attach to the front edge of the desk without screws. They're a good option for renters and for desks with a clean, flat front edge.
What we like
- No drilling needed
- Easy to remove
- Room for keyboard and mouse
Trade-offs
- Desk thickness limits vary by model
- Can bump your knees on low chairs
Skip it if: Your desk has a thick front edge, a drawer or a modesty panel at the front.
Check VIVO Clamp-on Keyboard Tray on Amazon →FAQ
Do I need a footrest?
If your feet don't rest flat on the floor once your chair is high enough for your elbows to reach the desk, yes. Dangling feet put pressure on the back of your thighs.
How high should a footrest be?
As high as the gap between the floor and your feet when your thighs are level and your elbows line up with the desk. Adjustable footrests let you match that gap.
Footrest or keyboard tray: which is better?
A footrest is cheaper and needs no installation. A keyboard tray is better when the desk is shared, when your chair can't go high enough, or when you'd rather keep your feet on the floor.
Is a keyboard tray better than a standing desk?
If your only problem is a desk that's a few inches too high, a tray is a cheap fix. If you also want to stand, a height-adjustable desk solves both. See our standing desk guide.