How tall should a piano bench be?
A piano bench is at the right height when your forearms stay parallel to the floor and your elbows sit level with the keys, shoulders relaxed. Sit on the front third of the seat. If your wrists dip or your shoulders hike, adjust the bench, not your posture. Taller players sit lower, shorter players sit higher. See our guide for tall players or get your exact number with the height calculator.
Sit 1/2 or 1/3 of the way down the piano bench
The reason is to play the force forward, the soles of the feet to keep the weight steady.Ideally, your feet need to be flat on the floor. If you can’t keep your feet on the floor, use a footstool so your feet are flat. Once seated in front of the piano, sit with your back straight and enter an active sitting position.
Distance between body and piano
When you sit at the piano, the way your muscles react depends on how high you are sitting.
– If you sit too low, your wrists lose strength, and the burden of pressing the button falls entirely on your finger muscles.
– If you sit too high with your elbows above the keyboard, it’s not your finger muscles that are working, it’s your forearms.
The piano stool should be adjusted to ensure that the pianist’s elbows and wrists are aligned with the keyboard when their fingers rest on the keys. This constitutes an optimal seating position, ideally allowing for an elbow angle of approximately 90 degrees.This means that if you are tall, you can adjust the stool lower, and if you are short, you can adjust the stool higher.
If you are taller than 5 ft 10 in, most fixed benches sit slightly too high for your build, and knee clearance under the keybed gets tight. See our dedicated guide to bench height for tall players for measured setups from 5 ft 10 in to 6 ft 5 in and the benches that adjust low enough.
Adjusting the Position
Since everyone’s body is different, you may need to adjust the height slightly to find a position that minimizes discomfort and allows you to play as freely as possible.In summary, the ideal piano bench height should be between 18 and 21 inches. For a more precise recommendation based on your exact body measurements, try our piano bench height calculator.
Find Your Perfect Bench Height Instantly
Our adjustable piano bench adjusts from 19.7″ to 24″ with lumbar back support – ideal for shorter and average-height pianists and growing kids. Taller than 5’10″? Our hydraulic piano bench adjusts down to 18″. Either way, you can dial in the exact height recommended below.
Recommended Piano Bench Height by Body Size
Use the table below to find your ideal piano bench height. The goal is to have your forearms parallel to the floor when your fingers rest on the keys.
| Pianist Height | Recommended Bench Height |
|---|---|
| Under 5’2″ (157 cm) | 20.5″ – 21″ (52 – 53 cm) |
| 5’2″ – 5’6″ (157 – 168 cm) | 20″ – 20.5″ (50 – 52 cm) |
| 5’6″ – 5’10” (168 – 178 cm) | 19.5″ – 20″ (49 – 50 cm) |
| 5’10” – 6’2″ (178 – 188 cm) | 18.5″ – 19.5″ (47 – 49 cm) |
| Over 6’2″ (188 cm+) | 18″ – 18.5″ (46 – 48 cm) |
Most fixed-height piano benches sit at around 19″ to 20″, which fits pianists between roughly 5’6″ and 5’10″. Shorter players end up sitting too low, and taller players too high – because the keyboard height never changes, the taller you are, the lower your bench needs to go. An adjustable piano bench solves both problems.
Recommended: Adjustable Piano Bench with Back Support
If you’re serious about finding the right height and maintaining proper posture during long practice sessions, an adjustable bench with back support makes all the difference.
The Benchoom Adjustable Piano Bench features:
- Height adjustment from 19.7″ to 24″ – covers the recommended settings for pianists up to about 5’10″ (taller players: see the hydraulic bench, 18″ – 23″)
- Ergonomic lumbar back support – reduces fatigue during long practice sessions
- Solid rubber wood construction – supports up to 300 lbs
- PU leather cushioned seat – comfortable for hours of practice
- Rated 5/5 by pianists – free shipping available
Free Download: Piano Bench Height Chart (PDF)
Print this reference chart and keep it near your piano. It includes the full height recommendation table and a 3-step setup checklist. Perfect for teachers and parents.
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