With so many different types, styles, and brands of desks, how can you be sure which one best fits your needs? One question you must consider when choosing a new desk is how much weight it can hold.
Standing desks typically hold 160 lbs, whereas electric standing desks have a larger weight capacity at 300 lbs. Treadmill desks can hold 200 lbs, and given they are good quality, computer desks have a weight capacity of 550 lbs. Floating desks can hold the least weight at 40 lbs.
To help you decide which type is worth purchasing or investing in, let’s look at several varieties of desks, their weight limits, and why they have those limits.
Factors Influencing Weight Capacity for Desks
Material Type
A desk’s primary material greatly impacts its sturdiness and, therefore, its ability to hold items. For example, a desk made from plastic is unlikely to be as strong as a desk made from steel or metal. There are different materials that manufacturers use to make desks, such as:
- Wood (Black Walnut, Cherry, and Oak are popular examples)
- Glass
- Metal
Material quality is also very important. Different types of wood are stronger (and more expensive), making them better desk materials than their weaker alternatives.
Material Thickness
The thickness of the primary material manufacturers use to make desks is just as important as the material itself. While metal may be stronger than wood in general, a desk made using thick wood is typically less flimsy and can hold more weight than a desk made with thin metal.
Support Types and Distance Between Supports
By ‘support’, we mean the desk legs. If the frame of your desk has stronger and more sturdy material, it can increase the weight capacity of the desktop it supports. If the support legs are closer to each other, it also helps to increase how much weight the desk can hold due to better weight distribution.
Weight Limits of Common Desks
Computer Desk Weight Capacity
Computer desks are made specifically for holding the weight of modern computers.
These desks are used for studying, working, gaming, or in the office, and so are often referred to as study desks, gaming desks, or office desks. However, in essence, they are the same thing used for different purposes.
These types of desks should be able to hold not just the computer but also some of your weight when you lean on the table and other items you need.
So how much weight can a computer, gaming, or office desk hold?
Most computer desks are capable of carrying between 100 lbs to 300 lbs. However there are exceptions, with some solid wood desks being able to hold up to 500lb and other cheap MDF desks can hold as little as 50lb.
Standing Desk Weight Limit
When you work long hours every day on your laptop or desktop, sitting down can lead to your neck becoming stiff and your back feeling sore. That’s where standing desks come in. Using a standing desk correctly could promote productivity, ease muscle fatigue, and even reduce back pain.
But can standing desks hold the weight of all your electronics and supplies when you use them? Yes that’s why I recommend them for video editors who require multiple monitors and for ultrawide monitor desk setups.
So how much weight can a standing desk hold?
The average standing desk has a weight capacity of between 130 and 180 lbs. While electric standing desks often hold even more weight. A typical electric standing desk holds between 200 to 350 lbs. There are also certain standing desk frames that claim to be able to hold up to 500lb.
Glass Desk Weight Capacity
Glass desks are modern and fashionable, giving off the illusion of space in an otherwise smaller room. A glass desk is often made with metal frames to support the glass desktop, strengthening the desk and increasing its weight limit.
The thickness of the glass can affect how much weight it can safely hold before breaking. In addition, the placement of the support also influences its weight capacity. Generally, glass desks made with thicker glass and supports that are less far apart are more sturdy and can hold more items.
There are two types of glass commonly used in desks, tempered glass is much stronger than standard glass and will not break into sharp shards. Because of this, a tempered glass material is usually used for a desk surface.
So how much weight can a glass desk hold?
A typical 15″ x 40″ tempered glass desk has a weight capacity of around 50 lbs, this is slightly lower than a standard computer desk. The value for a specific desk depends on other factors including the location of supports and thickness of glass.
If you know the glass thickness, the span between supports, dimensions, and glass type, you can estimate the weight load of the glass table using this useful tool by a reputable glass retailer. It is always best practice to check the weight load with the manufacturer, rather than estimating, if you have bought the desk.
Metal Desk Weight Capacity
Metal desks have a sleeker look and are perfect for smaller office environments. The frame for these types of desks is often made entirely of metal, giving it a great deal of structural support. However, metal desks that are 100% metal are quite a rate, so most of the metal desks on the market are made with a combination of metal and wood.
How Much Weight Can a Metal Desk Hold?
Regarding the weight limit of metal desks, they can hold around 230 lbs on average. The weight capacity of a metal desk is on the upper end of the spectrum since the metal frame and legs give it extra protection. While these desks can hold more weight, they also tend to be heavier, requiring more work to transport.
Writing Desk Maximum Load
The first writing desk came about in the 17th century, and throughout the latter centuries, we have seen several changes to the traditional style of writing desks. Since the primary material of many writing desks is wood, writing desks are often quite sturdy.
Writing desks are also traditionally smaller, with fewer drawers to hold personal items.
What is the weight capacity of a writing desk?
On average, a writing desk can hold around 110 lbs to 150 lbs of weight. However, there are some modern desks that boast beautiful designs but can hold only 66 lbs due to the weaker desk legs used for design purposes.
Floating Desk Weight Capacity
Despite the name, floating desks don’t actually ‘float’ in a traditional sense. Floating desks are desks that you can mount to the wall, saving space since there are no supports that have to reach the ground. Since there are no floor-to-desktop supports, floating desks cannot hold too much weight.
How much weight can a floating desk hold?
A floating desk can hold around 40 lbs of weight. In comparison to the other desk types, floating desks have a significantly lower weight capacity due to the lack of foundation. Most floating desks have wall supports, however, they can’t offer the same foundation as leg supports.
If you want to purchase a floating desk, keep in mind that you will likely not be able to store as many items on the desk as you would a normal desk.
Cubicle Desk Weight Capacity
Due to the smaller build of a typical cubical desk, they usually have a weight capacity in the range of 50 to 150 lbs. The weight a cubicle desk can hold is largely dependent on the frame it is built upon.
A cubicle desk with a metal frame will likely be closer to 150lb, while a plywood desk of the same dimensions would be on the lower end of the range.
What Weight Capacity Should Your Desk Be?
You might be surprised on how few occasions the amount of weight a desk can hold is actually important.
The average desk is used to hold a computer monitor, PC, desklamp, stationary, and maybe some books. Below I have gathered the weight of some typical things you would have on your desk
| Dell 27″ monitor | Dell Precision 3640 PC | Architect Lamp | Stationary | Books | |
| Weight (rounded up) | 16lb | 24lb | 5lb | 5lb | 5lb |
The sum of these weights is 55lb, so every desk apart from a glass or floating desk can comfortably hold everything above. This is a pretty hefty setup as well. If you put your PC on a stand on the floor then every type of desk on this list could hold the setup.
My point is, that you usually don’t need to worry about desk weight capacity. Unless you don’t have 4 monitors, a monster gaming PC and 3 gaming consoles a standard office desk can most likely take the weight.
If you have a glass or floating desk, the safe option is to ask the manufacturer for the exact weight limit. Then, you can add up everything that will be on your desk (like I did above) and make your decision as to if the setup is viable.
If you decide you need to increase your desk’s weight capacity, the tips below offer some easy ways to do so.
Ways To Increase A Desks Weight Capacity
Upgrade the Supports
Upgrading the support legs of your desk only applies if it has legs in the first place, so you cannot use this method to strengthen and increase the weight capacity of floating desks. If you are working with a wooden desk, upgrading the support can be easier. If you do not want to replace the legs, try adding corner blocks instead.
Depending on the type of desk, you can also attempt to add more support. If you have a traditional desk with four legs, consider adding one extra support at the back.
Converting to an electric standing desk could be a great way for you to upgrade your support while providing you with the many health benefits associated with using a standing desk. Here is a great video showing you how that could be done, although where he buys a new tabletop you can simply use the tabletop you are wishing to reinforce.
Replace the Tabletop
Other than upgrading the support, you can also upgrade the tabletop to strengthen your desk. Upgrading the tabletop could be tricky, especially if you have a larger or longer desk. If you’re up for the task, try using strong wood to replace the tabletop. Make sure that the wood is not too heavy as it can cause strain on the table legs.
Here is a great example of this method in use, where an old desk gets given a new tabletop.
In Summary
Though it depends on your requirements, a desk with a higher weight capacity tends to be more sturdy and last a longer period of time.
Weight capacity isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to your desk. You also want to make sure your desk is deep enough and that your desk’s dimensions fit the space you have.
When choosing a new desk, use the guide above to give you an indication of how much weight it should hold. However, if you are buying a desk, and are worried about its capacity, then the first thing you should do is contact the supplier as they are in the best position to help you.
