How high and thick should a woodworking bench be?

Much like architects need drafting boards and artists need easels, people who do woodworking also need woodworking benches. These benches allow woodworkers to carry on different projects without worrying about where to work on them.

While it’s true that just about any table can be used for any task that requires a flat surface, woodworking benches are created with woodworkers in mind. There are built in vices to secure projects in place and custom cabinets that are easily accessible even while working other tools.

This is why woodworking benches are essential to any person’s woodworking journey. It’s a good investment. Using any other table could cause discomfort or worse, pain to the woodworker. Normal tables aren’t at the optimal height and width for woodworking.

So, in choosing a woodworking bench, the question is how high and thick should a woodworking bench be? If it’s too low, a woodworker’s back will be hunched when working. If it’s too high, the woodworker’s upper body would get strained.

However, if the woodworking bench is at the optimal height, all projects will be done comfortably and painlessly. Most workbenches’ height ranges from 28 – 38 inches tall. While the width ranges between 48 and 96 inches.

That seems like a big difference and that’s because it is. The answer to “how high and thick should a woodworking bench be?” is that it depends on the woodworker who’s going to work on it.

There are dozens and dozens of workbenches out there. No one measurement will suit all the woodworkers in the world one hundred percent of the time. So, the question now is, how do we measure what the optimal height and width is for us?

The best way is to stand in front of a wall. Stand straight and have your arms to your side with your palms facing upward. Now, measure the height from the floor to the wrists. Call a friend or anyone who can help you out if you need.

This height measured is the minimum the woodworking bench should be. This is the minimum because the woodworker should add more inches depending on what projects or activities he or she intends to work on.

Note that low workbenches are for projects and activities that will require some strength. This way, a woodworker can use his feet to carry things. Taller workbenches, on the other hand, are for projects that are more detail oriented.

As for the bench’s width, the amount of space a woodworker has usually dictates it. While there’s a standard 48 to 96 inches as aforementioned, the ideal measurement still depends on the woodworker who will use it.

Just make sure that the bench will have enough space to handle the moving of materials and tools. Also take into account how woodworkers can move around the bench. If it’s too hard for the woodworker to go to the other side to reach for a cabinet or some dog-holes, then it’s probably too wide.

This might all seem complicated, but there are hundreds of woodworking benches available in stores and online. If none suit the measured optimal height and width, there are also blueprints and guides online on how to build a custom woodworking bench.