View instructions on how to determine your correct chair size

STANDARD CHAIR SPECIFICATIONS FOR 5000 CHAIRS WITH 4" CYLINDER

*The seat height range on all charts is for chairs with 4" cylinders and the standard 26" black base. For other cylinders, either subtract or add the difference in size and reduce or increase the range. For example, the 4" cylinder on the 8400 has a seat height range of 16 – 20, so the 3" cylinder would have a range of 15 – 18, the 5" cylinder would be 17 – 22 and the 7" cylinder would be 19 – 26. If you order the 27" chrome brushed aluminum base, increase all seat height range measurements by 1 inch.

GETTING THE RIGHT FIT (how to ensure a great fit in your new NPE chair)

For those between 5' 5" and 6' 1" its fairly safe to assume that the standard 4" cylinder and either the 500 or 600 seat pans will fit great. Simply choose your chair Series (back style 5000, 6000, 8000, or 9000) based on your needs and tastes.

You will learn how to make your personal measurements and then interpret and apply them against the two emboldened specifications above. You will find out if the standard 4" cylinder is correct for you by looking at Seat Height Range and you can make sure your seat pan is correct by checking Seat Depth Range.

First measure your "Seat Height" (called the "Popliteal Height" by ergonomists). For your purposes, you'll want to either wear the shortest heeled shoes you would normally wear while at your work station or if you tend to slip your shoes off while working, measure shoeless. Sit so as to create a 90 degree angle between your thigh and your calf. Measure the distance from the floor to the point to the angle at the back of the knee. This measurement generally ranges between 13 to 19 inches for women and 14.5 to 22 inches for men. The best place to make these measurements is on a flat bench-like surface with a flat vertical back.

Next measure what ergonomists call "Buttock Popliteal Length. Here we will call it "Seat Depth" since you will be checking this measurement against the specs above under "Seat Depth Range" specifications. This is the distance from, again, the point at the back of the knee and then to the back of the buttocks. This measurement usually ranges from 15 to 23 inches for men and about 14 to 22 for women.

Interpreting and applying your measurements for SEAT HEIGHT.

Shorter people must remember that if you are working at a station that is already too tall and it can't be lowered, getting the "correct height" chair is no solution at all. If you can control the height of your workstation* or if its already at the right height, you are in great shape! By all means, get the chair that allows you to set your feet flat on the ground while you work at a comfortable height. But if you are coming up too short at your workstation and there is no way to lower it, then you'll probably be better off with the standard height cylinder and a good footrest.

Give yourself "leaning back" clearance if you like to tilt your seat pan and lean into a reclining posture. If your "Seat Height" measurement is 16" and you will be working at a desk of the correct height and you are looking at a 5500 with a seat height range of 16 to 21, order the shorter 3" cylinder. It will allow you to lean way back in your chair and still adjust the cylinder downward so that you can keep your feet flat on the ground.

If you are looking at our standard 16 - 21 height range and your a tall person with a 21.5" Seat Height measurement, go with the longer 7" cylinder.

Interpreting and applying your measurements for SEAT DEPTH.

There is never a reason not to have the right seat depth! It's very simple. You will want about 1" clearance from the shortest depth dimension. Lots of shorter people are sitting in chairs with the front of the seat pan jammed up against the back of the upper calf, or (to avoid this) they slide forward on the seat pan to comfortably place their feet on the floor and then get no lumbar (lower back) support. The 400 seat pan with cloud 9 fabric is very comfortable. It has solved problems for literally thousands upon thousands of shorter stature workers. With the Standard Neutral Multi-tilt mechanism you get seat depth adjustment and hence a depth range.

Example: If your personal "seat depth" is 15" and you are looking at the NPE 5500 Chair (15 - 17), you are on the borderline and will probably be better off with the NPE 5400.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT KNEE TILT MECHANISMS

With any NPE knee tilt mechanism you get no seat depth adjustment. Figure the depth at at the shortest measurement provided in the Seat Depth Range.

Still not quite sure about what you should do?

An Ergonomist is best suited to help you determine how to improve your work environment. Not only can they show you how to best determine your chair options, they'll solve other work environment problems. A good Ergonomist will probably tell you that it is best to try several chairs out before you purchase one. We can't argue with that because its true. However, when circumstances are such that it is difficult to arrange chair fittings, then we suggest you consider Ergomart's NPE chair products, which are priced very competitively and are proven to be extraordinarily comfortable.