Digital Piano Benches & Stands: Wrist-Safe Heights for Kids & Adults (Printable Chart)

Right bench and stand heights prevent wrist pain, tight shoulders, and sloppy technique. The good news? You can dial in a wrist-safe setup in five minutes—and keep it consistent with the printable height chart below.

At B Amazing Music, our background-checked teachers set up benches, stands, pedals, and foot support in your home (Winter Garden, Windermere, Lake Buena Vista, Ocoee, Clermont, Apopka). Here’s the exact method we use.

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Quick answer (screenshot this)

• Key goal: Forearms level with the keys or tilted down 5–10° toward them.
• Elbows: ~90–100° (not tucked behind you).
• Wrists: Neutral (straight), not bent up or down.
• Feet: Flat and stable; kids need a footstool/board so knees are ~90°.
• Digital stand height: Aim for acoustic-piano key height ~28.5–29.5 in (72–75 cm). If your stand is fixed, adjust the bench and add foot support.

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How to measure in 60 seconds

1. Sit on the front half of the bench.
2. Place hands on the white keys (middle register).
3. Close your eyes and let shoulders drop.
4. Check:
   • Forearm → keys: level or slight downward angle (5–10°).
   • Wrist: straight (no “mountain” or “valley”).
   • Elbow: slightly in front of your torso, not behind.
5. If forearms angle up, raise the bench or lower the stand.
   If forearms angle too far down, lower the bench or raise the stand.
6. Make sure both feet are flat; add foot support for kids.

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Printable Bench & Stand Height Chart (by player height)

Use this as a starting point; fine-tune by feel to hit the forearm-level goal. Seat height measured floor → top of bench. Key height is floor → top of white keys.

Player Height	Bench Height (in)	Bench Height (cm)	Target Key Height (in)	Target Key Height (cm)	Foot Support Needed?
3'6"–3'10" (107–117 cm)	19.5–21.0	50–53	27.5–28.5	70–72	Yes (board + pedal booster)
3'11"–4'2" (119–127 cm)	19.0–20.5	48–52	28.0–29.0	71–74	Yes (board + pedal booster)
4'3"–4'6" (130–137 cm)	18.5–20.0	47–51	28.5–29.0	72–74	Yes (board or sturdy stool)
4'7"–4'10" (140–147 cm)	18.0–19.5	46–50	28.5–29.5	72–75	Maybe (low stool)
4'11"–5'2" (150–157 cm)	18.0–19.0	46–48	28.5–29.5	72–75	Usually no
5'3"–5'6" (160–168 cm)	17.5–18.5	44–47	28.5–29.5	72–75	No
5'7"–5'10" (170–178 cm)	17.0–18.0	43–46	28.5–29.5	72–75	No
5'11"–6'2" (180–188 cm)	16.5–17.5	42–45	28.5–29.5	72–75	No
6'3"+ (190+ cm)	16.0–17.0	41–43	28.5–29.5	72–75	No (consider higher stand if knees high)

Tip: Most adjustable benches span ~18–22 in (46–56 cm). If your digital stand is higher than 29.5 in, you’ll likely need a taller bench and foot support for shorter players.

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Kids: foot support & pedal reach (non-negotiable)

• Feet must be flat to prevent slouching and wrist collapse.
• Use a footstool or plywood board + yoga blocks under both feet.
• For damper-pedal pieces, add a pedal extender/booster so the ankle moves freely with a straight wrist and quiet shoulder.

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Common problems (and 30-second fixes)

• Wrists bent up (mountain): Bench too low → raise bench or lower stand.
• Wrists dipped (valley): Bench too high → lower bench or raise stand.
• Shoulder tension: Slide bench 1–2 in closer, keep elbows slightly in front.
• Dangling feet (kids): Add foot board immediately (technique falls apart without it).
• Bench too soft or back-heavy: Sit on the front third; use a firm, flat surface.

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Choosing the right gear (simple buyer’s guide)

Benches (best first upgrade)

• Adjustable height with firm cushion (flat top).
• Range that covers your family’s heights (ideally 18–22 in).
• Stable legs; no side wobble.

Stands

• If your digital has a fixed furniture stand, measure key height. If it’s >29.5 in, prioritize an adjustable bench and foot support.
• If you use an X/Z stand, set key height near 28.5–29.5 in, then fine-tune the bench.

Foot/Pedal

• Solid footstool/board that doesn’t slide.
• Pedal booster/extender for small feet so the ankle—not the knee—does the work.

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3-Step weekly maintenance (takes 90 seconds)

1. Re-measure forearm angle (level or slight down).
2. Check feet (flat? no toe-tapping?) and knees (~90°).
3. Wrist scan during scales: invisible line from forearm to knuckles.

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10-Minute “feel better” routine (kids & adults)

1. Arm hangs (30s): Shake out shoulders; breathe.
2. Bench-reset drill (60s): Eyes closed, lift/settle shoulders, place hands, check angles.
3. Even tone scales (4 min): Hands separate, pp→mf at one tempo.
4. Chord balance (3 min): Block chords, soft wrist, heavy arm—not pressing with fingers.
5. Music wrap (2 min): One short piece at comfortable dynamic, no wrist bend.

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FAQ

Q: My stand isn’t adjustable. Can I still be “wrist-safe”?
A: Yes—adjust the bench and add foot support until your forearms are level/slightly down and wrists are neutral.

Q: Does key height differ across brands?
A: Yes. That’s why we aim for the forearm angle, not a single number. Use the chart, then fine-tune by feel.

Q: My child slumps after 5 minutes.
A: Add a firmer seat, ensure feet are fully supported, and use shorter reps (2–3 minutes) with tiny stretch breaks.

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Want us to set this up in your living room?

We’ll measure your bench and stand, add foot/pedal solutions for kids, and film a 30-second posture video you can reference before every practice.