Guides · 7 min read · 2026-09-27
Best Footrest for Short People: Under-Desk Picks That Actually Reach
If your feet dangle once the chair matches your desk, you need lift, not just cushion. Here are three footrests ranked by how well they close that gap, plus how to measure yours.
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Quick picks
Best footrest for most short people
HUANUO Adjustable Under-Desk Footrest (Massage + Tilt) · About $36
Three heights up to 6.7 inches, a free ±30° rock, and a big 17 × 13 inch textured platform.
Best budget adjustable footrest
Mind Reader Adjustable Height Ergonomic Foot Rest · About $27
Adjusts from 3.25 to 6.25 inches for less money. Almost the HUANUO's range at a lower price.
Best cushioned footrest (small gaps)
Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Under-Desk Foot Rest · About $38
High-density memory foam with a washable cover and a flip-to-rock side. Comfort first, height second.
1. Best footrest for most short people
HUANUO Adjustable Under-Desk Footrest (Massage + Tilt)
About $36
When your feet don't reach the floor, the number that matters is how high the footrest goes. The HUANUO has three height settings (4.3, 5.5, and 6.7 inches), and its top setting is the tallest of the three picks here. The 17.13 × 13.19 inch platform fits both feet in shoes, the textured surface keeps socks from sliding, and it arrives pre-assembled. The platform tilts freely through ±30°, which keeps your ankles moving during long calls. It can't be locked at an angle, though, so if you want a dead-still surface, this isn't it.
Pros
- Tallest top setting here: 6.7 inches (plus 4.3 and 5.5)
- Large 17 × 13 inch textured, non-skid platform
- Free ±30° rocking encourages movement
- Pre-assembled, with non-slip feet
Cons
- Tilt can't be locked; it always rocks
- Hard plastic surface is less plush than foam
- Takes more under-desk depth than a foam cushion
Best for: Anyone about 5'4" and under whose feet dangle once the chair is raised to desk height.
2. Best budget adjustable footrest
Mind Reader Adjustable Height Ergonomic Foot Rest
About $27
Mind Reader's plastic platform covers nearly the same job for less money. It adjusts from 3.25 to 6.25 inches, measures 17 × 13 inches, weighs 5.5 lb, and has a massage-textured top that stops feet from slipping. It tops out half an inch below the HUANUO, and the build feels more basic. Check the live listing for exactly how the tilt works before you buy. If your gap is under about 6 inches and you mainly want a solid surface to plant your feet on, it's the value pick.
Pros
- 3.25–6.25 inch height adjustment at a budget price
- 17 × 13 inch massage-textured surface
- Light (5.5 lb) and easy to reposition
- Starts lower than the HUANUO for smaller gaps
Cons
- Maximum height is 0.45 inch below the HUANUO
- Build feels more basic than the HUANUO
- Confirm the current tilt behavior on the listing
Best for: Budget setups with a moderate 3–6 inch gap between feet and floor.
3. Best cushioned footrest (small gaps)
Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Under-Desk Foot Rest
About $38
If your feet almost reach the floor and the problem is comfort, not height, the Everlasting Comfort foam rest is the nicest thing to put your feet on. It's high-density memory foam with a removable, machine-washable cover and a non-slip bottom. You can use it flat, with its base for a little extra lift, or flipped over as a gentle rocker. What it doesn't have is fixed height steps like the plastic platforms, so it won't close a big gap as precisely. Anyone whose feet hang several inches off the floor should start with the HUANUO.
Pros
- Plush high-density memory foam, comfortable in socks
- Removable, machine-washable cover
- Use flat, with the base for extra lift, or flipped to rock
- Non-slip bottom on carpet, tile, or hardwood
Cons
- No fixed height steps for precise lift
- Less effective when your feet dangle by several inches
- Foam can compress over years of daily use
Best for: Slightly short sitters, or anyone who wants cushion and light rocking more than height.
How to choose
- Measure the gap first
- Set your chair so your elbows sit at desk height, then measure from the floor to the bottom of your shoes with your thighs level. That number is the footrest height you need. Gaps up to about 6 inches are covered by the Mind Reader (3.25–6.25 inches); for up to 6.7 inches, pick the HUANUO.
- Height range beats features
- Massage bumps and rocking are nice extras. The core job is filling the gap so the seat edge isn't pressing into the backs of your thighs. Rank footrests by their top height before anything else.
- Rocking or stable
- Free-rocking platforms (HUANUO) keep your ankles moving, which some people love and others find distracting. Foam cushions feel softer and more static. If you sit in socks, foam is kinder; in shoes, a textured plastic platform lasts longer.
- Consider fixing the desk instead
- A footrest exists because the desk is too tall for you. If your gap is bigger than any footrest can fill, a height-adjustable desk that lowers further (the FlexiSpot E6 goes down to about 23.6 inches) lets you drop the chair until your feet reach the floor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best footrest for short people?
For most short people, the HUANUO adjustable footrest. Its three height settings top out at 6.7 inches, the tallest of our picks, and the 17 × 13 inch platform rocks ±30°. On a budget, the Mind Reader adjusts from 3.25 to 6.25 inches. If you only need a little lift and want cushion, choose the Everlasting Comfort memory-foam rest.
How high should a footrest be for a short person?
Tall enough to fill the gap between the floor and your feet once your chair is set so your elbows are at desk height and your thighs are roughly level. Measure that gap with your work shoes on. Most short users land somewhere between 3 and 7 inches.
Should I lower my chair instead of using a footrest?
Only if your desk allows it. Lowering the chair until your feet touch the floor usually leaves the desk too high, which pushes your shoulders up while you type. A footrest lets you keep the chair at the right height for your arms. A desk that lowers far enough removes the problem entirely.
Is a foam or plastic footrest better?
Plastic platforms like the HUANUO and Mind Reader have fixed height settings, so they're better at closing a specific gap. Foam cushions like Everlasting Comfort are softer and nicer in socks, but they offer less precise lift. Short people with a big gap should start with plastic.
What if my feet are more than 7 inches off the floor?
None of these footrests go above 6.7 inches. Instead of stacking things under your feet, lower the desk so you can lower the chair. A height-adjustable standing desk that goes down to about 24 inches is the long-term fix.
