> BENCH_CALC.SYS

Workbench Planner

What size workbench fits your space — and your body? Enter your wall dimensions, height, and work type to get ergonomic bench sizing, a clearance footprint diagram, and a ready-to-cut material list.

Available Wall Length

Room Depth at Bench Location

Primary Work Type

Your Height

inches

= 5'10"

Dominant Hand

Equipment to Accommodate

[OK]

Workbench fits your space.Great fit. You have 48" of extra wall length and 24" of extra depth to spare.

> Bench Length

72"

6.0 ft — includes equipment space

> Bench Width (Depth)

30"

2.5 ft — front-to-back

> Bench Height

37.5"

Ergonomic for 5'10" — Woodworking

FOOTPRINT_MAP.OUTTOP-DOWN VIEW
Room Layout & Clearance ZonesWORKBENCHWall: 12'Depth: 8'Bench: 6'36" front clearanceHeight: 37.5"WALL
BenchClearanceEquipmentRoom

> Height Calculation

Your elbow height is approximately 40.6" (58% of 70"). Subtracting 3" for comfortable working gives a base of 37.6". Final recommended height: 37.5".

CUT_LIST.OUTMATERIALS
Material Cut ListPartMaterialDimensionsQty
Top Slab3/4" Plywood or Butcher Block72" x 30"1
Legs4x4 Lumber36.75" long4
Long Stretchers2x4 Lumber65" long2
Short Stretchers2x4 Lumber23" long2
Lower Shelf3/4" Plywood70" x 28"1

Next Step

Get a personalised workbench build plan with product picks for your 72" x 30" woodworking bench

Get a full transformation plan with concept visuals, product picks, and a downloadable PDF.

Try the AI Designer →

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Budget Planner

Estimate the full cost of your workshop build.

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Plan tool storage around your bench.

How to Use This Tool

01Measure your available wall space — enter the wall length where the bench will go and the depth of the room at that point.
02Select your primary work type — this determines the ideal bench proportions and ergonomic height offset.
03Enter your height — we use this to calculate the perfect ergonomic bench height based on your elbow position.
04Add any bench-mounted equipment — vises, miter saws, and grinders each add length and clearance requirements.
05Review the footprint diagram and cut list — confirm the bench fits your space, then use the cut list to gather materials.

FAQ

How is the ergonomic bench height calculated?[+]

We use the standard ergonomic formula: your elbow height (approximately 58% of your stature) minus 2-4 inches, adjusted by work type. Metalwork benches are slightly higher for leverage, while electronics and craft benches are lower for detail work.

Why do I need so much clearance in front of the bench?[+]

The 36-inch front clearance is the industry standard for comfortable standing, stepping back, and handling long materials. Reducing this below 30 inches makes working uncomfortable and potentially unsafe.

Can I build the bench shorter than recommended?[+]

You can, but a bench that is too low will cause back strain during extended work sessions. If you primarily sit while working, consider a 28-30 inch height instead.

What thickness should the bench top be?[+]

The cut list assumes 3/4" plywood or butcher block for the top. For heavy woodworking, consider laminating two sheets for a 1.5" top, or use a solid hardwood slab.

Do I need all the clearance shown for a vise?[+]

The 24-inch vise clearance allows the handle to swing freely and for long stock to extend past the jaws. If you only use the vise for small parts, you can reduce this to 12-16 inches.

Loading planner...

Part

Material

Dimensions

Qty

Top Slab

3/4" Plywood or Butcher Block

72" x 30"

Legs

4x4 Lumber

36.75" long

Long Stretchers

2x4 Lumber

65" long

Short Stretchers

2x4 Lumber

23" long

Lower Shelf

3/4" Plywood

70" x 28"

How to Use This Tool

01Measure your available wall space — enter the wall length where the bench will go and the depth of the room at that point.

02Select your primary work type — this determines the ideal bench proportions and ergonomic height offset.

03Enter your height — we use this to calculate the perfect ergonomic bench height based on your elbow position.

04Add any bench-mounted equipment — vises, miter saws, and grinders each add length and clearance requirements.

05Review the footprint diagram and cut list — confirm the bench fits your space, then use the cut list to gather materials.

FAQ