How to Measure an Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder

What Is an Office Chair Gas Lift?

An office chair gas lift cylinder is the hydraulic pneumatic component that allows your chair to move up and down smoothly.

Most modern office chairs use a standard tapered gas lift that fits into the chair base and seat mechanism using a Morse taper connection.

Common reasons to replace a gas lift include:

• Office chair sinking

• The chair won’t stay raised

• Jerky or uneven height adjustment

• Gas lift failure over time

• Upgrading chair height for standing desks or drafting tables

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What Does “Stroke Height” Mean?

The stroke height of a gas lift is the vertical travel the cylinder undergoes between its fully compressed and fully extended positions.

For example, a 140mm stroke gas lift provides approximately 140mm of seat height adjustment.

Stroke length is one of the most important measurements when selecting a replacement office chair gas lift cylinder.

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How to Measure Your Existing Office Chair Gas Lift

Follow these simple steps to determine the correct replacement gas lift size.

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Step 1: Lower the Chair Completely

Adjust your chair to its lowest position.

Measure the gas lift from:

• The underside of the chair mechanism

• To the underside of the chair base

This is your minimum overall length.

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Step 2: Raise the Chair to Maximum Height

Lift the chair to its highest position so the cylinder is fully extended.

Measure again using the same points.

This is your maximum overall length.

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Step 3: Calculate the Gas Lift Stroke

Subtract the minimum length from the maximum length.

Example:

• Minimum overall length: 260mm

• Maximum overall length: 400mm

The gas lift stroke is:

400mm - 260mm = 140mm

In this example, you would require a 140mm office chair gas lift cylinder.

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Important Measuring Tip

If the gas lift cylinder protrudes through the bottom of the chair base, measure from the visible end of the cylinder rather than the underside of the base.

This ensures a more accurate overall measurement.

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Standard Office Chair Gas Lift Sizes

Most office chairs use a standard 50mm tapered base fitting, often called a Morse taper.

The most common gas lift stroke sizes include:

Gas Lift Stroke	*Typical Seat Height Range	Common Use
80mm	380mm–460mm	Petite office chairs
100mm	400mm–500mm	Standard task chairs
140mm	440mm–580mm	Most office chairs
160mm	460mm–620mm	Taller users / sit-stand desks
200mm	500mm–700mm	Drafting chairs
270mm	570mm–840mm	Lab stools / high benches

*Typical Seat Height Range refers to the measurement taken at the lowest seat height in millimetres to the highest seat height in millimetres.

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Factors That Affect Office Chair Height

Several factors can influence the final sitting height of your chair.

Chair Base Depth (“Sink” Factor)

Depending on the taper fit of the chair base, the gas lift may sit slightly higher or lower inside the base. For instance, a non-drop-through gas lift sits entirely above the base. However, depending on the taper of the hole in your chair's base, the cylinder may sit higher or lower, which can affect seat height by approximately 10mm

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Seat Cushion Thickness

• Executive office chairs with thick foam cushions sit higher than slim mesh task chairs.
• Thicker seats may significantly increase overall sitting height.

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Castor Wheel Size

Standard seat height estimates are based on 50mm office chair wheels. Larger castors can increase chair height:

• 65mm castors: approximately +15mm
• 75mm rollerblade wheels: approximately +25mm

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Choosing the Right Replacement Office Chair Gas Lift

When selecting a replacement gas lift cylinder, consider:

• Stroke height

• Overall cylinder length

• User height

• Desk height

• Wheel size

• Seat thickness

• Intended use

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Best Gas Lift Sizes by Application

Standard Office Chairs

A 100mm to 140mm stroke gas lift suits most office environments and users.

Taller Users & Standing Desks

A 160mm gas lift provides additional height range for ergonomic positioning.

Drafting & Counter Chairs

A 200mm gas lift works well for elevated workstations and counters.

Laboratory & Industrial Seating

A 270mm gas lift is ideal for lab stools and high benches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Office Chair Gas Lifts Universal?

Most office chair gas lifts use a universal 50mm tapered fitting, making many cylinders interchangeable. However, stroke length and overall height still need to match your chair setup.

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How Do I Know If My Gas Lift Needs Replacing?

Common signs include:

• The chair slowly sinks while sitting

• Height adjustment no longer works

• The chair feels unstable

• Visible damage or wobbling

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Can I Upgrade to a Taller Gas Lift?

Yes. Many users upgrade to taller cylinders for:

• Sit-stand desks

• Drafting tables

• Taller working positions

• Improved ergonomics

Always ensure the new height suits your workspace and desk height.

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Find the Right Office Chair Gas Lift Replacement

Correctly measuring your office chair gas lift helps ensure:

• Better comfort

• Proper ergonomics

• Smooth height adjustment

• Longer chair lifespan

Before ordering, always compare your chair’s minimum and maximum cylinder measurements with the replacement specifications.

Choosing the right office chair gas lift cylinder the first time saves time, money, improves posture, and restores your chair to like-new performance. Please feel free to contact the Caford Castors team with any questions - we are here to help!