Are Office Chair Cylinders Universal?

Are Office Chair Cylinders Universal?

While a good quality office chair is built to last for many years, you may notice that after a while it no longer stays in place.

When your chair sinks low every time you sit down, you may think about replacing it.

However, that's not something you have to do, You should only need to replace the cylinder to make it comfortable again.

Before you buy a replacement cylinder, you may be wondering "are office chair cylinders universal?" There is a universal cylinder with a 2-inch diameter that can be used for the majority of office chairs. Keep in mind that it's important to measure the cylinder you are replacing on the odd chance you have a rare chair that uses a different measurement.

Are Office Chair Cylinders Universal

Have you reached the point where you need to replace the cylinder on your office chair?

You've come to the right page.

Today, we're going to discuss if office chair cylinders are universal. Keep reading to learn more.

Are Office Chair Cylinders Universal

The cylinder to your office chair is responsible for connecting the seat to the base. It is composed of two parts, a gas spring on top and a column below that.

The gas spring section of the cylinder is also attached to a moving piston, which helps the chair move up and down.

Over time, wear and tear can cause damage to the office chair cylinder.

When this happens, you will need to replace the cylinder. Luckily, this is very easy to do.

Even if you have no background experience with using tools, you can still replace your chair's cylinder.

So, this likely leads you to another question, "what size of chair cylinder do I need to get?"

The majority of office chair cylinders are a universal size. It's very rare to come across an office chair that doesn't use a universal cylinder.

Just to be on the safe side, you should always measure the diameter of your office chair to ensure it's 2 inches.

If so, you can buy the standard cylinder size.

Are Universal Office Chair Cylinders All The Same Height?

A universal cylinder simply refers to the diameter. It doesn't apply to the height of the cylinder.

Most universal office chair cylinders will range from 4 to 11 inches in height. This allows you to adjust the chair to your comfort and get the best ergonomics. 

The height can also be referred to as strokes when choosing how high you want the cylinder to be.

Every inch is called a stroke, so if you wanted a 5-inch cylinder, you want to choose a 5 stroke. Each stroke represents how high you can raise the chair. 

Even though there are various heights for cylinders, there are 3 sizes that are most commonly used: 4 strokes, 5 strokes, and 6 strokes.

To choose the right cylinder for your comfort, it's suggested to choose one based on your height.

  • People 5"4 and shorter should choose a 4 stroke office chair cylinder.
  • For people in the height range of 5"4 to 6"2, a 5 stroke cylinder is ideal.
  • Anyone taller than 6"2 will be more comfortable with a 6 stroke cylinder.

Read More >> Best Office Chairs for Big and Tall People

Advice on Choosing the Right Size of Office Chair Cylinder

The sizes we just mentioned are generic. While they are a good choice for people in each height range, other factors need to be considered when choosing the best size. 

For the best fit, it's recommended that you sit down in an office chair with a working cylinder and measure your seated height.

To do this, place your feet down flat on the ground making sure that your knees are forming a 90-degree angle and your thighs are parallel with the floor.  

If you are keen on switching up your footwear, you should also do measurements with the different shoes you wear. People who wear flats only can skip this part.

However, if you wear heels to work, you'll want to know your minimum and maximum seated height.

This way, you'll be just as comfortable working in 3-inch heels as you are working in flats. 

Are Office Chair Cylinders Universal

When To Replace Your Office Chair Cylinder

You should be able to feel it when your office chair needs a cylinder replacement. There isn't a set length of time they are expected to last.

How often you use it and wear and tear will play a role in how long it lasts.

Quality of make and the brand will also reflect how soon it needs to be replaced.

Read More >> What Features to Look for in an Office Chair?

There are a few obvious signs that your office chair cylinder will need to be replaced. The most obvious sign is that you sink when you sit.

When you adjust the chair to a certain height, it should stay there.

 However, if your cylinder needs to be replaced, the seat won't stay in place when you sit down.

If the problem is bad enough, you may no longer be able to adjust the height of your chair.

This could also lead to the chair becoming jammed, which means you won't be able to turn or swivel in your seat. 

Final Thoughts

Are you having trouble moving your office chair to a comfortable height? You don't have to start shopping for chairs.

Instead, you can get your chair working like new again by replacing the cylinder.

There is a good chance that your chair isn't working because there is damage to the cylinder.

All you need to buy to fix this problem is a replacement cylinder to fix the problem.

Finding a replacement cylinder isn't a difficult task because the majority of office chair cylinders are universal.

As long as you need one with a 2-inch diameter, you can buy a standard office chair cylinder.

It doesn't matter if it's from a different brand than the chair you are using.

If your office chair is giving you problems, you can fix it today with nearly any universal chair cylinder. 

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Darryl Higgins

Darryl Higgins

Hi, I'm Darryl. I made this site to help share information & reviews about ergonomic desks, chairs & accessories to help others who want to work more comfortably. Learn more about my journey by reading my bio here. Enjoy!
Darryl Higgins

Darryl Higgins

Hi, I'm Darryl. I made this site to help share information & reviews about ergonomic desks, chairs & accessories to help others who want to work more comfortably. Learn more about my journey by reading my bio here. Enjoy!

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