Term
Seat width / depth
Seat width and seat depth describe the size of the area you sit on. These are two of the most important measurements for comfort, posture, and long-term skin safety.
In simple terms
- Seat width = left-to-right space across the seat.
- Seat depth = front-to-back length of the seat.
These aren’t “small details.” A small mismatch can cause daily discomfort.
What it affects
- Comfort and pressure distribution
- Pelvic and trunk posture
- Ease of propulsion and reach
- Skin risk over long sitting time
- How stable you feel during transfers
Common problems
- Too wide: harder to control, harder to reach wheels, more sliding, less support.
- Too narrow: pressure points on hips/thighs, skin risk, discomfort, poor posture.
- Too deep: pressure behind knees, slouching, difficulty sitting all the way back.
- Too short: less thigh support, more fatigue, “floating” feeling.
If you’re unsure, “smallest possible” is not automatically the best choice.