Seat height may seem like a small detail. In practice, it affects your whole driving position. It changes how your legs reach the pedals, how your arms hold the wheel and where your eyes meet the screen. If the height is wrong, your whole rig can feel uncomfortable, even with good hardware.
There is no single perfect seat height. The best position depends on the cars you drive, your body size and your pedals. However, a simple method can help you find a good position in one evening.
Why does seat height make such a difference?
Your hips are the starting point of your driving position. Move them higher and your legs point down towards the pedals. Move them lower and your legs reach forward. This is closer to the position you have in a real car. Your pedals, wheel and monitor should all be adjusted around this position.
A common problem starts with gaming chairs. They often put your hips high above the pedals. This means your ankles have to do more of the work when you brake. We explain this in our guide about whether you can use a gaming chair for sim racing. A lower seat in a sim racing rig can give you a more natural position.
GT and formula cars need different positions
In a GT or touring car position, you sit fairly upright. Your hips are around the same height as the pedal base, or slightly lower. Your knees should still have a small bend when you fully press the brake. Your leg should never be completely straight.
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SIMGASM | Seat bracket set - Black
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A formula position is lower and more reclined. Your legs reach further forward and your heels may be close to hip height or even higher. This position is similar to an open-wheel race car. However, you need a seat and cockpit that support this type of position.
How do you set the seat height step by step?
Start with the seat in a low position. Set the backrest to an angle that feels comfortable. Sit down and press the brake as far as you normally would. Then check your knee. It should still have a clear bend. If your leg becomes straight, move the seat forward or bring the pedals closer.
Next, check the steering wheel. Hold the wheel at the quarter-to-three position. Keep your shoulders against the backrest. Your elbows should have a relaxed bend. You should be able to turn the wheel without pulling your shoulders away from the seat.
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SIMGASM | Sim Racing Seat Atlas Gran Turismo - Black
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Finally, check your monitor. Your eyes should be around the height of the centre of the screen. You should be able to look straight ahead without moving your head up or down. Our guide on where your monitor should sit explains the different options in more detail.
Side brackets or sliders?
The way you mount the seat affects how you can adjust it. A side-mounted bucket seat uses brackets. The SIMGASM Seat Bracket Set lets you adjust both the height and angle of the seat. It fits the Atlas range and many other side-mounted bucket seats from major brands. The Atlas GT also uses side mounting, with the brackets sold separately.
Bottom-mounted seats often use sliders. Sliders let you move the seat forwards and backwards. The height usually depends on the cockpit frame, mounting points or spacers. If you want more freedom to adjust the height and angle, side brackets can offer more options.
Check the whole rig, not just the seat
Seat height is only one part of your driving position. The seat, pedals, wheel and monitor need to work together. Your cockpit should also stay stable when you brake hard. We explain this in our cockpit setup guide for seat, monitor and rig rigidity. Your body size also matters. Taller and heavier drivers can read our guide on which cockpit suits your height and weight.
Universal Dual locking seat slider set - Black
Once you find a position that feels right, save it. You can mark the bracket holes or take a photo of the setup. If you make changes later, you can always return to this position. A good racing sim seat works best when you set it up correctly for your body and driving style.
Common mistakes with seat height
One common mistake is setting the seat too high because the position feels familiar. It may feel similar to sitting in an office chair. However, a high position can make you push down on the brake instead of forward. Your heel may also lift away from the heel rest.
Another mistake is changing the seat height without adjusting anything else. If you lower the seat by a few centimetres, your eye level also becomes lower. Your position in relation to the steering wheel changes too. After every height change, check the wheel, pedals and monitor again.
Make small changes instead of changing everything at once. Adjust one part, drive for a session and see how it feels. This makes it much easier to find the right position.
Frequently asked questions
We’d like to address a few frequently asked questions:
How low should a sim racing seat be?
For a GT-style position, your hips can sit around the same height as the pedal base or slightly lower. For a formula-style position, the seat is usually lower and more reclined. Your heels may then sit close to hip height.
Does seat height affect braking?
Yes. A higher seat can make you push down on the brake and use more of your ankle. A lower position can make it easier to push forward and use more of your leg.
Can I change the seat angle as well?
Yes, if your seat and brackets support it. The SIMGASM Seat Bracket Set lets you adjust both the height and angle of the seat.
Should I adjust the wheel or the seat first?
Start with the seat. Find a comfortable position for your legs and back. Then adjust the pedals, steering wheel and monitor around that position.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
