Office Desk Separators: Types, Sizes and How to Choose

Office desk separators are screens that sit between desks to give each person their own space. They block sightlines, reduce distraction and, if you choose acoustic separators, absorb some of the noise around each desk. This guide covers the main types, how they fit and how to choose the right size.

Types of office desk separator

Type	How it fits	Best for
Clamp-on separators	Clamps to the edge of the desk	Most desks, quick to fit and move
Freestanding separators	Stands on the desk with feet, no clamps	Desks where clamps won't fit, or rented desks
Backdrop mounted separators	Fixed to the back edge of the desk	Long bench desks and rows
Acrylic separators	Clamped or freestanding clear panels	Hygiene barriers and keeping the room open
Acoustic separators	Clamped or freestanding, with a sound-absorbing core	Busy offices and call areas

Fabric, acoustic or acrylic?

Fabric separators give visual privacy, are pinnable and come in many colours. See our fabric desk screens.

Acoustic separators do the same job but also absorb speech, so the office feels calmer. See our acoustic desk screens.

Acrylic separators are clear, easy to wipe clean and keep the office feeling open, but they absorb almost no sound. See our acrylic desk screens.

Clamp-on or freestanding?

Clamp-on separators are the most secure and the most common choice. Check the clamp fits your desk top thickness and that there is nothing underneath the desk edge in the way, such as cable trays or frames.

Freestanding separators sit on the desk on their own feet. They need no fitting and suit desks where clamps won't fit. See our freestanding desk dividers.

What size desk separator do you need?

• Height: around 400 to 500mm above the desk suits most offices. Go to 600mm or more for call centres or focused work.
• Width: match the width of the desk, or go slightly narrower so the separator does not overhang.
• Side separators: for privacy at the sides of bench desks, choose a width close to the desk depth.

Our desk divider sizes guide covers sizes, side screens and clamps in more detail.

Desk separators on a budget

If you need to fit out a lot of desks, our budget desk dividers are a lower-cost option in fabric and acrylic. Acoustic separators cost more but make the biggest difference to noise.

Frequently asked questions

What is a desk separator?

A desk separator is a screen that sits between two desks, or at the side of a desk, to give each person a private workspace. It is also called a desk divider or desk screen.

How tall should a desk separator be?

Around 400 to 500mm above the desk suits most offices. Go to 600mm or more for call centres or focused work.

Do desk separators reduce noise?

Acoustic desk separators absorb speech and reduce noise between desks. Fabric and acrylic separators give visual privacy but absorb little sound.

Can desk separators be fitted without tools?

Freestanding separators need no tools. Clamp-on separators fit with a clamp that tightens onto the desk edge, which usually takes a few minutes per desk.

Not sure which desk separators you need? Send us your desk layout and we will recommend the right screens for free.