Key takeaways
- Worn or peeling fabric or PU leather. Bonded leather on many budget office and gaming chairs starts flaking after a few years; a cover hides it and stops flakes spreading onto clothes.
- Pet hair and kids. A washable cover is easier to clean than chair upholstery.
- Heat. PU leather gets sticky in warm rooms; a breathable fabric cover is cooler against skin.
- Style. A cover changes the color of a chair to suit a room for much less than a new chair.
The right chair cover for a computer chair is a stretch, two-piece cover (one for the seat, one for the backrest) in a spandex or polyester-spandex blend, sized from measurements of your seat and back rather than the chair’s name, because computer chairs vary more in shape than dining chairs do. Two-piece stretch covers fit most task and gaming-style chairs; one-piece covers suit only simple chairs with a continuous seat and back. If your chair has fixed armrests, look for covers that leave the arms exposed or add separate armrest sleeves.
Why People Cover Computer Chairs
- Worn or peeling fabric or PU leather. Bonded leather on many budget office and gaming chairs starts flaking after a few years; a cover hides it and stops flakes spreading onto clothes.
- Pet hair and kids. A washable cover is easier to clean than chair upholstery.
- Heat. PU leather gets sticky in warm rooms; a breathable fabric cover is cooler against skin.
- Style. A cover changes the color of a chair to suit a room for much less than a new chair.
How to Measure Your Chair
Take four measurements with a soft tape:
Water Resistant Stretch Computer Office Chair Cover with Durable Zipper Universal Washable Removable Spandex Rotating Boss Chair Slipcovers Anti-dust Soft Desk Chair Seat Protector for Dogs Cats Pets
Included for 'Chair Cover for Computer Chair: How to Measure, Fit Types and Fabrics' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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Melaluxe Office Chair Cover with Armrest Covers， Universal Stretch Desk Chair Cover, Computer Chair Slipcovers
Included for 'Chair Cover for Computer Chair: How to Measure, Fit Types and Fabrics' because the listing specifies Computer Chair Slipcovers, details this guide uses to compare options.
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NeColorLife Oversized Office Chair Seat Cover, Black, Seat Only
Included for 'Chair Cover for Computer Chair: How to Measure, Fit Types and Fabrics' because the listing specifies Black and Seat Only, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Smiry Stretch Printed Office Computer Desk Chair Covers, Blue Green
Included for 'Chair Cover for Computer Chair: How to Measure, Fit Types and Fabrics' because the listing specifies Blue Green, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon- Seat width at the widest point, side to side.
- Seat depth from front edge to where the seat meets the back.
- Backrest width at the widest point.
- Backrest height from the seat to the top of the back.
Stretch covers have a fit range listed in inches. Pick the size whose range puts your numbers near the middle, not at the top end, so the elastic is not at full tension; overstretched fabric goes thin and shiny within months.
| Cover size label (typical) | Seat width range | Backrest width range | Backrest height range | Chairs it often fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small / standard | About 16–20 in | About 15–19 in | About 15–20 in | Small task chairs, student chairs |
| Medium | About 18–22 in | About 17–21 in | About 18–24 in | Most mid-back office chairs |
| Large | About 20–24 in | About 19–23 in | About 22–30 in | High-back executive chairs |
| Gaming chair cover | About 20–23 in | About 20–23 in (shoulder wings) | About 28–34 in | Racing-style chairs with side bolsters |
Size labels are not standardized between makers, so always compare your measurements with the listed range rather than the word “medium” or “large.”
Cover Styles Compared
Two-piece stretch cover
A seat cover with an elastic or drawstring hem and a back cover that slides on like a pillowcase. Fits chairs with a separate seat and back, which describes most mesh and task chairs. Arms usually stay uncovered.
One-piece cover
Covers seat and back in one continuous piece. Works on chairs where the seat and back are joined in a single shell, such as some executive chairs. On two-part chairs it bunches at the gap.
Computer chair cover with arms
Some sets include separate armrest sleeves, or the main cover has openings at the sides. Fixed armrests that bolt to the seat need either openings or separate sleeves; removable armrests make fitting much easier.
Seat-only covers and cushion covers
If only the seat is worn, a seat cover alone is cheaper and easier to fit. A cushion with its own removable cover is an alternative that also adds padding.
Fabric Choices
| Fabric | Stretch | Breathability | Pet hair resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester-spandex jersey | High | Good | Fair | Most common; fits many shapes |
| Jacquard stretch | Medium-high | Good | Good; texture hides hair | Thicker, hides lumps better |
| Velvet or velour stretch | Medium | Fair | Poor; attracts hair | Warmer; dressier look |
| Faux leather (PU) cover | Low | Poor | Very good | Wipeable but traps heat |
| Cotton or canvas slipcover | Low | Very good | Fair | Needs ties or Velcro; looser fit |
Most stretch covers are usually $10 to $30 for a two-piece set, with gaming chair covers and arm-cover sets often $20 to $40.
Computer Chair Cover Cloth and DIY Options
A computer chair cover DIY project is realistic if you sew a little. Use a four-way stretch knit with about 5 to 10 percent spandex. For the back cover, cut two panels the size of the backrest plus about 1 inch all round, sew them like a pillowcase, and leave the bottom open. For the seat, cut one panel 4 to 6 inches larger than the seat on every side, then sew a casing around the edge and thread 1/4 inch elastic to pull it under. Leave a slot at the center underneath for the gas cylinder.
If you do not sew, a large stretch fabric piece with a drawstring hem can cover a seat neatly, but fixed armrests make no-sew covers much harder to get right.
Fitting Tips
- Remove the armrests if they unscrew; fitting takes far less time.
- Pull the back cover down evenly from both sides, then smooth the fabric before tightening the seat hem.
- Check that the cover does not cover the tilt lever, height lever or lumbar knob.
- On mesh backs, a cover reduces airflow; expect the chair to feel warmer.
Cover It or Replace It?
A cover is a cosmetic fix. If the chair is uncomfortable, a cover will not change that. Signs you need a different chair rather than a cover:
- The seat foam has collapsed and you feel the base underneath.
- The gas cylinder sinks during the day.
- There is no adjustable lumbar support and your lower back aches, or you deal with sciatica symptoms that a seat with better depth adjustment might ease.
- The backrest cannot be set so your back is supported while your feet stay flat.
For back comfort, a backrest for a computer chair (a separate lumbar cushion or mesh back support) can be added under or over a cover. Put the lumbar cushion in place first, then fit the back cover over both if it stretches enough, so the cushion stays aligned with the curve of your lower back.
Care
Most polyester-spandex covers can be machine washed cold on a gentle cycle and line dried. Tumble drying on high heat weakens spandex and shrinks the elastic hem. Wash every few weeks in a pet household; more often if the chair is used by several people.
