Short answer: Most desk dividers are 1/4 in. acrylic, as wide as the desk and 18 to 24 in. tall above the desktop, held by two or three metal clamps or slotted acrylic feet. Frosted gives privacy while letting light through; clear keeps the room open. Use 3/16 in. for panels under 30 in. wide.
What size and thickness to choose
Width usually matches the desk: 48, 60, or 72 in. for bench desks, or a little less than the desk depth for a panel that sits between two people facing the same way. Height is about comfort. A panel that rises 18 in. above the desk blocks the view of a seated neighbor's screen while keeping eye contact possible over the top; 24 in. gives full seated privacy.
| Panel width | Thickness | Supports |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 in. | 3/16 in. | 2 clamps or 2 feet |
| 30 to 60 in. | 1/4 in. | 2 clamps or 2 to 3 feet |
| 60 to 72 in. | 1/4 in. (3/8 in. if it gets leaned on) | 3 clamps or 3 feet |
Remember to subtract any gap for cables or grommets along the desk joint. Larger panels are possible; sheets are 48 × 96 in., and anything bigger we confirm by hand.
Clamps, brackets, or feet?
Desk clamps
Metal C-clamps or edge brackets grip the desk on one side and hold the panel on the other, either by pressure or with a bolt through a drilled hole. Bolted is more secure for panels that get bumped; we drill the holes to your bracket's spacing. Bring the bracket's spec sheet or measurements.
Slotted acrylic feet
For desks you can't clamp (glass tops, thick edges, or a panel down the middle of a table), we cut acrylic feet with a slot that slides onto the panel's bottom edge. Feet about 10 in. long keep a 24 in. tall panel steady. No tools, and the divider moves when the layout does.
Under-desk mounting
A panel can extend below the desktop and screw to the back edge or a rail, which also works as a modesty panel. Drilled holes need at least twice the sheet thickness of material to the edge.
Colors and finishes
- Frosted: the most common office choice. It blurs shapes and screens while passing plenty of light, and it hides fingerprints. Read frosted acrylic options.
- Clear: best for collaborative teams or where you just want a splash and sneeze barrier.
- Clear with a frosted band: sanded edges or a frosted engraved strip at eye level give privacy only where needed.
- Gray or bronze tint: cuts glare and adds a bit of privacy with an architectural look.
- White or a color: a solid panel for full visual separation, or a brand color; white also takes dry-erase markers.
We can engrave a logo, desk number, or name onto each panel; see acrylic engraving.
Design tips
- Round the top corners (1 in. radius) so people don't catch sleeves or knock into a sharp point.
- Add a cable notch along the bottom edge if wires run across the desk where the panel sits.
- For a whole office, measure each desk; desks of the same model can still differ by 1/4 in.
- Need a taller shield for a reception counter instead? See acrylic sneeze guards.
Enter your panel size in the instant quote for a price, or upload a drawing with notches and holes. Quantity discounts apply automatically.
Questions
Do acrylic desk dividers reduce noise?
A little, by blocking the direct path of sound between neighbors, but a hard panel reflects sound rather than absorbing it. For real noise reduction, fabric or felt acoustic panels are the better material; acrylic is best for privacy and light.
How do I clean an office divider?
Mild soap and water or a plastic cleaner such as Novus 1 or Brillianize with a soft cloth. Avoid Windex-type window sprays, solvents, and full-strength alcohol wipes, which can cause fine cracks over time. For disinfecting, Acrylite approves isopropyl alcohol diluted to 30%.
Can I move a divider when we rearrange desks?
Yes. Slotted feet lift right off, and clamps unscrew in a minute, so dividers move with the furniture.