Where do I find replacement parts for a specific office chair?

Start under the seat: the label gives the brand, the model and often a date. With that, ask the maker first — under warranty, parts are often free. If the maker cannot help, measure the old part and buy by its size: casters, bases, gas cylinders and armrest pads are sold to common dimensions.

1. Identify the chair. Turn it over and look for a sticker under the seat pan or on the mechanism: brand, model number, sometimes a production date. Keep the order confirmation or a photo of the listing too — the listing’s specs give the cylinder length, seat dimensions and capacity you may need later.

2. Ask the maker. Some makers include parts in the warranty: the CAPOT in our ergonomic office chairs hub states a five-year warranty with replacement parts included. A photo of the broken part and the order number usually speed things up. Even out of warranty, the maker may sell the exact part, which saves measuring.

3. Otherwise, measure the part.

• Casters: pull one out and measure the stem — most are 11 × 22 mm (7/16 × 7/8 in), a grip-ring stem. Our chair casters and parts hub lists sets by stem.
• Gas cylinder: measure the exposed length at the lowest and highest settings and the diameter where it enters the base — when a chair sinks shows how.
• Base: measure across from caster to caster and check the centre hole; the Frassie and MASTERY MART bases in our hub are 28 in with a 2 in hole.
• Armrest pads: measure the pad and the spacing of its screw holes. Bolt-on pads like the Ketofa and Podoy use 4 in centres; slip-on and strap-on covers in our armrest pads hub fit by the pad’s length and width instead.
• Tilt mechanism: measure the bolt pattern under the seat and the cylinder socket.

4. Check the load. A replacement part should be rated for at least what the chair is: what weight capacity a chair should have explains how to read the figures.

Maker’s part or generic? Generic parts work well where the fit is a standard measurement and save money out of warranty; universal vs brand-specific parts covers when each makes sense. For a worn or stained seat rather than a broken part, a chair cover is the cheaper fix.