Objective: To understand the coincidence rate of adjustable and non adjustable desks and chairs in primary and secondary schools in Shanghai, so as to provide a reference for the effective management of desks and chairs in schools. Methods: Stratified random cluster sampling was applied to measure 1 091 sets of desks and chairs in 33 classrooms of 7 primary and secondary schools in 4 districts of Shanghai including Huangpu, Hongkou, Yangpu and Jiading districts. The height examination data of seated students in the same semester were also collected to evaluate the matching type of functional size of desks and chairs and students height according to Functional Sizes and Technical Requirements of Chairs and Tables for Educational Institutions. Results: The matching coincidence rate of desk and chair distribution in primary and secondary schools was 22.5%, and the matching coincidence rates of primary, middle and high schools were 11.7%, 27.1% and 40.9% respectively ( χ 2=83.23, P <0.01); the matching coincidence rate of adjustable desks and chairs (28.2%) was significantly higher than that of fixed (18.2%) ( χ 2=14.49, P <0.01). The type of distribution of desks and chairs that do not correspond to national standards, from elementary school to high school, showing a trend of high desks with high chairs, low desks with high chairs to high desks with low chairs. Conclusion The coincidence rate of desk and chair distribution in primary and secondary schools is low, and the adjustable desks and chairs has improved the problems to a certain extent, but has not significantly improved the coincidence rate. It is necessary to further explore the effective management mode in the use of adjustable desks and chairs and improve the current situation of the use of desks and chairs in schools.