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Oct 18, 2024

How to Measure Your Face for Glasses

You definitely want the right fit. Getty Images You’re shopping for a fresh pair of glasses or some new shades and scroll for the “add to cart” button only to find out you’ve got to pick a size or

You definitely want the right fit.

Getty Images

You’re shopping for a fresh pair of glasses or some new shades and scroll for the “add to cart” button only to find out you’ve got to pick a size or enter some measurements. Huh? While not all glasses come in different sizes, many do, and purchasing the right size is paramount to achieving a good fit—especially when we’re talking about prescription eyewear. So how do you measure your face for glasses? It’s a super easy task and once you’ve got the measurements you’ll never have to hesitate on pressing order again.

RELATED: How to Find the Best Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

In as little as three minutes, you’ll have all the measurements you need to purchase your glasses. No fancy equipment required.

There are a few additional ways you can find the best eyeglass size.

Most eyeglasses have a trio of numbers separated by dashes that are printed/engraved onto one of the arms. These numbers (in millimeters) correspond with the glasses measurements. Typically, the first number is the lens width, second is the bridge width, and third is the tempe length. You can use these measurements to help you pick out your next pair.

If your glasses don’t have this information, or if the info’s worn off, you can take measurements of the glasses themselves. Measure the lens width (horizontal diameter of one lens), the bridge width (the piece that goes over the nose), and the temple length (from the front to tip of one arm). These measurements should be in millimeters.

If you have a narrow nose, you'll want a narrower bridge width; if you have a wider nose, a larger bridge width will fit better. You don’t want your glasses to slip downward or feel too tight.

How your eyes are set on your face can impact what size lens is best for you. Many people fall into the medium/middle territory, but there are always outliers. Warby Parker has a trick to determine yours by using a credit card. Hold the long edge of it against your nose; if the other edge goes past the outer corner of your eye you need a narrower lens width. If it doesn't go past your outer eye corner then you'll need wider lenses. And if it's in the middle, a medium-size frame is best.

If you’re still not feeling quite sure what size glasses to buy, visit an optician to get your measurements taken. Write them down so you have them for next time!