{"id":864,"date":"2022-07-27T15:26:33","date_gmt":"2022-07-27T15:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=864"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:26","slug":"eyeglasses-measurements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eyeglasses-measurements","title":{"rendered":"Glasses Measurements: How To Find Your Frame Size"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever looked at one of the arms of your glasses<\/a> and thought, What do those numbers mean? <\/em>Or, perhaps you didn\u2019t realize that glasses had numbers displayed on them in the first place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The numbers inscribed on the inside of the arm are eyeglass measurements. They\u2019re one way to find a glasses size that feels comfortable on your face and does a good job of correcting your vision. Differences of just a few millimeters can significantly change how glasses look and feel on your face, so they can be an important part of getting to know your eyewear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to know your glasses size? We\u2019ll teach you how to read and take these measurements, as well as how to pick out some perfectly sized frames. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do the Numbers on Glasses Mean? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find up to three numbers on glasses frames, and they stand for the lens width, bridge width, and temple length. These numbers are written on the inside of one arm and may be separated by spaces or dashes. Often, a small square shape separates the lens width from the bridge width. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may see other letters or numbers on the arm, and these could refer to the frame model, color, brand, or manufacturer. Usually, the glasses measurements are easy to spot, as they follow the same order and have standard ranges, all expressed in millimeters. Here\u2019s how to read them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Lens Width<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lens width, also known as \u201ceye size,\u201d is always the first glasses measurement in the series. It tells you the width of each lens<\/a> in millimeters. This measurement only accounts for the width of the clear lens that you look through, meaning it doesn\u2019t include any of the surrounding frame.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical range: 40\u201360 mm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridge Width<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bridge width measures the shortest span between the two lenses in your frames. (Counterintuitively, it\u2019s not<\/em> just a measurement of the part of your glasses frame<\/a> called the bridge<\/a>.) Smaller bridge widths accommodate narrower noses, whereas glasses with larger bridge widths are best for wider noses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical range: 14\u201324 mm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temple Length<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The temple length measures each temple (or arm) of your glasses, starting from the screw where it attaches to the main body of the frame all the way to the tip that goes behind your ear. This measurement often ends in a zero or a five, with 135, 140, 145, and 150 being common standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wearing the right temple length for your face ensures the temple arms of your frame are long enough to extend behind your ears\u2014without protruding too far past them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical range: 120\u2013150 mm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Other Glasses Dimensions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The above three measurements are the most important when you\u2019re learning how to read glasses sizes. Opticians and glasses designers deal with a whole slew of other glasses measurements, too, but laypeople don\u2019t often encounter them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two more measurements you might want to know as you search for a pair of glasses. These usually aren\u2019t displayed on the frame, but they can still factor into fit and performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frame Width<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The frame width is the overall width of the entire frame, measured at its widest point (usually from endpiece to endpiece). Rather than looking for an exact frame width number when shopping for new glasses, many people operate by this simple rule: Your glasses frames shouldn\u2019t be much wider than your face, and your eyes should be centered within the lenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical range: 125\u2013150 mm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lens Height<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lens height is the vertical height of the lens from its lowest to highest point. It\u2019s an especially relevant measurement when you\u2019re getting multifocal or progressive lenses<\/a>, which need a certain amount of space for their different visual zones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical range: 32\u201338 mm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Measure Glasses on Your Own<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Curious about your glasses measurements? If they\u2019re not listed on the arm of your frame, or you just want to confirm them, you can always take them yourself. Grab a soft measuring tape or ruler that displays millimeters and examine each part. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to measure lens width: <\/strong>Measure horizontally across one lens at its widest point. Do not include any part of the frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to measure bridge width: <\/strong>Measure the distance between your two lenses and see how many millimeters are between their nearest points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to measure temple length: <\/strong>This one is a two-parter! Measure the temple from the hinge on the main body of the frame to the point where it starts to curve. Then measure from the curve to the very tip of the temple arm. Add these two numbers together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to measure frame width: <\/strong>Measure across the front of your glasses frames horizontally at the frames\u2019 widest point. Be sure to include any decorative bits that protrude from the sides so you\u2019re getting the widest accurate measurement possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to measure lens height: <\/strong>Measure across the front of your lenses vertically at their tallest point. (Tip: For any kind of multifocal lens, the lens height should be at least 30 millimeters.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Measure Your Face for Glasses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone who needs new glasses<\/a> has an old pair that they can reference for measurements. In these cases, it can be helpful to look at your face (and your face shape<\/a>) and make some estimations as to what glasses size you might need. But remember: Comfort, fit, and confidence are your top priorities, and the best way to find the right frame for you is by trying glasses on! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\"See\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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See how you look in our frames<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Virtually try on glasses through your phone<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart a Virtual Try-On <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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Get To Know Your Nose Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You want glasses that will sit effortlessly on your nose without sliding up or down<\/a>. Look at the bridge of your nose in the mirror and note how close your eyes are to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your nose is relatively narrow, you\u2019ll want a narrower bridge. The opposite is true if your nose is wider. You can also take stock of where exactly the bridge of your nose is on your face: If it\u2019s high up, you might look for glasses with a higher bridge, near the brow line. If it\u2019s lower, you might be a great candidate for Low Bridge Fit frames<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Measure Your Pupillary Distance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your pupillary distance<\/a> is pretty much what it sounds like\u2014the distance between your pupils. It\u2019s a helpful measurement for optometrists<\/a> and opticians who are preparing your lenses. The goal is to have your pupils centered behind each lens for the best vision correction possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can measure your pupillary distance at home<\/a> and use it when buying glasses online or in-store. Although your pupillary distance shouldn\u2019t impact the size of your glasses, it will affect the placement of the \u201coptical center\u201d of the lens (i.e., the part you\u2019ll be looking through). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hold a Credit Card up to Your Face (Yes, Really)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A standard-size credit card has a short edge that\u2019s about 54 millimeters long. By positioning this edge underneath your eye, you can get a rough idea of what size glasses and lenses you might need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply hold the credit card up to your face, under one eye, with the long edge aligned with the middle of your nose. See how far the credit card extends underneath your eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n