
Guide to choosing the right size of glasses
When it comes to choosing a pair of sunglasses or prescription glasses, finding the right size is crucial.
There are different ways to find the right sizes, caliber or glasses sizes that best suit your needs.
Do you already own a pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses but need to change them? Just bring them to the store to choose the same or similar model.
Glasses sizes and dimensions
The sizes of the glasses can be divided into Three different sizes:
- small, having a caliber within 50 mm, i.e. about 135 mm in width of the lens and 40 mm in height of the lens;
- medium, are between 51 mm and 53 mm, i.e. about 140 mm by 45 mm;
- large, i.e. those caliber over 53 mm, i.e. 145 mm by 50 mm.
Glasses also have different sizes, which vary according to the shape, model and sometimes even the brand.
These parameters, specifically, are represented:
- from the height of the lens;
- the width of the lens or the caliber, i.e. the horizontal diameter of the lens at its widest point;
- from the width of the bridge, part of the frame that rests on the nose and joins the two lenses;
- the length of the rod. The temples are the two side armrests that rest on the ears.
It is crucial to pay special attention to the size of the bridge because if too high it can cause the glasses to slip. If, on the other hand, it is extremely small, it can tighten and annoy.
How to choose the perfect frame
To choose the perfect eyeglass frame , follow our tips.
Learn how to read the measurements of sunglasses and prescription glasses (h3)
On the inner side of the temples, you can usually find A series of numbers similar to this: 51–19–144. These figures correspond to:
- lens width or caliper. Indicates the horizontal diameter of the lens at its widest point.
- Width of the deck. The bridge is the part of the frame that rests on the nose and joins the two lenses together. The width of the bridge generally varies between 14 and 24 millimeters.
- Length of the rod. The temple is the “arm” that holds the glasses firmly to your face. Standard lengths for rods are usually 135, 140 or 145 millimeters.
- Lens height. This measurement indicates the height of the lens vertically, i.e. from the base to the top. While this size varies widely, depending on the model or brand, the standard size is usually around 32–38 millimeters.
Measure a pair of sunglasses or prescription glasses you already own
Use an old pair of glasses that you like and that are the perfect size for your face as a reference. You can also experiment with the glasses of friends and family.
If you look closely at the codes on the frame, you can easily find a new pair of glasses that are the same (or similar in size) to the ones you are holding now.
However, be careful with the codes, which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Usually inside the left bar line you can find the information related to the size.
Find the size for your glasses with a tape measure or ruler
If you haven’t found the size references inside the temple or if they’re no longer legible due to wear, don’t worry.
Retrieve a stiff tape measure or ruler from your school days and measure your glasses carefully. This will allow you to mark the size of the face.
With the ruler you can measure the proportions: the space between one eye and the other, between eyes and forehead, between eyes and chin. With these measurements, the shape of the face is obtained, in order to understand whether it is round, diamond, square, oval.
Try an alternative method to know the right measurements for your face
All you need to do is grab a credit card or debit card. The height measurement of the latter is very similar to the standard width of a spectacle lens.
Then, in front of a mirror, place the short side of the paper under the eye and the long side on the bridge of the nose, then observe if the edge of the paper:
- it reaches beyond the eye, the suitable size is small (up to 49 mm);
- it coincides with the eye, the right size is standard (from 50 to 54 mm);
- ends before the eye, the necessary size is large (greater than 55 mm).
Where to find the size of the glasses?
The numbers that specify these indications are usually shown on the inner side of the temples. If the references on the inside of the temple of the glasses you own are not there, or if you do not have a pair of glasses to try on as a reference, you can resort to other effective and safe methods, such as those we talked about in the previous paragraph, to Figure out what’s right for you.