While sunglasses are typically considered a fashion accessory, many consumers don’t realize that there is actually a science to selecting the right pair. Except for the trouble of choosing the right design according to your face, the right color of the frame, the right color of the tints, there is another big problem. Choosing the right sunglasses size, according to your face size. If you do not know how to choose, frame measurements can cause you a real big headache. 

Ensure You Get the Right Sunglasses: a Guide to Measuring Sunglasses.

Are you planning to buy a pair of sunglasses? If you are, then there's something very important that you must do: make sure that they fit to the glasses work properly. You might think that it doesn't matter how they fit as long as they look good. Unfortunately, if your sunglasses don't fit correctly then you'll have a bad time wearing them.

If you choose too small a sunglasses size, they will not fit your face, and they will leave red marks on your templates. If, on the other hand, you choose too big sunglasses, they will cover too much of your face, they will slip off constantly, and there is a great chance they will break when you most need them. 

So, in order to avoid all of that, we have prepared for you this guide by choosing the right size of sunglasses.

How to Measure Your Glasses Correctly!

Sunglasses are measured using two main terms: lens width and bridge size. The lens width is the measurement from the top of one lens to the bottom of another, while bridge size measures how far over your nose shades extend.

The widest part of the lens is called the "temple" and it's usually listed somewhere on the inside of your sunglasses case or on a tag attached to the arm of your glasses. 

To determine what frame size you need, you will need a mirror and a ruler. Stand up in front of a mirror and set the ruler horizontally to your face. Measure the distance between your left and right temples, that is your lens width. Then set your ruler vertically and measure the distance between the eyebrow and the middle of your nose, that is your lens height. 

After that, you need to determine the temple length you need. This is the distance from the lenses to the back of your ear. 

What Is the Measurement Standard for Sunglasses?

The measurement standard for sunglasses is the metric system. The standard unit of measure used to determine the size and fit of sunglasses is millimeters. When you purchase a pair of glasses from an optical shop, the frames are measured in millimeters. But, today, this depends a lot on the country you are in, and the brand you are purchasing from. There are a lot of brands that give you the opportunity to choose what measurement system you want. 

When talking of best frame size, there are some standards for temple size: 

SMALL bellow 115mm (4.5”)

MEDIUM between 120mm and 145mm (5” - 5.75”)

LARGE above 150mm (6”(

But those are just standards, and today, you can find any frame size that suits you.

When talking about bridge width, most sunglasses are made in the range of 14mm to 24mm. And temple length is in the range from 120mm to 150mm. 

The Importance of Measuring Your Sunglasses

There are a lot of different styles, shapes, and sizes of glasses available to purchase these days. It could be a bit challenging to find the right pair for you. Even if you have a pair of glasses you love, it is important to know if they fit your face. Sunglasses that are too big or too small will not provide the right level of comfort or protection.

If you choose the wrong temple size, there are two outcomes: 

The contours of the glasses will be too big for your face which can make your face look even smaller. 

If the temple size is too small, it will cause red marks on the sides of your face, which can be painful. 

If you choose the wrong bridge width, your glasses will either cause red marks on the sides of your nose, or they will constantly slip off your face and at some point breakdown.

Now, choosing the right pair of sunglasses can be a quite big investment, and you do not want them to break, so choose wisely.

To Sum Up

Now when you have all the information you need, do not waste your time and go get your eye size! We know you are dying to know if you are small, medium, or large.

Go find some tape measure and give yourself correct measurements of your face. 

Go change your old glasses, with the perfect pair of glasses. Find glasses that are made exactly for your face size and shape. 

FAQ's

How do I know my sunglasses size?

The most common way to determine your glasses size is to measure the distance from your bridge (where your nose rests) to your temples and then compare that measurement to our sizing chart.

What does 55mm mean in sunglasses?

55mm refers to a lens size - a larger lens that will capture more light and reduce the glare from the sun. It would be similar to a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera. It’s becoming more common for sunglasses to be sold with different lens sizes, as different ones may better fit the shape of your face (bigger lens diameter = larger lens; smaller lens diameter = smaller lens).

What is the standard Ray Ban size?

The standard size for Ray-Ban is 52 mm or 57 mm. Between the 2 sizes, it might be hard to choose, depending on the shape of your face, glasses, etc. As a rule of thumb though you should choose the size that best represents the distance between your pupil and your ear.

Why do pilots wear aviator sunglasses?

The aviator sunglasses have a slight difference from normal sunglasses. If you wear aviator sunglasses, you can slightly see objects more clearly from the ground. In addition, the frames on the sunglasses have been carefully designed so that they can protect your eyes from the wind from the aircraft.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.