Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Measure your nose bridge
• Part 2 of 3: Measure the width between your temples
• Part 3 of 3: Determining the length and shape of your face
• Tips
• Warning

Glasses are a combination of fashion and functionality, but neither of these qualities comes into its own if the glasses slide off your nose every three minutes. While there are several face measurement apps available, it is more accurate to take the measurement yourself. After a few simple steps, you are ready to choose the perfect pair of glasses.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Measure your nose bridge

1. Use a mirror or photo to find the position and width of your bridge of the nose. The dimensions of your nose bridge determine the distance between one lens and another. Assuming a photo, a side profile selfie will work best. Examine your nose to determine if your bridge of the nose is high or low, and if it is wide or narrow.
   • If the bridge is below your pupils, then you should look for a 16-18mm spectacle bridge. If the bridge is above your pupils, then you should look for a 19-21mm bridge.
   • Assess whether your bridge of the nose is narrow or wide. If your eyes are close together, your nose is usually narrow, and if your eyes are further apart, your nose is usually wide.
   • If your nose is narrow, find a bridge of 14-18mm, and if your nose is wide, find a bridge of 18mm or more.
2. Adjust the measurements based on the thickness of the frame you want. Once you determine the width and position of your bridge of the nose, you will need to adjust your measurements based on the thickness of the potential frame. The thicker the frame, the wider you need to adjust the bridge width of your glasses to support the extra weight.
   • If you have a 16-18mm bridge but want a thick frame then you should consider a 19mm bridge to account for the extra rim.
   • Likewise, if you have a tall bridge but want a thin frame, you should look for an 18mm (or possibly smaller) bridge.
3. Use the position of your nose bridge to select glasses with a high or low bridge. Not only do the glasses differ in the width of the bridge, they also have different bridge positions. If you have a high bridge of the nose, focus on glasses with a bridge at brow height. If you have a low bridge of the nose, you should look for glasses with the bridge below the eyebrow.

Part 2 of 3: Measure the width between your temples

1. Measure the width between your temples using a mirror and a ruler. Hold the ruler horizontally across your face and under your eyes. Measure the distance between the left and right temple. Write down the dimension in millimeters.
2. Use the distance between your temples to determine the total width of your glasses. The total width of your glasses (the spectacle frame) should correspond as closely as possible to the distance between your temples.
   • For example, if the distance between your temples is 132mm, then you should look for a spectacle frame 130-134mm wide.
3. Calculate the width of each lens using the nose width and the overall width. Knowing the total width can also help you determine the correct lens width. Subtract 6mm and the bridge width from the total width to calculate the width of each glass.
   • Lenses usually range between 50-60mm.

Part 3 of 3: Determining the length and shape of your face

1. Use your total width to determine the length of the legs. The temples of your glasses are the two pieces that attach to your frame and rest on your ears. While legs can range from 120-150mm, they usually come in three preset sizes: 135, 140 and 145mm. The wider your overall width, the longer your legs should be.
   • If the total width of your face is on the higher side, you will usually choose 145mm for the leg length, or maybe more.
   • If the overall width was on the smaller side, you should choose a length of 135-140mm.
   • If you try on glasses, and the legs stick out past your ears, look for a pair with short legs, as this will cause discomfort.
2. Determine if your face is circular, square, oval, or heart-shaped. Pull your hair back and look straight in the mirror. Follow the contours of your face from the hairline to the cheekbone to the jaw. Determine whether the shape most closely resembles a circle, square, oval, or heart.
   • Circular faces have full cheeks, and the forehead and jaw have a similar width.
   • Square faces have strong jaw lines, as well as a forehead and jaw that are similar in width.
   • Oval-shaped faces have a narrow jawline and narrow cheekbones.
   • Heart-shaped faces have a wide forehead and narrow jaw lines.
3. Match the face shape to your ideal lens shape. Circular, oval and heart-shaped faces usually look better on more angular frames. Square faces go well with round or oval frames.

Tips

• Metal frames come with adjustable plates for different bridge widths. Acetate lenses don't have this luxury, so determining an accurate bridge width is especially important if the glasses you buy don't have a metal frame.

Warning

• If your bridge is too small, it'll pinch your nose, and if it's too big, your glasses won't stay put.