The right pair of glasses should rest comfortably on the bridge of your nose. They should not press against your forehead or cheeks. They also shouldn’t rest so far toward the end of your nose that they slip when you squint or wrinkle your nose.
The nose fit determines how far your glasses should sit from your face. A proper fit should allow for the lenses to lie between 14 and 24 millimeters from your eyes.
Finding the right glasses fit doesn’t require magic, just the correct measurements. And once you have properly fitting glasses that rest correctly on your face, you can order a pair of frames with the same measurements in the future — and enjoy a reliable fit.
When you browse eyewear online, you’ll notice eye, bridge, and temple measurements. What do these numbers mean? This is where to start when you’re looking for a proper fit. When it comes to finding glasses that rest on your face properly, without pinching, slipping, or causing discomfort, the right eyeglass frame measurements are imperative.
The two best ways to find your correct glasses measurements are to find the numbers printed on a comfortable pair you already own. Or you can try on a pair at a store and use those measurements to order new glasses. You can also measure your face to get the best fit.
Your eyeglass frames display the measurements that you’ll need. They’re usually printed on the bridge or temple arm. The numbers that determine a proper eyeglasses fit are printed next to each other — eye size, bridge size, and temple size — and they may be separated by a little square icon.
Other fit indicators — where your glasses line up with your eyebrows or whether your glasses touch your cheeks when you smile — don’t matter as much as frame measurements. This is because they have less to do with the fit of your glasses and more to do with the shape of your frame or the nuances of your face shape.
So, if you’re wondering whether your glasses should rest below your eyebrows or align with them, that variable is more a matter of style than the actual fit.
Let’s break down each component of a frame’s measurements to help you achieve the best fit.
Your glasses should sit level across your face, with the bridge resting comfortably on your nose and each temple curving gently around your ear.
Depending on the size of the rims, and your style preferences, your glasses may not cover your eyebrows, or extend to your cheeks. The most important thing is that they remain even as you move throughout the day.
Most eyeglasses discomfort can be traced to fit and fixed with a few adjustments. It’s best to have an optician adjust your glasses to prevent breaking them — but, if you’re careful, you can make some minor adjustments yourself.
Problem Glasses should rest comfortably on and behind your ears. If your glasses are too tight on the side of your head, or if they pinch behind the ears, the most likely culprit is the fit — the temples may be too short.
Solution The solution for a pair of glasses that don’t fit well is simple: You need an adjustment. We recommend consulting an optician if your glasses need modifications.
If you’ve got the right temple length but the glasses still hurt behind your ears, your optician can help with this too.
Problem Glasses marks on your nose are uncomfortable and unappealing. The nose pads of your glasses should be almost unnoticeable when resting on the bridge of your nose. If they’re uncomfortable or leave marks, they may be too narrow.
Solution How do you stop glasses from leaving marks on your nose? The nose pads can be adjusted on metal frames. Carefully pushing them apart slightly may do the trick.
Plastic frames, on the other hand, are not easy to adjust. But choosing a plastic frame with the appropriate bridge size can make them more comfortable on your nose. If you do need an adjustment to the fit of your plastic frames, an optician may be able to help.
Problem No one likes a nose rash from glasses. This is the more extreme result of your glasses pinching or leaving marks on your nose. If you have redness and irritation where your glasses sit on your nose or ears, it’s likely that your glasses are too big and they’re sliding across your skin. This can result in those unwanted nose marks or an unpleasant rash.
If the problem is not that your glasses are the wrong size, it could be that they are bent and causing an improper fit.
Solution Check your glasses to make sure they aren’t damaged. If they look okay, try a pair of glasses with a smaller measurement in the area where you’re getting the rash. This could be the bridge for the nose or the arms for the ears.
Problem If your glasses slide down your nose, the issue may be an incorrect temple or bridge size. It could also have to do with the weight of the glasses.
Solution Check the temples — are the arms adjusted correctly? Do the screws in the arms need tightening? Is the bridge too wide?
To keep glasses from sliding down your nose, you might be able to adjust the bridge on a pair of metal frames by pushing the nose pads slightly closer together. But heavy frames or lenses can cause the glasses to slip as well. If your plastic frames are slipping down your nose, an optician should be able to help make adjustments for you.
Problem Glasses sitting too close to your eyes is likely the opposite problem of glasses sitting too low on your face. But the remedy is almost identical and probably has to do with the size of the bridge and the fit of the nose pads.
Solution Try a pair of frames with a slightly larger bridge measurement, or try thinner nose pads to allow your glasses to sit lower. But be advised you may need longer frame arms if your glasses sit too low.
Problem If your glasses are always crooked on your face, it’s more likely that a piece of your frame is bent or broken than incorrect measurements.
Solution Inspect common areas for frame damage like the frame hinges, arms, and nose pads. Compare each of these to its counterpart on the other side of the frame to make sure they look similar. If you find a bent or broken part, that’s likely the culprit of your crooked fit.
Confused on how to fix crooked glasses? Adjusting your glasses frame can be tricky (and risky) at home, so we recommend taking them to an eye care provider for best results.
Problem Your glasses shouldn’t rest on your cheeks when you smile; they should be level across your face and slightly removed from your cheekbones. If your glasses leave marks on your cheeks, then they are improperly sized for your features.
Solution If your frames rest heavily on your cheeks or leave a line, it could be because your glasses are too tight on your temples. You may need to adjust the temples to make them level across your features. You may also consider choosing a pair of glasses with alternate fit proportions (sometimes called “Asian fit glasses”). These are specifically designed to rest comfortably across your face without leaving a mark.
If you’re new to wearing glasses, you may need a few days to become comfortable wearing your frames. You’ll also need a few days to get used to your prescription.
For the most comfortable glasses experience, have your new frames adjusted at an eye doctor’s office. And be sure to always wear them when you’re supposed to for a smooth transition between the fit and to adjust to your prescription.