Important Measurements for Well-Fitting Glasses
4
min read
Reviewed on
March 24, 2025
Written by
The XP Health Team
Expert review by
The XP Health Team
March 24, 2025
Written by
The XP Health Team
Expert review by
The XP Health Team
March 24, 2025
Written by
The XP Health Team
Expert review by
The XP Health Team
Glasses are like a good pair of jeans: They must fit well to look good. Frames that are too big or small will look off and may pinch your face or slip off your nose.
And just like shopping for jeans, knowing certain measurements will help you find the right fit.
Here are some key measurements to help you find a well-fitting pair of glasses.
Our frame sizes are measured horizontally across the front of the frame hinge to hinge as illustrated below. You can measure the frame width of your current glasses and use it as a reference to shop for new frames.
If you do not have a pair of glasses, you can use our online face-scanning tool. Once we know your face width, we’ll show you personalized recommendations for frames that fit your face well. Plus, when you click on a particular set of frames in our online store, we’ll tell you whether these frames will fit your face width.
Other factors to consider include nose bridge fit. Think about how the glasses sit on your nose. Your nose bridge type determines how high or low the glasses will rest on your nose and, therefore, fit on your face. There are three main types: standard, high, and low nose bridge.
Nose bridge is especially important if you wear multifocal lenses. That’s because with multifocal lenses, you need the lenses precisely positioned relative to the center of your eye.
If you have a standard or high nose bridge, most acetate and metal frames will fit you just fine. If you have a low nose bridge, search our collection of large nose pad eyewear. The larger nose pads will help the frames fit more comfortably on your face.
Below are examples of frames with nose bridges that are too large (left) or too small (right.)
Unsure what type of nose bridge you have? Our home try-on kits also come with a nose bridge ruler so you can measure at home. Contact our Member Experience team so they can send you a nose bridge ruler. Chat with us online, email us at concierge@xphealth.co, or call or text 888-974-3020.
In addition, your face shape and size is also key to comfort and style. The right face fit ensures your frames sit securely and align with your features for the best look and functionality. There are three main categories of face fit: standard fit, extended fit, and petite fit.
For those with broader face shapes, extended-fit frames provide extra width and longer temple arms to ensure a secure, comfortable fit. Look for styles labeled as "extended fit" in our collection to avoid pinching or discomfort.
If you have a narrower or smaller face, petite-fit frames are designed with shorter temple arms and smaller lens widths to prevent slipping or overwhelming your features. Check out our petite-fit options for frames that provide a snug, flattering fit.
Below are examples of petite fit (left) and extended fit glasses (right.)
Are your glasses for single-vision correction or multifocal, including bifocal, trifocal, and progressive vision correction? Knowing this can dictate what size frame you need. The frame height — the distance from the top of the frames near your browline to the bottom part near your cheeks — is particularly important if you wear multifocal lenses.
Multifocal lenses divide the vision into different zones. For instance, bifocal lenses allow you to see better up close for reading and distance. The lower half of the lens corrects for up-close vision, while the upper half corrects for distance vision.
In trifocals, including progressives, the lens corrects for three vision needs. In that case, the lenses — and therefore frames — need to be tall enough so there’s room for all three lens types.
Prescription strength is another factor that affects frame selection. If you need strong correction, the lenses will be slightly thicker — even with the polycarbonate material that we use for all our lenses. (All XP Health lenses are made using polycarbonate material at no additional cost to you.)
Thicker lenses generally work better in acetate frames. Because acetate frames are slightly thicker, they can better accommodate thicker lenses. In contrast, metal frames are typically thinner, so thicker lenses may extend past the width of the frame. (You may want to upgrade to our ultra-thin lens material for very strong prescription lenses. This keeps the lenses thin and lightweight.)
Below are examples of metal frames that are limited to thinner lenses (left) and acetate frames that can fit thick lenses (right.)
Now that you know the right measurements, you can Shop for the Perfect Pair of Glasses, or check out our tips for choosing the right frame shape, color, and material for more information. Our concierge service can also help you select the best glasses for your needs. Call or text us at (888) 974-3020, email us at concierge@xphealth.co, or log in and chat with us online.