Sunglasses Size Guide: Find Your Perfect Fit 

You’ve seen them online—those perfect sunglasses that would look amazing on you. But then you pause. What size do you even need? Will they slide down your nose or pinch your temples? Most people guess their sunglasses size, and that’s exactly why half of all online sunglass returns happen.

Here’s the truth: finding the right sunglasses size isn’t complicated once you know what to look for. This guide walks you through everything—from reading those mysterious numbers on your frames to measuring your face at home. By the end, you’ll know your exact size and how to shop with confidence.

Why Sunglasses Size Actually Matters

Size affects more than just comfort. When sunglasses don’t fit properly, they leave gaps around your eyes that let in UV rays from the sides and top. That defeats the whole purpose of sun protection.

Poorly fitted sunglasses also create pressure points on your nose and behind your ears. After an hour, you’ll feel it. They’ll slide down when you look down, and you’ll spend your day pushing them back up.

Then there’s the style factor. Oversized frames on a small face make you look like you borrowed your dad’s glasses. Too-small frames on a larger face look pinched and unbalanced. The right size enhances your features instead of overwhelming or underwhelming them.

Understanding Sunglasses Size Numbers

Every pair of sunglasses has three numbers, usually printed on the inside of the temple (the arm piece). They look something like this: 50-22-150.

Here’s what each number means:

50 is the lens width in millimeters. This measures one lens from one side to the other at the widest point.

22 is the bridge width—the part that sits on your nose between the two lenses.

150 is the temple length, measuring from the hinge to the end tip that curves behind your ear.

Sometimes you’ll see these numbers separated by small squares or dashes. Other times, they’re on a sticker on the lens. If the numbers have worn off your current sunglasses, check the case or any paperwork that came with them.

How to Measure Your Face for Sunglasses

You don’t need special tools for this. A standard ruler works fine, though a flexible measuring tape is slightly easier.

For lens width: Look straight into a mirror. Measure the distance from the outer corner of one eye to the inner corner of the same eye. That’s roughly your ideal lens width. Most people fall between 40mm and 62mm.

For bridge width: Measure across the bridge of your nose where sunglasses would sit. This is typically between 14mm and 24mm. If you have a wider nose bridge, aim for 18mm or higher. Narrow bridges do better with 16mm or less.

For temple length: This one’s trickier to measure directly. Most temple lengths range from 135mm to 150mm. The standard is 140mm to 145mm, which fits most adults. If you have a larger head or your current glasses feel tight behind your ears, go with 145mm or 150mm.

The easier method? Grab sunglasses that fit you well and check their measurements. Those numbers give you a perfect starting point.

Sunglasses Size Chart by Face Width

Face width matters more than most people realize. Here’s a practical breakdown:

Small faces (120-129mm wide): Look for total frame widths between 120mm and 128mm. Your lens width should be 50mm or smaller.

Medium faces (130-139mm wide): This covers most adults. Frame widths from 129mm to 138mm work well. Lens widths between 50mm and 56mm hit the sweet spot.

Large faces (140-149mm wide): You need frame widths of 139mm to 148mm. Lens widths from 57mm to 62mm provide proper coverage without looking too small.

Extra-large faces (150mm+ wide): Go for frame widths of 149mm or larger. Lens widths of 63mm and up prevent that pinched look.

To measure your face width, measure from the widest part of one cheekbone to the other. Or measure a pair of glasses that fit you well from the outside edge of one frame front to the other.

Choosing Sunglasses Size Based on Face Shape

Your face shape influences which sizes work best, but it’s not as rigid as some guides make it sound.

Round faces benefit from slightly wider frames that add angles. A lens width of around 52mm to 58mm typically works. The frame should extend just past your cheekbones.

Oval faces are the most flexible. Almost any size works if it’s proportional to your face width. Stay within the measurements from the chart above based on your face width measurement.

Square faces with strong jawlines look balanced with medium to large lens widths—usually 54mm and up. The frames shouldn’t be narrower than your jawline.

Heart-shaped faces work well with medium-sized lenses, around 50mm to 55mm. Frames that are wider at the top than the bottom complement this shape.

Long or oblong faces need frames with more vertical height to balance length. Oversized and wraparound styles work particularly well. Focus on lens height as much as width.

Common Sunglasses Sizing Mistakes People Make

The biggest mistake? Buying sunglasses that are too small. People underestimate their face size constantly. When in doubt between two sizes, go larger—you can always adjust temples slightly, but you can’t make small frames bigger.

Ignoring bridge fit causes daily frustration. A bridge that’s too narrow pinches your nose and leaves red marks. Too wide, and the sunglasses slide down constantly. This measurement deserves as much attention as lens width.

Temple length gets overlooked until you’ve worn the sunglasses for an hour and your ears ache. Short temples create pressure points. Long temples stick out awkwardly and don’t grip properly.

Another common assumption: “These are unisex, so they’ll fit anyone.” Frame sizes vary dramatically even within unisex styles. Always check the actual measurements.

How Different Sunglasses Styles Fit

Aviators typically run large. A 58mm lens width in aviators covers more face than a 58mm wayfarer because of the teardrop shape. Most people size down 2mm to 4mm from their usual lens width for aviators. The double bridge design also affects nose fit—some people find it more comfortable, others find it sits too high.

Wayfarers fit true to size generally. The thick frames make them appear slightly larger than they measure. A 50mm wayfarer lens covers about the same area as a 52mm thin metal frame. These work across most face sizes because they come in so many size variations.

Cat-eye sunglasses play with proportion intentionally. The upswept outer corners mean you might prefer a smaller lens width than usual—the visual width is greater than the actual measurement. A 52mm cat-eye often looks as wide as a 55mm rectangular frame.

Round sunglasses need careful sizing. Too large, and they overwhelm your face with a cartoonish look. Too small, and they seem precious or costume-like. Stick close to your measured lens width for these. The circular shape is unforgiving of size mistakes.

Sport and wrap sunglasses fit differently because they curve around your face. You might need a larger lens width than your regular sunglasses since the curve changes how much face they cover. These should fit snugly without pressure—they’re meant to stay put during activity.

Sunglasses Size Differences Between Brands

Don’t assume a “52” in one brand will fit like a “52” in another. Differences in frame curvature, lens shape, bridge design, temple length, and wrap mean your usual size may behave very differently across models.

Ray-Ban generally maintains consistent sizing and provides lens/bridge/temple measurements, but even then, their Aviator styles may feel more generous (due to greater vertical height and curvature) than their Wayfarer styles at the same lens-width.

Oakley sport sunglasses usually fit snugly by design. Warby Parker provides detailed measurements for each style online, which helps significantly.

Luxury brands sometimes use their own sizing systems entirely. Some European brands measure differently from American ones.

This is why you should always check the specific measurements for the exact model you’re buying, not just assume your size. And this is also why a good return policy matters for online shopping.

How to Know If Your Sunglasses Fit Correctly

Put your sunglasses on and pay attention to these fit markers:

The frames should touch your temples gently without creating pressure. If you feel squeezing or see red marks after wearing them for 20 minutes, they’re too tight.

Your nose bridge should make contact with the nose pads or bridge without pinching. You shouldn’t feel constant pressure or see indentations when you take them off.

The temples should rest comfortably behind your ears. That curved end piece should sit behind your ear, not on top of it or way behind it. The sunglasses should feel secure when you shake your head.

When you look down, they shouldn’t slide forward. When you smile or talk, they shouldn’t lift up off your nose.

Check your peripheral vision. The frames shouldn’t block your side vision significantly. You should see the frame edges just barely in your peripheral view.

The lenses should sit close enough to your face that minimal light enters from the top or sides, but they shouldn’t touch your cheeks when you smile.

Adjusting Sunglasses That Don’t Fit Perfectly

Minor fit issues are fixable. If metal or plastic sunglasses pinch your temples slightly, an optician can heat and gently bend the temples outward. This takes about five minutes, and most optical shops do it for free.

Loose sunglasses that slide down? The temples can be adjusted to curve inward slightly for a better grip. Again, an optician handles this easily.

Nose pads on metal frames are highly adjustable. They can be moved closer together, farther apart, higher, or lower to customize the fit to your nose shape.

But here’s when adjustment doesn’t work: if the frame width is significantly off from your face width, adjustments create new problems. If the lenses are too small for proper coverage or too large for your face proportions, no amount of tweaking fixes that. In those cases, you need a different size.

Plastic frames have less adjustment flexibility than metal. Heat adjustment is possible but limited. Don’t try heating plastic frames at home with a hairdryer—you’ll likely damage them.

Shopping for Sunglasses Online: Size Guide Tips

Virtual try-on tools using your phone camera give you a general idea, but they’re not perfectly accurate for sizing. Use them to gauge style and color, not to confirm fit.

Read the product measurements carefully. Look for total frame width, lens width, bridge width, and temple length. Compare these numbers to sunglasses you already own that fit well.

Mine the customer reviews. Search for words like “small,” “large,” “runs big,” or “tight fit.” Real customers often mention if a style fits differently than expected.

Check the return policy before buying. Free returns and exchanges remove the risk from online sunglass shopping. Some retailers even offer free home try-on programs where you can test multiple pairs.

If you’re ordering an expensive pair, consider buying from a retailer with physical locations. You can return in-store if the fit isn’t right, which is faster than shipping returns.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sunglasses Sizing

What size sunglasses should I get for my face? 

Measure your face width and use the chart earlier in this guide. Most adults wear a medium (50-56mm lens width), but measuring ensures accuracy rather than guessing.

How do I know if sunglasses are too big? 

They slide down your nose, the frames extend way past your temples, you see large gaps between the frames and your face, or they touch your cheeks when you smile. Visually, the frames shouldn’t be wider than your face.

Should sunglasses cover your eyebrows? 

Usually, yes. The top of the frame typically sits at or just above your eyebrows. Frames that sit well below your eyebrows often look odd and provide less sun protection.

What’s the most common sunglasses size? 

Medium sizes with a 52-54mm lens width, 18-20mm bridge width, and 140-145mm temple length fit most adults. But “most common” doesn’t mean it’s right for you—measure rather than defaulting to medium.

Do men’s and women’s sunglasses sizes differ? 

Not inherently. Men’s frames average slightly larger because men’s faces average larger, but plenty of women wear “men’s” sizes and vice versa. Ignore the gender label and focus on measurements.

Your Next Steps

Finding the right sunglasses size comes down to knowing your measurements and comparing them to frame specifications. You don’t need complicated formulas or professional fitting—just a ruler and five minutes.

Measure your face width, check your current sunglasses for size numbers, and use that information when shopping. Pay attention to all three measurements, not just lens width. And remember that trying different sizes from the same style helps you zero in on the perfect fit.

The right size transforms sunglasses from an accessory that annoys you into one you forget you’re wearing—which is exactly how good sunglasses should feel.