So, first thing’s first: what is pupillary distance (PD)?
Essentially, it’s the distance between the centres of your pupils (the black bits in the middle of the eyes).
Your PD is an important part of your glasses prescription that makes sure you’re looking through the best spot in your lenses for clear vision. We’ll need this measurement if you’re buying your specs online.
Measure your PD online
If it’s not included on your prescription from your optician, you can use our handy online tool to work out your measurements for you.
Once that’s all done, you’ll be able to pick out your next pair of frames and add all your prescription details – all from the comfort of your sofa.
Measuring your own PD
If you’d rather measure your PD yourself, or get a friend to help you out, have a look through our step-by-step guides.
Stand about 30cm away from a mirror
Looking at yourself, hold a ruler up against your eyebrows
Close your right eye, then line up the ruler so that 0mm is in line with the middle of your left pupil
Look straight ahead again and then open your right eye and close your left
Your pupillary distance measurement will be the figure that lines up with the centre of your right pupil
For distance vision
Repeat these steps a few more times to make sure the measurement you get is consistent and accurate.
For an adult, you’ll be looking for a PD measurement between 54-74mm.
For reading glasses
We’ll adjust your PD measurement for your reading glasses for you.
Measuring a friend’s pupillary distance
To measure someone else’s PD, have them look at something around 20 feet away from them with both their eyes open.
Using a ruler, line up the 0mm mark with the centre of one pupil, then measure to the centre of the other.
You just need to make sure that you stay out of their line of sight, they keep looking straight ahead with their eyes as still as possible, and that they don’t look at you while you’re measuring.
Do this a few times to make sure the measurement you get is consistent. The average pupillary distance for adults is usually between 54-74mm.
