How to measure your pupillary distance (PD)

What Is Pupillary Distance?

Pupillary Distance generally refers to the distance between the pupils when a person looks at things normally. This parameter needs to be considered when matching prescription glasses. That is, the distance between the centers of the two lenses should match your pupillary distance. The average adult’s PD is between 54-74 mm; kids' are between 43-58 mm.

How to measure your own PD?

If you don’t have your PD from your eye doctor, you can measure it yourself with our step-by-step guide below.

Step 1: Stand about 8inch away from a mirror, hold your ruler in one hand. Look straight ahead into the mirror and position the ruler up against your eyebrows.

Step 2: Starting with the right eye, Close your right eye, then line up the ruler so that 0mm is in the middle your left pupil.

Step 3: Look straight ahead again and then open your right eye and close your left eye.

Step 4: Read the mm line that lines up with the centre of your right pupil, this measurement is your PD. Measure your PD 3-4 times at least to ensure it's accurate.

Having a friend measure your PD

If a friend is measuring your PD, face your friend and keep both eyes open. Then have your friend put the 0mm on the millimeter ruler over the center of one pupil, then measure the distance to the center of the other pupil. That’s your PD. Do a couple tries to make sure the measurement is right.

Once you've got your PD measurement, fill in the prescription information in your cart and start shopping for glasses that fit you.