Pupillary distance (PD)

Measure your pupillary distance online

PD (pupillary distance) is the distance between the centres of your pupils. We use it to line up the centre of each lens with your eye, so your new glasses look sharp and feel comfortable from day one.

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The basics

What is PD?

PD stands for pupillary distance. Every prescription lens order needs it, and you can find yours from home.

What it is: The distance between the centres of your pupils, measured in millimetres.
Why it matters: The lab uses it to place the optical centre of each lens in front of your pupil. When it's off, glasses can feel tiring to wear.
Typical range: Most adults measure between about 54 and 74 mm.

Two ways to measure

Measure online

All you need is a card and your camera

Use any standard-size card with a magnetic stripe, like a bank card, student ID or gift card. The tool uses the card's known size to work out your measurement, so you don't need a ruler.

Hold the card flat against your forehead.
Look straight at the camera, then slowly turn your head when the tool asks you to.
Your PD appears as soon as the scan finishes.

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The video is processed on your device and never uploaded or saved. How we handle your data

Paper ruler

A paper PD ruler held over the eyes, with a scale above and below each eye and the pupils lined up against the marks

Did a ruler come with your order? You can use that instead.

Some Optirama orders include a printed PD ruler. Stand in front of a mirror and rest the ruler on your nose so the notch sits on the bridge and both “0” marks line up beside it. Read the number above the centre of each pupil on that side’s scale, then add the two together. The total is your PD.

Example31 + 32 = 63

Camera measurement

The measurement, step by step

Tap Get my fit and allow the camera. On a computer, you'll get a code to scan so you can carry on with your phone.

Card on your forehead
Hold any bank-size card flat, just above your eyebrows.
Look at the camera
Sit about an arm's length away and look straight into the lens.
Turn your head a little
When the tool asks, turn slightly to one side. The card stays where it is.
Read your PD
You get an estimate in millimetres to use when you order.

Before you start

Face a lamp or a window
Glasses off
Hair off your forehead
Phone at eye level, held straight

Glasses that fit you, start to finish

Measure your PD, choose your frames, and we'll make your prescription glasses to your measurements.

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What is PD?

PD stands for pupillary distance. Every prescription lens order needs it, and you can find yours from home.

What it is

The distance between the centres of your pupils, measured in millimetres.

Why it matters

The lab uses it to place the optical centre of each lens in front of your pupil. When it's off, glasses can feel tiring to wear.

Typical range

Most adults measure between about 54 and 74 mm.

Two ways to measure

Measure online

All you need is a card and your camera

Use any standard-size card with a magnetic stripe, like a bank card, student ID or gift card. The tool uses the card's known size to work out your measurement, so you don't need a ruler.

Hold the card flat against your forehead.
Look straight at the camera, then slowly turn your head when the tool asks you to.
Your PD appears as soon as the scan finishes.

Get my fit

The video is processed on your device and never uploaded or saved. How we handle your data

Paper ruler

Did a ruler come with your order? You can use that instead.

Example31 + 32 = 63

Measure your pupillary distance online

What is PD?

Two ways to measure

All you need is a card and your camera

Did a ruler come with your order? You can use that instead.

Card on your forehead

Look at the camera

Turn your head a little

Read your PD

Before you start

Glasses that fit you, start to finish

Measure your pupillary distance online

What is PD?

Two ways to measure

All you need is a card and your camera

Did a ruler come with your order? You can use that instead.

Card on your forehead

Look at the camera

Turn your head a little

Read your PD

Before you start

Glasses that fit you, start to finish