What is Pupillary Distance (PD)?

Your pupillary distance (PD) is the distance between the centers of your pupils. Your PD is an important part of your prescription because it shows exactly which part of the lens you look through. This measurement is used when preparing to make prescription eyeglasses, it is different from person to person and also depends on whether they are looking at near objects or far away.

Why measure your Pupillary Distance (PD) is important?

Every set of the prescription lens has an “optical center,” which is determined by pupillary distance. Pupillary distance is used to determine where you look through the lens of your glasses and should be as accurate as possible. A pupillary distance measurement is necessary for properly fitting your eyeglass lenses. There is no reason to walk around with inaccurate glasses when it is so easy to get this number.

Where is my PD on my prescription?

Your PD number will be in the "PD" or "pupil distance" section of your eyeglasses prescription. This is usually separated from the "grid" part of your prescription, in which the doctor writes out the main prescription information.

Does my PD have to be exact?

It is best to measure the pupil distance accurately. If there is an error, it will make your eyeglasses tired or cause discomfort and eye strain. Therefore, the measurement of pupil distance should be as accurate as possible.

hat is the average pupillary distance in adults?

Because each person has a different face shape, the specific pupil distance varies from person to person. Statistically, the average pupil distance for adults ranges from 57 mm (2.25 inches) to 72 mm (2.83 inches). The average PD for women is between 55 mm and 70 mm, and the average pupil distance for men is between 60 mm and 75 mm.

What happens if my PD measurement is off?

Incorrect over pupil distance can lead to dizziness, headache and blurred vision. Your vision is centered on a small section of the lenses, so a PD number is needed to shape the lenses to perfectly suit your needs.

Does PD change over time?

A person's pupil distance changes when he is young because the body is developing. Once it stops growing, the pupil distance will be fixed and will not change.

Can I find my PD on my glasses?

Usually, the pupil distance does NOT appear on your eyeglasses. The numbers on the inside of the temple arms of some frames is the size of the frame itself. Your PD number should be written on your eyeglass prescription in the PD section.

What is the difference between a ‘single’ PD and a ‘dual’ PD?

A ‘single’ pupil distance is the distance between the pupils of two eyes. A ‘dual’ pupil distance is the distance from the pupil of each eye to the center of your nose. A single PD will be just one number, while a dual PD will have a number for each eye, marked ‘right’ and ‘left’. (Some prescriptions may have ‘OD’ for the ‘right’ eye, and ‘OS’ for ‘left’ eye.)

Is PD important for single vision glasses?

The PD number indicates exactly which part of the lens you look through; therefore, the PD number is important for every type of prescription lens, including single vision glasses.

Does PD affect frame size?

Your pupil distance will not affect the size of the eyeglasses frame, it will affect the shape of your lenses.

How to Measure Pupillary Distance（PD）

Pupillary Distance Ruler

Print this page on A4 (without scalling, at 100%) Use PD ruler at the bottom of the page.

Download ABBE's PD ruler

How to use pd ruler?

You'll need to know your PD (Pupillary Distance) if you want to order glasses online from ABBE Glasses. Don't worry if your glasses prescription doesn't include your PD, we can show you how to measure it by yourself. There are two ways to measure your pupillary distance, one is to measure it yourself and the other is to have a friend or family member help you measure it.

How to Measure Pupillary Distance (PD) Myself

To measure your own Pupillary Distance (PD), position yourself approximately 8 inches (20cm) away from a mirror.

Close your left eye and align the ruler’s zero to the center of your right pupil.

Make sure you print our PD ruler (pupillary distance ruler) in advance.

Try not to move your head or the ruler. Close your right eye and note the reading directly over your left pupil. That will be your PD.

* You also need to measure the distance from two pupils to the center of nose respectively to make sure that if you have two PDs(OD & OS).

How to Measure Pupillary Distance (PD) With My Friend's Help

Make sure you print our PD ruler (pupillary distance ruler) in advance.

1. Look straight ahead with both eyes open facing your friend. Let your friend hold the ruler up to your right so the zero end lines up with your pupil.

2. Measure the distance from your right to your left pupil. The number that lines up with your left pupil is your PD.

3. Write the result down. To be certain of the result, let your friend measure a few more times to make sure your measurement is accurate.

4. Let your friend repeat the process on your left eye by measuring the distance from your left pupil to your right. Use the number that lines up with your right pupil. That's your PD. Write the result down. Repeat the process again to make sure the measurement is right.

5. Once you've got your PD measurement, input the numbers in your cart and you're good to go.

How to find Pupillary Distance (PD) on my prescription?

1. Your pupillary distance is usually found at the word "PD" on the prescription form.

2. On your prescription, there may be two numbers separated by a "/" at your pupillary distance. Generally, the first two digits indicate the right pupillary distance and the second indicates the left pupillary distance.

3. Sometimes, the prescription will identify the distant pupillary distance and the near pupillary distance in more detail, indicated by "Dist PD" and "Near PD", respectively.

4. The average pupillary distance range for adults is 57-72 mm and for kids is about 43-58 mm.

How to Measure Your Pupillary Distance (PD)