Measure Your Pupillary Distance (PD)
Your pupillary distance, commonly referred to as your PD, is the distance between your pupils. To get your prescription right, we need to know your PD.
If you do not have it, use our PD measurement tool. All you need is a camera-enabled smartphone or computer, a magnetic stripe card such as a driver’s license or a credit card, and lighting good enough for the camera to see your pupils clearly. It takes one or two minutes.
Measure your PD
- A phone or computer with a camera
- A magnetic stripe card: a driver’s license or a credit card
- Enough light for the camera to see your pupils
- Sound on: the tool talks you through it
We do not see your photo, and it is not used for anything other than measuring the distance between your pupils.
Why we need your PD
PD stands for pupillary distance. As the name suggests, it is the measurement in millimeters between your pupils. This measurement allows us to align your pupils accurately with the vision correction in the lenses we mount in your frames. When your pupils are lined up with the center of the power correction, your eyes focus easily, comfortably and with crystal clear clarity. If your lenses are not aligned with your pupils, your eye muscles work harder to adjust your focus, which can cause eyestrain and discomfort.
Your PD is required for a custom prescription lens order, along with a copy of your doctor’s Rx script, also known as your vision numbers.
It is not required for ready-to-wear reading glasses. We will still build them to your PD if you give it to us, and they will be more comfortable for it.
If you already have your PD
Your eye doctor usually records your PD on your prescription. If it is not there, ask them to add it to your printout. A PD from your doctor is the best number to use, and you can enter it at checkout without measuring anything.
Questions about your PD? Contact us and we will help you get it right.
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