How to Identify your Sunglasses
Unsure what type of frame or size you need to order replacement lenses? This guide will help you figure out the type of sunglasses you're wearing, and the exact size you'll need.
What to look for to order replacement sunglass lenses
Cracked, chipped or scratched lens on your sunglasses? Does it look like you took a belt sander to them? (We won’t judge you if you did, although we would be a bit curious). Did your dog mistake your Wayfarers for her favorite chew toy? (We won’t judge her if she did, either). Whatever happened, now you need to order replacement lenses for your sunglasses, which means you need to know which size to order.
Turns out you’ve been wearing the info you need this whole time. That string of numbers and letters on the inside of the temple isn’t a cheat code for Minecraft. It’s something much more boring but much more useful: product info about the frames and lens. Let's take a look.
1. Frame name
The frame name can be found by looking for a name or logo on the inside temple of the frames. Some names may contain "XS" or "XL" which is very important when looking for your new lenses. These variants will all require a different size and shape and cannot be mixed.
Example: Frame name of Ray-Ban sunglasses
2. Frame model
Some frames may have a frame model in addition to, or in lieu of a frame name. These are usually listed as a combination of letters and numbers, and typically look something like this:
Maui Jim Nalani model: MJ295
Oakley Flak 2.0 model: 009295
Ray-Ban Justin model: RB4165
Example: Frame model of Ray-Ban sunglasses
3. Lens size
The next thing to look for is a little square with two numbers on either side of lens. This is the hard data, the digits, the specs for your specs. The first number is the lens size, also called the eye size. This is the width of the lens at its widest point, and is usually between 40-62mm. If your sunglasses are really old or really damaged and the numbers have worn off, you might have to measure lens size yourself. Pop out the lens to ensure you’re taking a true measurement from edge to edge. If you kept it in, the frame may obscure some of the lens, shaving a few millimeters off your measurement and putting you on the path to ordering the so-close-but-not-quite-right lens. Also, be sure to measure straight across the widest point, as having your measuring tape at an angle will add a millimeter or two.
Example: Lens size of Ray-Ban sunglasses
4. Lens category
Now, if the only thing you care about is buying replacement lenses, you can skip to the last thing printed on the temple: a number between 0-3 and either the letter P or N. The number refers to the tint of the lenses that came with frame. Category 0 is the lightest tint. If you were going to wear sunglasses at night, you’d probably want a Category 0 lens so you can, so you can… you know, do whatever it is you’re trying to do with sunglasses at night. Category 3 is the darkest tint.
Example: Lens category of Ray-Ban sunglasses
Looking up the details about your sunglasses frames
What about those numbers we skipped? Those all provide information about the frames and not the lenses. Since we brought them up, we’re not gonna leave you hanging.
5. Bridge size
The next thing to look for is a little square with two numbers on either side of lens. This is the hard data, the digits, the specs for your specs. The first number is the lens size, also called the eye size. This is the width of the lens at its widest point, and is usually between 40-62mm. If your sunglasses are really old or really damaged and the numbers have worn off, you might have to measure lens size yourself. Pop out the lens to ensure you’re taking a true measurement from edge to edge. If you kept it in, the frame may obscure some of the lens, shaving a few millimeters off your measurement and putting you on the path to ordering the so-close-but-not-quite-right lens. Also, be sure to measure straight across the widest point, as having your measuring tape at an angle will add a millimeter or two.
6. Temple length
Next is the temple length. Temples range from 130-160mm, which makes the temple length easy to spot: it’s the only three-digit number you’ll see. Nothing to do with lenses, but if you break a temple, you’ll want to know this. And finally, some brands will throw in a four-digit color code for the frame. This normally shows up between the model name of the frame and before the lens size.
7. Color Code
And finally, some brands will throw in a four-digit color code for the frame. This normally shows up between the model name of the frame and before the lens size.
Put it all together: Cracking the code about sunglass frames and lens info
So, going from left to right we have our two-letter manufacturer code, the model number and name, maybe the color code, the all-important lens size, a little square, the less important (for now) bridge size, the temple length and then the lens tint category and polarized / non-polarized.
Now that you know what you need, pass that info on to us so we can get to work making your replacement lenses.
No, really. We don’t just pull lenses off a warehouse shelf or middleman your order over to some fulfillment center. We have actual optical technicians do all the lens edging ourselves, in-house, with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses.
Even a small bit of lens damage can affect how you see the world. As annoying as it might seem to have to replace a sunglass lens because of a tiny little chip, it’s still better than having that chip pop into your field of view when you’re driving or trying to take in a sunrise.
