How to Measure Your Pupillary Distance

Use this step-by-step guide to measure your pupillary distance (PD) by yourself or with the help of a friend.

Getting Started

Print PD ruler

Print PD ruler at 100% size.
Do not use ‘scaling’ or ‘fit’ setting.
Print setting should be ‘actual size’.
Preview printable ruler

Fold

Fold printout along the dotted line.

Illustration of woman facing a mirror eight inches away.

Mirror or Friend

Stand 8 inches (20 cm) away from a mirror or a friend. Place & hold the PD ruler against your brow. Keep your face straight.

Ready. Set. Measure!

Take a few measurements for consistency.

Most adults have a PD between 54 - 74 mm. Most children have a PD between 43 - 54 mm.

Illustration of PD ruler above a pair of eyes, with line measuring middle of left pupil while right eye is shut.

Align to Zero

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

Illustration of PD ruler above a pair of eyes, with line measuring middle of right pupil while left eye is shut.

Open Right, Close Left

Next, open your right eye and close your left eye.

Illustration of PD ruler above a pair of eyes, with line measuring middle of both left pupil and right pupil with measurement of 58mm in between.

Your PD

Look straight ahead and read the millimeter line that matches up with the center of your right pupil. This number represents your single PD in millimeters.

PD Ruler Preview

This is an example of the printable PD Ruler. Ruler measurements are in millimeters.

Note: web view not to scale.