# What does "temple length" mean when referring to glasses? Temple length is the measurement, in millimetres, of each arm of a pair of glasses, running from the hinge screw at the frame front to the tip that rests behind your ear. It appears as the third number printed inside the arm, after lens width and bridge width. ## Where to find the number on your frames Glasses frames usually carry up to three numbers printed on the inside of one arm, often separated by spaces or dashes, with a small square shape commonly sitting between the lens width and the bridge width. They follow the same order: lens width first, then bridge width, then temple length, all expressed in millimetres. Other letters and digits nearby may refer to the frame model, colour, brand or manufacturer rather than the size, which is worth remembering when you are comparing listings across retailers. References: [https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements](https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements). ## What the temple length actually measures The temple is the arm of the frame. Temple length runs from the screw where the arm attaches to the main body of the frame all the way to the tip that goes behind the ear. Warby Parker, which publishes a guide to reading frame measurements, notes that this figure often ends in a zero or a five, with 135, 140, 145 and 150 being common standards, and a typical range of 120 to 150 mm. The practical purpose is straightforward: the right temple length lets the arms extend behind your ears without protruding too far past them. References: [https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements](https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements). ## How to check it yourself If the numbers are worn off or you want to confirm a listing, you can measure the temple in two parts with a soft measuring tape or a ruler marked in millimetres. Measure from the hinge on the main body of the frame to the point where the arm starts to curve, then from the curve to the very tip, and add the two figures together. That total is the temple length. References: [https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements](https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements). ## A worked example: comparing the same model at two retailers Suppose, hypothetically, you find a sunglasses listing at one UK retailer and the same model and colour code elsewhere at a lower recorded price. Before assuming they are identical, check the size details. One listing might show a lens width, bridge and temple of 54-18-140, while the other shows 54-18-145. The frame looks the same in photos, but the extra five millimetres of temple length changes how the arms sit behind your ears. If a listing omits the size information altogether, treat that as a reason to check with the retailer rather than guessing, since differences of just a few millimetres can noticeably change how glasses look and feel on your face. References: [https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements](https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements), [https://eyewearcompared.com/](https://eyewearcompared.com/). ## One caution before you treat it as a rule Temple length is a useful guideline, not a guarantee of fit. Two frames in the same labelled size category can still feel different, because frame thickness, materials and overall construction all influence how a pair sits. Measurements from an old, well-fitting pair are a great starting point for browsing, but they should not completely dictate your choice. Trying frames on, or getting an optician to help with fitting, remains the most reliable way to judge comfort. References: [https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements](https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements). ## A practical next step When comparing frames across UK retailers, keep the full model and colour code together with the size triple, and confirm the temple length and today's price with the retailer before ordering. Checking that the size matches, not just the model name, is what turns a cheaper listing into a genuinely like-for-like comparison. References: [https://eyewearcompared.com/](https://eyewearcompared.com/). ## Sources - [https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements](https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/eyeglasses-measurements) — accessed 2026-10-18 - [https://eyewearcompared.com/](https://eyewearcompared.com/) — accessed 2026-10-18 Published 2026-10-18. Eyewear Compared editorial; AI-assisted preparation. ## Next step - [Start a search on eyewearcompared.com](https://eyewearcompared.com/) - [How we compare](https://eyewearcompared.com/how-it-works) - [Read the frame-size checklist →](https://eyewearcompared.com/guides/frame-size) - [Balenciaga BB0041S 001 Sunglasses](https://eyewearcompared.com/product/00889652215006)