Choosing a new pair of glasses or sunglasses can sometimes feel harder than it should. With so many frame shapes, colours and sizes available, working out which style of glasses will suit your face can be a useful place to start.
One of the simplest ways to narrow down your choices is to consider your face shape. Certain frame styles can complement the natural proportions of your face, while others can create contrast or emphasise particular features.
There are no strict rules. Personal style, comfort and how your glasses actually fit are just as important. However, understanding the basic relationship between face shapes and glasses shapes can help you identify the styles you might want to try first.
First, What Face Shape Do I Have?
Most faces broadly fall into one of the following categories:
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Oval
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Round
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Square
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Heart
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Diamond
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Oblong or rectangular
Stand in front of a mirror with your hair away from your face and look at the overall proportions of your forehead, cheekbones and jawline.
Glasses for an Oval Face
An oval face is generally longer than it is wide, with balanced proportions and a gently curved jawline.
Because the proportions are already relatively balanced, oval faces can usually accommodate a wide variety of frame styles.
Frames to consider
Square frames
The defined corners of a square frame can add structure and contrast to softer facial features.
Rectangular frames
Rectangle glasses provide a clean, structured appearance and work particularly well when the frame is approximately as wide as the broadest part of the face.
Cat eye frames
The slightly raised outer edges of a cat eye frame can draw attention upwards towards the eyes and cheekbones.
Round frames
Round glasses can also work well, particularly if you prefer a softer or more traditional frame shape.
Size tip
Avoid frames that are disproportionately large or narrow compared with your face. A frame approximately as wide as the widest part of your face is generally a useful starting point.
Glasses for a Round Face
A round face usually has similar width and length measurements, with fuller cheeks and a softer jawline.
Frames with stronger angles can introduce contrast to the curved proportions of the face.
Frames to consider
Rectangular frames
The horizontal shape can make the face appear visually longer while introducing definition.
Square frames
Strong corners provide contrast against the softer curves of a round face.
Cat eye frames
Frames that rise towards the temples can help draw attention upwards.
Browline style frames
A more pronounced upper section can add definition around the eyes and brow.
You may want to compare
Very small circular frames can emphasise the roundness of the face. That does not mean they cannot be worn, but a more angular frame may provide greater contrast if that is the look you want.
Size tip
Look for a frame that is approximately equal to, or slightly wider than, the widest part of your face.
Glasses for a Square Face
Square faces typically have a relatively broad forehead, pronounced jawline and similar facial width and length.
Curved frames can provide contrast against these more angular proportions.
Frames to consider
Round frames
Circular frames provide a clear contrast with the straight lines of a square face.
Oval frames
An oval frame offers similar softness without being completely circular.
Aviator frames
The curved lower section of an aviator frame can complement a stronger jawline.
Soft cat eye frames
A gently curved cat eye shape can combine softer lines with additional definition around the upper face.
Size tip
Frames that are slightly wider than the cheekbones can work particularly well. Very narrow frames may appear out of proportion with a broader face.
Glasses for a Heart-Shaped Face
A heart-shaped face generally has a wider forehead and cheekbones with a narrower jaw and chin.
Frames that balance the upper and lower parts of the face can work particularly well.
Frames to consider
Round frames
Rounded frames can soften the upper part of the face and complement a narrower chin.
Oval frames
Oval designs create a similar effect while providing slightly more horizontal width.
Aviator frames
The tapered shape of an aviator frame can follow the natural proportions of a heart-shaped face.
Lightweight or thinner frames
Less visually dominant frames can avoid adding excessive emphasis around the forehead.
Size tip
Try to avoid frames that extend significantly beyond the temples. A well-proportioned medium-width frame will often provide a more balanced appearance.
Glasses for a Diamond-Shaped Face
Diamond-shaped faces are generally widest around the cheekbones, with a narrower forehead and jawline.
Frames can be used to emphasise the eyes and balance the width of the cheekbones.
Frames to consider
Cat eye frames
The raised outer corners draw attention towards the eyes and upper part of the face.
Oval frames
Curved frames complement prominent cheekbones without introducing excessive angles.
Round frames
Rounder styles can soften the overall appearance of an angular diamond face.
Browline styles
Frames with detail across the upper section can help create visual width around the forehead.
Size tip
Look for frames that sit comfortably across the cheekbones without extending substantially beyond them.
Glasses for an Oblong or Rectangular Face
An oblong face is noticeably longer than it is wide. The forehead, cheekbones and jaw may also be relatively similar in width.
Frames with additional height can help balance the longer proportions of the face.
Frames to consider
Square frames
Larger square frames provide both width and depth.
Round frames
A deeper round frame can visually break up the length of the face.
Aviator frames
The greater lens depth of many aviator designs can suit longer facial proportions.
Oversized frames
A larger frame can work well, provided the width and bridge fit correctly.
Size tip
Look at the lens depth as well as the overall frame width. Very shallow rectangular frames can make a longer face appear even longer, while deeper lenses can provide greater visual balance.
Glasses Shapes Explained
Understanding the main frame shapes can make browsing glasses much easier.
Square
Square glasses have clearly defined corners with broadly similar lens height and width.
They can add structure to softer or more rounded facial features.
Rectangle
Rectangular frames are wider than they are tall and usually have clearly defined corners.
They are particularly useful if you prefer a structured appearance without the greater lens depth of a square frame.
Round
Round glasses feature predominantly circular lenses and softer curves.
They can contrast particularly well with angular facial features.
Oval
Oval frames have curved edges but are normally wider than they are tall.
They offer a softer appearance than rectangular or square frames.
Cat Eye
Cat eye frames rise towards the outer temples, producing their distinctive upswept shape.
The amount of lift can vary considerably, from subtle everyday designs to much more pronounced styles.
Aviator
Aviator glasses usually feature larger lenses with a narrower bridge and a curved or slightly tapered lower section.
Although traditionally associated with sunglasses, variations of the aviator shape are also available as optical frames.
Shield
Shield sunglasses generally use one wide continuous lens, or lenses designed to create the appearance of a single continuous lens across the face.
They usually provide a larger overall frame profile than traditional glasses.
Glasses Size Matters Too
Finding the right shape is only part of choosing a pair of glasses. Frame size and fit are equally important.
You may have seen measurements such as:
These numbers normally refer to:
54 mm – Lens width
The horizontal width of one lens.
18 mm – Bridge width
The distance between the two lenses where the glasses sit across the nose.
140 mm – Temple length
The approximate length of the arms running from the frame towards and behind your ears.
IMAGE 9 – How Glasses Are Measured
Suggested image: Front and side illustration of a pair of glasses showing lens width, bridge width and temple length with measurement arrows.
ALT text:
Glasses size guide showing lens width bridge width and temple length measurements
How Do I Know Whether My Glasses Are Too Wide?
When looking at the front of your glasses, the frame should generally sit comfortably across your face without excessive pressure at the temples.
Signs that a frame may be too wide include:
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The glasses repeatedly sliding down your nose.
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The frame extending significantly beyond the sides of your face.
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The temples spreading excessively away from your head.
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The glasses moving noticeably when you turn your head.
A frame that is too narrow may:
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Press against your temples.
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Leave noticeable pressure marks.
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Cause the temples to bow outwards.
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Feel uncomfortable after prolonged wear.
What Does the Bridge Size Mean?
The bridge is one of the most important parts of getting glasses to fit comfortably.
A bridge that is too wide may cause the glasses to slide down your nose. A bridge that is too narrow may pinch or cause the frame to sit higher than intended.
Two pairs of glasses with the same lens width can therefore fit very differently because of differences in the bridge, frame shape and overall construction.
Should My Glasses Cover My Eyebrows?
There is no single rule.
The upper edge of many everyday glasses sits approximately around the eyebrow line, although larger sunglasses and oversized frames may cover part or all of the eyebrows.
More important is whether the frame sits comfortably, your eyes are positioned appropriately within the lenses and the proportions work with your face.
Face Shape and Glasses: Quick Guide
| Face Shape | Frames to Consider |
|---|---|
| Oval | Square, Rectangle, Round, Cat Eye |
| Round | Rectangle, Square, Cat Eye, Browline |
| Square | Round, Oval, Aviator |
| Heart | Round, Oval, Aviator |
| Diamond | Cat Eye, Oval, Round, Browline |
| Oblong | Square, Round, Aviator, Larger Frames |
Do I Have to Follow the Face Shape Rules?
No.
Face shape guides are useful for narrowing down a large selection of frames, but they should be treated as a starting point rather than a set of rules.
Someone with a round face can absolutely wear round glasses. Likewise, someone with a square face does not have to choose a curved frame.
What matters most is finding glasses that:
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Fit your face correctly.
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Sit comfortably on your nose and ears.
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Are an appropriate width.
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Suit the look you want.
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Feel comfortable enough for you to wear regularly.
Your existing glasses can also provide a useful reference. Check the measurements printed inside the temple and compare them with the dimensions of frames you are considering.
Finding Your Next Pair
Once you understand your approximate face shape and current glasses measurements, choosing a new frame becomes much easier.
Start with the shapes that complement your facial proportions, then compare the lens width, bridge width and temple length with a pair that already fits you comfortably.
Most importantly, choose a frame you actually enjoy wearing.
Whether you prefer square, rectangular, round, oval, cat eye, aviator or shield styles, there are plenty of options available to find a pair that works with both your face and your individual style.