Average Pupillary Distance by Age and Sex

Pupillary distance (PD) is the distance in millimetres between the centres of your two pupils. It tells an optician where to position the optical centre of each lens so you look straight through the clearest part of your glasses. When people ask about the average pupillary distance, they usually want a quick sanity check: is my number normal? In most cases the answer is yes — human PD falls within a fairly predictable band.

What is the average PD for adults?

The average PD for adults is approximately 63 mm. There is a measurable difference between sexes. In a widely cited study, women averaged about 61.1 mm (standard deviation 3.5 mm) and men about 63.6 mm (standard deviation 3.9 mm) — see Fesharaki et al., 2012. Because of that spread, the typical adult PD range runs from roughly 54 mm to 74 mm. If your number sits inside that band, it is perfectly normal, and even values just outside it can be completely healthy. PD is simply an anatomical measurement, not a score.

Average pupillary distance by age

Children have a smaller PD than adults because the skull and the space between the eyes grow with age. PD increases steadily through childhood and the teenage years before settling at its adult value. The chart below shows approximate average PD values by age and sex. Treat every number as a population average, not a target for any individual.

Why these are only averages

Two people of the same age and sex can have a PD that differs by several millimetres, and both are normal. Face width, ancestry, and individual anatomy all play a part. That is why opticians never order lenses from an average — they measure each person. Use the chart above to confirm your measurement is in the right ballpark, then rely on your own number for any eyewear order.

How to find your exact PD

Averages are a sanity check, not a substitute. For glasses, you need your own measurement to the nearest half-millimetre. You can measure your PD at home in under a minute using our free, private tool — by camera, photo, or a printable ruler — with nothing uploaded.

• Read what pupillary distance is to understand the basics before you start.
• Follow the step-by-step guide on how to measure pupillary distance for an accurate result.
• If your prescription lists two numbers, see the difference between dual PD and monocular PD.

Single number vs. two numbers

Most prescriptions use one binocular PD value, such as 63 mm. Some use a dual or monocular PD — the distance from the bridge of your nose to each pupil separately, like 31.5 / 31.5. Both describe the same eyes; they are just measured differently. Knowing which format your optician wants helps you order the right lenses the first time.

The bottom line

The average pupillary distance for adults is about 63 mm, with women near 61 mm and men near 64 mm, and a normal PD range of roughly 54-74 mm. Children start lower and grow into the adult range. Use these averages to confirm your measurement looks reasonable, but always measure your own PD before buying glasses — your eyes are not an average.