How to tell if you have a small face
Size is not about how your face looks in the mirror but about three measurements you can take with a soft tape measure: temple to temple, hairline to chin down the centre of the face, and the jaw at its widest point, just below the ears. Belson and Sons Optometrists, the UK optician behind the guide above, says you may have a small face if [1]:
- the distance between your temples is between 100 and 125 mm;
- the distance from your hairline to your chin is less than 185 mm;
- your jaw is less than 125 mm at its widest point.
Belson’s graphic and web page print the temple measurement as “100 and 125 cm”, which is a slip: a face cannot be a metre wide, and the figure only makes sense in millimetres, in line with the other two measurements and with petite frame widths [1]. A simpler clue is if standard adult frames always feel too wide and slide down your nose, or you find yourself trying on children’s frames. Zenni Optical says the average adult frame is about 138 mm wide, while petite or slim faces need closer to 126 mm [2].
What size glasses fit a small face?
Every frame has its size printed inside one arm, usually as three numbers: lens width, bridge width and temple (arm) length, all in millimetres. Belson gives these ranges for petite frames [1]:
| Measurement | Petite range | What it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Lens width | 45 to 50 mm (round frames 43 to 48 mm) | Whether the lenses line up with your eyes or stick out past your face |
| Bridge width | 16 to 20 mm | Whether the frame pinches or slides down your nose |
| Temple length | 130 to 135 mm, extra petite down to 125 mm | Whether the arms hold the frame in place behind your ears |
| Total frame width | 123 to 127 mm, very petite down to 120 mm | Overall proportion on the face |
The most useful rule is total width: pick frames whose front is as wide as the widest point of your face, or slightly wider by no more than 5 mm, so they neither squeeze your temples nor overhang your face [1]. If you already own a pair that fits well, copy the numbers printed inside its arm.
The best glasses for small faces
The general advice for a small face is modest frames that do not dominate your features. Frames that are too large look out of proportion and slide down the nose [1]. Styles that tend to work:
- Slim metal or thin acetate frames. Zenni says slender frames are the most flattering on narrow faces and smaller features, and they draw attention to the eyes [2].
- Narrow rectangular frames. They add structure without overwhelming the face, and unlike heavy square or round styles they do not weigh a small face down [1][2].
- Cat-eye frames. The upswept outer edges draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones and add a little width at the top of the face [1].
- Small round frames. Often available in smaller sizes, they soften angular features [1].
- Browline and semi-rimless frames. Less rim means less material to overpower a petite face [1][2].
Avoid thick, oversized frames. They swamp a small face and make it look smaller still [1].
Glasses for small faces by face shape
Size gets the fit right; shape decides what flatters you. Belson’s guide matches a frame style to six face shapes [1]:
- Rectangular (jaw about as wide as the temples, wide chin): frames with a strong brow line and a square shape. Steer clear of rounded frames.
- Oval (evenly proportioned, softly rounded chin and forehead): you can be more adventurous, and frames a little wider than the face usually suit.
- Heart (widest at the forehead, narrowest at the chin): styles that play down the width at the top; cat-eyes are usually the best choice.
- Triangle (jaw wider than the temples): frames wider than the narrowest part of the face, with a strong brow line to lift attention to the eyes. Cat-eyes are again a favourite.
- Square (like rectangular but shorter, with a wide jaw and broad forehead): semi-angular frames that add a little length and soften strong features.
- Round (short face, rounded chin, soft jaw, fuller cheeks): Belson suggests rounder, less angular frames, and thicker frames if you have thick lenses so the lenses do not look out of proportion.
Proportion matters too. For long, narrow faces the infographic suggests extended frames. More generally, if your face is long and thin, frames with a little more height, such as round or square shapes, balance it; if it is short and wide, shallower rectangular or oval frames work better [1].
Women’s glasses for small faces
Belson’s guide adds some advice aimed at women. If you have sharp, angular features, a pointed nose or a chiselled jaw, softer, rounder frames balance them; if your features are soft and round, more angular frames add definition. For a particularly narrow face, frames that flare out slightly at the sides add width and give the impression of wider cheekbones. For a short face, shorter frames avoid dominating it, and small reading glasses are a good fit [1].
Getting a good fit
A few practical points make more difference than style rules:
- Nose pads. Adjustable pads on metal frames let an optician fine-tune the fit. Low bridge or “Asian fit” frames have a narrower bridge and modified pads for flatter nose bridges [1].
- Lens material. Thinner, lighter lens materials such as high-index or Trivex keep strong prescriptions from looking heavy in a small frame [2].
- Temple arms. Arms that are too long let the frame slip forward; arms that are too short press behind the ears. Many opticians can adjust them slightly [1].
- A proper fitting. Belson notes that its guide gives rough guidelines only, and there is no substitute for a fitting at an optician [1].
Questions about glasses for small faces
What size glasses for a small face?
Look for a lens width of about 45 to 50 mm, a bridge of 16 to 20 mm, arms of about 130 to 135 mm and a total width of 123 to 127 mm [1]. Zenni puts petite frames at about 126 mm wide, against an average of 138 mm [2].
What glasses are good for small faces?
Slim metal or thin acetate frames, narrow rectangles, cat-eyes, small round frames and browline or semi-rimless styles, chosen to suit your face shape [1][2].
Which glasses should I avoid if I have a small face?
Thick, oversized or very wide frames, which overwhelm small features and tend to slide down the nose [1].
How do I know if my glasses are too big?
If the frame front is more than about 5 mm wider than your face, the lenses extend past your temples, or the glasses keep sliding down your nose, they are too big [1].
Do round glasses suit a small face?
They can. Round frames come in small sizes and soften angular features, and they suit long, thin faces well. If your face is round as well as small, keep the frames slim [1].
Sources
- Belson Opticians, Top Glasses for Small Faces in 2025, Stylish and Comfortable Picks, the page that carries the infographic.
- Zenni Optical, Perfectly Petite, Glasses for Narrow Faces.
- Belson Opticians, Best Glasses for Small Faces, the original blog post with the infographic (archived copy, 15 July 2022).
Last reviewed 2 November 2026
