Sunglasses for a Wide Nose: Bridge Width Explained
Fit Guide
Sunglasses for a Wide Nose: Bridge Width Explained
If sunglasses pinch the sides of your nose, leave marks or perch too high on your face, the bridge is too narrow. It is one of the easiest fit problems to fix once you know which number to look at.
In this article
- What sunglasses suit a wide nose?
- How do you know the bridge is too narrow?
- How do you find your bridge width?
- Which bridge type fits a wide nose best?
- Can a narrow bridge be adjusted?
- Rawbare frames with wider bridges
- Frequently asked questions
What sunglasses suit a wide nose?
Frames with a wider bridge, usually around 20 mm or more, and a bridge shaped to rest across the nose rather than pinch it. Wayfarer, square and rectangle frames with moulded plastic bridges often fit wide noses well.
The bridge is the part of the frame that sits on your nose. Its width is the gap between the two lenses, printed as the middle number inside the temple, for example 48-23-144. Across Rawbare's catalogue, bridge widths run from about 14 mm to 25 mm.
How do you know the bridge is too narrow?
The frame pinches the sides of your nose, leaves red marks, sits higher than your eyes or pushes up when you smile.
- Pinching or marks on the sides of the nose after 20 to 30 minutes.
- Frame sits high, so your eyes look through the lower part of the lens.
- Frame lifts when you smile or talk, because the bridge rests on your cheeks too.
- Headache around the nose and eyes after long wear. See can sunglasses cause headaches.
How do you find your bridge width?
Use a pair that fits you well. The middle of the three numbers printed inside the temple is the bridge width in millimetres.
Full explanation of all three numbers: how to read the numbers on your sunglasses.
Which bridge type fits a wide nose best?
A wide, saddle-shaped plastic bridge spreads weight across the top of the nose. Adjustable nose pads can also be spread apart to fit a broad nose.
| Bridge type | Fit on a wide nose |
|---|---|
| Wide moulded (saddle) bridge | Good: spreads weight |
| Adjustable nose pads | Good: pads can be widened |
| Keyhole bridge | Fits medium to wide noses |
| Narrow moulded bridge | Pinches |
Heavier frames make pinching worse, because more weight presses on a smaller area. See how heavy sunglasses should be. If your nose is wide but low, read sunglasses for low nose bridges as well.
Can a narrow bridge be adjusted?
Only a little. Adjustable nose pads can be widened by an optician. A moulded plastic bridge cannot be stretched safely, so choose the right width from the start.
Heating and bending a plastic bridge risks cracking the frame and voiding the warranty. If the pinch is small, an optician can sometimes reshape the frame slightly. See how to fix sunglasses that do not fit.
Rawbare frames with wider bridges
Bridge widths from the product pages. All in stock with UV400 lenses.
Frequently asked questions
Q1 What bridge width do I need for a wide nose?
Q2 Where is bridge width written on sunglasses?
Q3 Why do sunglasses pinch my nose?
Q4 Are wayfarers good for a wide nose?
Q5 Can a plastic bridge be widened?
Q6 Are nose pads better for wide noses?
Key takeaways
