MICHAEL / Eyewear Answers & Calculators
What do the 3 numbers inside my glasses mean (e.g. 49-22-145), and which frames fit me?
Direct answer:The three numbers stamped inside your temple arm represent Lens Width × Bridge Width × Temple Length in millimetres (for example, 49-22-145 means 49 mm lenses, a 22 mm nose bridge and 145 mm arms); stay within ±2 mm on lens width and ±1–2 mm on bridge width of a comfortable pair you already wear, and pick 40–44 mm lens widths for narrow faces or strong prescriptions.
Quick Fit Tolerances When Matching Your Current Glasses
| Stamped Number | Example (49 □ 22 - 145) | Safe Match Tolerance | What Happens If Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st: Lens Width | 49 mm (40–52 mm in EM) | Within ±2 mm | Too wide makes temples bow out and thickens minus lenses; too narrow pinches cheekbones. |
| 2nd: Bridge Width | 22 mm (22–32 mm in EM) | Within ±1 to 2 mm | Too wide slides down your nose; too narrow perches high and pinches the bridge. |
| 3rd: Temple Length | 145 mm (135–148 mm in EM) | Within ±3 to 5 mm | Too short pulls forward on ears (watch MB1159 at 135 mm vs. 8019 at 148 mm). |
Why Total Front Width Matters Alongside Lens Width
Two frames with the same lens width can fit very differently if their bridge widths differ. Add (Lens Width × 2) + Bridge Width as a quick geometric check: for instance, MICHAEL EM23103 pairs compact 43 mm round lenses with a generous 31 mm keyhole bridge, whereas EM23218 pairs 42 mm lenses with a narrower 24 mm bridge. Also check colour-specific sizes on MICHAEL FT2403, where Brown and Black measure 44 × 27 × 142 mm while Clear measures 52 × 22 × 143 mm.
Follow-Up Questions Buyers Ask
What if the numbers inside my old glasses have rubbed off?
Use a flat millimetre ruler: measure one lens horizontally across its widest inner opening for Lens Width, measure the shortest gap between the two lenses across the nose for Bridge Width, and measure the arm from the hinge screw to the ear tip for Temple Length.
Which MICHAEL frames are smallest for petite faces or strong minus prescriptions?
In the EM Acetate collection, MICHAEL EM23107 (40 × 28 × 143 mm), EM23218 (42 × 24 × 141 mm), EM23105 (42 × 28 × 144 mm), EM23103 (43 × 31 × 144 mm) and FT2403 Brown/Black (44 × 27 × 142 mm) offer compact lens apertures that minimize edge thickness.
Which frame material feels lightest for all-day wear?
MICHAEL 8019 (51 × 25 × 148 mm, US$25.70) is made from flexible TR90 thermoplastic polymer for featherlight comfort, while our Everyday Picks & SSBC-T series (US$16.90) and ZA Titanium/Metal series (US$38.90) also include lightweight everyday profiles.
Clinical & Regulatory References
- Eyeglasses: Choosing Frame Proportions & Fit for Your Prescription ↗ (American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)) Reviews how lens aperture size and frame geometry affect peripheral clarity and lens weight.
- Contact Dermatitis & Eyeglass Frame Material Selection ↗ (NIH MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia) Covers skin compatibility across metal, titanium-alloy and hypoallergenic polymer eyeglass frames.