Are you asking yourself “what strength reading glasses do I need?”. It happens to everyone — fine text becomes blurry and you find yourself holding menus farther and farther away to be able to see. You, like millions of others, are likely developing presbyopia and need reading glasses. If you’re hesitant about whether or not you should start wearing readers, here are a few other reading glasses indicators that might convince you.
We’ve made it easy to figure out your reading magnification, also referred to as your reading power, if you’re new to reading glasses and aren’t sure where to start.
Option #1: Use a Printable Diopter Reading Test Card
Diopter test charts have rows of words ranging in text size that correspond to reading glasses strengths. If you’re purchasing reading glasses online, you can use our printable diopter chart below. With the printed sheet 14″ away, attempt to read the top line without reading glasses. Continue down the chart until you find a line you can read clearly without your glasses on – this is the diopter (power/magnification) you need.
Tip: Make sure to remove your glasses when you use the diopter test. If you have different vision needs in your right and left eye, simply cover up one eye at a time to test each eye individually.
You’ll notice that the diopter chart only goes up to a +3.25 magnification.We have found that our printable chart is a helpful tool to aid in finding your power up to the +3.25 strength. If you believe that your reading power is higher than a +3.25, we recommend contacting your local eye doctor for assistance find the correct power for your needs.
Need to see an eyecare professional? Find an eye doctor›
Option #2: Use Our Power Finder Tool
Our Power Finder quiz can help guide you in the right direction when it comes to finding your reading power!
If you have your current reading glasses prescription handy, select the “Reading and Distance” option and enter your information. You’ll need to have an “Add” power listed on your prescription for our tool to work properly.
If you have your current readers with you, even if you think they’re too weak or too strong, select “Reading Only” on the first page. Then based on some additional information, we’ll suggest a new reading power for you.
Use Free Power Finder Quiz ›
Option #3: Test Various Reading Magnifications
Prescriptions for reading glasses increase by 0.25 diopters, such as +1.00, +1.25, +1.50, and so on. However, for simplicity, some diopter charts may increase by 0.50 or by the whole number. Start by trying on reading glasses in the power that your test results yielded. If you’re trying on glasses at a retailer, you’ll want to test out several pairs that are both weaker and stronger than your test results. Narrow it down to two magnifications — both of which you see well with — and always choose the lower of the two powers.
Now, Time to Purchase!
At Readers.com, you’ll find readers in the following magnifications:
+1.00
+1.25
+1.50
+1.75
+2.00
+2.25
+2.50
+2.75
+3.00
+3.25
+3.50
+3.75
+4.00
+4.50
+6.00
+6.50
+7.00
Are you looking for something more specific? Maybe you’re in need ofcomputer glasses, reading sunglasses, customizable readers, or high powered reading glassesbut aren’t having any luck at the dollar or drug stores. All of these and more can be found at Readers.com!
Shop Reading Glasses ›
Disclaimer: Our options to find your reading power are general in nature. They are by no means an exact science or a substitute for receiving annual vision exams from a license eyecare professional. View our full disclaimer.
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24 Comments
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J.W. Bowers Jr.
Reply
What if I can’t read any of them, without my glasses on?
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Readers.com
Hi, J.W. If you’re having trouble reading the entire chart, we recommend visiting an eye doctor for additional help determining your power.
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VintageClass11
You are supposed to have readers ON when looking at the chart .
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Orangeco*ke
That’s not what the article says ?
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Sayit Strait
Chart doesn’t work. All are blurry to me and then perfect with 2.5 glasses on.
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Lucy
The chart is to be read without anything on so you can determine what strength in readers you need to buy.
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Amanda
U did it right, without the glasses. U need to go see the eye doctor!!
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Jerry
Reply
What if I can read the lines but I get headaches after playing board games or scanning articles online via computer?
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Kawaii Kitsune
Then get computer glasses, Anti-strain glasses/UV.
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corey
Get your eyes checked to learn if you are near sighted, far sighted, or both. You might need two different strengths. That is, readers for computers, which you look at from a further distance than where you hold a book to read. You’d need a different lens for reading books perhaps, if your farsighted. Don’t mess with your eyes. Go get them checked.
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Sandra
Reply
Which is stronger 2.00 or 1.00? This is the over the counter glasses?
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Melissa Geittmann
Reply
If you wear regular glasses or contacts for distance, you should have those on. You should NOT have your readers on!
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Thao Nguyen
Reply
My RX : Sphere: OD -0.50 Cylinder: -1.25 Axis 093 Add +2.25
OS-0.25 – 1.50 093 +2.25I wonder would you please tell me what the power glasses I may get?
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corey
Thao :
Check again with your doctor. You have a prescription which may correct for other eye issues, for example; one eye requires a different lens, an astigmatism, or presbyopia. Readers may not be appropriate for you as they simply magnify. Check with your doctor. It looks like you need prescription glasses, which are very different and serve a different purpose. If your doc tells you you must have prescription glasses. Ask him or her to explain why, especially if they want to sell you glasses.
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Brian Brochet
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Hi, I have a prescription that says sphere right -075, cylinder 0, axe 0 and add 1.72//// and sphere left +050. cylinder -050, axe 42, and add 1.72. Does this mean I nead 1.75 readers?
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pianist702
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I don’t have a problem with “reading.” I want magnifying glasses to double the size of my music when playing piano and to use when doing counted cross stitch. What strength would you suggest for me? Thank you
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Mario
Reply
as for computer readers, is there not any strength or additional feature to consider, except for the design, right?
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weebit
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from my eye test I need 2.50 or 2.75 it’s hard to tell. When i wear this strength (both) My eyes feel funny and hurt and i have to remove them. Reading glasses are not for me?
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Readers.com
Hello! Our optician would be happy to assist you. We also have customizable reading glasses if you find you need a different power in each eye.
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Sarah Thomas Dulis
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Hi! I need someone’s help. I wear glasses and u am shortsighted. My optometrist have always told me that my power is 50 on each side. But when I try to find on the Internet, everything is in point form (Eg. -1.50 or +2.00.) So I don’t know how to read it. Reason why I need to know this is because I have considered about wearing contact lens but I need to know which power suits me.
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Readers.com
Hi Sarah, if you’re having trouble determining your power from the diopter chart, you can give us a call at 1-800-210-3975. Just ask for our optician, and she would be happy to assist you. Let us know if you have any other questions.
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George Weber
Reply
If the 14″ is correct for reading glasses, what’s the correct distance for computer or piano music reading? I think it’s more like 20″.
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Terry Caporaso Aulisio
Reply
I got a problem. When to dr yesterday got my eye exam. Normally I have just used over the counter readers. I wore 1.75. But we just got eye insurance and thought I would use it. Dr gave me an prescription for 3.25. Went to pick up my glasses I could read but everything was blurry. Told the girl I did not want them. She was insisting I take them and get used to them. I refused, so now I have to go back and dr has to re check me. Now I am confused asked her about progressive glasses she said I could get them and my prescription would be 1.50 on top and 1.75 on bottom. I said ok, she said but your 3.25 glasses should cover it because it adds up to it. Ttotaly confused.
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Sarah
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I can see them all without any readers but my question is I have trouble seeing small print would readers be a good option for me?
