Sunglasses Parts Diagram - Complete Visual Guide

Understanding the different parts of your sunglasses makes it easier to identify what needs repair or replacement. This comprehensive guide covers all the components of eyeglass frames, from temples to nose pads, with the correct terminology used by opticians and frame manufacturers.

Main Frame Components

Front Frame (Frame Front)

The main part of the sunglasses that holds the lenses and sits across your face.

Components include:

  • Rims (Eyewires) - The circular or shaped portions that hold each lens
  • Bridge - The center piece connecting the two rims across your nose
  • Nose Pads - Soft pads that rest on your nose (on metal frames)
  • Nose Pad Arms - Metal arms that hold the nose pads and allow adjustment
  • End Pieces - The outer corners of the frame where temples attach

Frame Types by Rim Style

  • Full Rim - Lens is completely surrounded by frame material (e.g., Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Oakley Holbrook)
  • Semi-Rimless (Half Rim) - Frame material only on top or bottom of lens
  • Rimless - No frame around lenses, held by bridge and temples only (e.g., some Lindberg models)

Temple Components (Arms/Sides)

Temple (Temple Arm/Side)

The long pieces that extend from the frame front over your ears.

Parts of the temple:

  • Temple Front - The portion from the hinge to where it bends behind your ear
  • Temple Bend (Downturn) - The curved section that goes behind your ear
  • Temple Tip (Ear Piece) - The end portion that rests behind your ear
  • Ear Sock - Rubber or silicone sleeve on the temple tip (common on Oakley)

Temple Types

  • Skull Temples - Standard straight temples that bend behind the ear
  • Cable Temples - Wrap around the ear with a curved wire end
  • Spring Hinges - Temples with spring-loaded hinges for flexibility
  • Folding Temples - Special hinges that allow temples to fold (e.g., Ray-Ban RB4105 Folding Wayfarer)

Hinge Components

Barrel Hinge (Standard Hinge)

The most common hinge type, connecting the temple to the frame front.

Components:

  • Hinge Barrel - The cylindrical part with interlocking metal pieces
  • Hinge Screw - Small screw that holds the hinge together
  • Hinge Plate - Metal plate attached to the frame or temple

Spring Hinge

Hinge with a small spring mechanism allowing temples to flex outward.

Benefits: More comfortable fit, reduces pressure, less likely to break

Specialty Hinges

  • Folding Hinge - Double hinge system for compact folding (Ray-Ban RB4105)
  • Screwless Hinge - Lindberg's patented system using no screws
  • Integrated Hinge - Hinge molded into plastic frames

Bridge Components

Bridge Types

Keyhole Bridge

Shaped like an old-fashioned keyhole, rests on the sides of the nose. Common on vintage and retro styles.

Saddle Bridge

Curved bridge that rests directly on the nose. Found on plastic frames like Wayfarers.

Adjustable Nose Pad Bridge

Metal bridge with attached nose pad arms. Allows for custom fit adjustment. Standard on metal frames like Ray-Ban Aviators and Round Metal.

Double Bridge (Brow Bar)

Two parallel bridges - one at the top and one at the bottom. Common on aviator-style frames.

Bridge Components (Metal Frames)

  • Bridge Piece - Main connecting piece between lenses
  • Nose Pad Arms (Pad Arms) - Adjustable arms extending from bridge
  • Nose Pads - Silicone or PVC pads that rest on nose
  • Pad Mounting Screw - Tiny screw holding pad to arm (screw-on type)
  • Pad Box - Metal housing for push-on nose pads

Nose Pad Components

Nose Pad Types

  • Screw-On Pads - Attached with a small screw through the pad center
  • Push-On (Snap-On) Pads - Clip onto a post on the nose pad arm
  • Clip-In Pads - Lindberg's system that clips directly into frame slots
  • Integrated Pads - Molded into plastic frames, not replaceable

Nose Pad Sizes

Measured by diameter in millimeters:

  • 7mm - Small/petite frames (Lindberg children's models)
  • 8mm - Standard small pads (Lindberg Air)
  • 9mm - Medium pads (Lindberg Air Rim)
  • 11mm - Standard Ray-Ban metal frames (Aviator, Round Metal)
  • 13mm - Larger Ray-Ban frames (Clubmaster)
  • 15mm - Oversized frames

Complete Nose Pad Sizing Guide →

Lens Components

Lens Parts

  • Optical Center - The center point of the lens for optimal vision
  • Lens Edge - The outer perimeter that fits into the rim
  • Lens Bevel - Angled edge that locks lens into the rim groove
  • Lens Coating - Protective or functional coating (anti-reflective, UV, mirror, polarized)

Lens Mounting Methods

  • Full Rim - Lens sits in a groove around the entire rim
  • Semi-Rimless - Lens held by rim on one edge, nylon cord or groove on other
  • Rimless - Lenses drilled and mounted directly to bridge and temples with screws
  • Snap-In - Lenses pop into frame (common on sports sunglasses)

Screws and Hardware

Screw Types

  • Hinge Screws - Connect temple to frame front (usually 1.4mm)
  • Nose Pad Screws - Attach nose pads to pad arms (usually 1.0mm)
  • Lens Screws - Hold lenses in rimless frames (various sizes)
  • Bridge Screws - Connect bridge components
  • Decorative Screws - Visible screws on frame front (some designer frames)

Screw Sizes

  • 1.0mm - Smallest, used for nose pads and delicate components
  • 1.2mm - Medium, used on some hinges
  • 1.4mm - Most common hinge screw size
  • 1.6mm - Larger frames and heavy-duty hinges

Specialty Components by Brand

Ray-Ban Specific Parts

  • Folding Bridge Bar (RB4105) - Special hinge mechanism allowing Wayfarers to fold - replacement available
  • Brow Bar - Top bridge on Clubmaster and Aviator models
  • Ray-Ban Logo Plaques - Metal logos on temples
  • Wayfarer Rivets - Decorative metal studs on frame front

RB4105 Parts Guide → | RB3447 Parts Guide →

Oakley Specific Parts

  • Unobtainium Ear Socks - Oakley's proprietary no-slip rubber temple tips - replacements available
  • Unobtainium Nose Pads - No-slip nose pad material
  • O Matter Frame - Oakley's stress-resistant frame material
  • Switchlock Technology - Quick-change lens system on some models
  • Oakley Icons - Logo emblems on temples

Oakley Whisker Parts Guide →

Lindberg Specific Parts

  • Screwless Hinges - Patented hinge system with no screws
  • Clip-In Nose Pads - Unique mounting system (7mm, 8mm, 9mm sizes) - replacements available
  • Titanium Temples - Ultra-lightweight temple arms
  • Rim Locks - Lens mounting system on Air Rim models
  • Temple End Tips - Silicone tips on Spirit/Air models

Lindberg Air Rim Parts Guide →

Frame Materials

Common Frame Materials

  • Acetate - Plastic material, lightweight, available in many colors (Wayfarers)
  • Metal Alloys - Stainless steel, nickel alloys (most metal frames)
  • Titanium - Ultra-lightweight, hypoallergenic, flexible (Lindberg, premium frames)
  • Monel - Corrosion-resistant metal alloy (Ray-Ban Aviators)
  • TR-90 - Flexible nylon material (sports frames)
  • O Matter - Oakley's proprietary stress-resistant material
  • Carbon Fiber - Extremely lightweight and strong (premium sports frames)

Common Replacement Parts

Most Frequently Replaced Components

  1. Nose Pads - Should be replaced every 6-12 months
  2. Screws - Frequently lost or stripped, keep extras on hand
  3. Temple Tips/Ear Socks - Wear out from daily use
  4. Lenses - Replace when scratched or damaged
  5. Temple Arms - Replace when hinges break or temples bend

Frame Measurements Explained

Standard Frame Size Format

Frame sizes are printed as: Lens Width - Bridge Width - Temple Length

Example: 52-20-145

  • 52mm - Lens width (horizontal width of one lens)
  • 20mm - Bridge width (distance between lenses)
  • 145mm - Temple length (from hinge to tip)

Learn how to find your frame measurements →

Identifying Parts You Need

By Problem

  • Glasses slide down nose → Replace nose pads
  • Temple feels loose → Tighten or replace hinge screws
  • Temple won't stay open → Replace temple arm or hinge
  • Lenses are loose → Tighten lens screws or replace rim
  • Uncomfortable behind ears → Replace temple tips/ear socks
  • Scratched lenses → Replace lenses

By Frame Type

  • Metal frames → Usually need nose pads, screws, temples
  • Plastic frames → Usually need screws, temples, lenses
  • Wire frames → Usually need nose pads, screws, temple tips
  • Rimless frames → Usually need mounting screws, nose pads

Complete Sunglasses Repair Guide →

Need Replacement Parts?

Now that you know the names of all the parts, find exactly what you need:

Not sure what you need? Contact us with your frame model number and a description of the problem, and we'll help you identify the exact part.