How to Replace Ray-Ban Lenses: A Guide for Every Frame Type

Yes, you can replace the lenses in most Ray-Bans yourself, in a few minutes. The method depends on the frame: on metal frames you loosen the small screw that closes the rim, on acetate frames such as the Wayfarer you warm the frame slightly before pushing the lens out, and on many plastic frames the lens simply snaps in and out by hand. Below you will find how to identify your model and lens size, the method for each type of frame with one of our videos, and the mistakes to avoid.

What you need, at a glance:

• Metal frames (Aviator, Round Metal, Clubmaster): a precision screwdriver.
• Acetate frames (Wayfarer, New Wayfarer): water at about 40 °C (104 °F) or a hair dryer on a low setting.
• Snap-in plastic frames (Justin, Erika, RB4264, Ray-Ban Meta): just your hands.
• Before you order: the model and lens size printed on the inside of the temple.

Before you start: find your Ray-Ban model and lens size

Every pair of Ray-Bans has its reference printed on the inside of one of the temples (the arms). It looks like this: RB3025 001 58□14.

• RB3025 is the model, in this case the Aviator.
• 001 is the frame color code. It refers to the front, not to the temples.
• If there is a code after a slash, for example 001/XX, the XX is the lens color. If there is no lens code, the factory lens is G-15 (green) or B-15 (brown).
• 58, the number before the square, is the lens size: the width of the lens in millimeters.
• 14 is the bridge width. When there is a third number, it is the temple length.

The lens size is the number that matters most. Most models are made in several sizes, and a lens in a different size will not fit. Similar-looking models do not share lenses either: the RB4263, RB4264 and RB4265 are replaced in exactly the same way, but each one has its own lens. If your reference starts with RX instead of RB, it is an eyeglass frame, and it is read the same way.

Can’t read it? Check the other temple, because some models split the information between the two. You can also measure the lens size with a ruler, read our guide on how to find your Ray-Ban serial number, or send us a photo and we will tell you which model you have.

What you need

• The replacement lenses for your model and lens size.
• A soft microfiber cloth on a clear, light-colored table, so the lenses don’t get scratched and you don’t lose any screws.
• For metal frames: a precision screwdriver that fits the screw head properly, and fine tweezers if you have them.
• For acetate frames: a bowl of water at about 40 °C (104 °F), hot but comfortable to touch, or a hair dryer on a low setting.
• For snap-in plastic frames: nothing else, just clean, dry hands.

Which type of frame do you have?

Look at how the lens is held: a small screw on the side of a metal rim, a thick plastic rim with no screw, or screws that go through the lens itself. That tells you which method to follow.

Frame	How the lens is held	Examples	Tools
Metal	A screw closes the rim around the lens	RB3025 Aviator, RB3447 Round Metal	Precision screwdriver
Brow bar with a metal lower rim	A screw under the brow bar closes the rim	RB3016 Clubmaster, RB4246 Clubround	Precision screwdriver
Acetate	Press-fitted into a groove in the frame	RB2140 Wayfarer, RB2132 New Wayfarer	Warm water or a hair dryer on low
Snap-in plastic	Press-fitted, comes out with finger pressure	RB4165 Justin, RB4171 Erika, RB4264, RB4068, Ray-Ban Meta	None
Lens screwed to the frame	Small screws through the lens, visible from the front	RB3183	Precision screwdriver

How to replace the lenses in metal Ray-Ban frames

On metal models such as the Aviator and the Round Metal, each lens is held in its rim by a small screw on the side. The lens is neither glued in nor press-fitted, so this is the easiest case.

1. Find the right screw. There are usually two screws on each side: one closes the lens rim and the other holds the temple.
2. Remove the rim screw and put it somewhere safe. On the Aviator and on round models, also loosen the temple screw slightly so the rim opens more easily; there is no need to take it out.
3. Take out the old lens. Push it gently from the inside, over the cloth, because it can drop as soon as the rim opens.
4. Fit the new lens with the curved side facing out, making sure it sits in the groove of the rim all the way around.
5. Put the screw back and tighten it gently, then retighten the temple screw.
6. Check. The lens should not move or rotate. If it does, give the screw a little extra turn.

Step-by-step guides: Ray-Ban RB3025 Aviator and Ray-Ban RB3447 Round Metal. Many other metal Ray-Bans work the same way, such as the RB3026, RB3548N, RB3362 and RB3422Q.

Clubmaster and Clubround

On the Clubmaster, the top of the frame is an acetate brow bar and the bottom is a thin metal rim. The lens is held by a small screw under the brow bar, on the side of the rim.

1. Loosen the screw under the brow bar just enough for the rim to open.
2. Rest the glasses on the cloth and press the lens out gently with your thumbs.
3. Before fitting the new lens, run the cloth along the groove of the brow bar and of the rim to remove any dust.
4. Seat the new lens in both grooves and tighten the screw gently. If you feel the lens is under tension, back the screw off a quarter turn.

Step-by-step guides: Clubmaster RB3016, RB2176, RB3507 and RB4354 and RB4246 Clubround, where the screw is easier to reach with the glasses upside down.

How to replace the lenses in acetate Ray-Ban frames (Wayfarer)

On thick plastic frames such as the Wayfarer, the lens is press-fitted into a groove in the frame. Acetate gives a little when it is warm, and that is the whole trick: warm it just enough and never force it cold.

1. Warm the front. Dip the front of the glasses in water at about 40 °C (104 °F) for a few moments, or warm it with a hair dryer on a low setting, keeping it moving.
2. Push the old lens out. Dry the frame, hold the front and push the lens outward from the inside with your thumb, starting at one side. Do it over the cloth: the original RB2140 lenses are made of glass.
3. If it resists, warm the frame again instead of pushing harder.
4. Fit the new lens. With the frame warm, place the lens from the front with the curved side out, starting with the top edge (on the Wayfarer, the upper corner by the nose), and press with your thumbs all the way around until it sits in the groove.
5. Let the frame cool down to room temperature, then check that no part of the edge is outside the groove and that the lens doesn’t move.

Never use boiling water or a hair dryer on full power: too much heat can warp the frame, dull its finish or damage the lens. Step-by-step guides: RB2140 Wayfarer and RB2132 New Wayfarer. Keep in mind that classic Wayfarer and New Wayfarer lenses are not interchangeable.

How to replace snap-in lenses on plastic frames (Justin, Erika, RB4264)

Many Ray-Ban plastic frames are designed so the lens snaps in and out with finger pressure: no screwdriver and, in most cases, no heat.

1. Hold the frame with both hands, close to the rim you are working on.
2. Push the lens out from the inside. Press with your thumb on the inner face of the lens, near the edge, until it comes out through the front. Do it over the cloth.
3. Check the side. Each lens belongs to one side and the curved face goes outward. Hold it against the rim: the shape must match.
4. Snap the new lens in from the front. Slide one edge into the groove first, then press with your thumbs around the edge, supporting the rim from behind, until you feel it click into place.
5. Check the fit. Run your finger around the edge: nothing should stick out and the lens should not turn.

If the frame feels very stiff, as can happen with an Erika or an RB4147, warm it for a few seconds with lukewarm water or a hair dryer on low. On the RB4264 and the RB4068 no heat is needed at all.

Step-by-step guides: RB4165 Justin, RB4171 Erika, RB4147 Boyfriend, RB4264 Chromance (also RB4263 and RB4265) and RB4068. The same technique works on Oakley frames such as the Holbrook OO9102.

Lenses screwed to the frame (RB3183)

On some models, such as the RB3183, each lens is attached with two small screws that you can see from the front.

1. Rest the glasses on the cloth and loosen the two screws of one lens. Check whether there is a small washer or bushing next to them and note where it goes.
2. Remove the old lens and put the new one in position, lining up its holes with those in the frame.
3. Tighten the screws a little at a time, alternating between them, so the lens sits straight and evenly.
4. Repeat with the other lens. Work on one lens at a time: the one still fitted shows you the correct orientation.

Step-by-step guide: Ray-Ban RB3183. A special case is the RB3647N, whose glass lens sits inside a plastic ring that has to be moved to the new lens.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses

The lenses on Ray-Ban Meta glasses are also press-fitted and are replaced by hand, without tools or heat. The difference is the electronics: the camera and LED are in the front, and the battery, speakers and microphones are in the temples. The lenses are not connected to any of them, but take a few precautions:

• Switch the glasses off and take them out of the charging case before you start.
• Hold the frame by the front, close to the rim, and don’t use the temples as levers.
• Don’t press on the camera or the LED, and never use heat or tools.
• Check the reference on the temple: the RW4012 Wayfarer comes in 50 and 53 mm, and the RW4012 and RW4014 do not share lenses with earlier versions such as the RW4006, RW4008 or RW4010.

Step-by-step guides: Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer RW4012 and Ray-Ban Meta Skyler RW4014.

Common mistakes

• Ordering the wrong lens size or model. Always check the number before the square on the temple. Similar-looking models, such as the RB4263, RB4264 and RB4265, do not share lenses.
• Pushing from the wrong side. Lenses come out by pushing from the inside toward the front.
• Overtightening the screws. It can put a glass lens under stress, bend the rim or strip the thread.
• Too much heat. Boiling water or a hair dryer on full power can warp an acetate frame. On nylon frames and Ray-Ban Meta glasses, don’t use heat at all.
• Forcing a cold acetate frame. If the lens resists, warm the frame again.
• Mixing up left and right. Replace one lens at a time and use the other one as a reference.
• Working without a cloth. A lens that drops onto a hard surface can get scratched or break, and screws roll away easily.

Original or compatible lenses?

We sell both, so here is the honest difference.

Original Ray-Ban lenses are the factory lenses, supplied by EssilorLuxottica: exactly the lens your glasses came with, with the Ray-Ban logo and Ray-Ban’s own lens technologies, such as Chromance. We don’t cut or modify them; they come already made for each model and lens size. We have been a certified EssilorLuxottica distributor since 2018. Choose them if you want your Ray-Bans exactly as they were.

Compatible lenses are made by us: we cut them in our workshop to the shape of your model and lens size. They are made of high-quality polycarbonate, all our compatible sun lenses are polarized with UV400 protection, they come in a wide range of colors and they can take extra coatings, such as oleophobic or saltwater-resistant. They also cost less than the originals. What they don’t have is the Ray-Ban logo or Ray-Ban’s own lens technologies, and they are available for many models, though not all.

Our compatible lenses are cut to the exact shape of each model, but if the factory fit and the logo matter most to you, choose the originals. Both come with a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Don’t mix an original and a compatible lens in the same pair: replace both with the same type.

If you need lenses with your prescription, we also make prescription lenses for Ray-Ban; like the compatibles, they are cut in our workshop for your frame. You can compare both options in original Ray-Ban lenses and compatible Ray-Ban lenses, and see how our compatible lenses are made.

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace my Ray-Ban lenses myself?

Yes. On most models it takes a few minutes and you need, at most, a precision screwdriver or a bowl of warm water. If your frame has an unusual mechanism, send us a photo and we will tell you how to do it.

Is it worth replacing the lenses instead of buying new Ray-Bans?

If the frame is in good condition, yes: replacing only the lenses is much cheaper than buying a new pair, and you keep the glasses you already like.

Can I replace just one lens?

Yes, but if the other lens is worn or a slightly different shade, replacing both gives a more even result. Don’t combine an original and a compatible lens in the same pair.

How do I know if my frame is metal or acetate?

If the rim around the lens is a thin metal piece with a small screw on the side, it is metal. If it is a thick plastic rim with no screw, it is acetate or another plastic.

Do replacement lenses have the Ray-Ban logo?

Original Ray-Ban lenses do. Our compatible lenses don’t carry any logo.

Can I put prescription lenses in my Ray-Ban sunglasses?

For many models, yes. Look up your model in our prescription Ray-Ban lenses.

Can I get my Ray-Ban lenses replaced for free?

If your glasses are still under the manufacturer’s warranty, check with Ray-Ban or the store where you bought them first. Outside that warranty, replacing the lenses yourself costs much less than a new pair, and our lenses come with a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

What if I have lost a screw?

You will find screws and other small parts for many models in other Ray-Ban replacement parts.

Find the lenses for your Ray-Bans

Look up your model in our Ray-Ban replacement lenses, choose your lens size and color, and you are ready. All our lenses come with a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects, and standard shipping is free on qualifying orders. You will find more step-by-step videos on our YouTube channel. If you are not sure which model you have, write to us and we will help you by email.