Types of glasses frames by rim
The rim is the part of the frame that holds the lens. How much of it there is changes the look more than anything else.
Full rim. The rim runs all the way around each lens. Full rim frames are the most common type, the most durable and the easiest to adjust. They come in every material and every shape, and they suit bold looks as well as quiet ones.
Semi-rimless (half rim). The rim runs along the top of the lens only. The bottom edge is held by a thin nylon cord set into a groove in the lens. Semi-rimless frames look lighter and more open, and the strong top line frames the brow. The browline style is a well known version.
Rimless. There is no rim at all. The bridge and the temples attach directly to the lens with small screws or plugs. Rimless frames are the lightest and least visible option, which is why people choose them when they want the glasses to almost disappear. They need more careful handling, because the lens itself carries the frame.
Types of glasses frames by shape: the common names
Shape names are what most people search for. These are the ones you will see most often.
| Shape | What it looks like | Who tends to like it |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | Wider than tall, straight lines, corners can be sharp or softened | Round and oval faces; anyone who wants a classic, businesslike look |
| Square | Close to equal width and height, strong corners | Round and oval faces; bolder looks |
| Round | Circular lenses | Square and angular faces; vintage and creative looks |
| Oval | Rounded, wider than tall, no corners | Most face shapes; a soft, easy choice |
| Cat eye | The top outer corners sweep up | Faces that suit a lift at the cheekbones; retro looks |
| Aviator | Teardrop lenses, usually a double bridge | Oval and square faces; often in metal |
| Browline | A heavy top rim with a thin or rimless lower half | Anyone who wants a strong brow line; mid century looks |
| Geometric | Hexagons, octagons and other faceted shapes | Anyone who wants something different from round or square |
Two shapes are often confused. A square frame is close to equal in width and height; a rectangle is clearly wider than it is tall. The guide to square vs rectangle glasses shows the difference side by side, and the rectangle eyeglasses collection gathers the rectangular frames in the MUJOSH range.
Some frames sit between two shapes. A "square-round" or "rounded square" frame softens the corners of a square; a "panto" shape is round with a flatter top. The Beta Pitot is a square-round frame, and the Ultem is a geometric multi-cut frame.
Types of glasses frames by material
Material decides the weight, the feel, how a frame can be adjusted and how long it keeps its looks.
Acetate. A plant based plastic cut from solid sheets and polished. The color runs through the material, so acetate frames have depth, layered patterns and a solid feel, and an optician can warm and reshape them. The guide to acetate glasses covers how it differs from ordinary plastic, and the acetate frames collection shows the range.
Molded plastic and TR90. Injection molded frames are made by pouring plastic into a mold. They are light and affordable. TR90 is a flexible nylon based material that bends rather than snaps, which makes it popular for sport and everyday frames.
Metal. Stainless steel and other alloys allow thin rims and slim temples, and most metal frames carry adjustable nose pads. The metal frame glasses collection gathers them.
Titanium. Lighter and stronger than most metals, and it does not corrode. Beta-titanium is a flexible form often used for temples. The guide to titanium glasses explains what the extra cost buys, and the titanium glasses collection shows the frames.
Ultem and PPSU. High performance polymers that are very light and keep their shape with heat. Frames in these materials feel almost weightless and flex without breaking. The Ultem frame above is an example.
Types of glasses frames by bridge: the part that decides fit
The bridge is the part that sits on your nose. It is the least talked about part of a frame and the one that decides whether a pair stays put.
Saddle bridge. A smooth arch that rests directly across the top of the nose and spreads the weight evenly. Common on acetate and plastic frames.
Keyhole bridge. Shaped like an old keyhole, it rests on the sides of the nose rather than the top. A vintage detail that suits many round frames.
Adjustable nose pads. Two small pads on metal arms. They can be bent to raise, lower or level the frame, which makes them the most adjustable bridge type. The guide to nose pads for glasses explains how to set them.
Low bridge fit. A frame cut with the bridge set lower and the lenses tilted so the frame sits on a lower or flatter nose bridge instead of resting on the cheeks. If your glasses slide down or touch your cheeks, the bridge is usually the reason. The guide to high bridge vs low bridge glasses explains the difference, and the low bridge fit eyeglasses collection gathers frames cut this way.
Sport frames
Sport eyeglass frames are built to stay on while you move: wrap shapes, grip coating at the nose and temples, and light, flexible materials such as nylon. They often look more technical than everyday frames. The sport eyeglasses collection shows the WAKE UP range.
For the cat eye in detail, see the cat eye glasses guide.
Which of these shapes are current is covered in the glasses trends 2026 guide.
For the metal side in depth, the metal frame glasses guide covers steel, titanium and the alloys, and whether metal frames are better than plastic.
For the frames built from straight lines and corners, hexagons, octagons, diamond cuts and multi-cuts, the geometric glasses guide covers the family in depth.
Shop the frames in this guide
One frame from each of the three rim types above.
How to choose between them
- Start with fit. Check the bridge first. A frame that matches your nose will sit level and stay put, whatever its shape.
- Pick a shape for contrast. Angular frames balance round faces; rounded frames soften angular ones. It is a guide, not a rule.
- Choose the material for how you live. Acetate for depth and color, titanium or Ultem for lightness, TR90 or nylon for active days.
- Decide how visible you want the frame to be. Full rim makes a statement, semi-rimless is in between, rimless almost disappears.
The full eyeglasses range shows the shapes and materials above side by side.
Once you know the names, the guide to glasses for your face shape shows which frames suit which face.
Folding frames are a category of their own, with extra hinges in the bridge and the temples; the guide to foldable sunglasses covers what those joints cost in lens size and durability.
Rimless frames deserve their own notes on fit and care; the rimless sunglasses guide covers what the missing rim changes.
One style cuts across several of these frame types: the thin, light, pad supported frames known as Korean glasses, which the linked guide explains.
Two shapes have their own guides: the cat eye sunglasses guide covers the upswept frame and who it lifts, and the aviator sunglasses guide covers the teardrop shape and its fit.
The lightest plastic frames have their own guide: Ultem glasses, with the comparison against TR90 and acetate.
Round frames are the one shape with four versions inside it; the round glasses guide separates true round, panto, oval and square round.
The hinge is the one part most guides skip; the spring hinge glasses guide covers the spring hinge, what it fixes and what it does not.
The combination frame with the heavy brow is covered on its own in the browline glasses guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the eyeglass rim types?
Three. Full rim, where the frame surrounds the whole lens; half rim, also called semi rimless, where a rim runs along the top of the lens and a thin cord holds it from below; and rimless, where the bridge and temples mount straight to the lens. Full rim is the strongest and carries colour best, half rim is lighter with a defined brow line, and rimless is the lightest and quietest on the face.
What are the main types of glasses frames?
By rim, there are three: full rim, semi-rimless and rimless. By shape, the common names are rectangle, square, round, oval, cat eye, aviator, browline and geometric. Frames are also grouped by material, such as acetate, metal and titanium.
What is the difference between rimless and semi-rimless glasses?
Semi-rimless frames have a rim along the top of the lens, with a thin cord holding the bottom edge. Rimless frames have no rim at all; the bridge and temples attach directly to the lens.
What are the most popular glasses frame shapes?
Rectangle, round and oval are the most common, with cat eye and aviator close behind. Rectangle suits a classic look, round a vintage one, and oval is the easiest to wear for most face shapes.
What type of glasses frame is best for a low nose bridge?
A low bridge fit frame, cut with a lower bridge so it sits on the nose instead of the cheeks, or a frame with adjustable nose pads that can be set to raise the lenses. Lightweight materials such as titanium or Ultem also help a frame stay in place.
Which glasses frame types suit which face?
Round and soft faces take the angular glasses frame types: square, rectangle and the geometric family. Square and angular faces take round, oval and panto frames. Oval faces take almost any type, and heart shaped faces take frames that are wider at the bottom than the top. The rim type is a second choice on top of the shape: full rim adds presence, half rim and rimless lighten it.
