Search for 24 hour eyeglasses and you'll find stores promising glasses "in about an hour," online shops promising "next day," and plenty of fine print. Here's the honest version: a pair of single vision prescription glasses can be made in a day. Getting them in your hands in 24 hours depends on where you buy, what lenses you choose and what day it is.
What "24 hour glasses" usually means
- In-store "same day" glasses: some optical shops keep a small stock of lens blanks and can cut simple single vision lenses on site. You pay store prices, your frame choice is limited to what's on the wall, and the offer usually covers basic prescriptions only.
- "Made in 24 hours": the lab finishes your glasses within a day, then they still have to ship. This is what most fast online shops mean.
- "Delivered in 24 hours": rare and expensive. It needs same-day production and overnight shipping, and it usually stops at weekends.
How fast our glasses are
Most of our single vision orders are made in one business day. Orders placed by 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, usually go into production that same business day. Then we ship free, and most orders arrive 1 to 2 business days later. That means many customers have new glasses 2 to 3 business days after ordering, for $79 with lenses.
| You order | Glasses made | Usually delivered |
|---|---|---|
| Monday before 5 p.m. ET | Monday or Tuesday | Wednesday or Thursday |
| Wednesday before 5 p.m. ET | Wednesday or Thursday | Friday or Monday |
| Friday after 5 p.m. or the weekend | Monday | Tuesday to Wednesday |
These are typical times, not guarantees. The lab is closed Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays.
Which glasses can be made in a day
The fastest orders are single vision lenses in a common power range: standard plastic (CR-39) or polycarbonate, clear, with or without anti-glare. These can take a little longer:
- Very strong prescriptions and 1.67 high-index lenses
- Transitions and photochromic lenses
- Frames marked backorder or pre-order
- Bifocals and progressives (we don't make these; we're single vision only)
5 tips to get your glasses as fast as possible
- Order on a weekday before 5 p.m. Eastern. A Friday-night order starts Monday.
- Have your prescription ready. Type it in and upload a photo so we can check it instantly. See how to read your prescription.
- Know your PD. If it's not on your prescription, measure it at home in a minute.
- Pick an in-stock frame. Backordered frames are marked on the frame page.
- Double-check your email. If we need to confirm a number, production starts as soon as you reply.
Is paying more for "same day" worth it?
If you've broken your only pair and need to drive tonight, an in-store same-day option can be worth the price. For everyone else, glasses made in one business day and delivered a day or two later save a lot of money. Our everyday frames are $79 with single vision lenses, and shipping is free to Michigan, Oregon, Montana and Delaware.
Need glasses fast? Read 7 ways to get glasses quickly, or shop frames now.
