What Warby Parker is and how to order glasses

Warby Parker is an online eyewear retailer that sells prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses directly to consumers. You order through their website or mobile app, provide your prescription, choose frames, and the glasses ship to your home. They also operate physical showrooms in select cities where you can try frames in person before ordering online.

The company does not bill insurance directly — you pay out of pocket and then submit the receipt to your insurance for reimbursement if your plan covers eyewear. Warby Parker frames typically cost between $95 and $195, and lenses are included in that price. If you need progressive lenses, high-index lenses for strong prescriptions, or other add-ons like blue-light filtering, those cost extra.

To order, you need a current eyeglass prescription from an eye doctor (an optometrist or ophthalmologist). The prescription must include your pupillary distance, or PD — the distance between your pupils. Some prescriptions do not include this measurement, so you may need to contact your eye doctor's office to request it.

Key Takeaways

  • Warby Parker sells frames and lenses online and in physical locations, but you must have a current prescription from an eye doctor before you can order.
  • You pay Warby Parker directly; the company does not bill your insurance, though you can submit your receipt for reimbursement if your plan covers eyewear.
  • Frame prices start at $95 with lenses included, but add-ons like progressive or high-index lenses increase the total cost.
  • Warby Parker offers a home try-on program that lets you order up to five frames to try at home for five days before you buy.
  • Shipping typically takes five to seven business days after your order is placed, though rush options are available for an additional fee.

How the home try-on program works

If you are unsure which frames will suit you, Warby Parker's home try-on program lets you select up to five frames and have them shipped to your home at no cost. You wear them for five days, then return them in a prepaid shipping box. This option is useful if you have never ordered glasses online or want to see how different styles look on your face before committing to a purchase.

To use the program, you do not need a prescription yet — you can browse and select frames based on size and style alone. However, you will eventually need your prescription and PD to complete an order. The frames you try on are not the ones you will receive if you decide to buy; Warby Parker ships new frames made to your prescription specifications.

Understanding your prescription and what you need to order

Your eyeglass prescription contains several pieces of information: sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL), axis, and add power if you need bifocals or progressives. Warby Parker's website walks you through entering each value. The most commonly missed piece is your pupillary distance (PD), which your eye doctor may not have written on your prescription slip.

If your PD is not on your prescription, call your eye doctor's office and ask them to provide it. Some offices charge a small fee for this service, typically $5 to $10. You can also measure your own PD using Warby Parker's online tool, though a measurement from your doctor is more reliable. Without an accurate PD, your glasses may feel uncomfortable or cause eye strain.

Warby Parker can fill prescriptions with a sphere power ranging from -6.00 to +6.00, and cylinder power up to ±4.00. If your prescription falls outside these ranges, Warby Parker cannot make your glasses, and you will need to order from another retailer or an in-person optician.

Lens add-ons and what they cost

The base price of a Warby Parker frame includes single-vision lenses — the standard option for people who need correction at one distance only. If you need other lens types, you will pay extra.

Progressive lenses (also called no-line bifocals) cost around $125 to $150 additional and are designed for people over 40 who need correction at multiple distances. High-index lenses cost $75 to $100 extra and are thinner and lighter, useful for strong prescriptions. Blue-light filtering costs about $50 and reduces glare from screens. Photochromic lenses (which darken in sunlight) cost around $75 to $100. You can combine multiple add-ons, so a frame with progressive, high-index, and blue-light filtering lenses will cost significantly more than the base frame price.

How insurance and reimbursement work with Warby Parker

Warby Parker does not submit claims to your insurance company. You pay the full price upfront, receive your glasses, and then contact your insurance to request reimbursement. Your insurance may reimburse you for frames, lenses, or both, depending on your plan.

Most vision insurance plans cover eyewear once every one or two years and set a maximum reimbursement amount — often $100 to $200 for frames and lenses combined. If your Warby Parker purchase costs $150 and your insurance covers $120, you will be out of pocket for $30. Some plans do not cover online purchases at all, so check your plan documents or call your insurance company before you order.

Keep your receipt and any documentation Warby Parker sends you. Your insurance will likely ask for proof of purchase and the prescription used. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to pay for Warby Parker glasses with those funds, which reduces your taxable income.

Shipping, returns, and what to do if something goes wrong

Standard shipping takes five to seven business days after your order is placed. Warby Parker also offers rush shipping (two to three business days) for an additional fee, typically $15 to $25. Expedited options vary by location.

Warby Parker offers a 30-day return window. If your glasses do not fit, the prescription is wrong, or you straightforward change your mind, you can return them for a full refund or exchange. You pay for return shipping unless the error was Warby Parker's fault (such as an incorrect prescription filled). If you need adjustments — such as tightening the frames or adjusting the nose pads — Warby Parker's physical locations offer free adjustments for customers who purchased online.

If you receive glasses with an incorrect prescription, contact Warby Parker's customer service when ready. They will remake your glasses at no charge and cover return shipping. If the frames are damaged or defective, the same process applies.

When Warby Parker may not be the right choice

Warby Parker works well for straightforward prescriptions and people comfortable ordering online. However, several situations call for an in-person optician instead. If your prescription is very strong (outside the ranges listed above), you need specialty lenses, or you have a complex prescription with high astigmatism, an in-person optician can often serve you better.

If you have never worn glasses before or have significant vision problems, seeing an eye doctor in person and working with a local optician may give you more support during the adjustment period. Similarly, if you need your glasses quickly — within a day or two — Warby Parker's shipping times will not meet that need, and a local optician is your only option.

Warby Parker does not accept insurance directly, which means you bear the upfront cost. If you have a high out-of-pocket maximum or limited funds, this may not work for your situation. Some in-person opticians bill insurance directly, reducing what you pay at the time of purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a current prescription to order from Warby Parker?

Yes. Your prescription must be from an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) and dated within the past one or two years, depending on your age and health. You can use the home try-on program without a prescription to select frames, but you cannot complete a purchase without one.

Can I use my vision insurance with Warby Parker?

Warby Parker does not bill insurance directly. You pay the full price and then submit your receipt to your insurance for reimbursement. Check your plan documents or call your insurance company to confirm they cover online purchases and what the reimbursement amount is.

What if my prescription is too strong for Warby Parker to fill?

Warby Parker's range is sphere -6.00 to +6.00 and cylinder up to ±4.00. If your prescription is outside these limits, you will need to order from another online retailer or visit an in-person optician who can work with stronger prescriptions.

How long does it take to receive my glasses?

Standard shipping takes five to seven business days after your order is placed. Rush shipping options (two to three business days) are available for an additional fee. The exact timeframe depends on your location and current order volume.

What happens if my glasses arrive and the prescription is wrong?

Contact Warby Parker's customer service when ready. They will remake your glasses with the correct prescription at no charge and cover return shipping. You have 30 days from delivery to report a problem.