How to order contacts online

Ordering contacts online is one of those things that can feel more complicated than it actually is. It’s a lot like online shopping for anything else — find what you need, confirm a few details, and let us handle the rest. The biggest thing to know upfront: you’ll need a valid contact lens prescription. After that, the whole process takes just a few minutes. 

Here’s a quick look at how to order contacts online: 

1. Have a valid, unexpired contact lens prescription 
2. Search for your lens brand or type 
3. Select your prescription details 
4. Submit your prescription for verification 
5. Choose your quantity and check out 

Sound doable? Let’s walk through each step. 

Step 1: Make sure your prescription is valid 

Before anything else, you’ll need a current contact lens prescription from a licensed eye care provider. Contact lens prescriptions are different from glasses prescriptions (they include measurements like base curve and diameter), and most expire after one to two years depending on your state. If you don’t have your prescription available, we’ll reach out and confirm it with your eye doctor before shipping your order. 

If yours has lapsed, no worries. You can renew it from home with ExpressExam, our online vision exam. It takes about ten minutes and costs significantly less than the $150 average in-office visit. Once a licensed eye doctor in your state reviews your results and approves a renewal, you’re good to go. 

Step 2: Find your contacts 

Head to 1-800 Contacts and search for your lens brand by name, or browse by type (daily, weekly, monthly, toric, multifocal, and more). TIP: If you’re not sure what your prescription is, all the prescription details are on the side of your contact lens box. 

Step 3: Enter your prescription details 

Once you’ve selected your lens, you’ll enter the details from your prescription. This typically includes: 

• Power (also called sphere or SPH) 
• Base curve (BC) 
• Diameter (DIA)
• Cylinder and axis (for toric lenses) 
• Add power (for multifocal lenses) 

Don’t forget — you’ll enter details for each eye separately. Most prescriptions list the right eye (OD) first, then the left eye (OS). If you need help reading your contact lens prescription, we have a dedicated page on our website to show you how. 

Step 4: Submit your prescription 

To verify your order, we’ll need to confirm your prescription. You have a few easy options: 

• Upload a photo of your prescription 

Make sure it’s a clear photo of the entire piece of paper. 

• Enter the prescription details manually  

Then we’ll reach out and confirm your order with your eye care provider before shipping. 

All contact lens retailers are legally required to verify prescriptions before fulfilling an order. 

Step 5: Choose your quantity and check out 

Once your prescription details are in, you can choose how many boxes to order. Buying a larger supply upfront (like a six-month or annual supply) almost always unlocks better per-lens pricing and potential rebates. Plus, you won’t have to remember to reorder as often. Future you will be grateful. 

At checkout, you can pay with FSA or HSA funds and/or look up and apply your vision insurance benefits. We offer free shipping on every order, a best-price guarantee, and you can exchange your contacts for free if your prescription ever changes. 

What do you need to order contacts online? 

The short answer: a valid prescription and a few minutes. Here’s a quick checklist: 

• A current contact lens prescription. Not expired, and specific to contacts (not glasses). 
• Your prescription details (brand, power, base curve, diameter, etc.) 
• A payment method. Contacts are FSA/HSA eligible and we offer pay-later options, too. 

That’s genuinely it. 

Can you order contacts online without a prescription? 

No. All orders must be verified with either a picture of your paper prescription or by reaching out to your eye doctor. Contact lenses are classified as medical devices, and federal law requires a valid prescription for every order, no matter where you buy them. Any retailer claiming otherwise is one you probably want to avoid. 

The good news: getting or renewing a prescription doesn’t have to mean clearing your schedule for an office visit. If you already wear contacts and your vision hasn’t changed significantly, our ExpressExam lets you renew your prescription quickly and affordably from home. 

How long does it take to order contacts online? 

The ordering process itself usually takes under five minutes. We have three distribution centers across the U.S. with over 100 million contacts in stock, so you can get your contacts fast – as soon as next business day if you upload a valid prescription (Rx) with your order. 

If we need to verify your Rx with your eye doctor, it can take up to a full business day. It’s not a problem; it just takes a little longer to get your order shipped. 

Is it safe to order contacts online? 

Yes, as long as you’re ordering from a reputable retailer that verifies prescriptions. Buying from an unlicensed or overseas source that skips verification isn’t just risky for your wallet. It’s risky for your eyes. 

1-800 Contacts has been helping people get their contacts since 1995. We verify every prescription before your order ships, ship the same contacts your doctor prescribes, and back every order with free returns, exchanges, and 24/7 support from real people. 

What if something goes wrong with my order? 

Short answer: we’ve got you. 1-800 Contacts backs every order with the Gajillion Percent Promise™. (“100% satisfaction guarantee” wasn’t enough to explain the scope of our promise.) 

Here’s what that means for you: 

1. Torn lens? If you tear a lens, we’ll replace it for free. No questions, no hassle. 

2. Prescription changed? Got a new script before you finished your supply? We’ll exchange your unopened lenses for your new prescription with free shipping both ways. 

3. Found a lower price? We’ll beat it. Show us the lower price from an authorized retailer and we’ll match it and then some. 

4. Need help? Our award-winning customer service team is available 24/7 by phone, chat, SMS (41800), or email. 

Returns and exchanges are free, there’s no deadline to return unused lenses, and we cover all shipping costs. 

Frequently asked questions about ordering contacts online 

Can I use my FSA or HSA to pay for contacts online? 

Yes. Contact lenses are an FSA- and HSA-eligible expense, so you can use those funds just like any other payment method at checkout. 

What if I don’t know my contact lens brand? 

Your doctor should have given you a copy of your prescription. If you don’t have it, you can check the box your current contacts came in — the brand name and prescription details will be printed right on it. 

Can I order contacts online for the first time? 

Absolutely! First-time contact wearers just need a prescription that includes a contact lens fitting (which confirms the lens size that works for your eye). After that, the online ordering process is exactly the same as it is for experienced wearers. 

Do online contact prices include shipping? 

At 1-800 Contacts, yes. Every order ships free, no minimum required, with no hidden fees. 

What if my prescription expires before I finish my supply? 

You’ll need a renewed prescription before placing your next order. If you’re eligible, our ExpressExam makes renewal quick, easy, and affordable. 

Ready to give it a try? Order your contacts today. Have questions? Super-nice people are here to answer them, 24/7.