The most important consideration for any solar eclipse is eye safety. Why? Because attempting to view a solar eclipse incorrectly can lead to permanent eye damage or even blindness. A solar eclipse is perfectly safe to view, but only if you know what you're doing and you have the right equipment. In fact, one of the reasons we launched NationalEclipse.com in 2015 was to promote proper solar eclipse viewing safety. Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions about how to safely view a solar eclipse. Even worse, major media outlets sometimes get the facts wrong and unknowingly disseminate unsafe information to millions of people.
In the spirit of promoting safe solar eclipse viewing practices for the upcoming August 12, 2026, total solar eclipse, we've created this page specifically to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about solar eclipse glasses—which is the viewing option that most people choose to safely view a solar eclipse. If you have a question that's not answered here, feel free to contact us at . You can also visit our Eclipse Safety page for more general information about solar eclipse viewing safety. And, of course, don't forget to check out our Eclipse Store for a wide variety of certified safe solar eclipse glasses.
Q. What are solar eclipse glasses?
A. Solar eclipse glasses are specially manufactured "glasses" that you wear to safely view a solar eclipse. While the frames of most solar eclipse glasses are usually made from ordinary paper or cardboard, the lenses are manufactured from a special material that blocks 100 percent of dangerous infrared and ultraviolet radiation and all but a tiny fraction of visible light, allowing you to directly view the Sun, and therefore a solar eclipse, safely.
Q. How do I properly use my solar eclipse glasses?
A. To properly use your solar eclipse glasses, wear them like you would any ordinary pair of glasses. Put them on, with the lenses directly in front of your eyes, before you look at the Sun. Before you take them off, make sure to look away from the Sun.
Q. How do I know that my solar eclipse glasses are safe to use?
A. To ensure that your solar eclipse glasses are safe to use, make sure they are "certified" as meeting the international standard for safe solar viewing. The current standard for safe solar viewing is ISO 12312-2; your eclipse glasses should have this designation printed on them. To avoid ending up with fake or counterfeit eclipse glasses that are not actually certified safe, take care to purchase your glasses directly from a recognized manufacturer of certified safe eclipse glasses or a reputable seller that purchased from a recognized manufacturer. For past eclipses, there were many reports of unsafe eclipse glasses being sold with fraudulent certification designations printed on them as well as reports of counterfeit eclipse glasses printed with the names of reputable manufacturers. In response, the American Astronomical Society provided guidance on how to tell if your eclipse glasses are safe—and the best way to know for sure is to purchase your glasses directly from a recognized and reputable manufacturer. Before each time you use them, you should also make sure that your solar eclipse glasses are not damaged in any way. For example, lenses shouldn't be scratched, wrinkled, or punctured and shouldn't be coming loose from their frames.
Q. How do I know if I'm purchasing my solar eclipse glasses from a recognized manufacturer of certified safe eclipse glasses?
A. One way to know for sure that you're purchasing your solar eclipse glasses from a recognized manufacturer of certified safe eclipse glasses is to purchase your glasses from the NationalEclipse.com Eclipse Store. We're proud to offer eclipse glasses made in the USA by American Paper Optics, the largest manufacturer of eclipse glasses in the world and recognized by the American Astronomical Society as producing certified safe eclipse glasses. All of the eclipse glasses featured in our store are sold by and shipped directly from American Paper Optics, so you'll know you're getting authentic eclipse glasses that have been certified safe.
Q. What should I be able to see through my solar eclipse glasses?
A. Essentially, the only thing you should be able to see through your solar eclipse glasses is the Sun, although you might also be able to see faint traces of other intensely bright objects, like a bare incandescent light bulb or the Sun reflecting off chrome. If you can see anything else through your eclipse glasses, don't use them—they're not safe!
Q. Is it true that I don't need to use solar eclipse glasses during a total solar eclipse?
A. The only time it's safe to look at a total solar eclipse without solar eclipse glasses is during the very brief period of "totality" when the Sun is 100 percent blocked by the Moon. At all other times—when any part of the Sun's bright disc is visible—solar eclipse glasses must be used for safe viewing. Keep in mind that a total solar eclipse is a partial solar eclipse most of the time inside the path of totality and all of the time outside the path of totality. If you're located inside the path of totality, you must use your eclipse glasses before and after the very brief period of totality. If you're not located inside the path of totality, you must use your eclipse glasses at all times. You must also use your eclipse glasses at all times during a non-total partial eclipse and an annular, or "ring of fire," eclipse.
Q. When you say you must use solar eclipse glasses "at all times" during a non-total partial eclipse, an annular eclipse, and the partial phases of a total eclipse, do you mean at all times while outside?
A. No, no, no. When we say you must use solar eclipse glasses "at all times" during a non-total partial eclipse, an annular eclipse, and the partial phases of a total eclipse, we mean when looking directly at the eclipse. There is a very old fallacy that sunlight during a solar eclipse is somehow more dangerous than sunlight on an ordinary day. But the truth is that the sunlight during an eclipse is no different than the sunlight on any other day. In fact, all sunlight is equally dangerous if you look at it directly with unprotected eyes—whether an eclipse is occuring or not. That's why you must use solar eclipse glasses any time you look directly at the Sun, whether it's a completely normal non-eclipsed Sun or even a 99.9 percent partially eclipsed Sun. There is never a time when it's safe to look directly at any part of the Sun (except during the very brief period of "totality" during a total solar eclipse) with unprotected eyes. But, again, eclipse sunlight is no different than sunlight on any other day. It's perfectly safe to be outside during an eclipse as if it was any other ordinary day. Just make sure to wear your solar eclipse glasses any time you look directly at the eclipsed or non-eclipsed Sun.
Q. What happens if I don't take off my solar eclipse glasses during totality?
A. If you don't take off your solar eclipse glasses during totality, you won't see anything at all! You can't see totality through your eclipse glasses because your glasses are designed to allow you to safely view the intensely bright surface of the Sun itself. During totality, the surface of the Sun is 100 percent blocked by the Moon, so you won't see anything through your eclipse glasses. In fact, the totally eclipsed Sun is only about as bright as a full Moon. If you don't take off your solar eclipse glasses during totality, you'll miss the very best part of the eclipse—the awe-inspiring solar corona surrounding a huge black hole where the Sun used to be. Just make sure to keep your eclipse glasses on before totality begins and to put them back on or to look away before totality ends.
Q. For a total solar eclipse, how will I know when totality has begun and it's safe to take off my solar eclipse glasses?
A. For a total solar eclipse, you'll know when totality has begun and it's safe to take off your solar eclipse glasses when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through them. However, many people enjoy observing the surrounding landscape in the moments before totality rather than the eclipse itself. In this case, when it suddenly gets very dark, you'll know that totality has begun and it's safe to look with unprotected eyes.
Q. For a total solar eclipse, how will I know when to put my solar eclipse glasses back on or to look away before totality ends?
A. For a total solar eclipse, it's important to know precisely when totality will be ending in your exact location so that you'll know when to put your solar eclipse glasses back on or to look away before totality ends and the first brightness of the exposed Sun is revealed. To determine local details for any total solar eclipse, including the precise start time, end time, and duration of totality for your exact location, use the interactive eclipse maps developed by Xavier Jubier. You should also allow for a very generous margin of error to ensure that you are no longer looking with unprotected eyes when totality ends (and keep in mind that your clock or watch may not be in sync with astronomical time!). Additionally, NASA advises that you should pay careful attention to the edge of the Moon opposite of where the Sun last appeared. When you start to notice a very slight crescent-shaped brightening, you'll know that totality is coming to an end. This is your signal to look away or put your eclipse glasses back on before the first flash of exposed sunlight.
Q. Can children use solar eclipse glasses?
A. Yes, children can use solar eclipse glasses, assuming the glasses fit on the child's face and stay in place. Of course, children should always be supervised by a responsible adult when using eclipse glasses.
Q. I have a pair of solar eclipse glasses from a past eclipse. Can I use them again during an upcoming eclipse?
A. While we'd like to provide you with a straightforward answer to this question, there doesn't seem to be complete agreement among the various experts on whether solar eclipse glasses should be reused. It also depends on exactly how old the glasses are and who manufactured them. Of course, if the glasses are damaged in any way, you shouldn't use them anymore. And, as already mentioned, there were a lot of fake and counterfeit glasses distributed for past eclipses that were "bad" to begin with. The best advice we can offer is to get a fresh pair of certified safe solar eclipse glasses for each new eclipse, just in case. That way, you won't have to worry that your glasses have become damaged or degraded since the first time you used them.
Q. I've heard that it's not safe to look at the Sun with my solar eclipse glasses for more than a few minutes at a time. Is this true?
A. According to the American Astronomical Society, if your solar eclipse glasses are compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international standard for safe solar viewing adopted in 2015, there is no time limit on how long you can look at the Sun with your solar eclipse glasses. However, since an eclipse progresses so slowly, there's really no reason to look for more than just a few seconds at a time anyway.
Q. What should I do with my old solar eclipse glasses after I'm done using them?
A. The most responsible thing you can do with your old solar eclipse glasses when you're done using them is to cut them up and throw them out. This way, if they're degraded or damaged in any way, they won't accidentally be found by someone else and cause harm if used.
Q. Do I need to use eclipse glasses during a lunar eclipse?
A. Unlike during a solar eclipse, when solar eclipse glasses must be used, a lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with just the naked eye.
Q. How much do solar eclipse glasses cost?
A. Despite being so important to safety and manufactured to precise specifications, solar eclipse glasses are very inexpensive. The traditional paper or cardboard eclipse glasses shouldn't cost more than a couple of dollars each, and they usually cost less than that when purchased as part of a multi-pack or in bulk. The NationalEclipse.com Eclipse Store offers a wide variety of certified safe eclipse glasses at affordable prices.
Q. Are there any alternatives to the paper or cardboard solar eclipse glasses?
A. Besides the traditional paper or cardboard solar eclipse glasses, many manufacturers of certified safe eclipse glasses also make eclipse glasses with sturdy plastic frames as well as handheld solar eclipse viewers for people who can't or don't want to wear glasses.
Q. I wear eyeglasses. Can I use solar eclipse glasses with my eyeglasses?
A. Yes, you can use solar eclipse glasses with your eyeglasses. Make sure to wear your eclipse glasses over your eyeglasses. If using eclipse glasses and eyeglasses in tandem is too awkward, or if the eclipse glasses don't stay in place, a handheld solar viewer is a good alternative.
Q. Can I use my solar eclipse glasses to look at the Sun on an ordinary day when a solar eclipse is not occurring?
A. Of course! That's what solar eclipse glasses are designed for: to view the Sun safely, whether it's an eclipsed Sun or a non-eclipsed Sun. Of course, most people use their solar eclipse glasses only during eclipses, but there's no reason why you can't use them to view the Sun at any time.
Q. Where can I get more information about safely viewing a solar eclipse with solar eclipse glasses?
A. You can also visit our Eclipse Safety page for more general information about solar eclipse viewing safety. We also recommend the excellent pages on eclipse viewing safety by the American Astronomical Society and NASA.
