Visual acuity
Tumbling E chart
- 1.5–4 m
- one eye at a time
- 4 min
An on-screen test is a rough guide, not a diagnosis. Results depend on your screen, lighting and distance; if you have any doubts or your vision gets worse, see an eye doctor.
Good to know
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How the test works
The letter E turns in different directions and keeps getting smaller — just like the chart at the eye doctor’s office. Letter sizes are calculated for your screen and distance, so you can compare the result with the standard scale: 1.0 (20/20) is normal.
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What it shows
How sharp your central distance vision is. It’s reduced by nearsightedness, astigmatism, cataract and retinal disease. If acuity is normal with glasses but low without them, the cause is usually optical rather than a disease.
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How to read the result
1.0 (20/20) is normal for an adult; many young people see 1.2–1.5 (20/16–20/13). 0.5 (20/40) is roughly the cutoff below which many countries and US states don’t allow driving without glasses.
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Limitations
Inaccurate calibration or distance can shift the result by a line or two. Acuity can be normal with glaucoma and early retinal disease.
Further reading on your results
Vision test