Guide: IPD in VR - Advice for users and VR creators

7 days ago

IPD stands for interpupillary distance and it refers to the distance between the centers of your pupils, measured in millimetres. In the VR world, it’s the difference between total immersion and a headache. VR should feel natural and realistic. If it doesn’t, chances are your IPD is misaligned.

What is IPD, and why should you care?

IPD is the foundation of your VR experience. Your eyes see the world slightly differently, and your brain merges those two perspectives to create depth perception. VR headsets simulate this by aligning each lens with your eyes. That’s where IPD comes in - it ensures the lenses match the natural distance between your pupils. They bend light to trick your brain into seeing depth and distance.

If your headset’s IPD setting doesn’t match yours, you’ll feel it.

An improperly set IPD can cause:

Eye strain
Headaches
Reduced immersion
A generally poor VR experience

How to Measure Your IPD

You can’t just eyeball this. Here are a few easy ways to do this:

1. Use a mirror and a ruler

Stand in front of a mirror with a millimetre ruler.
Look straight ahead and line up the ruler with the centers of your pupils.
Measure the distance. Done.

This is a basic method, not the most accurate, but it can get you close enough to your actual IPD.

2. Use a Smartphone App

Apps like Eye Measure (iPhone) or GlassesOn (Android) use your phone’s camera to measure IPD. They’re quick and reasonably accurate if you follow the instructions. Perfect if you’re lazy or hate rulers.

3. Pro-Level: Optometrist visit

For the most precise measurement, ask your optometrist. They measure your IPD as part of a routine eye exam, especially if you wear glasses.

Adjusting Your Headset for Your IPD

Now’s the time to dial it in on your headset. Most VR headsets, from the Meta Quest series to the Pico 4, have adjustable lenses or software settings. Here’s how it works on some popular models:

1. Meta Quest 2/3/3s

The Meta Quest series features three preset IPD positions. Adjust the lenses manually by sliding them into position (58mm, 63mm, or 68mm).
For fine-tuning, the Quest 3 adds a digital adjustment feature accessible via the settings menu.

2. Pico 4

The Pico 4 offers manual lens adjustment with a smooth slider.

3. Valve Index and other PCVR headsets

These headsets often have both physical and digital IPD adjustments, allowing for extreme precision. Follow the on-screen calibration tools for the best results.

Tip: Make small adjustments and look for crisp visuals with no eye strain. It should feel both comfortable and sharp.

Understanding IPD for VR content creation

Understanding IPD is equally important for VR content creators. If scenes are filmed with a non-standard distance between the lenses, viewers can feel uncomfortable. It can lead to scaling issues, making the visuals look less realistic and less immersive.

Ideally, you want a lens with an IPD in the industry-standard IPD range (typically between 62-64mm). This way your videos will look stunning for the widest audience possible, and it gives the user the best opportunity to fine-tune things to their personal requirements.

For instance, creators using professional VR cameras like the Z Cam K2 Pro can adjust their stereoscopic settings to better align with the average user’s IPD. This attention to detail is what separates good VR content from great VR content.

IPD measurements of popular VR180 cameras:

Canon VR Eos: 60mm
Z Cam K2 Pro: 64mm
CalfVR: 65mm

Note: The IPD for Canon’s RF 5.2mm VR lens is on the lower end of the IPD scale at just 60mm. DeoVR devs have been attempting to rectify this but with mixed results. Find out more at our Canon VR mod lens blog.

Potential solutions for IPD adjustment

Canon has lodged a patent for a MkII fisheye lens with an adjustable IPD which could fix scaling issues. This adjustable IPD means it can be adjusted to be wider or narrower, depending on the needs of the VR creator.

This would mean issues that arise through modding, such as losing waterproofing and warranty, not to mention the time and money required, can be sidestepped.

However, it's important to be aware that this is merely a patent, so there is no set date for when - or even if - it will come to market.

Don’t skip the basics

Take five minutes to measure your IPD, set your headset correctly, and enjoy VR the way it’s meant to be experienced: clear, comfortable, and mind-blowingly immersive.

For DeoVR users, it means sharper visuals, reduced strain, and full immersion in every scene.

For VR creators, it’s a reminder to prioritize their audience’s comfort by shooting with the most suitable stereoscopic settings.

Join the discussion at the DeoVR forum, Facebook and Reddit.