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Get the perfect fit for the HTC Vive

Here's how to adjust the VR headset so it fits just right.

Sarah Mitroff Managing Editor
Sarah Mitroff is a Managing Editor for CNET, overseeing our health, fitness and wellness section. Throughout her career, she's written about mobile tech, consumer tech, business and startups for Wired, MacWorld, PCWorld, and VentureBeat.
Expertise Tech, Health, Lifestyle
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Sarah Mitroff
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Watch this: Get your VR headset to fit just right

Before you dive into a new reality with the HTC Vive, you'll want to fine tune the headset's straps so they'll fit your head. With a few adjustments, it'll fit snugly and comfortably so you can wear it for a few hours without it hurting your face. Here are the key steps to getting the perfect fit.

Try it on and adjust

The HTC Vive's straps are more forgiving than the Oculus' because they're stretchy, but you'll still want to make sure they're fitting just right for the best experience. Here's how:

  1. Make sure the cables are slipped into the top and back loops on the straps.
  2. Loosen the side and back straps to the loosest settings.
  3. Put the headset on from back to front, making sure the rear strap sits around the back of your head.
  4. Hold the front of the headset with one hand and adjust the side straps a little at a time until the face cushion fits snug against your face but isn't digging in.
  5. Tighten the top strap until it rests against your head. You want the weight to be distributed on the top and back straps, not on your face.

Pro tip: If the installed face cushion feels too big, swap in the smaller one that comes with the Vive. Just peel the cushion out and replace it.

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You don't want the Vive to leave an indent in your face when you take it off. Loosen those straps!

 Josh Miller/CNET

Adjust the lens depth (optional)

If your eyelashes are hitting the lenses when you're wearing the Vive, you can adjust the lens depth. This is also useful step if you want to wear the headset with glasses and it doesn't fit out of the box. These are the three steps:

  1. Gently pull out the lens distance knobs (the gray plastic rings where the straps connect to the headset) until you hear them click.
  2. Twist them both forward at the same time to keep the distance even.
  3. Once the lenses are deep enough, press the knobs back into place.

Calibrate for the clearest view

Now you just need to adjust the interpupillary distance (IPD) of the lenses, which controls how close or far apart they are. Here's how to calibrate what you see:

  1. After you've set up the Vive and can see the Vive's setup menu or home screen, put on the headset.
  2. Locate the IPD knob on the bottom right of the headset.
  3. Rotate the knob in either direction until what you see in the headset looks crisp and clear.
  4. When you twist the knob, you'll see the IPD on the screen in millimeters.

Once you've determined the correct IPD, you're all set to start using the HTC Vive. It should fit perfectly every time you put it on and feel comfortable enough to wear for hours of VR fun.