Eclipse Glasses Sold Out? 5 Safe Alternatives for 2026
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Total solar eclipse corona — the Sun's outer atmosphere visible as a white halo during totality, photographed April 8, 2024

Eclipse Safety Guide · 2026

Eclipse Glasses Sold Out? 5 Safe Alternatives That Still Ship in Time

Certified eclipse glasses always sell out 3 to 4 weeks before a major eclipse. If you cannot find ISO 12312-2 glasses in stock, these five alternatives — ranked by safety and image quality — will let you experience the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse without risking your eyesight. We check live Amazon stock so you know what is actually available right now.

SituationGlasses selling out fast
Best alternativeSolar binoculars
Budget optionPinhole projector
Free optionLivestream (any device)
By Elena Reyes Published: Updated: Reviewed & approved by Juhi Sahni, Senior Editor Editorial Standards
Elena Reyes — Senior Science Editor

Elena Reyes

Senior Science Editor

Covers NASA missions, space science discoveries, and astronomical events for Telescope Advisor. Translates complex astrophysical research into practical insights for backyard observers. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Quick Answer: What to Do If Eclipse Glasses Are Sold Out

Your best alternative is a pair of ISO-certified solar binoculars. Celestron's EclipSmart 10×25 solar binoculars are currently still in stock as of early July 2026, and they serve double duty — you can use them for the eclipse and for general daytime birdwatching or nature observation afterward. Unlike eclipse glasses, solar binoculars provide magnification, so you will see a larger image of the partially eclipsed Sun and, during totality, a more detailed view of the corona and prominences.

If solar binoculars are too expensive or also sold out: Use the pinhole projection method, which costs nothing and is completely safe. A simple pinhole in a piece of cardboard projects an image of the eclipse onto a white surface. During the partial phases, you will see the crescent shape of the Sun projected clearly. A kitchen colander produces dozens of overlapping crescent images — a crowd-pleasing effect.

If you want to watch the eclipse in real time with expert commentary: Free livestreams from NASA, Time and Date, and ESA offer multi-camera coverage that often shows more detail than you can see with the naked eye — including solar prominences and the corona's fine structure. These streams are available on any device with an internet connection and do not require any special equipment.

⚠️ Never use improvised filters. Regular sunglasses, smoked glass, exposed film, polarized filters, CDs, DVDs, or any household items are NOT safe for looking at the Sun. Only ISO 12312-2 certified products, shade-14 welding glass, or projection methods are safe.



Why Eclipse Glasses Sell Out Before Every Major Eclipse

Eclipse glasses follow a predictable availability cycle before every major solar eclipse. Understanding this cycle helps you know when to act — and why the panic is justified.

The 8-Week Mark: Normal Stock

Eight weeks before the eclipse (mid-June 2026 for the August 12 event), certified glasses are widely available at normal prices. Retailers carry inventory from the previous eclipse cycle. The American Astronomical Society's supplier list shows dozens of manufacturers with stock. This is the ideal time to buy.

The 4-Week Mark: Stock Tightens (You Are Here)

By early July 2026, approximately four weeks before the eclipse, retail inventory begins to tighten. Amazon listings show "only X left in stock" messages. Prices on remaining stock may rise as supply diminishes. This is the last safe window to order glasses with standard shipping. After this point, delivery dates begin to slip past eclipse day.

The 2-Week Mark: Widespread Sellouts

Two weeks before the eclipse, most major retailers are sold out of ISO-certified glasses. Third-party sellers on marketplaces list counterfeit or uncertified glasses at inflated prices. The American Astronomical Society issues warnings about counterfeits. This is when this guide's alternatives become essential reading.

The Final Week: Last-Minute Scramble

In the final week, even alternatives like solar binoculars may sell out. Local science museums, libraries, and astronomy clubs sometimes host eclipse viewing events with free glasses — check with institutions in your area. Otherwise, pinhole projection and livestreams are your only remaining options.

This pattern held true for the 2017, 2023 annular, and 2024 total solar eclipses. For the 2024 eclipse, some manufacturers sold out six weeks in advance due to unprecedented demand. The 2026 eclipse, occurring over Europe with a significant US audience watching online, is expected to follow the same trajectory. Do not wait if you find certified glasses in stock today.

Alternative 1: ISO-Certified Solar Binoculars — Best Option

ISO-certified solar binoculars are the best alternative to eclipse glasses for three reasons: they provide magnification, they are built with permanent solar filters that cannot be removed accidentally, and they remain useful after the eclipse for birdwatching, nature observation, and even casual daytime astronomy.

Celestron EclipSmart 10x25 Solar Binoculars — ISO-certified safe solar viewing with 10x magnification

Celestron EclipSmart 10×25 Solar Binoculars

The most portable solar binoculars available. 10× magnification provides a significantly larger solar image than eclipse glasses. The built-in ISO-certified solar filters are permanently attached — they cannot be removed, eliminating the risk of accidental unfiltered viewing. Weighing only 340 grams, they fit in any bag or pocket. These are also excellent for general daytime use after the eclipse.

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Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 Solar Binoculars — higher magnification solar binoculars with ISO-certified filters

Celestron EclipSmart 12×50 Solar Binoculars

Higher magnification and larger objective lenses than the 10×25 model. The 12×50 provides a brighter, more detailed solar image, making it the better choice for observing solar prominences and the corona's fine structure during totality. The larger 50mm objectives gather more light, but the binoculars are heavier (~790 grams) and benefit from a tripod for steady viewing.

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Important: Solar binoculars are designed for looking AT the Sun. They are NOT regular binoculars with a filter attached — they have internal, non-removable solar filters that reduce sunlight to a safe level. Never use regular binoculars with improvised filters. The concentrated sunlight at the eyepiece can shatter a filter or burn through it instantly, causing permanent eye damage.

Alternative 2: Welder's Glass — Shade 14 or Darker Only

Welder's glass (shade 14 or higher) is the only non-certified material that is widely accepted as safe for direct solar viewing. It is not as comfortable or convenient as eclipse glasses — you will see the Sun with a greenish tint and lower contrast — but it is better than missing the eclipse entirely.

The Critical Rule: Shade 14 Minimum

Only shade 14 welding filters — or darker (shade 15, 16) — are safe for solar viewing. Shade 12, which is the most common welding filter sold at hardware stores, is not safe. The difference between shade 12 and shade 14 is approximately 10 times less light transmission. Shade 12 provides adequate protection for arc welding but insufficient protection for direct solar observation.

Shade 14 welding glass is available at welding supply stores, industrial safety retailers, and online. A standard 50×110mm rectangular filter plate costs approximately $5–10 and can be held in front of your eyes or mounted in a simple cardboard frame. It will also work for the full partial phase — unlike eclipse glasses, shade 14 glass is robust enough to withstand extended viewing without degradation.

Where to find it: Check local welding supply stores (Airgas, Praxair, Tractor Supply), industrial safety retailers, or search for "shade 14 welding glass" online. Shade 14 is less common than shade 12, so you may need to call ahead or order. Allow at least 1 week for shipping if ordering online. Never use auto-darkening welding helmets — they may not react quickly enough for solar viewing.

Warning: Do not combine welding glass with binoculars or a telescope. The concentrated sunlight at the eyepiece of an optical device can exceed the glass's protection rating, and the heat can crack the glass. Welder's glass should only be used for naked-eye solar viewing, never as a telescope or binocular filter.

Alternative 3: Pinhole Projection — Free and Completely Safe

Pinhole projection is the oldest and safest method for observing a solar eclipse. It requires no special equipment, costs nothing, and involves looking at a projected image rather than at the Sun itself. The projected image shows the eclipse's partial phases clearly, and during totality you can look up directly to see the corona with your own eyes.

How to Make a Pinhole Projector

1

Take a piece of cardboard (a shoebox lid, cereal box panel, or any stiff card works).

2

Poke a small, round hole in the center using a pin or paperclip. The hole should be approximately 1–2 mm in diameter. A clean, round hole produces a sharper image than a ragged one.

3

Hold the cardboard in sunlight so the Sun shines through the hole onto a second white surface — a piece of paper, a white wall, or the ground. Hold the second surface approximately 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) behind the pinhole.

4

You will see a small, round image of the Sun projected onto the surface. During the eclipse, the missing bite-shaped shadow of the Moon will be clearly visible as it crosses the projected solar disk.

The Colander Method

A kitchen colander or slotted spoon creates dozens of tiny pinhole projections simultaneously. Hold it above a white surface (paper, sidewalk, picnic table) during the partial phases and you will see a grid of miniature solar crescents. This is one of the most visually striking ways to experience an eclipse and requires no advance preparation at all — you already have a colander in your kitchen.

Pro tip: The farther the projection surface is from the pinhole, the larger the projected image — but it will also be dimmer. Experiment with distance. A distance of 3–4 feet (1 meter) produces a solar image about 1 cm across. During deep partial phases, the crescent shape is clearly visible even in a small projection.

Alternative 4: Solar Telescope Filter — If You Already Own a Telescope

If you already own a telescope, a front-mounted solar filter is an excellent alternative to eclipse glasses. The filter attaches to the front (objective end) of your telescope and reduces sunlight to safe levels while providing dramatically higher magnification than any handheld option.

Solar filters come in two types: glass filters (threaded cells that attach to the telescope's dew shield) and Baader film filters (thin film stretched over a frame that mounts over the front of the scope). Both are safe when used correctly. Glass filters are more durable; Baader film filters offer slightly better image quality (no internal reflections).

Universal solar filters (like the Celestron EclipSmart Universal Solar Filter) fit a wide range of telescope sizes using adjustable mounting rings. This is the most practical option if you have multiple telescopes or plan to share views with friends and family during the eclipse.

Critical safety rule: Always attach the solar filter to the FRONT of your telescope. Never use an eyepiece solar filter — these screw into the eyepiece and are dangerously inadequate. The concentrated sunlight at the eyepiece can shatter an eyepiece filter or burn through it in seconds, exposing your eye to the full unfiltered Sun. Front-mounted filters only.

Alternative 5: Free Livestreams — Watch from Anywhere

If no viewing equipment is available or you are outside the path of totality, free livestreams offer the most detailed view of the eclipse possible — often better than what you can see from the ground. Professional broadcasts use solar-filtered telescopes that reveal the corona's fine structure, solar prominences, and the diamond ring effect in stunning detail.

NASA's broadcast from Spain, Time and Date's multi-camera stream, and ESA's coverage from Iceland provide different perspectives on the same event. The streams include expert commentary, real-time countdowns, and community chat. You can watch on any device with an internet connection — phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV.

For a complete guide to every livestream with timezone conversions and timing details, see our Eclipse Livestream Guide.

What NOT to Use: Dangerous "Alternatives"

Every major eclipse, unsafe viewing methods circulate on social media and among well-meaning but misinformed friends. None of the following are safe for looking at the Sun, even for a split second:

🚫 Regular Sunglasses

Even the darkest sunglasses block only 70–90% of visible light. Solar filters must block ~99.999% across the entire spectrum. Sunglasses offer virtually no protection against infrared or ultraviolet radiation.

🚫 Smoked or Tinted Glass

Holding a piece of smoked glass over your eyes provides uneven protection and no infrared blocking. The darkening is cosmetic, not functional.

🚫 Exposed Photographic Film

Black-and-white film contains silver particles that block visible light but not infrared. Color film and X-ray film are even less protective. None are tested or certified for solar viewing.

🚫 CDs, DVDs, or Floppy Disks

The thin reflective layer in optical discs has pinholes and uneven density. These materials were never designed for optical filtering and can focus unfiltered sunlight through microscopic gaps.

🚫 Polarized or ND Filters

Camera neutral density filters and polarizers are designed for photography, not visual solar observation. They block visible light but not infrared. The heat can also crack the glass.

🚫 Potato Chip Bags / Mylar Blankets

Despite internet memes suggesting otherwise, metallized snack bags and emergency blankets have unpredictable optical properties and pinholes. They are not safe.

The bottom line: If it was not specifically manufactured and certified for solar viewing (ISO 12312-2), do not use it to look at the Sun. Improvised filters are not worth the risk of permanent retinal damage. When in doubt, use the pinhole projection method — it is 100% safe, costs nothing, and works every time.

Quick Comparison: Eclipse Viewing Options at a Glance

Method Safety Cost Magnification Availability Reusable?
Eclipse Glasses (ISO 12312-2) Safe $1–3/pair 1× (none) Tightening Limited
Solar Binoculars Safe $40–90 10×–12× In stock Yes — permanent
Welder's Glass Shade 14 Safe $5–10 1× (none) In stock Yes — durable
Pinhole Projection Safe Free <1× (projected) Always N/A
Solar Telescope Filter Safe $50–150 20×–200× In stock Yes — permanent
Free Livestream Safe Free Variable Always N/A
Sunglasses / Improvised UNSAFE Variable — Always available Never use

Still Available: Certified Eclipse Glasses

As of early July 2026, certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are still in stock from trusted manufacturers. If you order now, standard shipping will deliver well before August 12. Do not wait until the final weeks when stock runs out and counterfeit glasses flood the market.

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Helioclipse ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses in individual sealed packages

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eclipse glasses sold out for the 2026 eclipse?

As of early July 2026, certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are still available from major retailers, but stock is tightening rapidly. Based on patterns from previous eclipses, widespread sellouts typically occur 2–3 weeks before the event. If you find certified glasses in stock, order now to ensure delivery before August 12.

Can I use sunglasses instead of eclipse glasses?

No. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the Sun. They block only a fraction of visible light and offer virtually no protection against the ultraviolet and infrared radiation that can damage your retina. Only ISO 12312-2 certified products are safe for direct solar viewing.

Is welding glass safe for watching the eclipse?

Only shade 14 or darker welding filters are safe. Shade 12 — the most common welding filter — is not safe. Shade 14 glass provides adequate protection for naked-eye solar viewing but should never be used with binoculars or a telescope, as the concentrated light can exceed the filter's protection.

What is the cheapest alternative to eclipse glasses?

Pinhole projection is completely free and requires only a piece of cardboard with a small hole. You look at the projected image, not at the Sun, making it 100% safe. A kitchen colander also works as a multi-pinhole projector. Alternatively, free livestreams from NASA and Time and Date provide detailed eclipse coverage on any internet-connected device.

Where can I buy eclipse glasses locally if online is sold out?

Check local science museums, planetariums, university astronomy departments, and library eclipse events — they often distribute free glasses before major eclipses. Some Walmart and Lowe's locations carry eclipse glasses in the weeks leading up to an eclipse. Hardware stores may carry shade 14 welding glass. Avoid buying from third-party marketplace sellers with no verified reputation.

Can I use a camera or phone to photograph the eclipse?

Yes, but you need a certified solar filter on your camera lens for the partial phases. Without a filter, the Sun's intensity can damage your camera sensor. Remove the filter only during totality. For smartphone photography, hold eclipse glasses over your phone's camera lens — but do not look at the Sun through your phone's viewfinder without protection.

What is the best alternative to eclipse glasses for kids?

For children, pinhole projection is the safest method because there is no risk of accidental direct Sun exposure. The colander method is particularly fun for kids — they can see dozens of crescent Suns projected on the ground. Solar binoculars with fixed filters (supervised) are also safe. Never leave children unattended with any solar viewing device.