Purpose: This study is to prepare tintable hard coatings for plastic lenses and to evaluate spectroscopic and surface characteristic for these coatings. Methods: These coatings had been prepared by the sol-gel method using TEOS, MTMS and GPTS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy and UV/VIS spectroscopy have been used to investigate the optical and structural characteristics of the coatings. Results: Tint ability of this coating was about 2 times higher than general hard coatings. The lenses applied by tintable hard coatings showed excellent adhesion, abrasion resistance, hot water resistance, and chemical resistance. Pencil hardness was 5H and the surface of coatings was smooth and free of cracks. Conclusions: This hard coating system for plastic lenses offered a hard and stable surface that could be tinted.