How to Measure Bra Size
There are a handful ways to measure your bra size, however, none involving only tape measure will give you the exactly size. We at FINALLYBRA do not even believe there is a fixed and so called "accurate" bra size for anybody. Why? Well, the bra is the most intimate piece on you and it needs to be PERFECTLY FIT! That means the bra needs specifically fit you, who is unique and different than everyone else. So the real accurate size for you depends on a lot of factors: the shape and firmness of your breasts, the width of your shoulder, the dimension of your chest, and the length of your torso etc. To make things more complicated, sizes vary vastly among different styles of bras and bra manufacturers. So the best way to find a perfectly-fit bra is to find your base size according to the following guide, from there you go up or down to find the one that fits you the most.
Important notes:
1. The bigger the breasts size, like 38D and larger, the more likely the base size measured according to the following guide (traditional band and bust size method) needs to be adjusted, like going up band or cup size.
2. The size of the bra you currently wear does not necessarily mean it is your size. It is highly recommended you re-measure yourself every half year to factor in your body changes.
You can follow the tutorial in the video or written guidance below.
1. Determine Your Band Size
Standing straight and staying relaxed ( you can wear a non-padded underwire bra, no minimizer bra please), measure around your back, underneath your armpits, and just under your bust. Please keep the measuring tape parallel with the ground and not binding. Please round the measurement to the nearest whole number.
Get your band size according to the following chart:
US band measurement (inch) convert to band size | |||||||||||
Band measurement (inch) | 27-29 | 30-32 | 33-34 | 35-38 | 39-41 | 42 | 43-45 | 46-47 | 48-49 | 50-51 | 52 |
Band size | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
2. Measure Your Bust Size
This is the part most women don't get right. Please follow the following steps:
- Bend your body forward so that your chest is parallel to the ground. The reason of doing so is that most natural breasts droop in some degree due to the gravity. When your body is bend down, all the breast tissue becomes perpendicular to the body so that you can measure the bust in its fullest size.
- Measure around your torso from the back allover to the fullest portion of your breasts. Please don't pull the tape too tight or lose, which will understate or overstate your true bust size.
It is helpful if you measure yourself in front of a mirror, otherwise ask a friend or your partner to help you.
Measure Your Bust Size
3. Calculate Your Bra Size
Subtract your band measurement (step 1) from your bust measurement (step 2), for each inch difference, the cup size increases one size, see the following chart:
US cup size | A | B | C | D | E (DD) | F(DDD) | G(DDDD) | H |
Difference (inch) = Bust Measurement - Band Measurement | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Example:
- Step 1: 36" band measurement = 38 band size
- Step 2: 40" bust measurement
- Step 3: 40" - 36" = 4" or D cup size
- Your size is probably a 38D
Note: The cup size calculation starts getting inaccurate at 4 inches larger than your band measurement. If you have pendulous breasts, your measurement will most likely be inaccurate.