How it works
Bra size is two measurements: the band, which goes around the ribcage under the bust, and the cup, which is the difference between the bust measurement and the band.
- Measure snugly under the bust, level all the way round — that is the band.
- Measure loosely around the fullest part of the bust.
- Subtract the band from the bust: each inch of difference is one cup size (1 in = A, 2 in = B, 3 in = C, and so on).
| Bust − band | Cup (US) | Cup (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | A | A |
| 2 in | B | B |
| 3 in | C | C |
| 4 in | D | D |
| 5 in | DD | DD |
| 6 in | DDD / F | E |
| 7 in | G | F |
| 8 in | H | FF |
Sizes are given for the US, UK and EU, which label the larger cups differently. Above a D cup the letters diverge, so a US 34DDD is a UK 34E — check which system a label uses before buying.
Examples
Worked examples:
- Band 32 in, bust 35 in: 3 in difference — 32C.
- Band 34 in, bust 40 in: 6 in — 34DDD in the US, 34E in the UK.
- Band 30 in, bust 31 in: 1 in — 30A.
Sister sizes hold the cup volume while changing the band: 34C, 32D and 36B all fit a similar bust. If the band rides up, go down a band and up a cup.
Related: BMI Calculator, BMR Calculator, US & Canada Bra Size Calculator.
Bra Size Calculator: frequently asked questions
- How do I measure my bra size at home?
- Use a soft tape: measure your underbust (snug, level) for the band, then your bust at the fullest point. Subtract band from bust to get the cup.
- What does 34C mean?
- A 34-inch band with a 3-inch difference between bust and band (C cup).
- What is a sister size?
- A size with the same cup volume on a different band: go down a band and up a cup (34C → 32D) or the reverse (34C → 36B).
