how to tell what cup size you are without measuring

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Believe it or not, at least lxxx% of women wear an incorrectly sized bra! Nigh people wear a bra too large in the back and besides small in the cups. Although sizing can vary slightly betwixt brands, all follow a basic measurement system that you can apply to measure your bra size in the comfort of your own home.

1. 

   1

   Know that cup size is non absolute. This is the biggest myth about bra sizes: that a D cup looks the same on every band size, or that having small-scale breasts automatically ways you're an A cup. Really, cup size is proportional to band size — meaning it's dependent on your ring measurement. For instance, a 32 D will fill out less volume than a 36 D, merely they're both D cups. The cup size (the letter) is determined by the difference between your underbust and bosom measurements. A 32D would hateful you have a 32 inch underbust and a 36 inch bust, whereas a 32A would mean you have a 32 inch underbust and a 33 inch bosom. ^[1]

2. 

   2

   Empathize how a correctly fitted bra should look and feel. There are a few tell-tale signs that indicate whether or non a bra fits you. Here'south what to keep an heart out for as yous're measuring yourself and trying on different sizes:^[two]

   • A snug band: The band is what should do the majority of the work supporting your breasts, non the straps. You should be able to put one or two fingers under the band, but no more. Straps falling off your shoulders or your ring riding up are signs you lot need a smaller ring; straps digging into your shoulders can be a sign information technology is too small.
   • Sufficient side coverage: You lot shouldn't take whatsoever tissue coming out from the sides of the cups, beneath your armpits. On an underwire bra, y'all can appraise side coverage with the underwire: if the end of it is pointing toward the middle of your armpit, yous're good to get.
   • A flat gore: The gore (the part of the bra ring that's between the cups) should sit flat confronting your breast, without digging into your skin uncomfortably. If information technology doesn't, you lot're wearing the wrong bra.
   • A shine curve: Avoid the dreaded "quad-boob" that results from the tiptop of a too-pocket-size cup cutting into chest tissue above the bra. Instead, await for a fit that results in a clean silhouette with no stray tissue.

3. 

   3

   Be aware of different chest shapes. So what happens if you find a bra in your size, only it nonetheless fits incorrect? Yous're probably not picking the right bra cutting for your breast shape. Endeavor these solutions to common shape issues:^[3]

   • Shallow breasts: If your chest tissue is evenly spread over a wider area, with less projection, you probably have a shallow shape. (Another tell-tale sign: having chest tissue nearly your collarbones despite being relatively small-busted.) Shallow breasts fit best in balconette or demi-cup bras, with a cup that's open on superlative and cut horizontally. Avoid plunge styles.
   • Pendulous or tuberous breasts: If the base of operations of your breast is relatively narrow, only the actual tissue hangs down quite a fleck, don't despair! Instead, expect for bras that have underwires, well-separated cups and fuller breast coverage. Avert demi cups and plunge bras.

4. 

   4

   Know well-nigh sister sizes. If you lot find a bra that'due south close to a perfect fit but not quite there, endeavor a sister size. Information technology might provide just plenty variation to correct the slight differences between manufacturers.^[4]

   • Get downwards a sis size: Reduce your band size past two, but take your cup size upwards one interval. For instance, you might get from a 36 C to a 34 D.
   • Go upwardly a sister size: Increase your band size by two, merely go down ane loving cup size. For instance, you lot might get from a 36 C to a 38 B.
   • Once yous find your true bra size, some women may still chose a sis size in certain scenarios, such every bit with a difficult to detect bra size. If you lot chose to do this, know that going upward or downwardly by more than one size usually results in a band that is much as well big or also pocket-size.

5. 

   5

   Navigate different fitting styles. Currently, there are two different bra plumbing equipment styles (outlined below). The modern measurement is beingness adopted by more manufacturers, though some still apply the traditional style. Unfortunately, it's hard to know which arrangement private designers and labels use. Here'southward how to hedge your bets:^[five]

   • If yous're trying on bras in a store, it'southward a good idea to know what your size is for both styles.
   • If you're ordering online, effort to find a site that has a flexible return policy.

6. 

   vi

   Be wary of professional fittings. Asking for a seasoned professional to measure y'all is a great thought if you're starting from square ane — she'll probably be able to suggest cuts and styles that could work for y'all. Still, existence fitted comes with a few caveats:

   • Avoid stores that carry a limited range. A fitter at one of these shops might endeavour to incorrectly sell you a size that they have on-hand, instead of your true size. Before yous commit to a plumbing equipment, brand sure the store carries smaller band sizes (such as 28 and thirty) and larger cups (DDD and up). Good choices in the US include department stores like Nordstrom and Dillard'due south.
   • Enquire to be fitted with both measurement systems. That way, you take an idea of what size to try if one mode produces a completely wrong fit.
   • Don't leave your current bra on. If your fitter tries to measure you lot with your bra nevertheless on, it's probably not going to be the correct measurement. If yous're concerned about modesty, wear a thin but close-plumbing fixtures tank pinnacle to your plumbing fixtures, and simply remove the bra underneath.

1. 

   1

   Measure your band size. This is the easiest function of the procedure — your ring size should be fairly stable and straightforward.^[6]

   • Run a tape mensurate all the style around your body just underneath your breasts and take a measurement in inches.^[7] Make certain the tape mensurate is horizontal and fairly snug. Your arms should be downwardly. Write down this number.
   • If this measurement is an odd number, then yous should try out bras in both the size below your measurement and the size above. ^[8] For example, if you measured 31 inches (78.7cm), your band size could be 30 or 32.
   • If your measurement is already an even number, this is almost always your band size, but you may need a smaller or larger size depending on your body type. For example, if your band size is smaller than 28, you may desire to get upwardly a band size since these sizes run quite tight. If you do this, y'all should go downwardly a cup size and so your cups volition take the same book (known every bit a 'sister size'). So if you lot are a 26C, you may find a 28B is more comfortable.

2. 

   2

   Determine your cup size. Call back, your loving cup size isn't an absolute mensurate — it'south in proportion to your band size.^[9]

   • Curve over so that your chest is parallel to the ground. This is so that you'll be measuring all of your breast tissue — non just what protrudes outward when you're standing upward.
   • Mensurate around your body, and so that the record is over the fullest part of your breasts.^[x] Don't pull the tape too tightly — it should be tight enough that it doesn't evenly motility, but non then tight that's pressing into your breast tissue. Write down the number.
   • Make certain your tape measure is level to the ground. Information technology shouldn't be a few inches down your back, or you'll finish upwards with an uneven measurement. To combat this, try to measure out yourself in forepart of a mirror, or inquire your partner or close friend to assistance you.
   • Calculate your cup size. To exercise this, you'll subtract your band measurement from the cup measurement you just took. The deviation between the ii numbers determines your cup size:
     • Less than one inch (two.5 cm) = AA
     • 1 inch (two.v cm) = A
     • ii inches (5 cm) = B
     • 3 inches (vii.5 cm) = C
     • 4 inches (ten cm) = D
     • 5 inches (12.5 cm) = DD
     • 6 inches (15 cm) = DDD (E in United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland sizing)
     • seven inches (18 cm) = DDDD/F (F in United kingdom sizing)
     • 8 inches (20.five cm) = Grand/H (FF in U.k. sizing)
     • 9 inches (23 cm) = I/J (Thousand in UK sizing)
     • 10 inches (25.five cm) = J (GG in UK sizing)
     • The bulk of leading brands utilize UK loving cup sizing: AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, M, KK, L, LL. If you're shopping in the U.s. you might come across cup sizes such every bit DDD or DDDD. These are equivalent to Eastward and F. If you're in any doubt, particularly with larger loving cup sizes, you tin can refer to an international bra sizing nautical chart.

1. 

   1

   Try on a bra with the band and cup size you've arrived at in these steps. You should not regard this as your definitive size until you accept tried on a few bras, and even then you will often discover you need a different size in different brands or styles of bra.

2. 

   ii

   Put on the bra on correctly. Known equally the "scoop and dive," this is a more than correct way to make sure all of your breast tissue is in the bra:^[11]

   • After taking the bra off its hanger the shoulder straps will need to exist lengthened. Put your artillery through them and lean forward slightly so that your bust falls into the cups.
   • Spike the bra on the largest set of hooks and eyes. Don't worry if it'southward tricky to fasten, if you're trying a smaller dorsum size yous will notice that you need to stretch information technology around you to make the hooks and eyes run into.
   • However leaning forwards, take concur of the underwires and requite them a wiggle from side to side to make certain yous're settled comfortably into the cups.
   • For each side in plough, skid your hand into the side of the cup and lift each breast towards the center.
   • You will probably take to adjust the length of the shoulder straps. Slip them off your shoulders and conform the sliders so that the straps are short enough to stay in place but don't cut in.

3. 

   3

   Cheque the band size. The right band size is the smallest you can comfortably wear. (This might be smaller than your underbust measurement-bra bands are quite stretchy, specially at 42+.) It needs to be firm enough that the bra is nonetheless fairly supportive without weighing downward heavily on the shoulder straps.^[12]

   • You should be able to run your fingers around the inside of the ring, but non much more than. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to fit no more a fist under the back of the bra where your spine is at.
   • Information technology should fit on the biggest adjustment, but volition probably exist too tight if you endeavor to fasten information technology on the smallest size. Bras are designed to fit like this and so that you can tighten the band equally the elastic starts to wearable out.
   • If the band is roomy plenty for you to exist able to comfortably spike it on the tightest adjustment, endeavor a smaller band, for case if a 32D is too loose, attempt a 30DD. Retrieve that the loving cup size has to be inverse when you motility to a unlike band size - for every band yous become down, you must go upwards by ane cup size in lodge for the cups to remain the aforementioned capacity and vice versa.
   • If you find the band painfully tight you should attempt going up a cup size because too small-scale of cups tin can make a band which is also big or the correct size seem ill fitting. If going up a size, possibly even several does not work, then try going a band upwards and a loving cup down, due east.m. 28G to 30FF. However, try the first method before the latter.

4. 

   iv

   Bank check the cup size. The correct cup size should be completely filled out with no wrinkling of the material or space in the cups, just whatever spillage or "double boob" ways the cup size is also small, even in depression cut or pushup bras.^[13]

   • Check around the cups for any jutting, not only at the front but too at the sides under your arms.
   • Make certain the underwire encloses your whole breast and lies flat against your rib cage.
   • Check at the sides nether your artillery to make sure the underwires are sitting on your ribs, not on soft breast tissue. If they're cut into the sides of your breasts then you need a larger cup size. As well exist aware that if you accept been wearing a bra with a too big band and too minor cups, you may have ended up with migrated tissue, which will seem to be armpit rolls, or back rolls. This can be fixed afterward getting a well plumbing fixtures bra.
   • If the underwires are pressing painfully against your breastbone at the center forepart you may demand a smaller cup size or you could try a plunge manner with a lower middle front (this is more likely to be an event with the cups than the band.) Or you might just be homo, and it'south the shaping of your ribcage. In that case, wait for the bra to be "broken in" and see how it fits then, or go with the lower eye forepart.
   • If you think the cups might exist too modest but you're non sure, try on a bigger cup size as well to double check. Information technology will usually be obvious if the smaller size fits better.

5. 

   5

   See how information technology looks with your tiptop on. You've plant a new bra that fits well, maybe in a different size or style to the ones you're used to. Now it'due south time to run across what information technology does for your figure! If you're trying a t-shirt bra it'south as well important to make sure it gives yous a smooth line nether fitted clothes.

   • If y'all expect side on to the mirror, yous should be able to run across that your bust is approximately halfway between your elbow and your shoulder.
   • In a well fitting bra, your bustline will be supported at the right level. A lot of people detect that their clothes fit a lot better, and they discover a waist that could never be seen before! If your bustline had previously been quite low because of a poorly supporting bra, you may even discover that y'all demand to wear a smaller apparel size.
   • A fitted t-shirt will show up any bulges from cups which are likewise small-scale, and likewise a moulded bra that is not filled out will bear witness lines at the bosom where the edge of the cups are visible. It'south likewise useful to make certain that the colour of your bra is non showing through a thin or light coloured pinnacle - if you lot need to make your bra invisible, go for seamless cups which match your own peel colour rather than the color of your acme.
   • Information technology is a mutual concern that wearing a smaller band size will brand a large bulge around your dorsum. However, these bulges are really acquired by the dorsum of the bra riding upward when information technology is as well large. You should find that when the ring sits lower at the back, it fits firmly and remains horizontal, rather than pushing upwards creating a bulge.

1. 

   1

   Measure your band size. Wrap a tape measure effectually your ribcage, just beneath where your breast tissue ends. Then:^[fourteen]

   • If the measurement is fifty-fifty: Add together 4 inches (10 centimeters).
   • If the measurement is odd: Add 5 inches (12.five centimeters).
   • Exist aware that almost brands no longer use this band measurement organization. The "add 4" method was popularized past Warners in the 1930s when bra design was in its infancy and it simply doesn't work with modern bras.^[xv] Still, it's skilful to be aware that information technology's out at that place.

2. 

   ii

   Mensurate your cup size. Stay continuing up, and wrap the tape measure out effectually the fullest part of your breasts. (Keep the record every bit horizontal as possible — make sure that information technology's not sagging effectually your back.) Subtract your band size from this new number to calculate your cup size:^[16]

   • Less than 1 inch = AA
   • 1 inch (ii.5 cm) = A
   • ii inches (5 cm) = B
   • 3 inches (7.5 cm) = C
   • 4 inches (ten cm) = D
   • 5 inches (12.5 cm) = DD
   • half dozen inches (xv cm) = DDD (Eastward in Britain sizing)
   • 7 inches (xviii cm) = DDDD/F (F in United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland sizing)
   • viii inches (20.5) = G/H (FF in UK sizing)
   • 9 inches (23 cm) = I/J (1000 in United kingdom sizing)
   • ten inches (25.v cm) = J (GG in UK sizing)

Add New Question

• Question

  How practice I measure my bosom for a clothes?

  

  Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, minor business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of nuptials dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.

  

  Couture Conjugal Designer

  Expert Answer

  Clothing a bra that is unpadded and measure higher up your bust (the tape will be in your armpits), at the fullest part of your bust, and so below your bust.

• Question

  I'thousand 12 and I accept to figure out this whole bra plumbing fixtures thing myself. Is it normal to be a B loving cup at my age?

  

  Yes, that is certainly possible.

• Question

  How do I measure my bra size without a flexible measuring record?

  

  Get a ribbon and mark your measurements, then y'all tin can measure out the ribbon with a yardstick or steel tape measure.

• Question

  I have a very long torso (I'm tall). How do I size for this?

  

  The length of your torso shouldn't matter considering yous will exist measuring around yourself horizontally.

• Question

  What if I am bigger going around my back than I am in cup size?

  

  You lot tin design customized bras online according to your size and height. Google "custom bras."

• Question

  I accept never bought a bra before. What should I do?

  

  Go to a store that specializes in lingerie. Then you can ask an attendant for assistance without beingness embarrassed because they size people every day.

• Question

  My measurement nether my bra is xxx and across the bra is 32. What size bra do I need?

  

  Qwerty98

  Community Reply

  You could try a 30B or a 32A. Try both on and get the i that's most comfy.

• Question

  I've never brought a bra before and don't take a tape measure. If at that place some other way to measure?

  

  Yous should but invest in a tape measure. In the meantime, you tin can go to a store that sells bras and get a professional measurement.

• Question

  How do I know if my sports bra is too small?

  

  If it hurts or leaves red marks on your skin, it is too small-scale.

• Question

  What should I exercise if I am embarrassed to inquire for a bra?

  

  Don't exist embarrassed. Information technology'south a totally normal development. 1 piece of cake manner is to only wait until you are out shopping with your parent and start looking at them. They volition probably take the cue and ask y'all if you want to go one.

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VideoRead Video Transcript

• If you want your bras to last and keep their fit, never vesture the same bra two days in a row, even if information technology has been done. You lot should have at least three bras which you tin wash and wear in rotation, assuasive the elastic to fully recover before information technology is put nether stress again.

• A well-fitted bra should provide 90 percent of the support from the band, and the straps the remaining 10 per centum.

• Do non expect to need the same size in every manner of bra, or to able to purchase whatever bra in your "truthful size" without having to try it on. Different styles will conform different breast shapes, and then two women who article of clothing the aforementioned size in 1 bra might need different sizes in another bra.

• If yous have uneven cup sizes, go with the bigger side. Y'all tin support the smaller breast past making that shoulder strap slightly shorter. If you take a significant size difference, at that place's ever the pick of wearing a silicone bra insert or removable padding in the smaller side.

• Ignore anyone who tries to tell your definitive size from your measurements alone - peculiarly if they tell you lot to add several inches to your underbust measurement. Just like dress sizes, bra sizing has inverse over the years, and the quondam method does not work for mod bras.

• This is merely to requite you a rough idea of what size to try on kickoff - the fit is more than important than the number on the tape measure. Because women are all different shapes, ii women with the same measurements volition often need a very different bra size.

• D+ cups will do good from bras with seams. The reinforced side panels will provide a narrower look, thus slimming your torso.

• Many bra companies like to pretend that sub-28 sizes exercise non be. However, many women actually do wear bra bands sized 20, 22, 24, and 26. Some even smaller. Keep in listen, the fabric will stretch. Unfortunately, because the bra companies similar to pretend that smaller bands exercise not exist since it is more profitable to them, it is about impossible to find those sizes. A rixie clip may work to tighten the band. Your best bets are to go a bra altered, which may not piece of work because of the wires and how they might then dig in to your trunk. If you have a bra tailored, become a bra that is up ane band size and downward two cup sizes. As band and cups are proportionate to one another, a cup on a larger band volition have larger wires. This is why you will want the smaller cups, for the smaller wires. *Cup sizes to a higher place D tend to vary significantly between manufacturers, so check with the retailer or look for customer reviews earlier you lot purchase online.

• Nordstrom, Zappos and Amazon are good if you lot would similar to be able to return the bra.

• If your ring size is beneath 28, try Comexim, TOMgirlApparel, or Bosom Galore. Ewa Michalak no longer carries 24 and 26 bands but y'all may be able to get a used bra manufactured by them.

• Don't buy the wrong size or a poorer quality bra just considering information technology's cheaper. With bras you lot more often than not go what you pay for. It's ameliorate to have ane bra that fits really well, than three that are uncomfortable!

Things You'll Need

• Soft tape measure out
• Bras to effort on

References

Virtually This Article

Commodity Summary 10

To measure your bra size, beginning stand in forepart of a mirror with a non-padded bra on. Then, wrap some soft measuring tape around your torso directly under your bust, where your bra band is. If this measurement is even, add together four to get your band size. If information technology's odd, add 5 instead. Next, mensurate loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Make sure the measuring tape is level with the ground. One time y'all have both numbers, subtract your band size from the cup measurement you took to get your cup size. If the divergence is less than one inch (2 i/2 cm), your cup size is AA. If the difference is 1 inch (2 one/ii cm), your cup size is A. 2 inches (5 cm) is B, 3 inches (7 1/2 cm) is C, 4 inches (x cm) is D, 5 inches (12 1/2 cm) if DD, half dozen inches (xv cm) is F, and 7 inches (18 cm) is Yard. To learn what loving cup size you are based on the measurement you got, gyre down!

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