Last updated: Aug 01, 2024

Bra Size Calculator

Q: How do I determine bra size?

To determine bra size, you need to: Measure your bust size with a soft measuring tape — do it while braless, and measure the fullest part of your bust. Measure your frame size — do it tightly, as the frame is the only genuinely supporting part of your bra. Your frame measure determines the size of the frame (the numeric symbol of the bra size). To count the cup size, do the subtraction: bust measurement — frame measurement . The result will determine your cup size . Check it according to the widely available cup size charts. Remember to check multiple bras (and sister sizes) in the lingerie shop, as finding the perfect bra is not a science and takes time and lots of trying on.

Q: What are sister sizes?

While a popular belief is that cup size depends only on the size letter (e.g., that 32C, 34C, and 36C are the identical cups with longer band) , the truth is different. The real cup size depends on the letter AND the band length . Bra sizes with the same actual cup volume are called sister sizes . This means that bra sizes 36B, 34C and 32D are sister sizes, and have the same cup. You can check all the sister sizes in the sister size charts. Whenever you're buying a new bra, it's always worth trying on various sister sizes to find your perfect fit.

Q: What does bra size mean?

A bra size usually consists of two values — a number and a letter. The number tells you about how long the bra band (frame) is . It is system-adjusted so that it will differ around the countries. The value that doesn't change is the letter part of the size. It gives you an idea of how big the cup is . It goes up as the Latin alphabet; however, you will find DD instead of E and DDD instead of F in some American brands.

Q: How do I measure bra size?

To measure your bra size: Measuring yourself to find a perfect bra size requires having a soft measuring tape. You should be braless while doing the measurements. It is also handy to have a mirror to check the tape position. Stand straight and measure your under bust. The tape should be on the same level all the way. Place the tape tightly and exhale while doing the measurement for the most accurate results. Note the measurement down. Now, measure the fullest part of your bust. This time, the tape should be much looser than while measuring for the frame. Check it breathing in and out and see if the tape lets you breathe comfortably. Note the second measure down. Now you're ready to go!

Q: How do I measure bra size without measuring tape?

Measuring bra size without measuring tape is a bit tricky but doable! Find a string. It could be a floss, some kind of a rope, or even a very thick thread. Then, find something with centimeters or inches calibration on it. It could be a ruler or a thick measuring tape (like that used for furniture). If you're in a real emergency, remember that a longer side of a standard US credit card measures precisely 3.5 inches and typical A4 paper size is 8-1/4 × 11-3/4 inches or 210 × 297 mm. Use your string to take your under bust measurement. You have to mark the measurements on your string; you could use a marker for that. If you can't do that, just keep holding the string with your fingers when you take it off and lay down the straight string on a flat surface, like a table or even the floor. Mark the measurement with some object if you haven't done it with the marker before. Now, take an object with a known length (e.g., a credit card) and see how many times it fits into your measurement by placing it near the string. Note the value down and multiply it by your known length. Example : I fitted my credit card nine times, so I multiplied 9 × 3.5" = 31.5" . I round it up, and I find that my under bust size is 32. Repeat steps 3-4, same with bust measurement. By subtracting frame measurement from bust measurement (bust - frame), you get a difference that will indicate your cup size. Pro-tip : if you've got some 'leftovers' of the string that you cannot measure a known length, try to get creative. :) You can try to fit in the shorter border of the card — it's exactly 2 inches . You can also just estimate the rest length.

Created by Bogna Szyk and Aleksandra Zając, MD

Aleksandra Zając

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A young Medical Doctor certified International Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate. In one of the big Warsaw clinics, she's responsible for prophylaxis and medical education. Professionally interested in nutrition, exercise, and mental health. She wants never to stop learning and currently studies postgraduate psychodietetics. She likes to bake and play with her pets – one dog and four fancy mice. See full profile

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Reviewed by Steven Wooding

Steven Wooding

Physicist holding a 1st class degree and a member of the Institute of Physics. Creator of the UK vaccine queue calculator, and featured in many publications, including The Sun, Daily Mail, Express, and Independent. Tenacious in researching answers to questions and has an affection for coding. Hobbies include cycling, walking, and birdwatching. You can find him on Twitter @OmniSteve. See full profile

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Table of contents

Taking measurements for correct bra size How to calculate bra size Sister sizes Making sure your bra fits Wrong bra signs Bras for special tasks FAQs

This bra size calculator can help you in finding and converting your bra size to most common international sizes — continental Europe, USA, and UK. If you ever wondered how to calculate your bra size according to European charts and what is the correct bra size for you (or your girlfriend 😀), keep reading to find out!

Taking measurements for correct bra size

You need to take two measurements. Take them while braless or while wearing a non-padded bra to ensure maximum accuracy of results.

Bust measurement: measure at the fullest point of your bust with a soft measuring tape. Make sure that the tape is not too tight by breathing in and out. Note the measurement down (if you decide to round it, remember to round the number up).
Frame measurement: measure around the bottom of the band, directly under your bust. Check whether the measuring tape is level and not too tight. Again, don't round the measurement or round it up to the nearest full number.

Looking for a bikini bra size? Try also our bikini calculator to check the bikini fashion that will flatter your body the most.

How to calculate bra size

First, take your measurements according to the rules listed above.
Subtract your frame measurement from the bust measurement. This difference will determine your cup size.
Compare your results with bra size charts. You can also use our bra calculator instead :)

In the table below, you can see, how the bust-frame difference determines the cup size.

Difference (inches [cm])	Cup size in the US	Cup size in Australia	Cup size in the UK
<1	AA	AA	AA
1 (2.5)	A	A	A
2 (5.1)	B	B	B
3 (7.6)	C	C	C
4 (10.2)	D	D	D
5 (12.7)	DD/E	DD	DD
6 (15.2)	DDD/F	E	E
7 (17.8)	DDDD/G	F	F
8 (20.3)	H	G	FF
9 (22.9)	I	H	G
10 (25.4)	J	I	GG
11 (27.9)	K	J	H
12 (30.5)	L	K	HH
13 (33)	M	L	J
14 (35.6)	N	M	JJ
15 (38.1)	O	N	K
16 (40.6)	P	O	KK
17 (43.2)	Q	P	L
18 (45.7)	R		LL
			M

Sister sizes

Sister size is a relatively new yet very much-needed term in the lingerie industry. Sister size means the bra size is different from our original one, but with exactly the same cup. How is that possible, would you ask?

Manufacturers are not that generous, and they don't make separate cups for every combination of frame & cup possible. Instead, they make some cups, pair them with various bands, and label bras with sizes. But counterintuitively, they don't label the same cups with the same letter — instead, they prefer to go one frame size down and one cup size up (or the other way around).

If that sounds complicated, don't worry. Take a look at the tables — all the bra sizes on the same row have the same size cup.

Sister sizes in the US chart

Same row = same cup size
28A
30A	28B
32A	30B	28C
34A	32B	30C	28D
36A	34B	32C	30D	28E
38A	36B	34C	32D	30E	28F
40A	38B	36C	34D	32E	30F
42A	40B	38C	36D	34E	32F
44A	42B	40C	38D	36E	34F
	44B	42C	40D	38E	36F
		44C	42D	40E	38F
			44D	42E	40F
				44E	42F
					44F

Sister sizes in Europe chart

Same row = same cup size
65	70	75	80	85	90	95	100
65AA
65A	70AA
65B	70A	75AA
65D	70C	75B	80A	85AA
65E	70D	75C	80B	85A	90AA
65F	70E	75D	80C	85B	90A	95AA
65G	70F	75E	80D	85C	90B	95A	100AA
65H	70G	75F	80E	85D	90C	95B	100A
65I	70H	75G	80F	85E	90D	95C	100B
65J	70I	75H	80G	85F	90E	95D	100C
65K	70J	75I	80H	85G	90F	95E	100D
	70K	75J	80I	85H	90G	95F	100E
		75K	80J	85I	90H	95G	100F
			80K	85J	90I	95H	100G
				85K	90J	95I	100H
					90K	95J	100I
						95K	100J
							100K

Making sure your bra fits

Even if you have used our correct bra size calculator to find the proper size, it does not guarantee that every bra will fit. Use these tips to make sure you never buy a bad bra again!

Begin with putting your bra on properly. Bend forward at the waist, then put on the bra and hook it.
Adjust the band to make sure that the back of the bra is leveled with the front.
You should be able to slide only one finger underneath the band. If it is looser, you should try on a smaller size.
After you tighten the band, shorten the straps.
Put on a close-fitting shirt over the bra to examine how it looks beneath clothing for a final check.
Choose a bra that fits perfectly when you secure the last hook. Your bra will loosen in time, so you can make it fit again by using the inner hooks later.

Wrong bra signs

Taking measurements is only the beginning, but nothing works better than your own experience. So, before buying a bra, we highly recommend you try it on. The cups may be a different shape to what you're used to, the styles may make the bra sizes uneven — even among the same bra brand!
Check out this list — if you experience one or more of these signs, you're probably wearing the wrong size bra, or it is wrongly adjusted.

Red marks on the skin — either from straps or underwires. The first case means that either the straps are pulled too tight, or the band of the bra doesn't support your bust enough. If an underwire pokes your skin, the cup is way too small.
Breasts spill from the bra — the cup is too small.
The cup sticks out — either the cup is too big, or this is not your bra type.
The band moves up on your back — the band is too loose. To offer support, the band needs to sit in one fixed position just under your bust.
The band feels tight — it's either the band is too tight, or the cup is too small. Try going a cup up first.
You suffer from back or neck pain — red flag! Your bra is not supporting your breasts at all. Try to adjust it as much as you can, but there is a 99% chance you'll need to buy a new one. Try our calculator first, or get a professional bra fitting in order to be as satisfied as possible with your purchase!

Bras for special tasks

Know your size already? Perfect! Now take a look at the most popular bra types and what they can offer to you.

I want to...
Rock my attire tonight	Push-up
	Cage
	Stick-on
Get comfy	Non-padded bra
Get comfy	Wireless
Get special support	Sports bra
Get special support	Maternity bra

After capturing the perfect bra, there's time for perfect, made-to-measure clothes as well. Try our circle skirt and pleated skirt calculator; if you're into sewing your own clothes.

FAQs

How do I determine bra size?

To determine bra size, you need to:

Measure your bust size with a soft measuring tape — do it while braless, and measure the fullest part of your bust.
Measure your frame size — do it tightly, as the frame is the only genuinely supporting part of your bra.
Your frame measure determines the size of the frame (the numeric symbol of the bra size).
To count the cup size, do the subtraction: bust measurement — frame measurement.
The result will determine your cup size. Check it according to the widely available cup size charts.
Remember to check multiple bras (and sister sizes) in the lingerie shop, as finding the perfect bra is not a science and takes time and lots of trying on.

What are sister sizes?

While a popular belief is that cup size depends only on the size letter (e.g., that 32C, 34C, and 36C are the identical cups with longer band), the truth is different. The real cup size depends on the letter AND the band length. Bra sizes with the same actual cup volume are called sister sizes. This means that bra sizes 36B, 34C and 32D are sister sizes, and have the same cup.

You can check all the sister sizes in the sister size charts.

Whenever you're buying a new bra, it's always worth trying on various sister sizes to find your perfect fit.

What does bra size mean?

A bra size usually consists of two values — a number and a letter. The number tells you about how long the bra band (frame) is. It is system-adjusted so that it will differ around the countries. The value that doesn't change is the letter part of the size. It gives you an idea of how big the cup is. It goes up as the Latin alphabet; however, you will find DD instead of E and DDD instead of F in some American brands.

How do I measure bra size?

To measure your bra size:

Measuring yourself to find a perfect bra size requires having a soft measuring tape.
You should be braless while doing the measurements. It is also handy to have a mirror to check the tape position.
Stand straight and measure your under bust. The tape should be on the same level all the way. Place the tape tightly and exhale while doing the measurement for the most accurate results. Note the measurement down.
Now, measure the fullest part of your bust. This time, the tape should be much looser than while measuring for the frame. Check it breathing in and out and see if the tape lets you breathe comfortably.
Note the second measure down. Now you're ready to go!

How do I measure bra size without measuring tape?

Measuring bra size without measuring tape is a bit tricky but doable!

Find a string. It could be a floss, some kind of a rope, or even a very thick thread.
Then, find something with centimeters or inches calibration on it. It could be a ruler or a thick measuring tape (like that used for furniture). If you're in a real emergency, remember that a longer side of a standard US credit card measures precisely 3.5 inches and typical A4 paper size is 8-1/4 × 11-3/4 inches or 210 × 297 mm.
Use your string to take your under bust measurement. You have to mark the measurements on your string; you could use a marker for that. If you can't do that, just keep holding the string with your fingers when you take it off and lay down the straight string on a flat surface, like a table or even the floor. Mark the measurement with some object if you haven't done it with the marker before.
Now, take an object with a known length (e.g., a credit card) and see how many times it fits into your measurement by placing it near the string. Note the value down and multiply it by your known length.

Example: I fitted my credit card nine times, so I multiplied 9 × 3.5" = 31.5". I round it up, and I find that my under bust size is 32.
Repeat steps 3-4, same with bust measurement.
By subtracting frame measurement from bust measurement (bust - frame), you get a difference that will indicate your cup size.
Pro-tip: if you've got some 'leftovers' of the string that you cannot measure a known length, try to get creative. :) You can try to fit in the shorter border of the card — it's exactly 2 inches. You can also just estimate the rest length.

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