How to Measure Bra Size

If you’re reading this, you probably know as well as any other woman that finding your bra size (and we mean actual right bra size) isn’t definitely clear as you might think. Your bra size usually changes throughout your life which happens for a good many reasons including having children & fluctuating weight.

Assisting women learn how to measure bra size is partly what got us here. By learning the different shapes, sizes, and measurements of thousands of women, we created bras with particular comfort and support, and put that information to use for women worldwide to match a bra to their right body size — no fitting rooms, no measuring tape, no sifting through store racks for a bra you might fit into.

In this how to guide, we’re going to walk you through step by step on how to measure your bra size in three, easy steps. The next time you shop a bra, you’ll have a much better understanding of what to look for when trying to find your best-fitting bra.

How to Measure Bra Size in 3 Steps

There’s a lot more to measuring up your bra size than just snapping a tape measure and jotting down a cup size - if only it were that simple! In the next three steps, we’ll outline the most effective method to measuring your band size, then your bust size, and finally, your cup size.

Nailing down the right – and most current – measurements for your band, bust, and cup will make it SO much easier for you to find bras that fit right, and fit you, no matter where you buy your bras. Plus, with these measurements in you’ll finally get the green light to donate or simply fling out those bras in your wardrobe that you’ve been hanging on just for the sake of keeping (bye bye bra!).

Step 1: Find Your Strap Around Size

Make sure to wear a lightly-lined or non padded bra before measuring your strap around size. Now this is where your handy measuring tape comes in. Wrap the measuring tape snugly across your front to back, keep it parallel to the floor and measure directly under your bust. Round down to the nearest even number and note your circumference size.

Step 2: Measure Your Bust Size

Extend a measuring tape around your back at even level measuring across the fullest part of your breasts, making sure to hold the measuring tape amply snug around your chest yet parallel to the floor. Take a few deep breaths to let the tape band rest on a most comfortable position (however not too loose, now!). If your circumference measures on a half-inch, just round up. So far so good ?

Step 3: Determine Your Breast Cup Size

Choosing your cup size is where it can get tricky because cup sizes can vary depending on the maker. The most accepted way to figure out your cup size is by starting with your bust size and subtracting your band size from it . then using the difference to find your cup size according to a bra size chart.

Bra Size Chart

It’s not uncommon to have bras from one brand fit well for one brand yet a different size from another brand. The reason being different bra sizes often have comparable measurements with minor variations in cup and strap sizes. Confusing, yes we agree. 

So, let’s get down to the reality of your bra size. Start with your current bra size and using the chart below, refine your bra size estimation and fit.

Still need help? Watch out for our upcoming help article that fine tunes your bra size and best-fitting bras.

Do You Have the Right Bra Size?

The sure way to tell whether the bra size provided by a bra size calculator and a chart fits to a "T" is putting it to the test. Try on bras from different brands and see if the same bra size fits you with the proper comfort and support.

What "the correct" size feels like:

• The straps stay snug on your shoulders yet don’t dig in.
• The band wrap snugly around  your back on any hook, ideally the loosest one. Ideally, you should be able to slide one finger underneath with enough room.

• The cups comfortably cover your breasts with no overflow or gaps.
• The underwire sits comfortably under your breasts. 

Or in reverse, you can look at it on the opposite side and determine whether you have the wrong bra size based on the tell-tale signs of a bad bra size. Namely gaps or overflow in cups, straps and bands that are either too tight or too loose, around band riding up, or hanging etc. 

What "a wrong bra" feels like:

• The straps dig into your shoulders leaving painful marks, or slide off, especially if they’re adjusted to the tightest fit.

• The band feels too tight or loose. A big no-no if it squeezes or rides up on the largest hook or slides around on the tightest hook.

• Your breasts overflow out of the cups or the cups have gaps.
• The underwire sits on top of your breasts is not only uncomfortable, but defeats the very purpose of an underwire!

Either way, it won’t take you long to know if you’ve got the right or wrong bra size. Good bras are comfortable and supportive. Definitely, there are plethora of good bras out there, but beyond comfort and support, the best bras must also be available in a wide range of big sizes, styles, and designed for versatility – which these days are hard to come by if you don’t know where to look.