How bra sizes work

Find the right band size

To find your band size, put on a non-padded bra that fits you well. Find a measuring tape, and stand in front of a mirror. Wrap the tape around your body just underneath your bust. The measuring tape should be horizontal to the floor, and quite snug. The measurement in inches is your band size. If it’s an odd number, round down to the nearest even number.

To find your bust size, measure around the fullest part of your breasts. Take this measurement and subtract the band measurement, e.g. if you measure 31 underneath your breasts, and 34 around, the result is 34-31 = 3. Use the result to find your cup size here:

Cup size = Bust size – Band size:

0 = AA <1 = A 1 = B 2 = C 3 = D 4 = DD 5 = DDD/E 6 = F 7 = G 8 = H

Please note that this guide only gives you an estimate to your bra size, as sizes may vary between different bra manufacturers.

Video

Bra Size Calculator

This easy-to-use bra size calculator helps you to quickly determine your correct bra size in various international sizing systems, including U.K., U.S., and other European sizes. All you need to do is take measurements of your bust and underbust sizes in inches or in centimetres. Input those numerical values in the calculator and then simply click “Calculate” to generate results.

Bra Size Charts for Various Brands

ASOS

Aubade

Band Size Chart

Cup Size Chart

Bare Necessities

Her Room

Band Size Chart

Cup Size Chart

La Perla

Band Size Chart

Cup Size Chart

One Hanes Place

Panache Lingerie

Zappos

Claims (11 )

1. A user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising: a first cup assembly having a first center connector area and including a first through passage, and a first main strap connector area; a second cup assembly having a second center connector area and including a second through passage, and a second main strap connector area; a center connector for user selectable engagement to join the first cup assembly to the second cup assembly by direct engagement of said first center connector area to said second center connector area and for user selectable disengagement, the center connector having a pair of spaced apart engagement members including a first engagement member for engaging said first through passage and a second engagement member for engaging said second through passage, where the center connector can be removed from said first and said second cup assemblies by a movement generally in a direction along a length of said spaced apart engagement members, and wherein the center connector first engagement member has an enlarged first terminal end wider than a mid-length width and a second end and wherein said second engagement member has an enlarged first terminal end wider than a mid-length width and a second end commonly supported from said second end of said second engagement member and wherein said first engagement member is generally parallel to said second engagement member and wherein said first terminal end of said first engagement member and said first terminal end of said second engagement member are closer to each other than said second ends of said first and said second engagement members; a first main strap having a first end for user selectable slip fit engagement adjacent the first main strap connector area of the first cup assembly for quick interchangeability, and a second end; a second main strap having a first end for user selectable slip fit engagement adjacent the second main strap connector area of the second cup assembly for quick interchangeability, and a second end; and a joining tape assembly having a first end removably connected to the second end of the first main strap, and a second end removably connected to the second end of the second main strap, and wherein the first and second cup assemblies, center connector, first and second main straps and tape assembly are independently substitutable by a user so that the user is free to substitute different ones of the first and second cup assemblies, center connector, first and second main straps and tape assembly to user customize the bra system. 2. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second cup assemblies are half-cup assemblies. 3. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising as recited in claim 1 and further comprising a first shoulder strap for user selectable engagement between the first cup assembly and the first main strap at a position between the first and second end of the first main strap; and a second shoulder strap for user selectable engagement between the second cup assembly and the second main strap at a position between the first and second end of the second main strap. 4. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising as recited in claim 3 wherein the first and second cup assemblies are three-5quarter-cup assemblies for covering about three quarters of a human breast. 5. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising as recited in claim 3 wherein the first and second shoulder straps have buckle fittings for adjusting an effective length of the first and second shoulder straps, and where each buckle fitting has at least one eyelet for interfitting with a decorative object. 6. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising as recited in claim 5 wherein the buckle fitting is an “8” shaped buckle fitting. 7. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising as recited in claim 5 wherein the decorative object is a chain extending between the buckle fittings of the first and second shoulder straps. 8. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system comprising as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second main straps include a covering layer attached to an elastic layer. 9. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system as recited in claim 1 wherein the center connector includes a decorative covering for facing away from the user and the first and second cup assemblies. 10. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system as recited in claim 1 wherein the joining tape assembly is a hook and eye tape. 11. The user assembled and component interchangeable bra system as recited in claim 1 wherein the center connector for user selectable engagement to join the first cup assembly to the second cup assembly includes a tine extending between the pair of spaced apart engagement members.

2. FIND YOUR OVERBUST SIZE

➄ Measure over the bust points in a straight line to get the overbust width, this determines your cup size. ➅ Hold the measure tape loosely around the largest part of your breasts. ➆ Again, keep the tape parallel to the floor. Use a mirror or ask someone to help you.

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Bra Cup Size Conversions

Cup sizes are determined by calculating the difference between over bust (where the bust is the fullest) and under bust measurements. For example: Over bust 85 cm and under bust 70 cm gives the difference of 15 cm, which gives an European B-cup. If the under bust measurement it rounded down, then always base the difference calculation on this rounded number. For example: For measurements over bust 85 cm and under bust 74 cm the difference would seem to be 11 cm. However, we must round down 74 to 70, so the difference is calculated as 85-70=15 cm.

US and UK cup sizes are divided in steps of 1 inch, JP and KO in steps of 2.5 cm (almost but not exactly 1 inch), while the rest in steps of 2 cm. (1 inch = 2.54 cm.)

Be careful of alternative sizing. AU, NZ and IT cup sizes were originally divided in steps of 2.5 cm (almost but not exactly 1 inch). Nowadays, most producers from these countries have adopted the EU / International bra cup sizing convention which is de facto becoming the new standard. However, there are still producers using the 2.5 cm cup size steps.

Precise Conversion (Recommended)

The cup size steps (1 inch and 2 cm respectively) are significantly different and so are the offsets and overlaps, much more so than in band sizes. The Internet is filled with conversion tables that ignores this and are therefore completely wrong, especially in sizes above D-cup. The following is a precise and accurate conversion table for bra cups. It’s highly recommended to use this table over approximative tables.

Traditional Conversion

Cup sizes do not convert cleanly and precisely. For every four cup sizes based on inches there are five sizes based on centimeters. This means that some sizes convert into a several. The tables below convert sizes with the starting point of the cup steps being 2 cm (EU/Int/AU/NZ/FR/ES/BE/IT), 2.5 cm (JP/KO) and 1 inch (US/UK) respectively. Using three tables makes the conversion process easier. Please note that the precise method above is recommended.

Convert bra cups from EU/Int/AU/NZ/FR/ES/BE/IT to US/UK and JP/KO:

Convert bra cups from US/UK to EU/Int/AU/NZ/FR/ES/BE/IT and JP/KO:

If I wear a ##XX size on brand Y what size I am on brand Z?

You have to try it. If you wear a 38F on one brand, this should be the first size you try on another brand if they have the same size available and see from there.

If the brands use different sizing systems, or even worse, different grading systems. Then it will be inaccurate to make just a straight conversion to find your fitting bra. We recommend doing a comparison by bra measurements to get an idea. For example if you wear a 38H in Freya, chances are that a 85H will fit not fit you in Comexim because these two brands not only use different band and cup sizing, but also use different cup grading, so any conversion will be off.

But, what if I count the cups, could I make the conversion?

This is what Index sizes is. Read its limitations to know why it doesn’t always work 🙂

• On Wikipedia: Bra measurements for a historical overview, bra size standards and further information.

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