How to Determine Your Correct Bra Size

A woman should know her measurements before buying a bra.

Not all bras are created equal. For one style bra, a woman may need a 36B. For a different company, the best fit might be a 36C. This is why women need to try on a bra before buying it. It also helps to know ahead of time exactly what size she needs.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape (inches)

Instructions

1. Put on your most comfortable non-padded bra. Take a deep breath and exhale. With the measuring tape parallel to the ground, measure around the bra directly under the bust. This determines your frame size. Round any fractions to the nearest whole number. If the measurement is even, add 4 inches. If it's odd, add 5 inches.

2. Stand up and put your arms at your side. Get someone else to wrap the measuring tape around the center of the bra. Round any fractions to the nearest whole number.

3. Subtract the breast size in step 2 from the figure in step 1. The resulting number determines your cup size. If the difference is ½ inch or less, the cup size is AA. If the difference is ½ to 1 inch, the cup size is A. The other cups and sizes are B (1 to 2 ½ inches), C (2 ½ to 3 ½ inches), D (4 inches), DD or E (5 inches), DDD or F (6 inches) and G (7 inches).

Tips & Warnings

• This bra size calculator is just a tool. Try on bras in this size first. If they fit perfectly, great. If not, try another with a different band or cup size.

• The area of the bra between the breasts should touch or nearly touch the chest. Increase the bra size if necessary so this happens.

• Lift your arms when you try on a new bra. If your breasts fall out of the bra, decrease the band size.

• If the band is too tight, increase the band and/or decrease the cup size.

• If the band is too loose, decrease the band size and/or increase the cup.

References

• Her Room: Bra Fitting