Measure Your Bra Size on Your Own to Choose a Bra That Fits!

Do you know how to measure your bra size correctly? If yes, when was the last time you measured your bust? You may know a thing or two about bust measurement. But do you have any idea about the number-letter combo when it comes to bra size? Granted, not everyone knows. But knowing that helps in choosing the right bra size, which can actually help you in ways you may not be aware of.

Here is something that can help you with choosing the right bra size. In this article, find out ways of measuring your bust along with the bra size chart to further help you.

Simple Steps To Measure Your Bra Size At Home

Did you know that 80% of women don’t wear the right bra size? Well, now you can blame your wrong-sized bras for those ruined outfits and awful backaches. Especially for those with large breasts. A bra(1) that is too large won’t offer the right support while a bra that is too small can be uncomfortable to wear. Your breasts can even be deformed if you continue to wear the wrong bra. So, what do you do about this particular issue with something so habitual that not many women are even aware of it?

You find a bra with the right cut, cup, fit, and size. How do you do that without knowing the right measurement?

You don’t have to go to a tailor to get your measurements right. Instead, you can measure your bra size by yourself at home without too many tools. It is pretty easy. Once you get the hang of it, you can measure in the right way and choose a bra with the right size, the one that actually fits.

How Do You Know That You Chose The Right Bra?

You may have a clue about the size of your cup, or your shoulder area, or even the chest area. But does that mean you have chosen the right fit? After all, bra size should not be a guessing game. So, how do you know that your bra size is right? Considering how bra cups can vary from brand to brand and how they may shrink after a number of washes.

Ahead, find a few pointers to wrong-sized bras. This short checklist can help you check whether the bras you use now are wrong-sized or not.

• Straps keep slipping
• Cup spillage
• Wrinkling in the cups
• Underwire poking the sides of your breasts
• Bra hikes up when you lift your arms
• Cannot slide even one finger underneath the band
• The band doesn’t sit snugly on your back

What Do Your Bra Measurements Mean?

It is important to know that bra sizes are not entirely standardized. The size of a bra can change from style to style and even brand to brand. Just because you are a B cup in one brand doesn’t mean you cannot be an A cup or even a C cup in another brand. Also, depending on where you buy your bra from and where you live, even the bra sizes will look different —US, EU, or the UK. So, how to measure your bra size and match to the right bra?

When you go bra shopping, you see all those weird combinations of numbers and letters mentioning the size. Some bras may even look the same size until you look at the number mentioned. Does that confuse you? You don’t have to be confused anymore.

All you need to know is those numbers and letters are basically the bra measurements that substitute for their approximate breast(2) volume. Um, say what? In a nutshell, the number signifies the band size (the size of your underbust) and the letter corresponds with the cup size (the difference between your underbust and the largest part of your bust).

So, always remember that your cup size is proportionate to your band size. Unlike European measurement which comes in centimeters, in the US and the UK, the band size is measured in inches with even numbers like 30, 32, 34, 36, etc.

How To Measure Your Bra Size By Yourself?

If you haven’t measured your bra size in six months, it is most likely that your size has changed and is not 100% accurate anymore. It means that you have to measure your breast size once in a while. Especially considering how your body changes over time. Without knowing your exact bra size, it is hard to find a bra that fits you perfectly. Particularly for those who need a plus-size bra.

Now, let’s all agree that it is not exactly practical to go to a tailor, lingerie, or department store clerk to help you measure your bust. Can you measure your own bust? Of course yes! All you need is a measuring tape, phone, or pad to note down the measurement, and some free time. Before we get into that, let’s set a few basics right.

Once you measure your under-bust and fuller bust, find the difference between the two numbers. The result corresponds with a letter that is assigned to reference different sizes. For instance, if your under-bust is 32 inches and you have a 34 bust measurement, there is a 2-inch difference here. The letter that corresponds to this number or cup size is B. So, your bra size would be a 32 B. You can find this more detailed below. Keep scrolling to find ways on how to measure your bra size!

Measure your bra size in 3 simple steps with a measuring tape!

Know Your Band Size

Wear a not-padded, lightly-lined, well-fitted bra, or you can simply measure without a bra too. Do not wear any clothing on top of it to ensure accuracy. Avoid pushup bras, too. Then, stand in front of a mirror or get help from a friend if you are not sure of proper measuring by yourself. Grab a measuring tape with clear markings.

To measure your band or underbust measurement, wrap the tape across your back while keeping it parallel to the ground, and measure it directly under your bust. Don’t hold it too tightly. You must be able to slide one finger under the tape. Round down to the nearest even number, then note down the number as your band measurement.

Measure Bust Size

The second factor you need to measure your bra size is your bust size. For bust size measurement, keep the tape around your back while making sure it is parallel to the ground. Then, hold the tape snugly against the fullest part of your bust (for most people —across the nipples) and measure it. Take a few deep breaths and let the measuring tape rest in the comfortable position — not too loose, not too tight.

Round up the size number to a whole number and note it down as your bust measurement. For folks with bust less projected or those breast tissue is fuller at the bottom can try measuring while bending your waist a bit forward.

Measure Cup Size

To calculate your cup size, subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement (usually the bigger number). Find your cup size with the difference between the two numbers according to the bra size chart given below.

• Less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) or same size = AA
• 1 inch (2.5 cm) = A
• 2 inches (5 cm) = B
• 3 inches (7.5 cm) = C
• 4 inches (10 cm) = D
• 5 inches (12.5 cm) = DD
• 6 inches (15 cm) = DDD (E in UK sizing)
• 7 inches (18 cm) = DDDD/F (F in UK sizing)
• 8 inches (20.5 cm) = G/H (FF in UK sizing)
• 9 inches (23 cm) = I/J (G in UK sizing)
• 10 inches (25.5 cm) = J (GG in UK sizing)

Almost all leading brands use UK cup sizing and they are AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, K, KK, L, LL.\

If you had no idea how to measure your bra size, let me break it to you: You are almost there! Once you know your cup size (the letter), you will know your bra size as the band measurement followed by cup measurement. For instance, if your band measurement is 32 inches and your bust measurement is 37 inches, your cup size (the difference) will be 4 (meaning the letter D). Here, your bra size will be 32 (band measurement) D (cup size).

Measuring bra size without a measuring tape

If you don’t have a measuring tape handy, instead of a measuring tape, use a long string, or yarn to wrap around your chest. Then, mark it with a marker and use a ruler or a yardstick to calculate the inches. Some women even use dollar bills or just their hands to measure the inches.

Now that you know that a well-fitting bra is only a few calculations away, don’t buy just any bra that you like, clearly ignoring the size inaccuracy. Because choosing a bra in the right size matters. So, go grab a measuring tape or even a rope, and measure your size. With this noted down in your phone or in your wallet, you can save many troubles that come with wearing ill-fitted bras. Who knew it was so easy to measure bra size? Right?