Five Simple Steps to Finding Your True Bra Size

By: Diane Quinn

Do you find yourself tugging at your bra throughout the day trying to make it feel more comfortable? If your answer is "yes," then you probably aren't wearing the right size. Getting the right fit when you go bra shopping can make the difference between comfort and frustration. Just follow these five simple steps to finding your true bra size.

Step One: Torso measurement

Place a soft tape measure around your rib cage just below your breasts. Write the number down because this important measurement is your band size.

Step Two: Cup measurement

Move the measuring tape up to your lower armpits and measure the area just above your breasts, again taking the tape around your upper back. Make note of this number as "above breast level."

Step Three: Nipple measurement

This measurement is measuring your breast size at nipple level. Just move the measuring tape further down to the center of your breast, at the nipple, and wrap it around your rib cage again. Write this number down as "nipple level."

Step Four: Calculations

There is no measurement for this step, but you will have to use a little arithmetic. Subtract your "above breast level" number from your "nipple level" number and the final figure is your cup size. Use this final number to determine your cup size using the following guide:

  • Zero to one-half inch = AA cup
  • One-half to one inch = A cup
  • One inch to two-and-a-half inches = B cup
  • Two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half inches = C cup
  • Three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half inches = D cup
  • Four-and-a-half to six inches = DD cup
  • Six to seven inches = DDD (or F cup), depending on certain manufacturers
  • Seven to eight inches = G cup
  • Eight to nine inches = GG cup
  • Nine to ten inches = H cup
  • Ten to eleven inches = HH cup
  • Eleven to twelve inches = J cup
  • Twelve to thirteen inches = JJ cup

Step Five: Band size

Add your band size from step one with your cup measurement, and you have just calculated your perfect bra size! As an example, if your band size was 34 inches, and your cup size is B, your correct bra size is a 34B.

Even though you have taken the time to use these five simple steps to finding your true bra size, that doesn't mean that there won't be differences in sizing between the manufacturers. A good rule to remember the next time you go bra shopping is never to buy a bra without trying it on first, and never try one on over clothing. Unless, of course, you want to continue to tug and pull on that very uncomfortable bra you're wearing.

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