How to...
Measure Your Bra Size
Wearing the right bra size is so important for not only our comfort, but our breast health too. We get asked a LOT how to measure bra size, so we’ll explain all you need to know.
Before we begin, remember that our bodies are 3D, soft and malleable, which just doesn’t translate all that well to static measurements – two people who have the same measurements may well need two completely different sizes depending on their unique shapes. So with that in mind, just how do you measure for a bra?
How to measure bra size without a measuring tape
You don’t need to use a tape measure to find your bra size! Take one of your current best fitting bras – even if it’s not very well fitting at all, and fasten the bra on whichever hook feels most comfortable.
Adjust your straps to a two-finger tension, and scoop and swoop all your breast tissue into the cups. Reach right back into your armpits and bring all that boob forwards! Don’t worry if you’re spilling over or the cups are gaping at this stage, this is just to get an idea of how your current bra size is fitting so you know where to go from there.
Then, take our quick bra fit quiz! It will ask you a series of questions about the fit of your current bra and how it feels, then using a wealth of expert bra fitting knowledge it will determine the best size for you to try based on your answers.
If you’re unsure about the result our quiz gives you, you can get in touch for a follow up chat with our bra fit expert on fittings@brastop.com, to get some more personalised advice.
TAKE THE BRA FIT QUIZHow to measure bra size using a measuring tape
If you’re really unsure of your bra size, or don’t have a regular bra you can use as a baseline for our bra fit quiz, you can take a couple of measurements to find a starting point. But please do remember it’s just that: a starting point!
To measure your bra size with a tape measure, first take the measurement of your underbust in inches. This should be right at the crease where your breast joins your torso, and follow a straight line all the way around your ribs. Pull the tape measure snug but not too tight – enough to get two fingers underneath. This is your band measurement. If it falls on an odd number, round it up to the next even number (e.g. 29 rounds up to 30) – but do not add anything extra on top!
To measure your cup size, it’s best to wear a non-padded bra or just a tight fitting t-shirt or vest, so your breast shape and volume is as natural as possible. Bend at the waist ever so slightly so that your bust falls forward, and take a measurement across the fullest part of your breasts (this is usually across your nipples, but everyone is different!). Make sure you’re keeping the tape measure nice and straight around your body as you do this, and again take this measurement in inches. Round it up or down to the nearest whole number (e.g. 37.6 becomes 38).
Once you’ve got both measurements, subtract the underbust from the overbust to get your cup size. Each cup size is approximately one inch, so count through the cup sizes for each inch difference you have.
| 1 inch | A |
| 2 inch | B |
| 3 inch | C |
| 4 inch | D |
| 5 inch | DD |
| 6 inch | E |
| 7 inch | F |
| 8 inch | FF |
| 9 inch | G |
| 10 inch | GG |
| 11 inch | H |
| 12 inch | HH |
| 13 inch | J |
| 14 inch | JJ |
| 15 inch | K |
As we said before, this is not always the most reliable way to find your perfect bra size and should only be used if you’ve had a dramatic change in weight or do not have a suitable bra to start with.
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"Boobs are forever grateful! The bra fit quiz worked a charm. Perfectly fitting bra at an amazing price. What’s not to love?"
Take the Bra Fit quizWhat is the best way to measure bra size?
Ultimately, the best way to measure for a bra is to get a proper fitting. The best bra fitters are trained to fit by eye, with no measuring tapes in sight. We work with you to find your best bra fit based on how it feels and looks, not how it measures up. We’ve implemented all this knowledge from our years of experience into our bespoke bra fit quiz, so this is the next best thing to an in-person fitting.
Take Brastop’s Bra Fit Quiz today to find out if you’re wearing the right bra size!
