How to Measure Your Bra Size, Get Your RIGHT bra size!

Brassiere measurement (also called brassiere sizes, colloquially bra sizes or bust sizes) refers to determining what size of bra a woman wears and mass producing bras that will fit most women. Bra sizes usually consist of a number, indicating a band size around the woman's torso, and one or more alphabetical letters indicating the breast cup size. Bra cup sizes were invented in 1932 and band sizes became popular in the 1940s.

Bra sizing systems are typically used to label off-the-shelf bras and are not used for custom-made bras or bras built into other garments. Bra size labeling systems vary from country to country while manufacturers do not adhere to international standards. Some manufacturers have been found to deliberately mis-state the band size. One study found that the label size was consistently different from the measured size.

Furthermore, the shape, size, symmetry, and spacing of women's breasts vary considerably, and can differ greatly from the standard off-the-shelf bra shapes and sizes, especially if the breasts have been augmented, are tubular shaped, or if they sag.

Bra-fitting methods, originally conceived in the 1930s, are only accurate for up to about U.S. size 38D. Larger-breasted women cannot depend on them for accurate measurements. Bra-fitting instructions uniformly require women seeking to find a correctly fitting bra to already own one.

When measuring to determine your bra size you should, if possible, wear a comfortable standard underwired bra (not padded or push-up, etc.) You should remain in a standing position, keep your back and shoulders comfortably straight (don't hold your breath or push your chest out). Be relaxed. It can be difficult to measure yourself so you may have to ask a friend to help you, this will enable you to stand in the perfect position for measuring and allow you to keep your arms down by your sides.

*** 1 - Below, 2 - Bust, 3 - Above

1 - Measure below your breasts (band size)

Keeping the measuring tape parallel with the ground, measure around your bra directly under your bust after expelling all air from your lungs - you want this measurement to be as small as possible. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number.

2 - Measure around your breasts and back (bust size)

3 - Measure above your breasts (above bust size)

4 - Calculate your bra size

Subtract your band measurement (step 1) from your cup measurement (step 2). Generally, for each inch in difference, the cup goes up by one size. See the cup size conversion chart below.

Example:

Step 1: 34" under measurement = 36" band size

Step 2: 39" over measurement

Step 3: 39" - 36" = 3" or C Cup Size

Your Size is probably a 36C

The cup size calculation starts falling apart at 4 inches larger than your band size, and if you have droopy or pendulous breasts, your measurement will not be accurate.