If you’ve ever shopped an international bra brand online and had no idea whether their “34C” matches your usual Indian size, you’re not alone. Band numbers usually carry over exactly, but cup letters can quietly shift by a size or two between the US, UK and India systems — which is exactly how so many online orders end up getting returned. Here’s how the systems actually line up.
How Band Sizing Compares
The good news first: band sizes are the easy part. India follows the same inch-based band system as the UK, and it lines up closely with the US too. A 34, 36 or 38 band means roughly the same underbust measurement no matter which country’s label you’re reading. Where things get confusing is the cup.
Cup Size Conversion Chart
Cup letters start out identical across all three systems and then quietly drift apart as sizes get larger. Use this as a general guide:
- US A = UK/India A = EU A
- US B = UK/India B = EU B
- US C = UK/India C = EU C
- US D = UK/India D = EU D
- US DD/E = UK/India DD = EU E
- US DDD/F = UK/India E = EU F
- US G = UK/India FF = EU G
- US H = UK/India G = EU H
Band Size in Centimetres (EU System)
European brands size bands in centimetres instead of inches, which can throw off the comparison completely if you’re not expecting it.
- 30 in (US/UK/India) = 65 cm (EU)
- 32 in = 70 cm
- 34 in = 75 cm
- 36 in = 80 cm
- 38 in = 85 cm
- 40 in = 90 cm
- 42 in = 95 cm
- 44 in = 100 cm
Why This Still Isn’t an Exact Science
Even with a conversion chart in hand, treat it as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Cup shape, wire construction and fabric stretch vary so much between brands that the “same” size can fit differently depending on who made it. A size chart gets you in the right neighbourhood; trying the band a size down and cup a size up (a “sister size”) is still the best fix if something feels slightly off.
Skip the Conversion Altogether
The simplest way around all of this is to measure yourself once and use a size chart that’s already calibrated for the Indian market. Elina’s free bra size calculator takes your band and bust measurement in inches or centimetres and gives you a size straight away, no conversion table needed.
Once you know your size, browse our full range of everyday bras built across an extended size range, from everyday cotton styles to full coverage and plus size fits.
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