If your bra has ever left red marks on your shoulders, ridden up your back, or left you adjusting it every twenty minutes, there’s a good chance the size on the tag isn’t your real size. Sizing varies between brands, and most of us bought our “usual” size years ago and never checked again. The good news is that measuring yourself properly takes about five minutes and needs nothing more than a soft measuring tape.
What You’ll Need
A flexible measuring tape (the kind used for sewing), a well-fitting or unpadded bra, and a mirror if you’d like to double-check your numbers. Do this in front of a mirror so you can keep the tape level all the way around.
Step 1: Measure Your Band Size
Wrap the tape snugly around your ribcage, directly under your bust, where your bra band would normally sit. Keep the tape parallel to the floor and pull it firm enough that it doesn’t sag, but not so tight it digs in. Round the number to the nearest whole inch. If the number is even, add 4 inches; if it’s odd, add 5 inches. This gives you your band size.
Step 2: Measure Your Bust Size
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust, usually across the nipple line, keeping it level at the back as well. Wear a light, unpadded bra for this if you can, since a padded one will throw the number off. Round to the nearest whole inch.
Step 3: Calculate Your Cup Size
Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. The difference in inches tells you your cup size: 1 inch is an A cup, 2 inches a B cup, 3 inches a C cup, 4 inches a D cup, 5 inches a DD/E cup, and so on, going up roughly one cup size per additional inch. Put the band number and cup letter together and that’s your size, for example 38C or 42DD.
A Few Fit Tips
The band should sit level all around your torso, not ride up at the back. Straps should stay on your shoulders without digging in, and you shouldn’t need to constantly pull them up. The centre gore (the bit between the cups) should sit flat against your breastbone. If any of these feel off even after you’ve matched the size chart, don’t hesitate to try the band a size down or a cup size up, called a “sister size” — the fit can vary a little by style, especially between wired and non-wired, or padded and non-padded designs.
Skip the Guesswork
If you’d rather not do the maths yourself, Elina’s free bra size calculator does the working out for you: just enter your band and bust measurements and it’ll tell you your size instantly.
Once you know your correct size, browse our full collection of everyday cotton bras designed for comfortable, all-day wear across an extended size range.
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