Generally, there are several types of bras, each designed for specific purposes. Sports bras are worn during sports activities, like running or playing basketball. They provide support and prevent sagging. Bras for everyday wear come in various styles, colors, sizes, and materials and offer comfort and fit.
Whether you want to enhance your shape, improve your posture, or simply look good in the latest fashions, a well-fitting bra is essential for all women. If you don’t know your bra size, the Bra Size Calculator can help you figure out the best size for your needs.
The chart below helps you convert your bra size into the most common international sizes – continental Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Discover what the correct bra size for you (or your girlfriend) based on European charts by reading this article!
What Does Bra Size Mean?
The bra size can be expressed as a number or as a letter. As a result, it varies across countries due to system adjustments. Letters are the only part of the size that doesn’t change. It gives you an idea of the size of the cup. There is no difference between the Latin alphabet and the American alphabet; however, some American brands use DD rather than E and DDD rather than F.
Bra Size Calculator
The bra size calculator estimates bra cup size based on bust size and band size. This calculator provides accurate results for the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union, France, Belgium, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. You can also estimate your bra size by measuring your bra band and comparing it to the chart below.
Taking measurements for the correct bra size
We can’t deny the fact that bras are one of the most common types of underwear for women today. An accurate fit begins with your size measurement. The best way to determine the correct bra size is to take measurements while braless or while wearing a non-padded bra.
1. Bust Measurement
To find your bust measurement, place your arms down by your side and measure across the fullest part of your bust at the nipple line with the soft measuring tape. It is important to be consistent when taking your measurements because even a millimeter can make a difference in the size of your bra.
2. Frame Measurement
You can take your frame measurement using a soft measuring tape. The measurement should be taken directly under your bust at the bottom of the band. Be sure to keep the tape snug, but not tight. The tape should not move when you breathe.
How To Calculate Bra Size?
- The first step is to take your measurements in accordance with the above-listed guidelines.
- Make a subtraction between your frame measurement and your bust measurement. Your cup size will depend on this difference.
- Use bra size charts to compare your results.
| Difference(inches or cm) | Cup size in the U.S. | Cup size in Australia | Cup size in the UK |
| <1 | AA | AA | AA |
| 1-inch (2.5 cm) | A | A | A |
| 2-inch (5.1 cm cm) | B | B | B |
| 3-inch (7.6 cm) | C | C | C |
| 4-inch (10.2 cm) | D | D | D |
| 5-inch (12.7 cm) | DD/E | DD | DD |
| 6-inch (15.2 cm) | DDD/F | E | E |
| 7-inch (17.8 cm) | DDDD/G | F | F |
| 8-inch (20.3 cm) | H | G | FF |
| 9-inch (22.9 cm) | I | H | G |
| 10-inch (25.4 cm) | J | I | GG |
| 11-inch (27.9 cm) | K | J | H |
| 12-inch (30.5 cm) | L | K | HH |
| 13-inch (33 cm) | M | L | J |
| 14-inch (35.6 cm) | N | M | JJ |
| 15-inch (38.1 cm) | O | N | K |
| 16-inch (40.6 cm) | P | O | KK |
| 17-inch (43.2 cm) | Q | P | L |
| 18-inch (45.7 cm) | R | LL |
Sister Sizes
In the underwear industry, sisters sizes are a relatively new and much-needed concept. Sister size is when we have a different bra size, but the same cup size. You may ask, how is that possible?
A manufacturer does not make separate cups for every possible frame and cup combination. Instead, cups are made, bands are paired with them, and bra sizes are then labeled. It seems counterintuitive, but they are unable to label all of the cups with the same letters; instead, they prefer to reduce the frame size and increase the cup size (or the other way around).
Do not worry if this sounds complicated. Check out the tables – they all have the same cup size for the same bra size.
US chart of sister sizes:
| same row = the same size | ||||||
| 28A | ||||||
| 30A | 28B | |||||
| 32A | 30B | 28C | ||||
| 34A | 32B | 30C | 28D | |||
| 36A | 34B | 32C | 30D | 28E | ||
| 38A | 36B | 34C | 32D | 30E | 28F | |
| 40A | 38B | 36C | 34D | 32E | 30F | |
| 42A | 40B | 38C | 36D | 34E | 32F | |
| 44A | 42B | 40C | 38D | 36E | 34F | |
| 44B | 42C | 40D | 38E | 36F | ||
| 44C | 42D | 40E | 38F | |||
| 44D | 42E | 40F | ||||
| 44E | 42F | |||||
| 44F |
Sister sizes in Europe chart:
| same row = same size | |||||||
| 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 100 |
| 65AA | |||||||
| 65A | 70AA | ||||||
| 65B | 70A | 75AA | |||||
| 65D | 70C | 75B | 80A | 85AA | |||
| 65E | 70D | 75C | 80B | 85A | 90AA | ||
| 65F | 70E | 75D | 80C | 85B | 90A | 95AA | |
| 65G | 70F | 75E | 80D | 85C | 90B | 95A | 100AA |
| 65H | 70G | 75F | 80E | 85D | 90C | 95B | 100A |
| 65I | 70H | 75G | 80F | 85E | 90D | 95C | 100B |
| 65J | 70I | 75H | 80G | 85F | 90E | 95D | 100C |
| 65K | 70J | 75I | 80H | 85G | 90F | 95E | 100D |
| 70K | 75J | 80I | 85H | 90G | 95F | 100E | |
| 75K | 80J | 85I | 90H | 95G | 100F | ||
| 80K | 85J | 90I | 95H | 100G | |||
| 85K | 90J | 95I | 100H | ||||
| 90K | 95J | 100I | |||||
| 95K | 100J | ||||||
| 100K |
Pro Tips For The Accurate Bra Size Calculator
- It is not recommended to wear a bra with a gap in the middle of the front; it indicates an inadequate cup size.
- It is important that your band remains parallel to the ground as you move your arms. An overly large bra band may cause bra movement.
- It’s a good idea to adjust the shoulder straps to make them snug.
- Underwire support should fully support your breast inside the cup. If you have a spillage on the top or sides of the cups, or if the cups lift, they might be too small
- In case you’re between sizes, choose the larger or smaller size depending on whether you prefer a tighter or looser fit.
- To be sure that your measurements are correct, use the same measuring tape for all of your measurements.
- To avoid confusion between the bust measurement and the band measurement, the bust measurement should be taken directly under your bust at the bottom of the band.
- The best way to determine the correct bra size is to take measurements while braless or while wearing a non-padded bra.
- Finally, choose a bra that suits your body shape and size. Adjust the straps until they’re comfortable. You can also try wearing a sports bra if you find yourself feeling self-conscious about your breasts.
Wrong Bra Signs
There are many women or girls that suffer from incorrect bra fitting. It’s most likely that you’re suffering with wrong bra signs if you’re experiencing the signs like unequal cup sizes, loose straps, or maybe too-tight straps that are uncomfortable to wear. Below we have discussed the wrong bra size in detail.
1. Red Marks On The Skin
A common problem among women is that they may be suffering from red marks on the skin. These marks are caused due to incorrect bra size. They may be from the underwire which is not tight enough. This may cause the underwire to poke into the skin. Another possible reason could be that the underwire is too tight causing it to dig into the skin.
2. Breasts spill from the bra
In fact, in two cases the breast will spill from the bra. The first one is when you wear a bra that doesn’t fit properly and the second one is when you wear a bra that is too small. When you wear a bra that doesn’t fit properly, it will push the breasts outwards. This could lead to breasts spilling from the bra.
3. You suffer from back pain or neck pain
Flag of warning! Your bras aren’t supporting your breasts at all! You may be able to adjust them a little bit, but there’s a 99% chance you’re going to need to buy a new pair. Incorrect bra fitting can cause back and neck pain. To ensure that you are totally satisfied with your purchase, check out a bra size calculator before shopping or get a professional fitting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How does the bra size calculator work?
The bra size calculator uses a formula to calculate the right size. The formula takes into consideration the following information: the cup size, the band size, the width of the back, and the height of the underbust.
2. Are the results of the bra size calculator accurate?
Absolutely yes, the bra size calculator is very accurate. It calculates the correct size for you based on your measurements. The only thing you need to do is take accurate measurements whether you do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
3. What cup size is large?
You can expect a 32C and 32D to be considered the same size as a Small, a 34C and 34D to be considered Medium, a 36C and 36D to be considered Large, and so on.
Conclusion – Final Verdict
There are lots of different bra types to choose from, but in order to select the best one for your body, you need to know your bust and frame measurements. A bra size calculator can accurately help you get the perfect bra size. You can use the above-mentioned bra size calculator chart to determine the correct size for you. Don’t hesitate to give it a try and have fun!
So, now that you know how to calculate your bra size, you can buy the right bra that will make you look great every day. Moreover, please feel free to drop a comment if you have any questions. We’ll be pleased to read and answer your queries. Thanks For Reading This Guide!