How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home

Got a tape measure? Then you don't need to endure an embarrassing bra fitting at the lingerie store.

By
Hana Hong
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Hana Hong
Hana Hong is the beauty & fashion editor at RealSimple.com. She has been a writer and editor in the beauty and fashion industry for more than six years, sharing her expansive knowledge on skincare, hair care, makeup, fashion, and more. In addition to her broad network of beauty experts, she uses her family's background and training in skin science and cosmetic chemistry to differentiate between effective skincare formulations and marketing jargon.
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Leah Lopez Cardenas
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Leah Lopez Cardenas
Leah is a digital lifestyle editor at Real Simple with 11 years of experience in digital marketing and editorial, covering topics across all categories, including home, health, beauty, food, and more.
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Updated on October 04, 2023
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Emily Peterson
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Illustration of a person wearing a bra with a measuring tape across the chest
Photo:

Grace Canaan

Anyone who has worn an ill-fitting bra or the wrong bra size knows that doing so can ruin an otherwise flawless outfit—or worse, an entire day. (The breast pain and backaches that can come with large breasts are nothing to joke about.) The solution is finding and investing in a set of undergarments that are the right cut, fit, and size—but it's not a simple solution.

Bra size is notoriously fickle between different lingerie brands; a C-cup at one store can easily be a D-cup at another, and some bra sizes can grow and shrink (especially in band size) over the course of a day or between washings. The best option is to know your bra size by taking bust measurements using these simple measuring instructions, which will ensure a perfect fit in band and in cup—and can even help you find the right amount of support.

Learning how to measure bra size can feel uncomfortable, but knowing your measurements—and keeping them written in a note on your phone or somewhere else that's accessible when the bra-shopping mood strikes—will make bra shopping so much easier, especially for online shoppers. Equipment for measuring bra size is minimal: All you need is a tape measure and a little free time, and you'll have saved yourself a lot of bra-shopping misery. Best of all, knowing how to measure your bust will make adjusting to changes in your breasts (from losing or gaining weight, hormone fluctuations, aging, pregnancy, and more) so much less stressful.

Bra size shouldn't be a guessing game. With this guide, managing irregular bra cup sizes (yes, even for sports bras) should be a breeze, and sore, achy breasts from ill-fitting bras will be a thing of the past because you'll be able to find the most supportive bras that fit you perfectly.

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Are you wearing the right bra size?

According to Sandi Simon, a fit consultant at Bra Smyth in New York City, here are a few telltale signs that you may not be wearing the right bra size:

  • Wrinkling in the cups
  • Underwire poking the sides of your breasts
  • A band that rides up
  • Cup spillage
  • Slipping straps
  • Bra that hikes up when you lift your arms

If you suffer from any of the fit issues above, head to a professional bra fitter—or bust out the measuring tape and follow the steps here to measure your bra size at home. (But keep in mind that certain factors can cause you to change bra size—a weight gain or loss, a new exercise regimen, pregnancy, and a change of diet among them.)

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Step 1: Determine your bra band size

Graphic showing how to determine band size measurement using a tape measure beneath the bust

Grace Canaan

While braless or wearing a non-padded bra, use a measuring tape to measure around your torso directly under your bust, where a bra band would sit. The tape should be level and very snug. Round to the nearest whole number. If the number is even, add four inches. If it's odd, add five. Your band size is the sum of this calculation. (So if you measured 32 inches, your band size is 36. If you measured 33 inches, your band size is 38.)

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Step 2: Take your bust measurement

Graphic showing how to determine bust size measurement using a tape measure across the front of the bust

Grace Canaan

Wrap the measuring tape somewhat loosely around the fullest part of your chest (at nipple level). Round to the nearest whole number.

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Step 3: Calculate your cup size

Bra size chart for determining cup size, with band and bust measurement difference

Grace Canaan

Subtract your calculated band size (Step 1) from your bust measurement (Step 2) and refer to the bra cup size chart here. Your bra size is your band size with your cup size. Example: 37 inches (bust) – 34 inches (band) = 3 inches. That's a 34C.

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Size Up or Down Using a Bra Sizing Chart

Bra size chart with band size and cup volume, size 30B to 44F

Grace Canaan

If you need to go down a cup size for fit, go up one band size, and vice versa. For example, if a 34C is too big for you in the cups, move to a 36B. Use the bra size chart here to make sure you are moving up or down a bra size correctly, and remember that your bra size might change slightly depending on the brand or type of bra. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect fit.

06 of 06

How to make sure a bra size is correct

Illustration of person clasping a bra from the back

Grace Canaan
  • Bend forward at the waist, then slip on the bra and hook it. This ensures your breasts are completely in the cups.
  • Adjust the band. The back of the bra should be level with the front.
  • Make sure the bra is not too loose. You should be able to slide only one finger underneath the band.
  • Fix falling straps. First, tighten the band, then shorten the straps.
  • Put on a close-fitting shirt over the bra. If the cups pucker or your breasts bulge, you are not wearing the correct bra size.
  • Look at yourself sideways in a mirror. Your breasts should sit midway between your shoulders and elbows. If not, you need a more supportive and better-fitting bra.
  • Choose a bra that fits perfectly when secured on the outermost hook. As the bra loosens over time, make the band taut by moving toward the tightest hook.

Bra Size Measurement FAQs

What do I do about gaping cups or spillage?

Illustration showing a person wearing a bra with gaping cups

Grace Canaan

If you have gaping cups, that likely means your bra is too large for your breasts and you may need to go down a cup size. And if you're encountering spillage, your bra is probably too small. According to Ra'el Cohen, co-founder and CCO of ThirdLove, your cups should be comfortably full without gaps or spillage.

Why do my bra straps keep falling down?

Illustration showing a person wearing a bra with loose straps falling down off the shoulders

Grace Canaan

Cohen explains that your bra straps are likely falling down for one of two reasons:

  1. Bra straps can fall down if the bra is too large. If you have your straps tightened all the way and they're still slipping, it could indicate you need a smaller size.
  2. If you've had your bra for a while, it could mean the elastic has worn out over time and it's time for a new bra.

"I recommend purchasing a new bra every six months to a year, depending on how often you wear it, to ensure you have the best, most flattering fit," Cohen says.

What are the best types of bras for my shape?

Illustration showing different breast shapes

Grace Canaan

Whether your breasts are asymmetric, large or small, round or slender, or somewhere in between, there are bras out there that can fit your unique shape—from a variety of great places like specialty brands and department stores.

It's just a matter of finding the best bra for your shape. Cohen recommends the best fitting bras for six common breast shapes.

  • Asymmetric: If your breasts are different sizes, you're not alone—around 40 percent of women who experience ThirdLove's Virtual Fitting Room classify themselves as having this breast shape, Cohen says. She recommends a bra that has removable inserts, so you can incorporate an insert on one side to give your smaller breast a boost.
  • Athletic: Wider breasts with more muscle and less tissue tend to have a problem with cup gaping. Due to this, Cohen recommends t-shirt style bras.
  • East West: These are wide-set breasts that have nipples that point to the east and west, just as the name suggests. If you are struggling to achieve cleavage with certain tops, look for full-coverage bras that will help bring your breasts up and together.
  • Bell Shaped: These breasts are slimmer at the top and fuller at the bottom. This normally characterizes someone as a larger cup size and they may experience overflow with minimal coverage styles like balconette or demi. Instead, try a full-coverage bra that features wider memory foam straps that provide support, but don't dig in.
  • Relaxed: These are breasts that have lax tissue, and nipples pointing downward. Since these tend to be longer breasts that hang, try a balconette style bra that has a slightly shorter cup for more fullness at the top.
  • Round: While most styles may work for your shape, try a wireless bra for days when you want light support or balconette style when you want an ultra-flattering fit.

How do you measure bra size without a measuring tape?

Illustration showing a person using string to measure underneath the bust

Grace Canaan

If you don't have a measuring tape on-hand, you can still measure your bra size at home. ThirdLove shares an easy two-step method:

  1. Take a charger cord, piece of rope, or string and mark off your measurements.
  2. Lay it flat and measure with a hard tape measure or ruler to find your bust and underbust measurements.

If you don't have any of these tools available, ThirdLove also has a virtual Fitting Room using expert bra fitting knowledge and data points from millions of real customers.

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