Choosing the right bra size
If you are unsure about how to find the correct bra size, you’re in good company. According to studies, as many as 80% of women wear the wrong bra size.
Our bra size guide is here to take the guesswork out of bra size measurements and help you find your bra size at home.
Remember, bra sizes are not a constant. Many factors affect your bra size, including weight gain or loss, aging, exercise and pregnancy. We recommend that you measure your bra size every six months to a year.
Ready to learn how to measure your bust to find the right bra size? Let’s get to it.
Measure your bra size
Start by wearing your best-fitting bra (no padded bras or minimizers, please). You may want to ask another person to help you measure or you can stand in front of a mirror and measure yourself.
1. Find your band size
Hold the tape measure snugly around your ribcage, just below your bust, to get your band measurement. If it’s an odd number, round up to the next even number to determine your band size.
2. Measure your bust
To find your bust measurement, take a loose measurement around the fullest part of your bust.
3. Find your cup size
Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. Use the bra cup size chart to find your cup size.
Cup size chart
a note about sister bra sizes:
How a bra fits can vary by the brand or style. This is why you may try on a new bra and find your regular bra size does not fit. Sister sizes are equivalent bra sizes based on cup volume. You find a sister size by going up a band size and down a cup size OR going down a band size and up a cup size. For example, if your bra size is 36C, your sister bra sizes are 38B and 34D.
Does your bra fit correctly?
Check the fit of your bra in three areas: straps, band, and cups.
Straps
Your bra straps should lay flat and stay in place without digging or slipping off your shoulders. If your straps dig or slip, you may be wearing the wrong band size.
Band
The bra band supplies most of the support in a bra. It should fit securely but not tightly when your band is on the middle hook. You should be able to fit a finger between the bra band and your body. If the band digs in while on the loosest hook or rides up on the tightest hook, you may need to go up or down a sister size.
Cups
Cups should lay flat against your skin without any gaps or spillage. If your breast does not fill the cup so it is smooth, try going down a cup size. If your breast is overflowing the cup, try going up a cup size. If you wear an underwire bra, the wire should not pinch or dig.
Which brand will fit you?
Bra sizing DOES vary by brand. A smaller busted woman may need to go down a size to fit well in a brand designed mainly for larger women. Likewise, a large-busted woman may need to go up a size if a brand is designed for average or smaller busted women.
Playtex bras are popular with women who wear larger bra sizes up to cup size H. Playtex 18 Hour® bras offer full coverage and wireless support. Playtex Secrets® bras are designed to fit your curves with contemporary styling.
Bali bras combine comfort and beauty. Designed to fit every body, Bali offers a wide range of styles in band sizes from 34 to 50. Lilyette® by Bali specializes in minimizer bras for larger busted women with cup sizes up to DDD and G.
Maidenform offers a wide selection of fashion-forward bras, including t-shirt bras, push-up bras and bralettes. Starting with band size 32, Maidenform bras are an excellent choice for average and smaller breasted women.
Glamorise is the go-to brand for full-figured women with an array of supportive bras, including wirefree, underwire and sports bras. Known for hard-to-find sizes, Glamorise bras are sized up to 54K.
Hanes bras are a favorite with smaller breasted women. Colorful and comfy options are available in sizes small to 3X, making it easy to find the perfect fit.
Hanes Just My Size bras, formerly known as JMS bras, are designed to fit the full-figured women. Find all-day comfort with wirefree styles up to size 6X.
Get an expert bra fitting
Visit one of our stores for a free bra fitting by one of our bra fit specialists.
Learn your perfect bra size (and sister sizes) and leave with your new favorite bra. It’s that simple!