To calculate your bra size you have to follow two different steps. The first step is to measure your band size and the second step is to measure your cup size.

The way to measure your band size is very simple. You just need a measuring tape. You have to keep the measuring tape parallel to the ground and measure around your bra directly under your bust, before that you have to expel all the air from your lungs. The smaller this measurement is the better it is. Once you get the measurements you have to round it up to the nearest whole number. If you get an even measurement you should add an even 4" to the measurement, in case of an odd measurement 5" should be added.

To measure your cup size, you have to stand straight keeping your arms sideways. You have to measure the fullest part of the bust, while doing it you should wear a non-padded bra. You should make sure that you keep the measuring tape parallel to the ground. Once you get these measurements you have to round them up as well to the nearest whole number.

After you have your band size and your cup size, you can calculate your bra size. You just have to subtract your band size from your cup size. Usually with every single inch of difference, the cup size goes up by one unit. See the conversion chart here. For an instance a 34" band size measured plus 4" will equal to a 38" band size. This 38" band size has to be then subtracted from the 40" of cup size. 40" minus 38" will be equal to 2" or Cup "B". So your bra size will simply come up to be 38B

Hi Neetu, you have shared a very useful information with us, even i was confused that which size bra is perfect for me, but now my doubts are clear.

Can you give me tips to keep my bust toned?

Accordin to a study in USA, it was found that near about 80% of the women in US wear bras which are of wrong fitting. even one celebrity has also mentioned it in the OPHRA show. this information might help the sisters to choose the right fit. lol.

There is one particular brand in the market today which provides the necessary assistance and advice on choosing the right size, cup and style for womens' bra. Try Avon! I have just gotten into that phase once and the advice has stuck with me ever since.

I would suggest that you go to a professional to get your bra size measured and purchase from that store.

I use to sell bras and we had a special chart to use to measure the bra size. Once I stopped that business, I went to Victoria Secret and got measured. They measure totally differently and I wear a different bra size from Victoria Secret than I did from Jockey.

You know, I know I am not wearing the right size. Heck it depends on the bra. I wear a different size in different bras.

I would love to go to a bra fitting, I'm just too shy. I say I am going to go, and then don't. I imagine I would feel much better if I did and look better too!

I too am too shy to go for a bra fitting and it can be so tricky to measure yourself so sometimes it is better to ask a friend to help you. My sister helps me with mine because I always put the tape measure too low on my back!

Oh would you mind sharing how you go about measuring? I know it is sad but I have never been measured! I just try on a bra and if I THINK it fits I get it. Then its after I get home with it and wear it a while or wash it that I realize its probably not the best fit. I'm really tired of poor fitting bras yet I'm shy like you and I guess I could get hubby to help if I knew how to do it...

I'm pretty sure I;m not wearing the right size bra. The width around is good but I have a lot of problems figuring out my cup size. I always thought I was a C cup but now I'm wodering if I might be a D cup. Looks like I have serious measuring to do.

Thanks for this useful information, will use it to measure my exact bra size and also see if I'm wearing the right size. I generally just try the bra on before purchasing it.

Here I'm also Mentioning Some of the Best step to Measure Your Bra size these are as Follows:
1. Measure your band size. Run a tape measure all the way around your body just underneath your breasts and take a measurement in inches. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and fairly snug. Your arms should be down. If this measurement is an odd number, round up to the nearest even number. This should be your band size.[4] If your measurement is already an even number, you may find that this is your band size, or you may have to go up to the next size (i.e, you may have to add 2 inches.) For instance, if you measured 31 inches, your band size should be 32. If you measured 34 inches, your band size may be 34 or 36. Many bra fitting guides and calculators will tell you to add four or five inches to your underbust measurement, but this is not correct. The old method was devised by Warners in the 1930s when bra design was in its infancy and does not work with modern, elasticated bras.[5]
2. Determine your cup size. The most accurate way to determine your cup size is by using your current bra size as a starting point. The cups are sized relative to the band, so if you were to try a smaller band size but keep the same cup size, the cups would be too small. Instead, you must increase the cups by one size for every band that you go down. For example, if you are currently wearing a 34C bra and your underbust measures 31 inches, then you will most likely need a 32D. On a 30" band, this would be a 30DD etc.

In UK sizing, cup sizes are as follows: AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, K, KK.
3. Try on a bra with the band and cup size you've arrived at in these steps. You should not regard this as your definitive size until you have tried on a few bras, and even then you will often find you need a different size in different brands or styles of bra.
4. Check the band size. The correct band size is the smallest you can comfortably wear.[6] It needs to be tight enough that the bra is still fairly supportive without weighing down heavily on the shoulder straps.

* You should be able to run your fingers around the inside of the band, but not much more. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to fit no more than a fist under the back of the bra.
* It should fit on the biggest adjustment, but will probably be too tight if you try to fasten it on the smallest size. Bras are designed to fit like this so that you can tighten the band as the elastic starts to wear out.
* If the band is roomy enough for you to be able to comfortably fasten it on the tightest adjustment, try a smaller band, for example if a 32D is too loose, try a 30DD. Remember that the cup size has to be changed when you move to a different band size - for every band you go down, you must go up by one cup size in order for the cups to remain the same capacity and vice versa.
* If you can only just fasten the bra and the band is painfully tight, even on the biggest adjustment, then go up a band size, for example if a 32D is too tight, try a 34C.
5. Check the cup size. The correct cup size is the biggest you can completely fill out with no wrinkling of the fabric or space in the cups. You should fill out the cups, but not bulge out anywhere, even in low cut or pushup bras.

* Check around the cups for any bulging, not only along the top edges but also at the sides under your arms.
* Make sure the underwire encloses your whole breast and lies flat against your rib cage.
* If the cups are too big, go down a cup size.
* If they are too small, or even if they seem to fit ok, try on a bigger cup size as well to double check. It's a lot easier to tell if they are too big than too small.

I know my cup size though but sizes vary so much from other brands. I usually wear underwire bras because i like it. But thank's christ123 for the post. It helps a lot.

Hi,

This is highly informative.

Allison

its a hassle to fit bras at shop. i often shop bras at playtex, because they are very durable. the fit is so right, because they also have the proper bra size measuring guide. and the cup doesn't worn even after a year. just follow there washing instructions.

I too would suggest getting fitted by a professional. Try Fredricks or Victoria's Secret. I prefer Fredricks (they have bigger sizes). It is free to get fitted and don't be ashamed by it. It is their job. They help women. They are used to it. They measure people several times a day and are good at it.