How Bra Sizing Works

[Anonymous]

I'm going to tell you something that may blow your mind:

DDs can be small and B cups can be big. In fact, some DDs are smaller than some Bs.

That's because there's two parts to bra sizes: the band size and the cup size. You knew that though. What you may or may not know is that cup size is *relevant* to band size. The bigger the band size the bigger the cup and vice versa!

Let's start with the basics.

To find your bra size you measure directly under your breasts. You are basically measuring the circumference of your ribcage right beneath your boobs, where the band of the bra sits.

To measure the bust you measure around the fullest part of your breasts.

Here's where it gets tricky.

Some fitters add 5" to the underbust measurement and round to the nearest even number. Some don't add anything.

Either way, you subtract the band size measurement from the cup size measurement.

A one inch difference = A

2" = B

3" = C

And so forth and so forth and yes, it goes on forever.

According to the first method I'm a 32A. According to the second I'm a 28D.

I wear a 32B, which fits just fine in the band and the cups are slightly snug but a 32C would be a bit too big.

My boobs are awfully small but yes, I'm technically a D cup according to some fitters.

Remember when I said cup size is relevant? Allow me to demonstrate.

A 32DD holds the same cup volume as a 34D, and a 36C, and a 38B, and a 40A.

A 36AA holds the same as a 34A, and a 32B.

Every time you go up a band size you go down a cup size and vice versa.

So in these discussions of "what's the best cup size?" You all aren't talking about the same thing. If you think C cup is ideal, well, a 28C is the same cup size as a 30B , 32A, and a 34AA. A 36C has the same cup size as a 28F.....

Bottom line: you can't discuss cup size without band size.

[xHoneyxBeex]

THANK YOU! I have tried to explain this to some people on here and they just don't get it. Most people just assume they know a girls size only by the letter, but it really depends on the band size too. Like recently I said on here that I am a 32B, and I mentioned that it was small and some guy told me that it wasn't small because a B is bigger than an A. But a 32B is actually quite small and could be comparable to some A cups, again, depending on the band size.

[myTake Owner]

Haha yeah I'm tired of people saying "well B cups aren't small" like well not all B cups are the same size

[xHoneyxBeex]

Exactly. Lol It's really annoying.

[LyricDollie]

I agree 100%. At times I'm a 34B and that's what the professional measurement says I am... But what fits best is a 32C. But you wouldn't know it looking at me. Some people assume I'm an A cup and it doesn't work that way.

[xHoneyxBeex]

@LyricDollie Exactly. A lot of people don't know how it works. Lol

[LyricDollie]

Right? I just gave up trying to explain it at a point. I typically just stick to one brand which is Victoria's Secret. It's a pain in the ass to try and get bras elsewhere. Each company does their sizing differently. And even though they said I was a 34B honestly the "sister size" according to them is the 32C which fits me better. The 34" bandwidth is too loose on me.

[Anonymous]

I need new bras.

[SnowHearth]

LOLOLO

[Dandeus]

A lot of errors here.

First, band sizes go in 2” units while cup sizes go in 1” units, so going up one band size and down one cup size isn’t the same. Cup sizes are static increments. A 34B (34+2) means a 36” bust size. A 36A (36+1) means a 37” bust size. You’d need a 2 cup difference to yield the same bust measurement, e. g. a 32C (32+3) gives a 35” bust the same as a 34A (34+1) gives a 35” bust.

But bust size doesn’t indicate cup *volume* since the bust measurement includes the underbust/band, it simply indicates the circumference of the entire bust. When you consider breasts large or small, they’re large relative to the chest they’re on. You need a ratio of cup size to band size to really illustrate it.

So a 32C and a 34A both result in a 35” bust measurement. A C is 3” larger, so that means the bust is 9.3% larger than the band (3/32). Since the A is 1” larger, the bust is 2.9% larger than the band (1/34) even though the bust measurement winds up the same. You’re right that cup volume is dependant on band size, but wrong in how it works out.

Also of note, because cup size is a static measurement, the same cup size gets a slightly larger ratio the smaller the band is. A 36C is 8.3% larger than the band, so the 32C gets an additional 1% (as I said, slightly). But as you can see, the ratio between a C cup on 2 different band sizes is much closer than the ratios when adjusting for bust size.

[myTake Owner]

I think you're misinterpreting what I'm saying.

For one, I never said that band sizes DON'T go in 2" inincrements. In my examples I believe I made that obvious enough. And I think most people know that so I didn't bother to explicitly state it.

Secondly, yeah... yes a 32C and a 34A would have the same bust measurement but relevant to band size a 32C would appear larger because someone who wears a 32C has a 32" underbust and someone with a 34A has a 34" under bust.
I have to add though that this is all in theory. Because I am a 32B. And according to that method my underbust should be 32 and my overbust 34 but my underbust is 27" and over is 32". I've noticed that this method doesn't work for a lot of bra companies.

Actually, no. Cups have volume. It isn't about your overbust measurement. Because the cup of a bra has depth to it, it is more about the volume of the cup and the overall size. If you compare the cup of a 34A to a 32B you will find they're exactly the same i same brand

[myTake Owner]

I think you're just just throwing in information I've already stated in my own words, not really sure what you're arguing in your last point.

[bijinbijinbijin]

this totally makes sense to me. I have had a hard time finding the right bra size because in some brands I am a B while in other brands I am an A. I also usually do not only buy from just one bra brand either because bras can be extremely pricey, way more expensive than panties.

When I was younger I kind of fell for that "bigger is better" thing so I never wanted to have small boobs. I always would like to try to find B bras that fit me because it made me think that my boobs were actually really bigger than they were since I use to think that the letter meant the actual size of the whole boob. So If i could fit a B cup then I was aloud to feel better about myself. It really sucks how the media and what not makes young girls feel bad about their bodies by telling them that they are not beautiful if they have small boobs. As I got older and became a woman I realized that many men find me and my small boobs attractive.

[myTake Owner]

I agree :)

[Frost_Byt3]

I'm a guy and i seem to undestand this more than most women do 😂😂😂

So I've said before that my "ideal" bra size on a woman is about 34C (when girls ask questions about preffered bra size for men). So if i understand this correctly: its the same as a 30DD, a 32D, a 36B, a 38A and so on...

But i might want to reconsider my "ideal" bra size with that logic lol

[myTake Owner]

Eh. In my experience women know this.

[Frost_Byt3]

Wait a second. Even though a 32C and a 34B are the same thing. I the girls band size is 32" how can she fit into a 34B?

[myTake Owner]

What do you mean? Whos the girl?

[myTake Owner]

I think you're confused- the CUPS are the same size, the bands are different.

[Frost_Byt3]

It was just an example. But by what you said a person who wears a 32C could also where a 36B or a 38A. Is this true?

[myTake Owner]

No. That's not what I said.
I said (I'll repeat it for the second time) that the CUP sizes are the same. The amount of breast tissue a 32C carries is the same as a 34B and so forth. NO, someone who is a 32C can't wear a 34B as the BAND will be somewhat loose.

[Frost_Byt3]

Oh i see. So the cup size is changeable, but the band size is not. So if she had a 32" band size, she could wear a 32A, 32B, 32C, and so on, depending on how bug her boob actually is.

Well i guess that goes to show how much i know 😂

[Crazyced]

Sounds like a silly system to me. Imagine if pants worked the same way. 30-32 and 34-32 were the 32 inch inseam isn't the same length.

The way I see it, breasts takes a volume of space. Bra cups are supposed to ccontain said volume. Apply a range of specific volumes a cup size is supposed to handle and stick to it independently of band size.

[myTake Owner]

All A cups or B cups or C cups etc can't have the same volume, because they'll have to be further apart to accomdate the band size and such.

[Crazyced]

The way I see it, the cups are supposed to accommodate the breasts that are in them, in their natural position, wherever that may fall on the band. In the current system, physics don't change. It just applies 2 different letters to a single cup size depending on the band it is sewed onto.

[Crazyced]

It seems as if they were trying to represent proportions. Like they took a base model for example of a 36D woman. Then wondered, if her entire body were to shrink enough for her to have a 32 inch band, whatever cup size she ends up with will will call D as well. Thus coming up with 32D.

And to me that's the wrong way to do it.

[myTake Owner]

You don't understand.
The letter represents how many inches the overbust overlaps the under bust. Simply put a D cup is a 4" difference. The band size is extremely important because that's what you subtract from the overbust measurement.

[myTake Owner]

With your imaginary system we'd have to measure the breasts themselves. the problem is that there's so much variation with the size of the actual breasts. We would need the whole alphabet. Bra companies, rather than making 10-15 sizes would need to make more than 20. Probably up to 50.

[myTake Owner]

Your idea is extremely impractical.

[Crazyced]

Indeed but they do it like this certainly because it's a quick and easy was to measure beast 'size'. Not very accurate to measure actual volume though. Breast that are more spaced out or shaped differently will easily scew number.

One think I don't understand is how you can both be a 28D and a 32A. Cup size aside, isn't the number a simple measurement of your ribcage circumference? If you're 32 inches, how could you fit in something that is 4 inches short?

[myTake Owner]

That's because bra companies do not make bras the same way.

Measuring my 32B bra, it doesn't actually equal 32" in length, as the 32 suggests. I can't remember the number but it was less than 30.
So it could very well be 28" I think the reason that bras claim to have larger bands than they do is because women are thinking "no fucking way I'm 28" around, that's so tiny."
the cups fit alright, slightly snug. a 28D and a 32B have the same volume. Because 28D= 30C = 32B

[Crazyced]

No, not a single size would be added. The only thing that would be changed is that cups of the same size would have the same letter. That's it.

You are right though, it might be good to have a better way to measure breast volumes.

[myTake Owner]

I'm not sure how to explain it to you.
If I think of a way I'll come back. But it is very impractical. Again there's a very wide variance is the size of the breasts themselves. We would need way more cup sizes carried in your typical department store. The system may be confusing but it works ok, the cup size is simply a measure of how much bigger your breasts protrude from your chest. Seems right to me. I don't see the point in changing it

[myTake Owner]

Only thing that needs to change is bra companies. They need to manufacture bras differently

[Crazyced]

Hehe that's what I thought and that's why I think the system is silly. in my opinion, there's zero logical reason why the number wouldn't represent the circumference measurement, even MORE so, if the cup size is depending on it.

It would be fine if women made sense of it but many seems just as confused as I am about it. ;)

[myTake Owner]

Errrr don't think its our fault? We don't manufacture bras.

[myTake Owner]

So you're saying the number should represent the size of the breasts?

[Crazyced]

No, I lay the whole blame on whoever came up with the system, not women (the users). Especially one where one could both be considered a 28D and a 32A.

In my system, you would measure your under bust size. That would be your number. Then you would somewhat measure your breast size (procedure to be defined but a caliper can go a long way). And that measurement would fall within the range of a cup size (letter). I'm throwing numbers here but let's say the 400cc to 500cc range is attributed to 'D'. Then a women that has a breast size of 450cc would know to go towards a D cup and that regardless of her under bust measurements.

Although easy, I don't think the under/over is a particularly accurate way to measure breast size, especially since like you said, too many shapes and size. Breasts have one thing going for them though, once you get their volume, you can more easily standardizes cup shapes. As they are quite more malleable then lets say a head.

[Crazyced]

Shopping for helmet is virtually impossible for me unless I try them all on. I have an oval head and it doesn't exactly conform to the helmet. : / Usually one that fits right is wobbly on the sides and one that fits snug crushes my forehead.

[myTake Owner]

But measuring the breasts that way is very difficult. The system is easier in my opinion but oh well.

[myTake Owner]

Hahaha. I don't think helmets are a comfortable fit for anyone

[Crazyced]

Yes, it would be harder. But if you think about it, how many times are you going to have to measure your breasts? If studies are to be trusted, most women are wearing the wrong bra size. If we can give them the tools to find exactly what they need, I'd say it's worth it.

But hey I don't wear bras so I'm not impacted and if women are currently happy then so be it. I'm just giving my point of view from the outside in.

[myTake Owner]

Breasts change size, shape, and perkiness a lot so quite often! But I think we both agree something needs to change lol

[Crazyced]

haha Let's just say I wouldn't be a happy camper if my jeans size could be considered 30-30 at one place and 34-36 at another. I pretty much just grab and go. lol

[GirlsLie]

All this did was confuse me more lol. I just go to Victoria's Secret and get the free bra size measurement they do = problem solved.

[myTake Owner]

They vanity size 😏

[GirlsLie]

Yes but you can get a general idea. I found a certain type of bra I really like so I just buy the same size in different colors all of the time. Anyway at least you took the time to write this for non lazy girls lol

[myTake Owner]

I basically just wanted to show guys how it works lol. I am tired of hearing "I like C cups" or "D is the best" since cup sizes aren't static

[GirlsLie]

lol, yeah I understand :)

[CootiesInfection]

i really should go work at victorias secret. i've always wanted to measure boobs for a living

[astatine]

i am horribly confused...
could you tell me what size i am? my measurements are 28'' and 36'' around the fullest part.
if it helps, my current bra size in most brands is 34D, but it fluctuates quite often

[myTake Owner]

According to the method you're a 28H, or a 32D according to the second.

How well does a 34D fit?

[astatine]

wow! where would i find 28H!
34D in Triumph fits perfectly, in others it is generally 32D or 34D. I am not into victoria secrets...

[myTake Owner]

Figleaves I think? Curvy Kate? They're expensive and hard to find unfortunately. I suggested a proper fitting :)

[myTake Owner]

*suggest

[astatine]

yeah,.. i don't live in America!!! i guess i will have to hunt, really,.. or search online i guess!
thank you!

[Anonymous]

Well then. I will admit I didn't know about the difference between cups while taking band sizes into consideration. I'm extremely confused though, my band width is 34" and my bust is 44", therefore I would be a 34J? But I usually wear 36DDDD and that feels comfortable. I just wish people would use the same measurements for everything lol

[Dandeus]

Anything over DD has inconsistent sizing between brands. Best not to worry about generalities and be professionally fitted by a salesperson familiar with the brand you're interested in.

[p0rtis26]

I was hoping to understand, but I am even more confused now. =( All I think I got is that the letters are the cups and the numbers are the band sizes. And the two combined indicate if a girls breasts are large or not.

[Littlett25]

It means a woman can wear an A B C & so forth bra. They will just have different numbers for each of them.

[p0rtis26]

@Littlett25 and the #s are the most important indicator in size?

[Littlett25]

How bout you just forget about the numbers & letters & just stare at the woman's boobs & decide of they are big or not lol

[myTake Owner]

No, cup size is relevant to band size, don't feel like writing more.

[p0rtis26]

Hmm true It isn't important

[AliceAcid]

This post has just made bras a foreign concept to me. No wonder I have such trouble finding one that fits...

[DarkHumorRUs]

These pictures of D cups make it look like every girl wears D cups.

[myTake Owner]

I assure you they don't lol.

[DarkHumorRUs]

Cause all these pictures look like the average size of adult boobs, but everyone says D's are big.

[myTake Owner]

Well... if you read the article... maybe you'll understand.

[Kerbie]

wow you girls are confusing when it comes to your bouncy parts , I know my Hannah says she is a 32B in some and a A in others for me she looks good in any of them hehe because she always gets herself re measured when getting new ones.

[MarkyyG123]

Hahahaha oh dear lord... mind=blown
I was hoping this would make it a little easier but I'm confused now haha
It was a good take, in depth but man its confusing how this all works haha

[soccerchick4eva]

ahahhah the sizing here in australia is in different numbers mark :")

[MarkyyG123]

Ohhh does that make it any easier to understand? Or are we still in the same boat with different numbers :( @soccerchick4eva

[soccerchick4eva]

still the exact same boat... ahahhahahha

[MarkyyG123]

:( Do you know all of them? @soccerchick4eva

[soccerchick4eva]

maybs :P

[MarkyyG123]

Hahahaha Thats Zo Code for no, no I don't understand it all hahaha :") @soccerchick4eva

[soccerchick4eva]

ahaha i actually do know it -.-

[MarkyyG123]

... sure, sure you do :P @soccerchick4eva

[soccerchick4eva]

i dooooooo

[smexiliciousss]

you're right for the most part but b's will never be bigger than dd's because companies don't make band sizes that HUGE

[myTake Owner]

That's true, but its possible

[Babydollxo]

I think everywhere judges size differently and different brands have different cup sizing so this might not work for every brand. This is neat though, thanks for sharing

[Grace_Rdz]

So it's basically useless if I measure myself at home because it all depends on the store?
I really hate having to shop for new bras >.<

[myTake Owner]

Honestly, pretty much. I'm sure you can get a good idea but who knows. The best thing to do is go try on bunch of different sizes.

[TadCurious]

This is really fascinating. So when you say a bra size --- like 34 C --- the 34 would be the band size? Is there a Theory of Cup Size Relativity?

[myTake Owner]

Yes the number is the band size.
and unfortunately no? Lol

[akadatank44]

No I totally get that an ex taught me this. Is it hard for you women to find good fitting bras seeing how each brand is a little bit different in their sizing?

[myTake Owner]

Yeah, its difficult. Especially for larger chested women or ones with "rare" sizes.

the majority of department stores don't carry a 32C, and sometimes even a 32B is hard to find, so I usually go to the same place.
My mother is well endowed and bra shopping is awful for her.

[peachblossomluck]

I just have them measure me at the store so I know which size I am to fit their particular line of bra.

[sammy_31]

Yes this totally makes sense in some bras I'm a high B and mid C. It depends you don't know your true size until you get it professionally measured.

[YourFutureEx]

Funny thing is, I have read this somewhere even tho it is not useful for me at all.

[myTake Owner]

Meaning?

[YourFutureEx]

Why so hate? :/

Asker - I don't wear bras, that's why it's not useful for me. But I mentioned "I have read this somewhere" means I validated that you are right.

[myTake Owner]

I didn't down vote you lol. I think what you said was misinterpreted.

[YourFutureEx]

Yes I know that you are not the one that's why I mentioned "Asker - " because I wanted to let you know that "Why so hate? :/" is not directed towards you.

T_T Nobody understands me T_T