Calculate your bra size: guide and advice

Whether it is for comfort, health or the maintenance of the chest, it is essential to know your measurements. How to easily calculate your bra size? Here is a complete guide.

A woman’s breast evolves throughout its life. Between puberty, pregnancy, weight gain or loss or even menopause, many factors can cause a bra size change. It is therefore important to know how to calculate it. The reason ? Ensure comfort and support while avoiding minor inconveniences on a daily basis.

Unsuitable bra: what are the risks?

Wearing a daily bra that is not the right size, and therefore unsuited to your morphology and needs, can cause various ailments. In particular, back pain, headaches or even impaired blood circulation leading to various disorders – such as swelling, skin spots, tingling sensations in the legs and other parts of the body.

How do I know if a bra is right for me?

To be sure that a bra is the right one for you, there are some signs to check. Here they are :

  • A chest that’s too tight in a bra
  • A cap that’s too big, which yawns
  • The band on the back of the bra cuts the skin
  • The band at the back of the bra goes up very high
  • The underwire or hooks of the bra are bothering you

How to calculate your bra size?

For calculate your bra size easily and know your precise measurements, just follow three steps.

1 / Measure your bust

Before starting, it is recommended to bring a tape measure, it will allow you to measure the bust circumference. The tape measure should be placed around it, under the chest. The measurement should then be noted.

2 / Measure your chest size

Calculate your chest size also allows you to know the depth of your cup. To do this, you have to place the tape measure around the chest, making sure that the tape is in the middle of the breasts horizontally. Then take the measurement.

3 / Calculate the cup depth

Once these two measurements have been taken, all you have to do is calculate the difference between the chest circumference and the bust circumference in order to know the size of your cup. For example, if a chest measurement is 75 cm and the bust measurement is 90 cm we do: (75-90 = 15), this will therefore correspond to a cup B, if we are relying on a table size guide.

To know your exact bra size, you simply need to know your bust size and cup size. In order to easily calculate your size, it is best to rely on size guide tables.

TABLE 1: Knowing your bust size and bra size

Bust tourBra size
63 to 67 cm 80
68 to 72 cm 85
From 73 to 77 cm 90
From 78 to 82 cm 95
From 83 to 87 cm 100
From 88 to 92 cm 105
From 93 to 97 cm 110
From 98 to 102 cm 115

TABLE 2: Knowing your cup depth

DifferenceCup size
13 cmAT
15 cmB
17 cmVS
19 cmD
21 cmE
23 cmF
25 cmG
27 cmH

How to choose your bra according to your morphology?

To choose a good bra, you must also take into account its morphology. Indeed, there are different types of bras: bandeau, with underwire, without underwire, triangle, balconette, push-up … It is therefore important to know which model best corresponds to your morphology.

  • For a small breast:

Non-wired, triangle or band bras are perfect for this type of breast. Of course, if you want to increase the volume of your breasts, you can bet on a push-up bra.

  • For a medium breast:

Balconette or half-cup bras will perfectly enhance your breasts. Underwired lingerie can also be worn when you have a medium breast.

  • For a generous breast:

Finally, if you have a large bust, the ideal is to bet on models with underwire or full cup bras. The goal ? Ensure the support of the chest as well as comfort. In addition, bras with straps allow a better hold.

Of course, these are only recommendations, and you are free to wear what you want. The main thing is that you are comfortable.

Where to buy a suitable bra?

Once the measurement problem has been resolved, it is not always easy to find the ideal store for your needs. Fortunately, many brands have specialized in bras suitable for all breasts and cups. Among our favorite brands, we find La Redoute, Rouge Gorge, Sans Complexe, Aubade, Darjeeling or even Kiabi. These brands offer lingerie, sports bras and even swimsuits for all sizes. As you will have understood, it is essential for good health to choose a bra adapted to your needs and to know how to calculate your size. By following these tips, you’ll never have a problem finding the perfect fit again.

Video by Clemence Chevallet

Ava Skoupsky

Journalist passionate about the lifestyle universe, Ava deciphers all the trends. She is keen to tackle all the subjects that mark our daily lives. Fan of travel, she works as a freelance …