Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

How To Measure Your Bra Size At Home

All of our fellow millennial readers – picture this. It’s 2006, and you and your best friends are at the mall. You stumble upon your favorite lingerie retailer and have a look around, and you find yourself in a changeroom having a bra fitting. 

The music is loud, the walls pink, and you’ve left with armfuls of bras and the sales individuals armed with their commission. 

Conjured up some memories, didn’t we? Yet, the importance of a well-fitting and comfortable bra cannot be overstated. 

These days, it’s not as common to have a bra fitting with a retailer. Some giants like Nordstrom have professional bra fitting staff, yet there is a large room for error. There’s also the glaring issue of COVID-19 restrictions.

Experts recommend measuring your bra size about once a year, as breast size can easily change due to hormonal changes or weight fluctuation.  

The easiest place to do this is undoubtedly the privacy of your home. Let’s get into it!

Step One: Measure Your Band Size

Put on a casual lounge bra. Be sure it’s minimally lined with no padding. Take a measuring tape and wrap it snugly (but not too snugly) around the bottom of your bust. 

Round up, and you’ve got your band size!

Step Two: Measure Your Bust Size

Using the same bra and the same measuring tape, move the tape up to the fullest part of your breast while keeping the tape on your back at the position of the band level (above) as best you can. 

The fullest part of your breast is typically where your nipples are, but of course, this can vary. You’re the best judge of your breasts! In cases where the fullest part of your breast is at the bottom, bending over at the waist can help with a more precise measurement. 

As above, round up, and you’ve got your bust size!

Step Three: Find Your Cup Size

Now, for a bit of math. 

Don’t worry, you can dismiss the traumatic memories of your tenth-grade algebra – this is pretty simple stuff!

To determine your cup size, you’ll subtract your bust measurement from your band measurement. 

If your result is a 0-inch difference (or the band and bust sizes are identical) your cup size is AA, if there is a 1-inch difference your cup size is B, and so on and so forth.

Putting It Together: Your Bra Size

You’ve taken your measurements, you’ve done the math. Now how to put it all together to determine your bra size? It’s simple. 

Take your band size and put it next to the cup size you determined in step three – and voila – you’ve determined your bra size! 

Here’s an example: 38 C. 

When shopping, be aware that not all brands are created equal. Your size might fit beautifully in one brand, or not at all in another. It’s best to try on your bras whenever possible.