Plastic Surgery
Wexham Park Hospital
Bra measurement
The perfect fit
One of the most common causes of breast pain and discomfort is due
to an ill-fitting bra. A recent study showed that 8 out of 10 women wear
the wrong size bra. This can lead to long term problems such as back,
neck and shoulder pain. Many women experience grooves and chafing
along the straps and underneath the breast. This is particularly
common in large breasted women. Wearing the correct size bra is
Title of Bra measurement therefore essential. Research shows that the average cup size has
Leaflet increased from a B to a C cup.
Author Kamal Paul, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Breast and Plastics
Ref. No T/014/5 Issue Date February Review Date February Does my bra fit properly?
2021 2024
You may experience a change in bra size during your lifetime; some of
the main contributing factors are most likely to be pregnancy, weight
Legal Notice gain or weight loss, medication and hormonal changes.
Please remember that this leaflet is intended as general information only. We
aim to make the information as up to date and accurate as possible. Please
therefore always check specific advice or any concerns you may have with
The only way to make sure you are wearing the correct size is to be
your doctor. measured by a professional. If this is not possible, this leaflet gives you
step by step guidance on how to measure yourself for a bra.
The following points may be helpful
The bra you wear should be comfortable.
It should enhance your shape and figure.
There should be no bulges or skin folds over the cup.
The wires should sit firmly on the skin and the bra should not lift Step Two
when you reach up. To determine the cup size, you need to measure over the fullest part of
Make sure the bra is in the Centre and that both breasts are the breast (2), then subtract the bra size from the over bust
fully contained within the cup. measurement; the difference will indicate your cup size using the table
Check that the back of the bra does not rub across the back. shown below.
The cups should be parallel with the straps at the back. If it
rides up you may need a bigger cup size, but a smaller band.
A good bra will not only support your back and make you look
slimmer, but it will also improve your posture.
The breast should have a smooth silhouette; the easiest way to
check this is to wear a T shirt when trying on a new bra. You will
be able to check the outline of the breast for any bulges or
creases.
How do I measure myself for a bra?
Step One
To obtain the correct size bra measurement you need to measure the Example
body directly under the breasts as shown in the diagram below. If you measure 29” under bust, +5” gives you a bra size of 34, as
Please note that all measurements are quoted in inches. above.
Keep the tape snug under the If the over bust is 36” then you take 34 away from 36, which is a 2”
breasts (1). difference, giving you a bra/cup size of 34C.
Using this measurement,
add 4 if the measurement is an
even number
add 5 if it is an odd number.
Example
If your measurement is 28” add
4”, resulting in a bra size of 32
If your measurement is 29” add
5”, resulting in a bra size of 34
After determining the bra size, the next step is to measure for cup
size.
