If you pull the back of the bra in the middle, you should be able to pull it out about 5 cm from the body: then the bra is tight enough. The back should be tight against the body but not so tight as to be uncomfortable or so you can’t breathe. The band should be shortened so you can fit a finger between the strap and the shoulder. The shoulder straps should be shortened so you can get a finger between the strap and the shoulder. It should not stick into the breast either, for example at the side, then the cup is too small. It should never lie on top, then the cup is too shallow.

The underwire should fit tightly against the body and the sternum. The breasts should not spill out over the edges of the cups and the cups shouldn’t crease or be too loose. The whole breasts should fit into and fill the cups. When you put on the bra, look in the mirror to see what it looks like. So, bear in mind the fit and silhouette of the bra you are wearing when you measure.Īfter working out your size and trying a bra in that size, if you don’t think it fits well, go for the size you were wearing before if you think that fits better. If, for example, it doesn’t gather the breasts but lets them ‘hang naturally’, you will get a smaller size when you measure. For example, the bra you are wearing when you measure will affect the size you come up with. It works for most women but is not the whole truth. The size chart gives an indication of what size you have. This is important as most bras have elastic backs that will stretch over time.

Measure the circumference round your upper body under the bust.

Put on a bra you think fits well and that supports the bust without flattening it, with cups that fit the whole of the breasts without them spilling out.

All you need is a tape measure and a bra. So, how do you measure your bra size? It's easy and takes just a few minutes. The most common is a bra that is too loose or with a cup that is too small. According to a British survey a few years ago, eight out of ten women wear the wrong size bra, most without being aware of it. Maybe you’ll discover that you need to go up or down one or two sizes next time you buy a new bra. It can therefore be a good idea to check your bra size regularly.

Bras that have stretched give you the impression that you’re wearing a larger bra size than what the size label says. Why should you check your bra size if your favourite bra still fits, even if you’ve had it for a few years? Bras adapt to your body, but over time they also lose their elasticity and change the circumference and support they once had when you bought them. Use our guide to measure your size in three easy steps. Women change their bra size about 4-5 times during their adult life. How long was it since you checked what bra size you actually have? There is a good chance you may have changed size since you last measured.

Whats my bra size calculator