How to Find Your Bra Size at Home

Most people wear a bra that does not quite fit, and it is usually the band, not the cup, that is wrong. The good news is that you can check your size at home in about five minutes with a soft tape measure.

What you need

• A soft measuring tape (or a piece of string and a ruler)
• A mirror
• A bra you already own that has no padding, or just your bare chest

Step 1: measure around your ribcage

Breathe out and wrap the tape snugly around your ribcage, right under your bust. Keep it level all the way round. Note the number in inches (1 inch is 2.54 cm). Round to the nearest even number: that is your band size, for example 32 or 34.

Step 2: measure around the fullest part of your bust

Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, keeping it level and not pulling tight. Note this number in inches too.

Step 3: work out your cup

Subtract your band size from your bust measurement. Every inch of difference is one cup size.

• 1 inch: A
• 2 inches: B
• 3 inches: C
• 4 inches: D

So a 32 band with a 35 inch bust gives a difference of 3 inches, which is a 32C.

Check the fit

• The band should sit level and feel snug. You should only be able to slide two fingers underneath.
• The centre panel should lie flat against your chest.
• Your breast tissue should sit inside the cups with no spilling over the top or sides.
• Straps should hold the bra in place, not carry all the support.

If it is almost right: sister sizes

Brands cut differently, so you may sit between two sizes. A sister size keeps the same cup volume. Going up one band size means going down one cup (a 34B is the sister size of a 32C), and the other way round.

Try our Fit Finder

Enter your two measurements in our Fit Finder and it will suggest your size and your sister sizes, and filter the shop to match. Then look at everyday options such as a wire-free cotton bra, a lace bralette or a soft active bra.

Sizes can differ between brands, so always check each product's size chart on Amazon before you order.

VelvetComfort exists for these moments — the in-between times when you choose softness on purpose. Each piece in our curation is chosen with one filter: would we gift this to our most beloved friend?