Size Chart For Woman's Lingerie and Underwear

Please remember: all manufacturers are different, these are a basic guide to measuring yourself.

All about measurements and bra sizes
 

Measurements to take

For best results, you should know your:

Bra size
Bust size (in inches)
Waist size (in inches)
Hips size (in inches)
Height size (in inches)
Weight size (in pounds)
U.S. dress size

Tip: Multiply centimeters by 0.394 to get inches and multiply kilograms by 2.2 to get pounds.

See below for more about these measurements.

How to take a measurement?

Use a cloth tape measure that shows inches, or you can use centimeters and convert to inches using the charts at the bottom of this page. Loop the tape around the part of the body you are measuring (see the illustration) so it's snug fitting, but not pinching any skin.

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Your Bra Size and Bust Measurement are different!

Your bust measurement is taken by looping the tape around the fullest part of your breasts, preferably while wearing your best fitting bra (see illustration above). This is the same measurement described in Step 2 of How do I determine my bra size?.

Don't make the mistake of taking your bra size, discarding the cup and assuming that is your bust measurement! In Example 1 of How do I determine my bra size? below, the bust measurement is 37 (not 36). In Example 2, the bust measurement is also 37 (not 34).

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How do I determine my bra size?

Bras are sized using two measurements, band width and cup. Band width measures the size of your torso, while your cup measures the size of your breasts. In the United States, band width is expressed in inches and cups are expressed as a letter. A is smaller than B which is smaller than C, etc. If you don't know your bra size, read on.

STEP 1: For best results, start by putting on your best fitting bra. Loop a tape measure under the pits of your arms and above your breasts (see illustration above). The tape should be snug, but not cinched tight. The resulting measurement is the size of your torso (if your tape measure is in centimeters, see below for how to convert to inches).

STEP 2: Lower the tape measure so it reaches around the fullest part of your breasts (see illustration above). Subtract the size of your torso from this measurement and consult the table below to determine your cup size.

A - up to 1"
B - up to 2"
C - up to 3"
D - up to 4"
DD - up to 5"

STEP 3: Bras and bustiers are usually sized in even whole numbers (32, 34, 36, etc.). Take your torso measurement and discard any fraction (for example, 35-and-a-half inches becomes 35 inches. If the result is an odd number, round up to the next even number (for example, 35 to 36). You now have your band width.

Example 1: If your torso is 35 inches around and the fullest part of your breasts measure 37 inches, then the difference is 2 inches, which according to the table above would be a B cup. Your band width would be 36 (because odd numbers are rounded up to the next even number). Therefore, your bra size would be 36B.

Example 2: Your torso measures 34.5 inches and your breasts measure 37 inches. The difference is 2.5 inches. Since a B cup only goes up to 2 inches, you would be a C cup (up to 3 inches). Your band width would be 34 (fractions are discarded). Therefore, your bra size would be 34C.

Warning: Although the above procedure is fairly accurate, the variations in the human body and in the manufacturing process of different brands means it's not foolproof.

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What does size S/M or 1X/2X mean?

Some items are adjustable or elastic enough that they come in combined sizes. For example, an item might say it's available in two sizes, S/M and L/XL, or, it might say 1X/2X and 3X/4X. This means, for example, that a size S/M will fit you if you are either a S or M as shown in the size chart. Likewise, a size 1X/2X will fit you if you wear a 1X or 2X, as shown in the size chart.

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How do I convert from UK, European or Japanese sizes?

*To convert centimeters (cm) to inches, multiply by 0.394. To convert from kilograms (kg) to pounds (lbs), multiply by 2.20.

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