What can we say about the sizes of women breasts? The shape and sizes and form of the breasts vary from woman to woman. Determining the standard set of bra sizes is still not possible let alone the average bra size. The results for the surveys to find out the average bra sizes are different every time depending on various factors of the population studied.
The average bra size for America, couple of decades back, used to be 34B.
But according to the survey carried out by lingerie retailerIntimacy in 2013, the American average bra size has increased from 34B to 34DD. Intimacy spokeswoman Kate Terhune explained to The Huffington Postthat weight gain and breast implants have played a role in the increase, but the biggest factor is that women are choosing a more appropriate size.
Medical Daily also stated its reasons for the leap of American average bra size. According to it, inflated cup sizes, plastic surgery, and the increasing obesity rate are the reasons for the increment.
Another reason is the study in 2004 that resulted in 80 percent of women wearing the wrong size bra. Oprah Winfrey dedicated her show helping women to discover their true bra size. Women who thought they were B found out that they are actually DD.
The average bra size in UK was 36D that is in 2010.
Like America, Britain also faced the increased average bra size, from 36C to more voluptuous 36DD as mentioned in DailyMail in 2015. The market research carried out by Mintel in 2004 showed that bust sizes in UK had increased from 1998 to 2004 in younger as well as older consumers and that the shift was not limited to overweight women.
Not just the bra sizes, even the surveys of bra sizes tend to vary depending on the population studied. In a survey conducted by Triumph in 2007, it was found that 57% of British women need a D cup that is more than any other country.
Below is the table showing the result of Triumph Survey:
Country
D
C
B
A
UK
57%
18%
19%
6%
Denmark
50%
19%
24%
7%
Netherlands
36%
27%
29%
8%
Belgium
28%
28%
35%
9%
France
26%
29%
38%
7%
Sweden
24%
30%
33%
14%
Greece
23%
28%
40%
9%
Switzerland
19%
24%
43%
14%
Austria
11%
27%
51%
10%
Italy
10%
21%
68%
1%
Average Bra Size Map
The following colorful world map shows the average bra size of the women around the world. This map and many others are included in the Atlas named ‘Vargic’s Miscellany of Curious Maps: Mapping Out the Modern World’ created by Martin Vargic, graphic designer from Slovakia.
The globe graphic shows women in Russia and parts of Scandinavia have larger breast resulting in larger bra sizes, with the average being larger than a D cup, compared to large parts of Asia and Africa where most women are a more modest A-cup measurement.
The infographic below illustrates the average cup size of women around the world. This is an interesting infographic and the cup sizes are illustrated brilliantly.
Like the Map, this infographic also shows that Russia, US, UK and European countries have D and larger than D as average bra size while Asian, African and less developed American countries have smaller cups, A, B and C as the average bra size.
When the show started back in 90s, the average bra size in States was 34B. The size now has changed and increased to 34DD. Though the average bra size is larger, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show broadcast its angels with smaller breast sizes.
It is obvious that models are smaller bodied that is why they have smaller breasts. But Victoria’s Secret showcased a varied range of sizes. The Mic states Victoria’s Secret sells bras up to size DDD and band size 40 but the labeled size doesn’t match the exact measurement and there are not enough option for bigger size.
Women these days are getting breasts implants to obtain the size they want according to meet the beauty standard set by media and magazines.
But you know beauty comes in all sizes and size doesn’t matter. Just make sure you know your bra size and you are wearing correctly fitting bra.
Now, you know the average bra sizes around the world. Is your size above or below the average bra size? Let us know in the comment section below.
Most women end up wearing the wrong size bra because the perfect fit bras are very hard to find. The lack of International Standards for the measurement is making it more difficult to determine the sizes. The bra sizes vary from country to country; hence the bra size conversion can be real confusion.
So many factors are included while measuring the bra size making it complicated. The shape and size, position and symmetry, spacing and firmness, everything differs from an individual woman to another. The labeled bra sizes do not always match the actual measurements.
Knowing your bra size is very much essential to find yourself a perfect fit bra. If you don’t know how to measure bra size, go here and you can take measurement of your bra size.
The bra sizes are basically measured in inches and the centimeters.
The bra size conversion can really get on your nerves; hence we have collected all the possible bra size conversion charts.
The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, Korea, France, Spain, Belgium are the major manufacturers of bra; hence we have considered them in our conversion charts.
Knowing your bra sizes in both inches and centimeters is very helpful. If you are habituated to shop online, then it is very important and recommended that you know all the conversions of your size. If you know your bra size and all related bra size conversion, then it gives you freedom and options of choosing bras from various brands and manufacturers.
The following are the conversion charts to convert any size from any country:
Australia / NZ
USA
UK / India
Europe / China / Japan
Hong Kong / Korea
France / Spain
Belgium
8A
30A
30A
65B
80B
8B
30B
30B
65C
80C
8C
30C
30C
65D
80D
8D
30D
30D
65E
80E
8DD
30DD
30DD
65F
80F
8E
30DDD
30E
65G
80G
10A
32A
32A
70B
85B
10B
32B
32B
70C
85C
10C
32C
32C
70D
85D
10D
32D
32D
70E
85E
10DD
32DD
32DD
70F
85F
10E
32DDD
32E
70G
85G
10F
32F
32F
70H
85H
10G
32G
32G
70I
85I
12A
34A
34A
75B
90B
12B
34B
34B
75C
90C
12C
34C
34C
75D
90D
12D
34D
34D
75E
90E
12DD
34DD
34DD
75F
90F
12E
34DDD
34E
75G
90G
12F
34F
34F
75H
90H
12G
34G
34G
75I
90I
14A
36A
36A
80B
95B
14B
36B
36B
80C
95C
14C
36C
36C
80D
95D
14D
36D
36D
80E
95E
14DD
36DD
36DD
80F
95E
14E
36DDD
36E
80G
95G
14F
36F
36F
80H
95H
14G
36G
36G
80I
95I
16B
38B
38B
85C
100C
16C
38C
38C
85D
100D
16D
38D
38D
85E
100E
16DD
38DD
38DD
85F
100F
16E
38DDD
38E
85G
100G
16F
38F
38F
85H
100H
16G
38G
38G
85I
100I
18B
40B
40B
90C
105C
18C
40C
40C
90D
105D
18D
40D
40D
90E
105E
18DD
40DD
40DD
90F
105F
18E
40DDD
40E
90G
105G
18F
40F
40F
90H
105H
18G
40G
40G
90I
105I
20B
42B
42B
95C
110C
20C
42C
42C
95D
110D
20D
42D
42D
95E
110E
20DD
42DD
42DD
95F
110F
20E
42DDD
42E
95G
110G
20F
42F
42F
95H
110H
20G
42G
42G
951
110I
22B
44B
44B
100C
115C
22C
44C
44C
100D
115D
22D
44D
44D
100E
115E
22DD
44DD
44E
100F
115F
22E
44DDD
44E
100G
115G
22F
44F
44F
100H
115H
22G
44G
44G
100I
115I
By now, you should know your bra size and conversion in all the available standards of various countries. If you are still not sure about your bra size, you can always come back and check the above bra size conversion chart.
Did you determine your bra size? Were you able to convert your size? Let us know in the comment section below.
You are well aware that the bra sizes labeling differs from country to country and manufacturer to manufacturer. How to measure bra size is big question. If you want to know more about the bra sizes and the variations, you can go here and read. Not finding a perfectly fitting bra is a major problem for most of the women, especially women with the larger breasts because not many companies produce bra of larger size.
Anyway it is difficult to find properly fitted bra, for smaller or the larger breasted women. Most of the women do not know their bra size. And the variation in the labeling of the bra sizes of different brands is making the choices even more complicated. Same labeled bra size can give different measurements.
Different countries have different standards of bra size measurement systems. Also different manufacturers within the same country have different set of measurement system. Some measure under the bust, some over the bust. The others take measures in inches while some take in centimeters. While, some even base the bra size upon the dress size.
The reason behind all these variations is the lack of one International Standard of bra size measurements. There are various factors to be considered to calculate the correct bra size which is complicated because the shape, size, position, symmetry, spacing, firmness vary considerably in every individual woman. The manufacturers produce bras that fit for majority of the women.
The cup sizes were invented in 1930s and the band sizes became popular only in 1940s.
The bra size is determined by the two factors; band size and cup size. There are various ways to measure band and cup size. The primary methods of measuring are either under the bust or over the bust. The variety of factors complicates the calculation of the correct bra size.
A bra measurement is considered as an art and a science.
There are various methods possible for the bust measurement.
Underbust +0
Put the measuring tape around the torso at the inframammary fold or the base of the breast. The tape should be parallel to the floor. The measurement in inches is then rounded to the closest even number of the band size.
Underbust +4
This method is same as Underbust +0, a measuring tape is pulled tight around the torso under the bust and parallel to the floor. If the measurement is even, 4 is added and if the measurement is odd, 5 is added to calculate the band size.
Sizing chart
Many stores in US determine the band size by above mentioned, Underbust +0 and Underbust +4 methods. A sizing chart then uses this measurement to determine the band size. The badn sizes calculated this way differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, though the result generally lie between the measurements taken from Underbust +0 and Underbust +4 methods.
Above the breasts
A measuring tape is pulled around the torso under the armpit and above the bust and the measurements are taken. Since the band sizes are mostly manufactured in even numbers, the measurement taken is rounded to the closest even number. Victoria’s Secret uses this method for the band size measurement.
The difference between the bust size and the band size determines the cup size. The bust size or the bust line measure or over-bust measure is the measurement around the torso over the fullest part of the breasts, usually over the nipples. We have discussed the ways to take the measurement of the band size above. The cup size measurements are made in the same units as the band size, either inches or centimeters. The cup size is calculated by subtracting the band size from the bust size or over-bust measurement.
Cup size = Bust size – Band size
Measuring cup size without a bra
This is the method adopted by the plastic surgeons. Use a flexible tape, position the tape outside the chest, under the arm, where the breast tissue begins. Measure across the fullest part of the breast, usually across the nipple, to where the breast tissue stops at the breast bone. This approach assumes that the breasts are not so large and pendulous. Only women whose breasts are firm and spherical can measure without a bra.
Below is the measurement of cup size conversion:
Measurement
Cup size
inch
cm
7.0
17.8
A
7.5
19.1
A
8.0
20.3
B
8.5
21.6
B
9.0
22.9
C
9.5
24.1
C
10.0
25.4
D
10.5
26.7
D
11.0
27.9
DD
The above cup measurements are correct only for a 34-inch band because cup size is relative to band size. Though the shape of each cup may differ, the volume of the cup is the same for 30D, 32C, 34B and 36A. These related bra sizes are called sister sizes.
The research by plastic surgeons suggested that the current popular system of determining the bra size is inaccurate so often as to be useless. Add to this the many different styles of bras and the lack of standardization between brands, and one can see why finding a comfortable, well-fitting bra is more a matter of educated guesswork, trial, and error than of precise measurements. (Pechter, 1998)
You can follow the following measurement system to measure your bra size at home:
Basics for Sizing
Remember that the cup size varies depending on the band sizes.
Understand the signs of perfectly fitting bra; snug band, side coverage, flat gore, smooth curve.
Don’t forget the different breasts shapes; shallow, pendulous, firm, so on.
Don’t forget about the sister sizes.
Know different fitting styles.
Don’t hesitate to ask a professional to measure your size.
Modern Sizing
Measure your band size.
Determine your cup size.
Check for the fit
Try on a bra with the measurements you have obtained.
Put on the bra correctly.
Check the band size (snug and not too tight).
Confirm the cup size (breasts fully encompassed, no wrinkly cups).
See the bra with your top on (no bulges, breasts at halfway between shoulders and elbows).
Besides the above methods, there are many online bra size calculator tools. Most of the lingerie websites have their own bra size calculator. But the sizes vary according to the brands. So make sure to take the measurements when switching various brands.
If you are confused with the different bra sizes check out the bra size conversion chart.
Was this post helpful for you? Let us know in the comment section below.
Bra sizes basically depend on the band sizes and cup sizes of the particular bras, usually consists of numbers and alphabets. In 1932, bra cup sizes were invented and band sizes became popular only in 1940s.
All the women differ from each other in shape, size, spacing, position, symmetry and firmness. The bra manufacturers produce bras of limited ranges from smallest to largest targeting to fit the maximum numbers of women.
Since there is not anything like International standard for the bra size, the labeling of the sizes vary from country to country, manufacturer to manufacturer. Pechter, in his study ‘A New Method for Determining Bra Size and Predicting Postaugmentation Breast Size’, found that bra label size was consistently different from the measured size even within the same country.
This is the reason why women find it difficult to find the perfect fitting bra. Hence some women opt for the custom-made bras.
The Origin of the Cup
As mentioned in Uplift: The Bra in America by Farrell-Beck and Gau (2002), the term ‘cup’ was not use to describe bras until 1916.
The S.H. Camp and Company were the first to measure cup size by the alphabets A, B, C and D, in October 1932. Those letters represented how droopy are the breasts and not their volume. Cup sizes A through D were not meant to be for the smaller to the larger-breasted women.
Warner introduced these four cup sizes, A, B, C, and D for its products in 1937. These cup sizes got the nicknames; egg cup, tea cup, coffee cup and challenge cup as stated by Eisenberg & Eisenberg in The Scoop on Breasts: A Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths (2012). The two other companies offered the A, B, C, and D cup sizes in late 1930s.
Though the alphabetical cup sizes were introduced back in 1930s, the catalog companies continued using labels of small, medium and large through 1940s. Britain refused to go along with the American cup sizes until 1948. Sears Company applied cup sizes to bras in its catalog in the 1950s.
Though the adjustable bands were introduced in 1930s using the multiple hook and eye closures, band size became popular only in 1940s. American bra manufacturers started band measurement system after the Second World War.
It has been almost 7 decades since the bras were first introduced, yet the band sizes and cup sizes are not standardized. The sizes vary significantly from one manufacturer to another providing just the fairly accurate fit. This complicates finding the correctly fitting bra and women cannot rely on the labeled bra sizes. This is the reason why most women are wearing the wrong size bras.
The bra size is determined by the band size and cup size. Band size measurement is taken by measuring the body around the base of the breasts. Cup size is determined by the difference between the bust measurement and band measurement. Some manufacturers measure in inches and some in centimeters, thus creating the difference. And the manufacturers are not coming together to agree on a single standard.
The cup size increases from A to D, from smallest to the largest. These days manufacturers produce bra of bigger sizes such as G, H, and so on for the larger breasted women. British manufacturers produce bra from A to LL cup size while in America bras from A-G cup sizes are found. The largest cup size found is N (Goddess, Elila) which is roughly equal to British JJ cup. Poland produces up to R cup size.
The thing is larger cup sizes are difficult to get in retail outlets. And with the increasing cup size the labeled cup sizes tend to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer more widely.
Bras are small pieces of clothing yet the most complex piece of apparel. There are various styles and each style has various sizes.
Variation in cup sizes
Cup sizes vary from country to country, manufacturer to manufacturer. The larger the cup size the greater the variation.
Below is the bra size chart of U.S., U.K. and Australia:
Difference
(inches)
<1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Cupsize U.S.
AA
A
B
C
D
DD/E
DDD/F
DDDD/G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
–
–
Cupsize U.K./Australia
AA
A
B
C
D
DD
E
F
FF
G
GG
H
HH
J
JJ
K
KK
L
Let alone the bra sizes, even the surveys of bra sizes tend to vary depending on the population studied. In a survey conducted by Triumph in 2007, it was found that 57% of British women need a D cup that is more than any other country.
Below is the table showing the result of Triumph Survey:
Of course, the bra sizes vary all across the world. Since the bra size labeling system differs from brand to brand, country to country, women can to some extent reduce the difficulty of finding the perfect fitting bra by choosing one country and one brand that fits more properly than the others.
Below is the bra size chart showing the approximate band size equivalents between various systems:
Different countries have different sizing systems. Most of them use the chest circumference measurement and lettered cup sizes but still there are noticeable differences.
United States and Canada
In the United States and Canada, band sizes are measured in inches and cup sizes increase by 1-inch steps. However, labeling of the bra size still varies. Some label bra beyond C cup as D-DD-DDD-DDDD-E-EE-EEE… and some as D1, D2, D3, D4, and so on. But majority follows the system of A, B, C, D, DD, DDD, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O.
Jockey International introduced new way of measuring bra and cup sizes in 2013. It introduced ten cup sizes per band size and those were numbered instead of letters, labeled as 1-36, 2-36, and so on.
UK
Like in US and Canada, UK also uses the inch system to measure the band size and cup sizes increase by 1-inch steps, or 2.54 cm. The British standard band sizes are 28-30-32-34-36-38-40-42-44, and so on. Cup sizes are labeled as AA-A-B-C-D-DD-E-F-FF-G-GG-H-HH-J-JJ-KK-L.
Both Australia and New Zealand use the permutation of the British system. They use the same cup sizes but Australia’s bra band size is based o dress sizing charts. Since the dress sizes and cuts are calculated for B and C cups only, basing the band size upon the dress size is not accurate way to get the bra size.
Continental Europe
In continental Europe, band size is measure in centimeters and rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cm. Hence, the band sizes are 65-70-75-80-… and so on, increasing 5 cm a step.
The cup size labels starts with AA for 11±1 cm difference between bust and underbust circumference. They increase by 2 cm a step, instead of 2.5 cm or 1 inch like UK and US. This is standardized system for European dress size, EN 13402, which was introduced in 2006.
Below is the list of bra sizes of Continental Europe:
Cup Size
Band Size
Difference (cm)
Cup
Underbust circumference (cm)
Bust size
Underbust size
FR/BE/ES
EU
IT
10-12
AA
58-62
75
60
0
12-14
A
63-67
80
65
1
I
14-16
B
68-72
85
70
2
II
16-18
C
73-77
90
75
3
III
18-20
D
78-82
95
80
4
IV, IIII
20-22
E
83-87
100
85
5
V
22-24
F
88-92
105
90
6
VI
24-26
G
93-97
110
95
7
VII
26-28
H
98-102
115
100
8
VIII
103-107
120
105
9
IX, VIIII
108-112
125
110
10
X
Index: FR = France, BE = Belgium, ES = Spain, IT = Italy
French, Belgian and Spanish system of bra size is a permutation of the Continental European sizing system. Though the cup sizes are the same, band sizes are exactly 15 cm larger than the European band size.
The Italian band sizes are in Roman numerals and uses small consecutive integers. It starts with size 0 for European size 60.
South Korea/Japan
Like Continental Europe, South Korea and Japan also measures torso in centimeters and rounds to the nearest multiple of 5 cm. Band sizes start from 65-70-75-80… and so on, increasing 5 cm a step.
The cup size for South Korea begins from AAA for 5±1.25 cm difference between bust and underbust circumference. They increase 2.5 cm a step, except for the initial cup size letters. Japanese cup sizes begin with AA for 7.5±1.25 cm difference and precedes the bust size, for example, ‘B75’ instead of ‘75B’.
These are standardized size in both Korea dress size, KS K9404 in 1999 and Japan dress size, JIS L4006 in 1998.
Hence, the measurement system for band size and cup size varies across the world. The best thing to do to find the perfect fitting bra would be measuring bra size yourself and finding the closest fit.
