Bra Size Guide India: How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home
Bra fitting will be the one thing that will determine whether you feel good or bad during the day. When the bra fitting is right, it gives proper support and does not cause any marking, pain, digging, lifting or spillage of the cups, while in case of incorrect bra fitting, there will be pain in the shoulders and back, digging, lifting, falling of straps or spillage of the bras cups.
Luckily, you can find out what your bra size is within five minutes right at the comfort of your home with nothing but a stretchable tailor's measuring tape and a mirror. All that you need to know can be found in the detailed guide, diagrammatic illustrations of the band size, cup size, and sizes of bras from different brands available in Siome.
How to find your size in three simple steps
- Find the measurement of your bust (underbust). Take the closest figure to the inch and add 4 if it comes out even or 5 if it comes out odd. That’s your band size.
- Find the measurement of your bust at its fullest point. Take the closest figure to the inch.
- Subtract your bust measurement from your band measurement. That will be your cup size (1 inch = A, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = D, 5 = DD/E, 6 = F, etc.)
Put your band size together with your cup size. So if your band size is 34 while your cup size is B, then that will be 34B.
Note for the client: Present in a highlighted box at the beginning of the page.
Step 1: Measure your band size
Requirements: A flexible measuring tape and a mirror. You will need to put on a bra which does not have any padding in it.
Procedure to measure:
- Keep yourself in an upright position and put your hands on your sides.
- Take the measurement of the circumference of your bust just below the breasts. In other words, your circumference will be measured below the breast bone.
- It is important to remember that while taking the measurement the tape should always remain horizontal.
- Keep the tape tight, but not so tight that you cannot breathe properly.
- Note down the measurements in inches or centimeters.
Band Size calculation of your body:
Use the rounding figure closest to the inch. In case it is an even figure, add 4 to it, but in case it is an odd figure, add 5 to it. This gives you the band size.
Or look up your underbust measurement in the full bra size chart below.
Step 2: Measure your bust and find your cup size
How to measure your bust:
- If wearing a bra, leave it on; otherwise, remain without one as in Step 1.
- Measure around the fullest part of your bust, which will be about nipple height.
- Be sure that the measuring tape is at nipple height and lies flat without squeezing your breasts or letting it sag or twist.
- Round up to the nearest whole number in inches.
Calculate your cup size:
Subtract your band size from your bust measurement. The difference tells you your cup letter.
Cup size chart:
| Bust minus band (inches) | Approx. difference (cm) | Cup size |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 0 | Up to 0 | AA |
| 1 | 2.5 | A |
| 2 | 5.1 | B |
| 3 | 7.6 | C |
| 4 | 10.2 | D |
| 5 | 12.7 | DD / E |
| 6 | 15.2 | F |
| 7 | 17.8 | G |
| 8 | 20.3 | H |
Many Indian brands label a cup as either DD or E. They are the same size. If you are between cup sizes, try the larger cup first and check the fit using the guide further down this page.
Example 1 (inches) Underbust: 29”. Odd number, so 29 + 5 = band 34. Bust: 36”. Difference is 36 − 34 = 2, which is a B cup. Your size: 34B
Example 2 (inches) Underbust: 30”. Even number, so 30 + 4 = band 34. Bust: 38”. Difference is 38 − 34 = 4, which is a D cup. Your size: 34D
Example 3 (centimetres) Underbust: 76 cm. This is about 30 inches (76 ÷ 2.54). Even number, so band 34. Bust: 91 cm. This is about 36 inches. Difference is 36 − 34 = 2, which is a B cup. Your size: 34B
Tip: To convert centimetres to inches, divide by 2.54. To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54.
Full bra size chart
Use this chart to double-check your size. Find your band size down the left side, then read across to the bust measurement closest to yours. The cup size is at the top of that column.
Bra size chart in centimetres:
Complete bra size chart (underbust and bust, inches and cm):
| Band | Underbust (in) | Underbust (cm) | A | B | C | D | DD / E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 23–24” | 59–62 | 29” | 30” | 31” | 32” | 33” | 34” | 35” | 36” |
| 30 | 25–26” | 63–67 | 31” | 32” | 33” | 34” | 35” | 36” | 37” | 38” |
| 32 | 27–28” | 68–72 | 33” | 34” | 35” | 36” | 37” | 38” | 39” | 40” |
| 34 | 29–30” | 73–77 | 35” | 36” | 37” | 38” | 39” | 40” | 41” | 42” |
| 36 | 31–32” | 78–82 | 37” | 38” | 39” | 40” | 41” | 42” | 43” | 44” |
| 38 | 33–34” | 83–87 | 39” | 40” | 41” | 42” | 43” | 44” | 45” | 46” |
| 40 | 35–36” | 88–92 | 41” | 42” | 43” | 44” | 45” | 46” | 47” | 48” |
| 42 | 37–38” | 93–97 | 43” | 44” | 45” | 46” | 47” | 48” | 49” | 50” |
| 44 | 39–40” | 98–102 | 45” | 46” | 47” | 48” | 49” | 50” | 51” | 52” |
| 46 | 41–42” | 103–107 | 47” | 48” | 49” | 50” | 51” | 52” | 53” | 54” |
Please note: Bra sizes can differ slightly from one brand to another, and between styles. Always check the size chart on the product page of the brand you are buying, and read customer reviews for fit.
Sister sizes
Sister sizes are bra sizes that hold the same cup volume but with a different band size. They are useful when your usual size is almost right but the band feels too tight or too loose.
How they work:
- Go down one band size (for example 34 to 32) and up one cup letter (B to C). This gives a tighter band with the same cup volume.
- Go up one band size (34 to 36) and down one cup letter (B to A). This gives a looser band with the same cup volume.
So the sister sizes of 34B are 32C and 36A.
When to use them:
- The band rides up at the back or feels loose: try the tighter sister size.
- The band digs in or leaves marks: try the looser sister size.
- The brand you want does not stock your exact size: a sister size is often the answer.
Sister size chart (examples):
| Your size | Sister size with a tighter band | Sister size with a looser band |
|---|---|---|
| 30B | 28C | 32A |
| 30C | 28D | 32B |
| 30D | 28DD/E | 32C |
| 30DD/E | 28F | 32D |
| 32B | 30C | 34A |
| 32C | 30D | 34B |
| 32D | 30DD/E | 34C |
| 32DD/E | 30F | 34D |
| 34B | 32C | 36A |
| 34C | 32D | 36B |
| 34D | 32DD/E | 36C |
| 34DD/E | 32F | 36D |
| 36B | 34C | 38A |
| 36C | 34D | 38B |
| 36D | 34DD/E | 38C |
| 36DD/E | 34F | 38D |
How to check that a bra fits
Once you have your size, put the bra on, fasten it on the loosest hook, and use these checks.
Cups
- Your breasts should fill the cups smoothly, with no gaps and no spilling.
- If flesh spills over the top or sides, the cup is too small. Go up a cup size.
- If the fabric wrinkles or there is a gap between the cup and your breast, the cup is too big. Go down a cup size.
Band
- The band should sit level all the way round, parallel to the floor, with no riding up at the back.
- You should be able to slide two fingers under the band, but not more.
- If the band rides up, it is too loose. Move to a tighter hook, or try the sister size with a smaller band and bigger cup.
- If the band digs in or leaves red marks, it is too tight. Try a looser hook, or the sister size with a bigger band and smaller cup.
- Most of the support comes from the band, not the straps. Over time, bras stretch, so you will move to tighter hooks as the bra ages.
Straps
- Straps should stay on your shoulders without digging in or leaving deep grooves.
- If they slip off, tighten them. If they still slip, try a style with narrower-set straps, such as a multiway or convertible bra.
- If they dig in, the band is usually too loose and the straps are doing the work.
Centre front
- The centre of the bra (between the cups) should sit flat against your breastbone. If it floats away from your body, the cups are probably too small.
Which bra style suits you
The right size is half the answer. The right style is the other half. Here is a simple guide.
| If you want… | Look for… | Examples at Siome |
|---|---|---|
| A bra for everyday wear under T-shirts | Padded or lightly padded T-shirt bras with smooth cups | Floret T-shirt bras, Enamor T-shirt bras |
| Extra lift and shape | Push-up or multiway bras | Jockey underwired push-up bra, Floret low back multiway push-up bra |
| Full coverage and comfort | Non-padded full coverage bras | Lovable full coverage bras, Ollo full coverage bras |
| Support for a fuller bust | Big-size, minimizer or side-support bras with wide straps | Jockey big-size firm support bra, Ollo big-size full coverage bra |
| A first bra or soft everyday comfort | Soft, pop-on or non-wired cotton bras | Enamor beginner's bra, Trylo cotton bras |
| A bra for workouts | Sports bras with medium or high impact support | Jockey sports bras, Ollo high-impact sports bra |
| A bra under sarees and kurtas | Saree bras, salwar-kameez bras, or seamless styles | Intimacy saree bras, Daisydee salwar-kameez bras |
| Easy wearing at home | Lounge or all-day comfort bras | Amante all-day lounge bra, Amante at-home bra |
Wired or wire-free? Wired bras give more shape and lift and are popular for fuller cups. Wire-free bras are softer and often more comfortable for long wear and for sleep or lounging. If a wire digs in or pokes, the cup is usually the wrong size or shape for you.
Shop bras by brand
Siome stocks bras from trusted brands, including Jockey, Amante, Enamor, Floret, Lovable, Ollo (Avon), Daisydee, Trylo and Intimacy (Naidu Hall). Once you know your size, you can explore every style in our women's bra collection.
Looking for more than bras? See every brand we stock on our Brands page.
Frequently asked questions
How can I measure my bra size?
Measure around your ribcage just under the bust for your band size, then around the fullest part of your bust. Subtract the band size from the bust measurement to get your cup size. See the step-by-step guide and size chart above.
What are sister sizes?
This means that the cup size remains the same while the band changes. Your size being 34B, 32C and 36A would be the sister sizes.
Does my bra size vary from one brand to another?
No, it doesn’t necessarily have to be so. Every brand designs and categorizes their bras in different ways. You can always refer to the sizing chart available for each product.
How often should I measure myself?
Measure yourself at least once a year and every time you lose or gain weight, become pregnant, breastfeed, have breast surgery, or feel uncomfortable in your bra.
What do I do if I fall between two sizes?
Try both. If there’s spillover in the cup, go up one cup size. If the band fits loosely, go down one band size and up one cup size.
Are my orders packed discreetly, and can I exchange a size?
Yes. See our Discreet Packaging and Returns & Exchange pages for details.
