How to measure your bra size at home accurately

Most women are wearing a bra size they measured once, years ago, possibly in a shop fitting room with a tape over their clothes. Body shape changes, brands size differently, and the number on the tag is not always the most useful starting point. Here is a more reliable method you can do at home in about five minutes.

What you need ¶

A soft measuring tape, a mirror, and a notepad. That is it. You do not need to be wearing a bra to measure, but if you are, make sure it is an unpadded one so the measurement reflects your actual shape.

The underbust measurement ¶

Wrap the tape around your ribcage, directly under your bust. Keep it level and snug but not tight. Breathe out normally and take the reading. This is your band size. If the number is odd, round up to the next even number. So 77 cm rounds to 78, which corresponds to a band size 78 or, in some sizing systems, a size S or M depending on the brand.

The band is the part of the bra that does most of the support work. A band that is too loose will ride up at the back and put all the weight on the straps, which is where most shoulder and neck discomfort comes from.

The bust measurement ¶

Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Do not pull it tight. The difference between this number and your underbust measurement gives you the cup size. Each centimetre of difference corresponds roughly to one cup size, though this varies slightly between brands.

At Surf Conquest, the sizing chart on each product page lists both measurements so you can check directly rather than converting through a letter size. If you are between two sizes, the chart notes tell you which way to go for that specific style.

What to do if you are between sizes ¶

This is the most common situation and the one that causes the most frustration. The practical answer is to consider what the fit problem usually is for you. If bands tend to feel tight, go up a band size. If cups tend to gap, go down a cup. If you are unsure, our contact form is the fastest way to get a specific recommendation based on your measurements.

Measuring takes five minutes and makes a real difference to what you order. If the first size you try is still not right, the 30-day return window is there for exactly that reason.