To help you find the proper bra size, use this simple 4-step measurement guide.

Step 1: Chest measurement (#1 in the picture). Measure your chest wearing your regular, unpadded bra. Place the measuring tape around your chest and under your arms. Hold the tape measure snugly, but not too tightly, and level to the floor. Stand up straight and breathe normally. This measurement is your chest measurement. Since band sizes come only in even numbers, round up an odd measurement. For example, if the band measurement is 39 inches, then round up to 40 inches.

Step 2: Rib cage measurement (#2 in the picture). Place the measuring tape around your rib cage under your breasts. Hold the tape measure snugly, but not too tightly, and level to the floor. Stand up straight and breathe normally. It is important to measure only the rib cage and not any breast tissue. If your breasts are sagging even a little bit in your current bra you should lift them up to ensure an accurate measurement. This is your rib cage measurement.

Step 3: Bust measurement (#3 in the picture). Still wearing your bra, bring the tape measure around the fullest part of your breasts, right over the nipples. Make sure the tape measure is level around your body and don’t pull it too tight. If the bra you are wearing does not position your breasts like you want them to be use the bra straps to pull them up to their ideal spot before measuring. Obviously this is not possible to do by yourself so enlist some help. This is your bust measurement.

Step 4: Determining your band and cup size:

Rib Band Size: Take the larger of your chest (#1) and rib cage measurements (#2). If this is an odd number round it up. This is your band size.

Cup Size: Subtract your rib band size from your bust measurement (#3). This will determine your cup size, as shown in our chart below. So if the band measurement is 40 and bust measurement is 45, the difference is 5 inches, which means your cup size is E and your bra size is 40E.

Sizing Tips:

• Position is everything. Be sure you have positioned the cups correctly to contain your breasts and that the band is level in the front and back before judging the fit of the bra. Also check the shoulder straps. The straps should have just enough tension to hold the bra on the shoulders; they should not be providing support. If there are any red marks on your shoulders, then your straps are too tight. Be sure not to tighten the shoulder straps to compensate for an incorrect band size or ill-fitting cups. For example, if you are wearing a 42E, try a 42F.
• Middle of the Row. The bra should fit comfortably when fastened on the middle row of hooks.
• Are your breasts bulging out? A well-fitted bra covers the entire breast – the cups should be deep enough to completely support the breast and breast pads, so that no breast tissue slips or bulges out. If your breast is bulging out, try a bigger cup size in the same band size. For example, if you’re wearing a 36F, try a 36G.
• Can you pinch out material from the cup? Then the cup size is too big. Go down one cup size. For example, if you are wearing a 40G, try a 40F. Some slight puckering along the seam is normal and upon wearing will ease out as the bra cups naturally shape themselves to your breasts.
• How is the bottom band? It should fit snugly while not putting any pressure on lower breast tissue. To test the band size, run your finger underneath the band. Your finger should glide smoothly. If you find that your finger moves too easily, try a smaller band size. For example, if you are wearing a 38G, try a 36G. If your finger is “caught” by the band, try a larger band size. For example, if you are wearing a 36E, try a 38E.