Magazine » Lingerie 101 » Bras » Are Band Size and Cup Size the Same?

Are Band Size and Cup Size the Same?

One of the clothing pieces that you cannot miss even a single day is a bra. You have a bra on throughout your day, so it highly matters whether it fits you the best. The right bra is rightly called the foundation of your wardrobe. An ill-fitted bra or the wrong bra can ruin your whole outfit – even worse, your entire day. 

Navigating the right bra 

Bra – a simple word, right? As simple as the word bra may seem, the amount of work you have to put in to find the right bra size for you is no less than turning into a researcher. But, it is okay if you find yourself surrounded by the vast sea of numbers and letters just to find the one that fits seamlessly. You are not alone, because of which many women (about 80%, yes that is right) out there end up wearing the wrong size – be they too loose, too tight, or ill-fitting bands and straps.

To find the perfect bra, you need to be aware of your measurements. Two things you must be sure of are –

  • Band size 
  • Cup size 

Most ladies do have doubts about these two terminologies, leading to bad decision-making. Let’s clear the air around it. 

Don’t let your boobies suffer – Know the difference between bra band and cup size 

Conventional bras have sizes that consist of a number and a letter, for instance, 32B.

The band size 

More than half of the support is offered by the bra band. Want to talk numbers – 80% (yeah, that’s right). The numbers in a bra size represent the band size or the size around the ribcage. Bands only come in even numbers like 28, 30, 32, 34, 36………………..

Measuring band size

To get the band number, hold the measuring tape to measure under your bust around the torso. Do not hold it too tight or too loose. The tape must be level and snug all the way. Round it off to the nearest whole number. If it is an odd number, add 5 inches to it, and if it is an even number, add 4. Just like that, you got your band number. 

You should be able to slip two fingers under the bra band from both sides simultaneously. If it is less or more than two fingers, it is not the right choice. 

The band size keeps the underwire firm against your skin and prevents it from poking the breast tissue. A snug and nice band can help with breast pain by taking the load (pressure) off of the shoulders. 

The cup size 

The letter part of the bra size denotes cup size. One of the misconceptions about this is that it states the volume of the cups, but it doesn’t. It results in picking the wrong bra size. 

So, what is cup size? It is the difference between the band size and the fullest part of your bust. 

Calculating your cup size

Measure the fullest part of your bust with a measuring tape. Make sure the tape is levelled to the back. Now, find the difference between the band and bust measurement. 

The difference represents the letters as:

  • 1-inch – cup size A
  • 2-inch – cup size B
  • 3-inch – cup size C
  • 4-inch – cup size D

Related Story

Find Out Your Correct Cup & Band Size: Bra Size Calculator

Finding a perfect bra for a perfect size is a challenging thing, but we have a solution for all your problems.
Read More

No matter what your bra size is, you will find every size at Clovia. Stroll through the land of bras smoothly. And voila! You got your cup size. Easy, wasn’t it? 

Now that you have the answer to the question: “Are band size and cup size the same?”, you will be picking the right bra to lift you up. 

But what if after figuring out your true size the bra doesn’t fit you?

If yes, bra sister sizes will be at your rescue. You must be wondering what a sister size is & how can you find yours. To your surprise, every bra has several sister sizes. To be honest, even I was surprised to know that something like this exists. So, without further ado, let’s start with the blog.

What Is a Sister Size of Bra? 

Sister bra sizes are alternate sizes where the cup volume stays the same even though the band size and cup letter change. The reason is that cup sizes aren’t consistent by letter, they’re consistent by band size. Larger the band size, the larger the cup. Therefore, the cup of 34B is the same as 32C or 36A. Knowing your sister size will help you in finding the right-sized bra for you. 

One common misconception that goes around is no matter the band size, a larger cup means a larger bra size. However, one cup size is paired with multiple band sizes to make multiple bra sizes. E.g., the sister size of 36A will be 34B. Understanding sister size will help you find your comfort fit.

Aparna Pal

Aparna Pal

Content Writer at Clovia
A curious girl filled with emotions & passion, Aparna holds a master's degree in computer application, but words & stories fascinate her more than codes. She is a keen learner & a great admirer of art & culture. Sketching is her get away from daily hustle & bustle.
Aparna Pal

Latest posts by Aparna Pal (see all)

BraPantiesNightwearActivewear

CLOVIA
© 2024 Clovia.com. All Rights Reserved.