How Do You Measure for Lingerie?
A complete step-by-step guide to measuring yourself for lingerie — bra size, briefs, bodysuits, chemises and everything in between, with clear instructions for every garment type.
Measuring for lingerie correctly is the single most important step in buying intimate apparel that fits, feels good and looks as intended. Most lingerie fit problems — a bra that rides up, cups that gap, a bodysuit that pulls at the shoulder straps — trace directly back to incorrect measurements or an outdated size assumption. Accurate measurements take less than five minutes and make every subsequent lingerie purchase more confident and more reliable.
What You Need
A soft measuring tape (the flexible fabric or plastic kind used for dressmaking). A pencil and paper to note the measurements. A mirror helps for checking that the tape is level across the back. A friend or partner to help with back measurements is useful but not essential.
Do not use a metal tape measure — it cannot follow the contours of the body accurately and will give incorrect readings.
Measure directly against the skin or over a thin, non-padded bra. Do not measure over a padded or push-up bra — the padding will give a falsely large bust measurement and therefore a falsely small cup size reading.
Step 1: Measure Your Band Size (Underbust)
Stand up straight and breathe normally. Wrap the measuring tape snugly around your ribcage directly under your bust — at the level where the bra band sits. The tape should be level all the way around (parallel to the floor) and firm against the skin, but not so tight that it compresses the body.
Read the measurement in inches. If the number is even, that is your band size. If it is odd, round up to the nearest even number. UK band sizes are even numbers: 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and so on.
Example: If your underbust measures 31 inches, round up to 32. Your band size is 32.
Step 2: Measure Your Bust (Fullest Point)
Still standing, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust. This is typically at nipple level. Keep the tape level (parallel to the floor) and avoid pulling it tight — it should be just touching the skin at the fullest point without compressing the breast tissue. Note this measurement in inches.
Example: If your fullest bust measures 36 inches, note 36.
Step 3: Calculate Your Cup Size
Subtract your band size from your bust measurement. The difference in inches corresponds to a UK cup size as follows:
| Difference (inches) | UK Cup Size |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 inch | AA |
| 1 inch | A |
| 2 inches | B |
| 3 inches | C |
| 4 inches | D |
| 5 inches | DD |
| 6 inches | E |
| 7 inches | F |
| 8 inches | FF |
| 9 inches | G |
| 10 inches | GG |
| 11 inches | H |
Example: Band 32, bust 36 = difference of 4 inches = D cup. Bra size: 32D.
Important: Cup size is always relative to band size. A 32D and a 36D are completely different volumes of cup — the 36D holds significantly more breast tissue. Two people with the same cup letter but different band sizes are not the same shape. Cup letter alone tells you nothing about actual breast size.
Checking the Fit (the "ABCD" Test)
Once you have a size to try, check the fit of the bra with these four points:
A — Band. The band should sit parallel to the floor (not riding up at the back). You should be able to fit two fingers under the band comfortably, but not more. If the band rides up, it is too large — go down a band size. If it digs in uncomfortably, it may be too small or the cups may be too large (pulling the band down).
B — Breast tissue in cups. Your breast tissue should sit fully inside the cups without bulging over the top, sides or underwire. If there is bulging, go up a cup. If there is wrinkling or empty space in the cup, go down a cup.
C — Centre gore. The centre panel between the cups should sit flat against your sternum. If it lifts away from your chest, the cups are too small — go up a cup size.
D — Straps. Straps should sit comfortably on your shoulders without digging in or slipping off. Most of the bra's support should come from the band, not the straps — if you loosen the straps to a comfortable level and the bra stops supporting you, the band is too large.
Measuring for Other Lingerie
Briefs and thongs. Size by hip measurement — wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips and bottom (typically 20–23cm below the natural waist). UK dress size charts correspond closely to hip measurements for most brief styles. If between sizes, most briefs in stretch fabrics are more forgiving — size up for comfort, down for a closer fit.
Bodysuits and teddies. Most non-underwired bodysuits size by UK dress size (XS-XL). For underwired bodysuits, size by bra size (band and cup) as with a bra. Additionally measure your torso length — from the centre of the shoulder, over the fullest point of the bust, down to the crotch — and compare with the brand's torso length guidance. Incorrect torso length is the most common bodysuit fit issue.
Chemises and babydolls. Size primarily by bust measurement. Most chemises and babydolls hang from the shoulder straps and are loose through the body, so hip and waist measurements are less critical. If you have a fuller bust, size up from the bust measurement even if the rest of the garment will be slightly roomy.
Corsets and basques. Corsets size by natural waist measurement (at the narrowest point, typically 2–3cm above the navel). A corset is typically sized 4 to 6 inches smaller than the natural waist to allow for reduction. Basques with cups size by bra size. Always check the brand's specific sizing guidance as corset sizing varies significantly between makers.
Suspender belts. Size by natural waist measurement, the same point used for corsets. Choose a belt whose size range includes your exact waist measurement. Hook-and-eye closures with multiple settings accommodate small fluctuations in measurement.
Measuring Tips
Professional Bra Fitting
A professional bra fitting — available free of charge at most UK lingerie specialists and department store lingerie departments, including John Lewis, Bravissimo, Marks and Spencer and many independent lingerie boutiques — is more accurate than self-measurement for most people. A trained fitter can assess not just measurements but also breast shape, tissue fullness and how different bra constructions interact with your specific body. If self-measurement has not produced satisfying results, or if you have a larger cup size where fit is more technically demanding, a professional fitting is the most reliable route to a well-fitting bra. Most fitters recommend a fitting any time your body changes significantly, after pregnancy and breastfeeding, or simply if you have not been fitted in more than a year.
For more on choosing lingerie once you have your measurements, see our guide to how to choose lingerie. Browse our collection at Ava Noir and explore all guides at Ava Noir Lingerie Guides.
Explore Lingerie at Ava Noir
Now you have your measurements — discover lingerie designed for every size, every shape and every occasion at Ava Noir.
Shop our full collection with your measurements to hand at Ava Noir.
Our Lingerie Guides hub covers measuring, sizing, fit, care and how to choose lingerie for your body and lifestyle.
Read every guide: Ava Noir Lingerie Guides.