It’s impossible not to feel totally girly in a beautiful bra… but did you know there’s a good chance you’re wearing the WRONG size bra?
Don’t feel bad – 80% of bra wearers are too! This includes crossdressers and transgender women, as well as cisgender (genetic) women.
Wearing the correct bra size is critical. Bras that don’t fit right are uncomfortable and look bad under your clothes.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to find your correct MTF bra size so you can choose the perfect bra for your female transformation.
How to Determine Your Correct Bra Size – Without Breast Forms
Determining your correct bra size begins with a choice: Will you be wearing breast forms with the bra?
In this section, I’ll explain how to find the correct bra size for your ACTUAL breasts (without breast forms). In the section below, I’ll show you how to find the correct bra size if you wear breast forms.
Step 1: Measure your band size
- Wear a non-padded bra that fits well.
- Wrap a soft measuring tape snugly around your ribcage, directly under your bust.
- Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor and not too tight.
- Round the measurement to the nearest even number.
- This is your BAND SIZE.
Step 2: Measure your bust size
- Keeping the tape measure snug, wrap it around the fullest part of your bust.
- Make sure the tape is parallel to the floor and not squishing your breast tissue.
- This measurement is your BUST SIZE.
Step 3: Calculate your cup size
- Subtract your band size (from Step 1) from your bust size (from Step 2).
- Check the chart below to determine your cup size. (Each inch of difference corresponds to one cup size.)
| If The Difference Is: | Your Cup Size Is: |
| 0″-1/2″ (1.3 cm) | AA |
| 1/2″- 1″ (2.6 cm) | A |
| 2″ (5.1 cm) | B |
| 3″ (7.6 cm) | C |
| 4″ (10.2 cm) | D |
| 5″ (12.7 cm) | DD or E |
| 6″ (15.2 cm) | DDD or F |
| 7″ (17.8 cm) | G |
| 8″ (20.3 cm) | H |
| 9” (22.9 cm) | I |
| 10″ (25.4 cm) | J |
For example, if your band size is 40” and your bust size is 44”, the difference is 4”. That would make you a D cup.
Your bra size is a combination of your band size and your cup size. (Bra size = band size + cup size) In this case, your bra size would be a 40D.
IMPORTANT: This size should be considered a starting point, since sizing varies from bra to bra. If possible, try on the actual bra before you buy.
How to Determine Your Correct Bra Size – With Breast Forms
If you wear breast forms, the process for finding your bra size is a bit different. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Measure your band size
(Note: These instructions are the same as above, but I’ll repeat them here.)
- Wear a non-padded bra that fits well.
- Wrap a soft measuring tape snugly around your ribcage, directly under your bust.
- Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor and not too tight.
- Round the measurement to the nearest even number.
- This is your BAND SIZE.
Step 2: Determine your ideal cup size
The next step is to determine the cup size you want to achieve. This should be a size that’s proportionate to your body: Not too big and not too small.
Generally speaking, the larger your body frame is, the larger your cup size should be.
Here are some guidelines:
- Choose an B or C cup if you have a small frame.
- Choose a C or D cup if you have a medium frame.
- Choose a D cup or larger if you have a large frame.
Once you know your correct band size and desired cup size, you can purchase the proper bra and breast forms.
For example, if your band size is 40 and you desire to be a D cup, you’d simply purchase a 40D bra and D cup breast forms.
Easy right? 🙂
What About Other Bra Fitting Methods?
There are a couple other bra fitting methods out there. However, the instructions I shared in this blog post are considered the most accurate method.
Some guides will tell you to add 4–5 inches to your band measurement. That’s outdated advice from when bras were made differently.
Modern bras are sized much closer to your actual ribcage measurement – adding inches will give you a band that’s too loose.
You may also see the “armpit method,” which involves measuring above the bust, under the armpits. (It’s the method Victoria’s Secret uses.)
While the armpit method can work, it often leads to a larger band size and a poor fit. For that reason, I recommend the ribcage method described above.
Finding A Bra That Fits
Knowing your correct bra size is one thing. Actually FINDING that bra is another.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find bras outside the standard size range. Here are some sites that carry a large range of bra sizes:
- Barenecessities.com – Bare Necessities offers a huge selection of bras, including plus size bras with smaller cup sizes. (Perfect for crossdressers and trans women who don’t wear breast forms.)
- HerRoom.com – Her Room is another large lingerie site that stocks hard to find sizes. They offer band sizes up to 58, so there’s a bra for almost everybody.
Another option is to purchase a bra extender. A bra extender is an elasticized piece of fabric that hooks onto the back of your bra. It can add 1-3 inches to the bra band, so it’s a great solution for bras that are too tight.
So there you are, girlfriend! Everything you need to know about finding your correct bra size.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave me your comments below. And if you have any beautiful bra pics, don’t forget to include them!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. Looking for a natural way to fill out your bra? Check out The Flat to Femme Program to discover an effective and proven approach to male to female breast enhancement.
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This is one of my favorite subjects when it comes to dressing feminine.I have a new lacy black w matching panties,they have to match.And a black and white polka dotted dress.Just did my makeup and curled my hair.I would like to send a pic.Not sure about it yet.Thank you so much Lucille for all your articles and info. Sincerely Kimberly
42d works fine for me.So many pretty choices.And different bras for different tops.Lacy doesn’t work under silky or sheer tops unless that is what you want to show which is sexy.Or the lacy top of a bra or camisole peeking over the top.I would like to find one of those bras like the women in the picture.A 50s Playtex pointy breast bra like June Cleaver wore.Bras have come a long way since then. When I’m you do find the right bra size you will know it although it might vary a little between different bras.Thank you Kimberly
I’m a natural 42B
Thank you for these instructions. Very helpful.
A long time sissy here. I am so glad to see your posts are still up. I have determined a long time ago because of your instructions that I am a 42 B. I love my sports bra’s. They are lightly padded. Getting the gurls to stand out a bit more proud while being properly supported.
Thank you so much for the guidance your website has given me over the years… Even decades…
Sissy Borka
Hi, I am trying to learn how to determine my bra size. I have gynocomastia so I have natural breasts. I don’t understand how to measure the bust. It says to measure around the fullest part and it should be parallel to the ground. But if I’m wrapping it around my breasts, that’s horizontal
Oh, I envy you your natural girls (though envy is not a feminine
virtue….) ! Like Christine says : semantics – measure your fullest part of your bust, and ignore the “parallel to the ground” – you’ll be fine !… So what is your size ? Let me guess : a 38C ?….
The tape is horizontal, the ground is horizontal, they are parallel to each other.
I have been to a Torrid store for a bra fitting and they measured my underbust (under my breast tissue) and said that I am a 40. From there I chose a nice C cup and I have been buying 40C bras ever since.
Lately, I have been looking for more bras online and talked to a couple of places. They have said for me to measure my underbust and then add 4 inches to that number. That makes me a 44.
I am wondering when I measure my underarms (from this article) what will be the measurement. That will be one more measurement.
It is my understanding that the add 4 inches is an old way of measuring your band size because of the fabrics used. Is that the only reason why it changed?
So which is correct?
Torrid does have some interesting sizing. I found I was a 46B with them while in a 44c/d elsewhere.
Goodness, I do love Torrid though!
Ur REALLY BEAUTIFUL.
Hi Michelle, that’s interesting! I wonder if Torrid is using a different sizing system for their bras. The method of measuring above the bust is the current method used by Victoria’s Secret and other major brands. But if you find that 40C bras in general fit you better, I’d stick with that.
Perfect timing! For years I have been resisting the urge to have breast enhancing surgery. The reason has been twofold, one I am perfectly happy being an older flat chested female, and two, while I have come out two almost everyone, there are a few relatives who would be very uncomfortable. However, my boyfriend has lately been very insistent that I go ahead with the idea. I think he feels it will enhance our romantic endeavors. In any case I am going ahead but will stay on the small size, A or B cup. So i’m very happy I have your article to guide me to my first bra. Love you all!
I never had been fitted for a bra
I just buy a 40 -42 d cup or a dD Cup bra
Which feels very comfortable to me