A size chart is only useful if you know whose chart it is. There's no single measurement standard every brand agrees on, so we're not going to pretend there's one universal chart that converts perfectly between all of them — there isn't.
Rule #1
Use the size chart from the brand that actually makes the bra, and make sure it's current. Then double-check the fit once it's actually on.
What a good size chart looks like
Look for actual body measurements — underbust, bust, band and cup, or clothing-size equivalents. A chart that only lists age ranges tells you a lot less than one built around real measurements.
How to read one
- Check whether it's using inches or centimeters.
- Check whether it lists body measurements or the actual size of the garment — these aren't the same thing.
- Find the row that matches the current measurement.
- Check every measurement the chart asks for, not just one.
- Read any notes the brand gives about stretch or in-between sizes.
Comparing two brands
Compare the actual measurement ranges, not the letters. If Brand A calls a range "Small" and Brand B calls a similar range "Medium," that's just two different names for overlapping body sizes — it doesn't mean one brand is "wrong."
| Comparing… | Good way to do it | Not-so-good way |
|---|---|---|
| Brand A vs Brand B | Their published measurement ranges | Just matching "S" to "S" |
| A new bra vs an old one | Current measurements + current chart | Trusting the old label alone |
| Kids' size vs letter size | The actual measurements behind each | Guessing from age or grade |
Our brand sizing database
We're building a database that keeps each brand's published size ranges alongside a source link and the date we last checked it. That way you can compare brands honestly, using their own numbers — not numbers we made up.
A chart only gets you a starting point
A size chart picks a size to try — not a final answer. The real test is the 5-point fit check: band, straps, front, movement, and comfort.
Body measurements vs. the bra itself
This trips people up. A body-measurement chart tells you which body size a bra is designed for. A garment-measurement chart tells you the actual physical size of the bra. Since bras stretch, a bra's own measurements are usually smaller than the body it's meant to fit — so don't compare the two numbers as if they're the same thing.
Make sure the chart is current
Brands change their patterns and sizing over time. When it actually matters, use the chart linked from the current product page — not an old screenshot or a chart copied somewhere else online.
Being able to exchange it matters too
When you're buying a first bra online, being able to easily swap sizes can matter more than getting it exactly right the first time. Just check the return policy — including any hygiene rules — before you remove tags or wash it.