How To Take Your Measurements

Begin with the bust measurement. Place the end of the measuring tape on the front of your chest at the widest point. Going under your arms, wrap the measuring tape around your back, making sure it doesn't twist up. Pull it taut so it's horizontal around your body. Try to pull your arms down over the tape and take the measurement.

• If you're having trouble with this measurement, ask a friend to help.

Measure under your bust for bra dimensions. If you need to measure for a bra, also take a measurement just under your bust, keeping it horizontal and fairly tight. Round up to the nearest unit.

• For U.S. bra sizes, add 4 inches if the number is even and 5 if it's odd, and that will give you your band size. If you measured 34.5, you round up to 35 and then add 5 inches to make it 40.
• Subtract your underbust measurement from your bust measurement to get your cup size:
  • AA = 1/2"
  • A = 1"
  • B = 2"
  • C = 3"
  • D = 4"
  • E/DD (US) or DD (UK) = 5"
  • F/DDD (US) or E (UK) = 6"

Find your natural waist. Your natural waist is the smallest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button and under your rib cage. Make sure the tape measure is flat around your body, and then take the measurement in front.

Determine your hip measurement at the widest point. Wrap the tape around your body, ensuring you go over the widest part of your buttocks, too. Keep the tape horizontal and flat against your body, and then take the measurement in front where the measuring tape meets itself.

• Check in a mirror to see if the tape measure is flat against you.
• Stand with your legs about 6 inches (15.2 cm) apart.