
Bra sizes in Australia and New Zealand are based on measurements in centimeters, with the number representing the band size and the letter the cup size. Band sizes are measured tightly under the bust, while cup sizes are measured loosely over the fullest part of the bust. In Australia and New Zealand, band size refers to dress size, with naming in steps of 2, e.g. 8, 10, 12, 14, etc. Each size corresponds to a measured difference of 5cm. Cup sizes in Australia and New Zealand increase by 2cm, while in the US and UK, they increase by 1 inch or 2.54cm. This makes the US and UK systems more complicated as cup sizes increase. For example, a DDD in the US corresponds to an E cup in the UK and Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Band size in the US | Ranges from 26 to 52 |
| Band size in Australia | Measured in centimetres, with a difference of 5cm between sizes |
| Cup size in the US | Measured in inches, with a difference of 1 inch or 2.54 cm between sizes |
| Cup size in Australia | Measured in centimetres, with a difference of 2 cm between sizes |
| US clothing sizes | XS to XXXL or 0 to 20 and beyond |
| Australian clothing sizes | Similar to US sizes, but may include descriptors like "AU" or "AUS" |
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What You'll Learn

Bra sizing differs between the US and Australia
Cup sizes in the US increase by one inch, whereas in Australia, they increase by 2cm. This discrepancy becomes more exaggerated as cup sizes increase. The US also uses a different labelling system for cup sizes. For example, a DDD cup in the US is equivalent to an E cup in Australia.
It's important to note that sizing can vary between brands and designers, even within the same country. This is because different brands interpret sizing in different ways, and factors such as fabric stretch, garment style, and individual body shape can affect how a bra fits. Therefore, it is recommended to try on items whenever possible or refer to customer reviews for additional insights when shopping for bras.
Additionally, a poorly fitted or incorrect bra size can lead to health problems such as breast, neck, back, and/or shoulder pain. Thus, it is crucial to get professional fittings throughout the different stages of womanhood as bodies and breasts change over time.
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Band size measurements differ
Bra sizes in Australia and New Zealand are based on measurements in centimetres, with the number representing the band size and the letter representing the cup size. Band sizes are measured tightly under the bust, while cup sizes are measured loosely over the fullest part of the bust. In Australia and New Zealand, band size refers to dress size, with naming in steps of two, such as 8, 10, 12, 14, and so on. Each size corresponds to a measured difference of 5cm. For example, a size 10 corresponds to an underbust measurement of 68-72cm, while a size 12 is 73-77cm.
In the US, bra band sizes typically correspond to chest circumference and use inches. Band sizes usually begin at 26 and increase in increments of two, resulting in sizes like 26, 28, 30, 32, and so on. The US also uses the 'increasing cup size every inch' method, which differs from the Australian system, which increases cup size every two centimetres. This discrepancy becomes more pronounced in larger cup sizes. For example, a DDD cup in the US is considered an E cup in the UK and Europe.
It's worth noting that sizing can vary between brands and designers, even within the same country. Additionally, factors such as fabric stretch, garment style, and individual body shape can influence how a bra fits. Therefore, it's always a good idea to try on bras before purchasing or referring to customer reviews for additional insights. Consulting size charts, considering sizing discrepancies, and using conversion guides can also help when navigating international size differences.
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Cup size measurements differ
Bra sizes in Australia are based on measurements in centimetres, with the number representing the band size and the letter representing the cup size. Band sizes are measured tightly under the bust, while cup sizes are measured loosely over the fullest part of the bust. In Australia, band size refers to dress size, with naming in steps of two, e.g. 8, 10, 12, 14, etc. Each size corresponds with a measured difference of 5cm, for example, a size 10 corresponds to an under-bust measurement of 68-72cm, size 12 is 73-77cm, and so on. Cup sizes are represented by letters, e.g. AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E, with each size stepped with a difference of 2cm. For example, a 10A cup size is 82-84cm, 10B is 84-86cm, and so forth. It is important to note that cup sizes are relevant to the band size; for instance, an 8A cup size is 77-79cm, while a 14A cup size is a larger measurement of 92-94cm.
In the US, bra band sizes directly correspond to chest circumference, using inches. Cup sizes in the US are labelled using different letters, and they increase by one size for every inch increase in the bust-to-band difference. For instance, a chest circumference of 34 inches means a band size of 34. US cup sizes use the one-inch method, meaning that for every one-inch difference between chest circumference and bust circumference, the cup size letter increases by one size.
It is important to note that even within the same country, sizing can vary between brands and designers, and a poorly fitted bra can lead to health problems such as breast, neck, back, and/or shoulder pain. Therefore, it is recommended to try on items whenever possible or refer to customer reviews and size guides for additional insights.
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US sizes are based on chest circumference
Bra sizes in the US are based on chest circumference, with band sizes directly corresponding to measurements in inches. For instance, a chest circumference of 34 inches equates to a band size of 34. US cup sizes increase by one size for every inch increase in the difference between chest and bust circumference. This is in contrast to Australia, where bra sizes are based on centimetre measurements. Australian band sizes are determined by dress size, with each size corresponding to a 5 cm difference in underbust measurement. For example, a size 10 band translates to an underbust measurement of 68-72 cm.
While US and Australian band sizes share the same numerical range, the US system utilises inches, whereas Australia employs centimetres. This discrepancy can lead to confusion when converting sizes between the two systems. It's worth noting that cup sizes in both regions are represented by letters, which is consistent across various regions, including Europe and New Zealand.
The US and Australian bra sizing systems differ in their increments of measurement. The US system increases cup sizes by 1 inch (2.54 cm), while the Australian system, like other international systems, increases cup sizes by 2 cm. This distinction becomes more pronounced in larger cup sizes, contributing to the complexity of size conversions.
It's important to acknowledge that bra sizing is intricate, and variations exist not only between countries but also across brands and designers. The shape and style of a bra, as well as an individual's body shape, can significantly impact the fit. Therefore, while understanding the underlying sizing conventions is valuable, it's equally crucial to try on items or refer to customer reviews for a more precise assessment of how a bra might fit.
To navigate the differences in bra sizes between the US and Australia, it is advisable to refer to size charts, consider sizing discrepancies, and utilise conversion guides as a reference. By understanding the fundamental distinctions between the two sizing systems, you can make more informed choices when purchasing bras from either market.
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Australia uses a numerical system with descriptors
Bra sizes in Australia and New Zealand are based on measurements in centimetres, with the number representing the band size and the letter the cup size. Band sizes are measured tightly under the bust, while cups are measured loosely over the fullest part of the bust. In Australia and New Zealand, band size refers to dress size, with naming in steps of two, e.g. 8, 10, 12, 14, etc. Each size corresponds to a measured difference of 5cm. For example, a size 10 corresponds to an under-bust measurement of 68-72cm, size 12 is 73-77cm, and so on. Cup sizes are represented by letters, e.g. AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E, with each size stepped at a difference of 2cm. For instance, a 10A cup size is 82-84cm, a 10B cup is 84-86cm, and so forth.
The Australian system differs from the US system, where band sizes directly correspond to chest circumference using inches. Cup sizes in the US also use the ''one-inch method', meaning that for every one-inch increase in the bust-to-band difference, the cup size letter increases. The US and UK share the same band size numbers, ranging from 28 to 52. However, the US and UK measurements in inches can make conversions to the Australian system a little tricky. A DDD cup size in the US, for example, corresponds to an E cup in Australia.
It is worth noting that sizing conventions can vary across brands and regions, and a perfect fit may not always be achieved through conversions alone. Other factors that can influence how clothing fits include fabric stretch, garment style, and individual body shape. Therefore, it is recommended to try on items whenever possible or refer to customer reviews for additional insights. Consulting size charts, considering sizing discrepancies, and using conversion guides can also help when navigating size conversions between the US and Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Bra sizes in Australia are based on centimetre measurements, with the number representing the band size and the letter the cup size. Band sizes are measured tightly under the bust, and cups are measured loosely over the fullest part of the bust. In the US, band sizes directly correspond to chest circumference in inches, and cup sizes increase by one inch.
US women's clothing sizes typically range from XS to XXXL or 0 to 20, with variations for petite, regular, and plus sizes. Australian sizing follows a similar system, but may include descriptors like "AU" or "AUS". Exact conversions may not be possible due to variations in sizing standards, body proportions, and fit preferences.
Band sizes and cup sizes vary between countries and manufacturers, making it difficult to use these measures as anything more than an approximate fit. This lack of standardisation means a 34B bra, for example, may not fit the same person from two different companies.
You can use a bra size calculator or a conversion guide to estimate your Australian bra size. However, it's important to note that these should only be used as a starting point, as sizing varies between brands and designers.
Some signs of an incorrect bra size include the band digging into the torso or sliding up, red marks, shoulder or neck pain, breasts overflowing the cups, and the bra's centre panel not lying flat.











































