F cup measurements by band
| Size | Underbust | Bust | Same volume as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28F | 28 in (71 cm) | 35 in (89 cm) | 26FF and 30E |
| 30F | 30 in (76 cm) | 37 in (94 cm) | 28FF and 32E |
| 32F | 32 in (81 cm) | 39 in (99 cm) | 30FF and 34E |
| 34F | 34 in (86 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) | 32FF and 36E |
| 36F | 36 in (91 cm) | 43 in (109 cm) | 34FF and 38E |
| 38F | 38 in (97 cm) | 45 in (114 cm) | 36FF and 40E |
| 40F | 40 in (102 cm) | 47 in (119 cm) | 38FF and 42E |
| UK | US | EU / France | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | G | G | F |
The UK F and the US F are different sizes
This is the mix-up that causes the most wrong orders.
| Label | Bust minus band | UK equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| US F (also sold as DDD) | 6 in | E |
| EU F | 6 in | E |
| UK F | 7 in | F |
If you wear a UK 34F and order a "34F" from an American brand, it will arrive one cup too small. In US lettering you need a 34G. In most European sizing you need a 75G. The reasons are explained in UK vs US bra sizes.
British full-bust brands such as Panache, Freya and Curvy Kate label in UK sizes wherever they are sold. That is useful to know when you are reading reviews from overseas.
F and FF
The UK ladder runs E, F, FF, G. The FF is a whole cup bigger than the F. People sometimes read it as "a slightly bigger F" and skip it, going from F to G when F is a little small. That jumps a full size. Try the FF first.
What to look for in an F-cup bra
An F cup carries real weight, and the engineering of the bra does more of the work than at smaller sizes.
- The right band, firmly fitted. At this cup size a loose band shows up quickly as straps that dig in and a back that rides up. Check yours against how tight a bra band should be.
- Three-part or four-part seamed cups. Seams let a cup be shaped for depth and lift in a way a single moulded piece cannot.
- Side support panels. These bring tissue forward and give a narrower outline from the front.
- A band with at least three rows of hooks, and wider straps.
- Wires that sit behind all the breast tissue. Press on the wire at the side. If you feel tissue under it, the cup is too small or too narrow.
Moulded T-shirt bras are available in F cups, but many people find they fit less predictably than seamed styles. If one gapes at the top while the bottom is full, try an unlined balconette in the same size before changing size.
Where to find F cups
The larger high-street chains include F in many of their core bra ranges, though the choice of styles narrows compared with smaller cups. Full-bust specialists, among them Bravissimo and the brands it stocks, design specifically for this size and upward, and offer far more variety in shape. On 28 and 30 bands, specialists and online retailers are usually the only option.
A fitting with someone experienced in fuller cups is worth the time at this size. Our guide to the best places for a bra fitting in the UK compares the options.
Not sure you are an F?
An F often comes as a surprise to someone who has been wearing a DD on a bigger band. A 36DD and a 32F hold the same cup volume, and only the band differs. The quickest way to check is to measure, try the size on, and see whether the centre panel sits flat and the cup edge lies smooth.
Frequently asked questions
Is a UK F cup the same as a US F cup?
No. A US F is the same as a US DDD, which is a UK E. A UK F is one cup bigger and is labelled G in the US.
What is the difference between an F and an FF cup?
One full cup size. FF is the next size up from F in UK sizing, an inch more in the bust on the same band. It is not a half size.
What size is bigger than an F cup?
FF, then G, then GG. If an F is slightly too small, try the FF before the G.
Is an F cup considered large?
It is in the upper-middle of the UK range, the eighth of seventeen cups. On a small band it is a moderate volume: a 30F holds the same as a 34DD. On larger bands it is a fuller bust that benefits from a well-constructed bra.
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