How the systems differ
Bra sizes have two parts, and each country handles them differently.
- Bands. The UK and US use inches (32, 34, 36). Europe uses centimetres in steps of five (70, 75, 80). France, Belgium and Spain add 15 to the European number (85, 90, 95). Australia and New Zealand use dress sizes (10, 12, 14).
- Cups. Everyone agrees from A to D. After that the UK uses double letters (DD, E, F, FF, G, GG), the US uses DD then DDD or F, and Europe runs straight through the alphabet (E, F, G, H).
So a letter like F means a different cup depending on where the bra was made. A UK F, a US F and an EU F are three different sizes.
Band size conversion chart
| UK | US | EU | France / Spain / Belgium | Australia / NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 28 | 60 | 75 | 6 |
| 30 | 30 | 65 | 80 | 8 |
| 32 | 32 | 70 | 85 | 10 |
| 34 | 34 | 75 | 90 | 12 |
| 36 | 36 | 80 | 95 | 14 |
| 38 | 38 | 85 | 100 | 16 |
| 40 | 40 | 90 | 105 | 18 |
| 42 | 42 | 95 | 110 | 20 |
| 44 | 44 | 100 | 115 | 22 |
Cup size conversion chart
| UK / Australia | US | EU / France | Bust minus band |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | AA | AA | Under 1 in |
| A | A | A | 1 in |
| B | B | B | 2 in |
| C | C | C | 3 in |
| D | D | D | 4 in |
| DD | DD | E | 5 in |
| E | DDD/F | F | 6 in |
| F | G | G | 7 in |
| FF | H | H | 8 in |
| G | I | I | 9 in |
| GG | J | J | 10 in |
| H | K | K | 11 in |
| HH | L | L | 12 in |
| J | M | M | 13 in |
Treat larger European cups as approximate. Above an F, continental brands do not all letter their cups the same way. Some skip the letter I, and some change how much each cup step adds. When a brand publishes its own size chart, use it in preference to any general conversion, including this one.
Common UK sizes converted
| UK | US | EU | France | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32C | 32C | 70C | 85C | 10C |
| 32DD | 32DD | 70E | 85E | 10DD |
| 34B | 34B | 75B | 90B | 12B |
| 34D | 34D | 75D | 90D | 12D |
| 34DD | 34DD | 75E | 90E | 12DD |
| 34E | 34DDD/F | 75F | 90F | 12E |
| 36D | 36D | 80D | 95D | 14D |
| 36E | 36DDD/F | 80F | 95F | 14E |
| 36F | 36G | 80G | 95G | 14F |
| 38DD | 38DD | 85E | 100E | 16DD |
| 38FF | 38H | 85H | 100H | 16FF |
| 40G | 40I | 90I | 105I | 18G |
Converters for each system
Measuring in centimetres? The cm calculator gives UK and EU sizes together. Ordering from America? See buying American bras in the UK.
How to tell which system a bra uses
Most labels list more than one system, and the order is not always obvious. A few clues:
- The brand's home country. Freya, Panache, Curvy Kate and Bravissimo are British and size in UK lettering. Brands from the US default to US lettering, and continental brands to EU.
- Double letters other than DD. An FF, GG or HH on a label means UK sizing. No other system uses them.
- A DDD. That is American. The UK equivalent is an E.
- A band number of 60 or more. That is European or French, never UK or US.
The UK and US systems are the pair most often confused, because the bands are identical and only the cups differ. That pairing has its own guide: UK vs US bra sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a UK bra size the same as a European one?
No. European bands are measured in centimetres, so a UK 34 is an EU 75. The cup letters match up to D, then Europe carries on with E, F, G where the UK uses DD, E, F. A UK 34E is roughly an EU 75F.
Are French and EU bra sizes the same?
The cups are generally the same but the band numbers are not. French, Belgian and Spanish bands are 15 higher than the standard European number, so an EU 75 is a French 90.
Do Australian bra sizes match UK sizes?
The cups follow UK lettering. The band uses dress sizes: an Australian 10 is a UK 32, a 12 is a UK 34, a 14 is a UK 36. Subtract 22 from the UK band to get the Australian one.
Why does my converted size not fit?
Conversion charts translate labels. They cannot account for how a brand cuts its bras. European brands in particular vary in how they letter cups above F. Use the conversion as the size to try first and check the brand's own chart when one is available.
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