Quick Answer: Bra sizing isn’t standardized globally. A US 34C is a UK 34C, but an EU 75C and an FR/BE/ES 90C — same fit, different labels. Use the chart below to convert between systems.
Why Sizing Systems Differ
Band numbers shift between regions because they measure in different units and round differently — US and UK use inches, while EU, French, and Italian systems use centimeters with their own rounding conventions. Cup letters can also shift by one letter between US and UK sizing at larger cup sizes, which catches a lot of people off guard when shopping international brands.
Band Size Conversion
| US / UK | EU | FR / ES / BE | IT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 70 | 85 | 1 |
| 34 | 75 | 90 | 2 |
| 36 | 80 | 95 | 3 |
| 38 | 85 | 100 | 4 |
| 40 | 90 | 105 | 5 |
Cup Size Conversion
| US | UK | EU / FR |
|---|---|---|
| A | A | A |
| B | B | B |
| C | C | C |
| D | D | D |
| DD | DD | E |
| DDD | E | F |
How to Use This Chart
Find your measured US/UK size first using our measuring guide, then read across the row to find the equivalent in the system a brand uses. When in between two band sizes, sister sizing (covered in our next guide) is usually more useful than rounding.
Reading a Foreign Size Tag Without Guessing
When you’re shopping a brand that only lists EU or FR sizing, the fastest way to avoid a wrong guess is to convert your known US/UK size to the equivalent using the band and cup tables above, separately — don’t try to convert the combined size as a single unit, since band and cup scales shift independently across systems.
Where Conversion Charts Break Down
Generic conversion charts assume standardized proportions that don’t always hold in practice. Two brands both labeled “EU 75B” can still fit differently because of cut, fabric stretch, and how generously a manufacturer interprets its own size chart. Treat any conversion chart as a starting point for ordering, not a guarantee — especially the first time you buy from a new brand or region.
A Practical Shopping Workflow
1) Know your measured US/UK size from our measuring guide. 2) Convert using the tables above to find the equivalent in the brand’s sizing system. 3) Check the specific brand’s own chart if available, since it overrides generic conversions. 4) If you’re between sizes or the brand has mixed reviews on fit, consider ordering two adjacent sizes if the return policy allows it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a UK size sometimes run smaller than US?
At larger cup sizes, UK sizing can shift by one letter compared to US — a US DDD is often a UK E. Always check a brand’s specific chart when possible.
Is Italian sizing really that different from US?
Yes — Italian band sizing uses a small numbered scale (1-8) rather than inches or centimeters, so it looks completely different at first glance despite mapping to the same fit.
Should I trust a brand’s own size chart over this one?
When available, yes — brand-specific charts account for that manufacturer’s particular cut and should take priority over general conversion charts.
