Bra Sister Sizes
Find equivalent bra sizes with the same cup volume. Use our bra sister sizes calculator and comprehensive charts for US, UK, EU, and Australian sizing.
What Are Bra Sister Sizes?
Bra sister sizes are different bra sizes that share the same cup volume. When you go down a band size, you go up a cup size to maintain equivalent volume—and vice versa.
All three sizes have identical cup volume
Bra Sister Size Calculator
Enter your current bra size to find all your sister sizes instantly.
Bra Sister Sizes Chart
Each row shows sizes with the same cup volume. Find your size and look left/right for sister sizes.
| 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28AA | 30A | |||||||
| 28A | 30AA | 32A | ||||||
| 28B | 30A | 32AA | 34A | |||||
| 28C | 30B | 32A | 34AA | 36A | ||||
| 28D | 30C | 32B | 34A | 36AA | 38A | |||
| 28DD | 30D | 32C | 34B | 36A | 38AA | 40A | ||
| 28DDD | 30DD | 32D | 34C | 36B | 38A | 40AA | 42A | |
| 28G | 30DDD | 32DD | 34D | 36C | 38B | 40A | 42AA | 44A |
| 28H | 30G | 32DDD | 34DD | 36D | 38C | 40B | 42A | 44AA |
| 28I | 30H | 32G | 34DDD | 36DD | 38D | 40C | 42B | 44A |
| 28J | 30I | 32H | 34G | 36DDD | 38DD | 40D | 42C | 44B |
| 28K | 30J | 32I | 34H | 36G | 38DDD | 40DD | 42D | 44C |
← Smaller band, larger cup | Larger band, smaller cup →
How Do Bra Sister Sizes Work?
Many people think cup sizes are fixed volumes—that a "C cup" is always the same size. This is a myth. Cup size is actually relative to band size.
Cup Size = Difference
Your cup size is determined by the difference between your bust and underbust measurements. Each inch of difference equals approximately one cup size.
Relative, Not Absolute
A 32D and 38D are not the same cup volume. The D on a 38 band holds significantly more volume than the D on a 32 band.
The Trade-Off
When you change band size, you must adjust cup size to maintain volume. Band down = Cup up. Band up = Cup down.
Visual: Same Cup Volume, Different Sizes
The circles represent band size (not cup volume). Cup volume stays constant across sister sizes.
When to Use Bra Sister Sizes
Brand Runs Small or Large
If a brand's 34 fits like a 32, try your sister size with a larger band. Victoria's Secret, for example, often runs small in cups.
Size Unavailable
Your exact size is sold out? Sister sizes give you alternatives with the same cup volume.
Between Band Sizes
If your measurements fall between 32 and 34, you might wear 32D in some brands and 34C in others.
Support Preference
Want more support? Try a sister size with a smaller band. Prefer comfort? Try a larger band sister size.
Different Bra Styles
Sports bras often work better in a sister size down (tighter band). Bralettes may work better sized up.
International Shopping
Shopping from UK or EU brands? Use sister sizes to adapt when conversions aren't exact.
Bra Sister Sizes by Country
Sister size logic works the same globally, but band numbers differ. Here's how sizes compare:
| US/UK Band | EU Band | AU/NZ Band | FR/ES Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 60 | 6 | 75 |
| 30 | 65 | 8 | 80 |
| 32 | 70 | 10 | 85 |
| 34 | 75 | 12 | 90 |
| 36 | 80 | 14 | 95 |
| 38 | 85 | 16 | 100 |
| 40 | 90 | 18 | 105 |
| 42 | 95 | 20 | 110 |
| 44 | 100 | 22 | 115 |
Cup Size Comparison: US vs UK
US and UK cups match until D, then diverge:
| US Cup | UK Cup |
|---|---|
| A | A |
| B | B |
| C | C |
| D | D |
| DD | DD |
| DDD/F | E |
| G | F |
| H | FF |
| I | G |
| J | GG |
| K | H |
Victoria's Secret Bra Sister Sizes
Victoria's Secret uses US sizing and is known to run small in cups. Many VS shoppers find success using sister sizes:
- If VS cups feel small: Try your sister size with a larger cup (go down a band, up a cup). Example: If 34C cups overflow, try 32D.
- If VS bands feel tight: Try a sister size with a larger band. Example: If 32D band is too tight, try 34C.
- Common VS adjustment: Many people wear one cup size larger in VS than in UK brands like Panache or Freya.
Bra Sister Sizes: Reddit Community Insights
The r/ABraThatFits community (2M+ members) frequently discusses sister sizes. Key insights from Reddit:
Popular Bra Sister Sizes Searched
36C Sister Sizes
34D • 32DD • 38B • 40A
34B Sister Sizes
32C • 30D • 36A • 38AA
34C Sister Sizes
32D • 30DD • 36B • 38A
34D Sister Sizes
32DD • 30DDD • 36C • 38B
36D Sister Sizes
34DD • 32DDD • 38C • 40B
38C Sister Sizes
36D • 34DD • 40B • 42A
30C Sister Sizes
28D • 32B • 34A
32D Sister Sizes
30DD • 28DDD • 34C • 36B
Bra Sister Sizes FAQ
Bra sister sizes are bra sizes that have the same cup volume but different band sizes. When you decrease the band size by one, you increase the cup size by one to maintain the same cup volume (and vice versa). For example, 34C, 32D, and 36B are all sister sizes—they have identical cup volumes despite different band and cup letter combinations.
Sister sizes work because cup size is relative to band size, not absolute. A "D cup" doesn't have a fixed volume—it represents the difference between your bust and underbust measurements. When you change band size, the cup letter must change to represent the same physical volume. Think of it as: Band down + Cup up = Same volume and Band up + Cup down = Same volume.
Yes, sister sizes are mathematically accurate for cup volume. However, the fit experience will differ because the band tightness changes. A 32D will feel tighter around the ribcage than a 34C, even though the cups hold the same volume. The wire width and cup shape may also vary slightly between sizes.
Yes! Sister sizes work well for many purposes: when a brand runs large or small, when your exact size is unavailable, when you're between sizes, or when you prefer different support levels. However, your "true size" will always provide the best overall fit. Sister sizes are a valuable tool, not a replacement for proper sizing.
36C sister sizes:
- 34D - One band smaller, one cup larger
- 32DD - Two bands smaller, two cups larger
- 38B - One band larger, one cup smaller
- 40A - Two bands larger, two cups smaller
All have the same cup volume as 36C.
30C sister sizes:
- 28D - One band smaller, one cup larger
- 32B - One band larger, one cup smaller
- 34A - Two bands larger, two cups smaller
Note: 28 bands are less common in stores but available from specialty retailers.
Victoria's Secret uses US sizing, so standard US sister sizes apply. However, VS is known to run small in cups. If your VS bra cups are too small, try a sister size with a smaller band and larger cup (e.g., if 34C is small, try 32D). Many VS customers find they need to size up one cup compared to UK brands.
US and UK band sizes are identical (32, 34, 36, etc.). The difference is in cup progression after D cup:
- US: D → DD → DDD → G → H
- UK: D → DD → E → F → FF → G
Sister size logic works the same in both systems. A US 34DD = UK 34DD, but US 34DDD = UK 34E.
EU uses centimeter bands (65, 70, 75, 80...) where each size is 5cm apart. The conversion: 70≈32, 75≈34, 80≈36. Sister sizes work identically—70D = 65E = 75C. EU cups progress linearly (A, B, C, D, E, F, G...) without the DD/DDD naming convention.
Australia and New Zealand use unique band numbers (8, 10, 12, 14...) but UK cup letters. Conversions: AU 8=US 30, AU 10=US 32, AU 12=US 34, AU 14=US 36. Sister sizes follow the same pattern: AU 12D = AU 10DD = AU 14C.
Sister sizes mean you have options! While cup volume stays constant:
- Smaller band sister: Tighter fit, more support, may feel more secure
- Larger band sister: Looser fit, more comfort, may feel less restrictive
Choose based on your preference and how the specific brand fits.
The mathematical relationship is the same, but brand sizing varies. A 34D in Brand A might fit like a 32DD in Brand B. This is exactly why sister sizes are useful—they help you adapt to different brands' interpretations of sizing. Always try on when possible.
Not Sure of Your Size?
Use our comprehensive bra size calculator to find your perfect fit, then explore sister sizes for flexibility.
Calculate My Bra Size →