UK Bra Size Guide & International Conversion
UK bra sizing is recognized worldwide for its precision in full-bust lingerie. Renowned brands like Panache, Freya, Elomi, and Curvy Kate use British sizing conventions. Learn how UK band and cup progressions work and how to convert your size.
How UK Bra Sizing Works
Like US sizing, UK bra band numbers use direct underbust measurements in inches (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40). However, UK cup sizing diverges significantly from US sizing after D cups by utilizing double-letter progressions (`DD`, `FF`, `GG`, `HH`, `JJ`).
AA → A → B → C → D → DD → E → F → FF → G → GG → H → HH → J
UK vs US Cup Size Comparison
Because US sizing uses `DDD/F`, `G`, `H`, `I`, `J` while UK sizing uses `DD`, `E`, `F`, `FF`, `G`, `GG`, a 34G in UK sizing is two cup volumes larger than a 34G in US sizing!
| Bust-Band Diff | UK Cup Label | US / CA Equivalent | EU / JP Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A cup volume | A | A | A |
| B cup volume | B | B | B |
| C cup volume | C | C | C |
| D cup volume | D | D | D |
| DD cup volume | DD | DD / E | E |
| E cup volume | E | DDD / F | F |
| F cup volume | F | G | G |
| FF cup volume | FF | H | H |
| G cup volume | G | I | I |
| GG cup volume | GG | J | J |
How to Convert UK Sizes to Other Regions
When buying British lingerie brands from outside the UK, use these conversion guidelines:
- UK to US: Keep the same band number (e.g. 34 stays 34). Cup letters match up to D cup. For E cup and above, check our conversion matrix.
- UK to EU: Multiply your UK band in inches by 2.54 and round to nearest 5 cm (e.g. 34 UK = 75 EU).
- UK to AU/NZ: UK band 30 = AU 8, 32 = AU 10, 34 = AU 12, 36 = AU 14, 38 = AU 16. Cup letters remain identical.
How to Measure for UK Bras
UK sizing works best with Modern Direct Underbust Measurement (no adding 4 inches):
- Measure your underbust snugly in inches. Round to nearest even number for your band size.
- Measure your bust loosely across the fullest point in inches.
- Subtract underbust from bust. Each 1-inch difference represents one UK cup letter (1" = A, 2" = B, 3" = C, 4" = D, 5" = DD, 6" = E, 7" = F, 8" = FF, 9" = G).