Bra size chart for Pakistan: what 32, 34, 36 and 38 actually mean

Search for a bra size chart and you will find a dozen that disagree with each other. Most are copied from UK or American charts built around cup letters — 34B, 36C — while most bras sold in Pakistan, ours included, are labelled by the band alone: 32, 34, 36, 38.

So here is the chart that matches how bras are actually sold here, and how to read it.

The bra size chart

Your size is decided by your underbust — the measurement directly under your bust, where the band sits. Your bust measurement is a check, not the deciding number.

Bralettes and letter sizes

Soft bralettes are usually sold in letters instead of numbers:

How to find your size in two minutes

1. Use a soft tape. Measure over bare skin or a thin, non-padded bra. Padded and sports bras compress and will give you a size too small.
2. Measure your underbust. Tape directly under the bust, level all the way round, snug enough to fit two fingers underneath and no more.
3. Breathe out, then read it. Round to the nearest even number. That number is your size.
4. Check your bust. Around the fullest part, letting the tape skim rather than dig in. If it falls in the bust range for your size, you are done.

The full step-by-step, with the mistakes almost everyone makes, is in how to measure your bra size at home.

What each size means

Bra size 32 — an underbust of 27 to 29 inches (68–74 cm). In letter sizes, that is Small.

Bra size 34 — an underbust of 29 to 31 inches (74–79 cm). It sits at the top of Small and the bottom of Medium, so go by your underbust number rather than the letter.

Bra size 36 — an underbust of 31 to 33 inches (79–84 cm), roughly Medium.

Bra size 38 — an underbust of 33 to 35 inches (84–89 cm), roughly Large.

Why there is no cup letter

Bras sold by band number are cut so the cup suits the band, with the fabric taking up the difference. That makes choosing simpler — one number instead of two — but it means your bust measurement still matters as a sense check.

If your bust is more than about five inches larger than your underbust, choose a full-cup, push-up or adjustable style rather than a soft bralette. Our guide to bras for a fuller bust goes into this properly.

Between two sizes?

This is where most people go wrong, and the rule flips depending on the bra:

• Wired or structured bra — take the smaller band. It loosens with wear.
• Wire-free bra or bralette — take the larger. With no wire holding the shape, a tight band rolls up under the bust.

Once it is on, fasten a new bra on the loosest hook, and check the band sits level across your back. If your straps are carrying the weight, the band is too loose whatever the label says.

Prefer a calculator?

The size guide has a bra size calculator: enter your underbust and bust and it reads them off this same chart for you, and tells you when you fall between two sizes rather than guessing.

It is worth the five minutes. We cannot exchange for size once an order has been delivered, which is exactly why we publish the chart in full.

Frequently asked questions

Is bra size 34 the same as 34B?

Not quite. A 34 here means a 29–31 inch underbust with a cup cut to suit it. If you have always bought 34B, a 34 will usually fit; if you wear 34DD or larger, look for full-cup or push-up styles in the same band.

Is size 36 medium or large?

Medium. A 36 covers a 31–33 inch underbust, which falls inside Medium (30–33 inches) on the letter chart.

Do I measure in inches or centimetres?

Either. The chart gives both, and the calculator on the size guide accepts both.

Browse every bra and bralette once you know your number.