38A bra size
38A is the tag label for band 38 and cup A, whose difference is 1 in; a bust of 38.5 to 39.5 in gives this cup on band 38.
US 38A · UK 38A
- Difference1 in2.5 cm
- Underbust, underbust method37 to 39 in93.98 to 99.06 cm
- Bust for this cup38.5 to 39.5 in97.79 to 100.33 cm
Each range includes its first figure and stops just short of its last.
Which measurements give a 38A
The label is a band and a cup, not a body measurement. Each of the three published rules turns the same label into different measurements.
| Method | Underbust (in) | Underbust (cm) | Bust (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underbust method | 37 to 39 in | 93.98 to 99.06 cm | 38.5 to 39.5 in |
| Add-4 method | 32.5 to 34.5 in | 82.55 to 87.63 cm | 38.5 to 39.5 in |
| EU method, band 85 | 32.48 to 34.45 in | 82.5 to 87.5 cm | Cup read in cm |
Each range includes its first figure and stops just short of its last.
38A in six sizing systems
| System | Band | Cup | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 38 | A | 38A |
| UK | 38 | A | 38A |
| EU | 85 | A | 85A |
| FR/BE | 100 | A | 100A |
| AU/NZ | 16 | A | 16A |
| JP | 85 | Not listed | Not listed |
Bands and letters are label equivalents, not body measurements. JP letters vary by brand.
Sister sizes of 38A
A sister size moves the band one step and the cup one letter the other way.
- 2 bands down34C
- 1 band down36B
- 1 band up40AA
The cup letter in 38A represents a difference of 1 in between your bust and band, rounded to whole inches. With a bust from 38.5 to 39.5 in, band 38 pairs with cup A under the underbust method and the add-4 method. The number on the tag names the band; your bust range determines the cup.
For 38A, the underbust method uses an underbust from 37 to 39 in for band 38, while the add-4 method uses 32.5 to 34.5 in. The EU method gives band 85 to the latter interval. Published charts disagree: these methods assign different bands to the same body. The EU label for 38A is 85A.
The higher-band sister size shown for 38A is 40AA, with a smaller cup letter; the lower-band sister size is 36B, with a larger cup letter. The JP chart lists no cup letter for 38A at this difference and says to check the brand.
Questions
What does 38A mean?
38A is a band of 38 with a cup that stands for a difference of 1 in (2.5 cm) between bust and band in US sizing.
What measurements give a 38A?
By the underbust method, an underbust of 37 to 39 in (93.98 to 99.06 cm) gives band 38, and a bust of 38.5 to 39.5 in gives this cup. By the add-4 method, band 38 comes from an underbust of 32.5 to 34.5 in. Each range includes its first figure and stops just short of its last.
What are the sister sizes of 38A?
The sister sizes of 38A are 34C, 36B and 40AA. Each step up in band takes the cup one letter down, and each step down takes it one letter up.