The 36B bra size is a fairly common one. 36B boobs can be considered medium sized, and with them you’ll have a wide selection of different bra styles.
In this article, we’ll look at how to measure if you’re a 36B bra size, how big this size is, what 36B breasts actually look like, what are the sister sizes of this bra size, and everything else you may want to know about it.
Let’s dive in!
What Is a 36B Bra Size?
A 36B bra size is the bra size where the band measurement (measured right under the breasts) equals 36 inches and the bust measurement (measured at the center of the breasts where they’re the largest) equals 38 inches.
Let’s see how to check if this is the right bra size for you.
As you probably know, bra sizes have both a “number” part and a “letter part” (for example, 36B, 36C, 38D, and so on). Here’s how to get both parts right.
Start by taking a measuring tape and wrapping it around your ribcage, just below your bust. Make sure the measuring tape is snug but not too tight. Do this while naked and standing straight to get the most accurate results.
If you get an odd number, increase it to the nearest even number (for example, if you get 35 inches, increase it to 36 inches). This is because bra sizes are generally even numbers.
The number you get this way is your band measurement (the “number” part of your bra size).
In a 36B bra size, the band size measured like this will equal 36 inches.
The next step is to measure your bust size. To do this, wrap the measuring tape around your back and across the fullest part of your bust. Make sure the tape is parallel to the ground and not too tight.
In a 36B bra size, the bust size measured as explained here will be equal to 38 inches.
To determine your cup size, subtract your band size from your bust size. The difference between the two measurements will represent your cup size.
For example, if the difference between the two numbers is 1 inch you’re an A cup size, if it’s 2 inches you’re a B cup size, and so on as shown in the following table.
In a 36B bra size, the difference between the bust size and the band size is 2 inches (36 inches – 34 inches = 2 inches). That’s where the “B” in “36B” comes from. The “36” in “36B” comes from the band measurement.
More About the 36B Bra Size
The 36B bra size is quite common, although probably not as common as the 34B. The advantage of it being common is that you can easily find bras in any style or color.
Another advantage of the B cup size (including the 36B size) is that it’s one of the most desirable cup sizes. This is because it’s not too small, but it’s also not too large.
What 36B Boobs Look Like (36B Bra Size Examples)
Enough talk, let’s look at examples of 36B boobs. We’ll point to some celebrities who are thought to be wearing a 36B bra size.
Although the B cup size is very common with celebrities, this is more true for the 32B and the 34B bra sizes. Still, there are prominent celebrities who wear the 36B bra size as well.
Among those, a famous example is Indian actress Priyanka Chopra. Another example is American comedian Amy Schumer.
36B Sister Size (36B Bra Size Equivalent)
The closest sister sizes of the 36B are the 34C and the 38A. The 34C is one cup size larger and one band size smaller, while the 38A is one cup size smaller and one band size larger. Some other sister sizes of the 36B are the 30DD and the 32D.
If you’re not familiar, sister bra sizes are different sizes that have the same cup volume. For example, the 30DD, 32D, 34C, 36B, and 38A will all hold a similar amount of breast tissue, since the band size of sister bra sizes increases as the cup size decreases.
Sister bra sizes can be useful if you can’t find a bra in your exact bra size. In such a case, a sister bra size is an option. Another use case of sister bra sizes is if your exact bra size isn’t comfortable enough even though the cups fit well.
For example, the underband might be too tight or too loose. If the cups fit well but the underband is tight, you can try a sister size up (one band size larger and one cup size smaller. For example, if the band of a 36B bra is tight, try a 38A.
On the other hand, if the cups fit but the underband is loose, you can try a sister size down (one band size smaller and one cup size larger). For example, if the band of a 36B bra is loose, try a 34C.
36B Bra Size in Cm (36B Bra Size in Europe)
Measured in centimeters, a 36B bra size means that your band measurement equals ~91 cm and your bust measurement equals ~96 cm. The difference between the bust size and the band size is roughly 5 cm, which translates to a B cup size.
36B Bra Size in Inches
Measured in inches, a 36B bra size means that your band measurement equals 36 inches (that’s where the “36” in “36B” comes from) and your bust measurement equals 38 inches. The difference between the bust size and the band size is 2 inches, which translates to a B cup size (that’s where the “B” in “36B” comes from).
36B vs 34C
A 36B bra size and a 34C bra are sister sizes. More specifically, the 34C bra is one sister size down from a 36B. This is because a 34C bra is one band size smaller, but one cup size larger from a 36B bra size.
36B vs 36C
A 36B bra size and a 36C bra size both have the same band measurement of 36 inches (which is where the “36” in 36B and 36C comes from). But, a 36B bra size has a bust measurement of 38 inches, while a 36C bra size has a bust measurement of 39 inches.
Given this, a 36B bra size is one cup size smaller than a 36C bra size. In other words, 36B boobs are one inch smaller than 36C boobs.
32B vs 36B
A 36B bra size and a 32B bra size both have a 2-inch difference between the bust size and the band size. But, a 36B bra size has a band measurement that’s roughly 4 inches larger compared to the 32B (36 inches compared to 32 inches). Also, a 36B bra size has a bust measurement that’s 4 inches larger compared to the 32B bra size (38 inches compared to 34 inches).
36B Bra Size Infographic
FAQ
What Bust Size Is a 36B?
A woman wearing 36B will have a bust size of 38 inches (~96-97 cm). Her band size will be 36 inches, which means that the difference between the bust size and the band size will equal roughly 2 inches (that’s why the cup size equals B).
Is 36B Small or Medium?
The 36B bra size can be considered a medium bra size, although it depends. For example, in countries such as the US, a 36B bra size is below average. On the other hand, in many Asian countries, a 36B bra size is well above average.
Is 36B Bigger Than 34C?
36B bra size has a larger band size than a 34C (36 inches compared to 34 inches). But, a 34C has the larger difference between the bust and the band size compared to the 36B (3 inches compared to 2 inches). Given this, the 36B and the 34C are sister sizes, meaning that they’ll hold roughly the same amount of breast tissue.
Conclusion
In this article, you learned all you need to know about a relatively common, medium-sized bra size – the 36B bra size. Among other things, you learned how big 36B breasts actually are, how to measure if you should be wearing a 36B bra, what are the sister sizes of this bra, and what 36B boobs actually look like.
The founder, editor, and writer of most articles on Ultimate Bra Guide. An experienced bra fitting specialist turned blogger. My website Ultimate Bra Guide has been featured in relevant publications such as Glamour, Bustle, Elite Daily, Alldaychic, Everyday Feminism, and so on. Get to know me better at our about page.