The A cup size sits at the lower end of the bra size scale. Due to the smaller size, it’s not exactly the most coveted bra size by most women. However, an A cup size comes with many benefits, such as not causing back pain and giving you more options when choosing a bra style and an outfit.
This article is meant for those of you who want to learn exactly what A cup size means, what A cup boobs really look like, how they differ from other cup sizes such as B or C, and everything else related to A cup boobs.
Let’s dive in!
What Does an A Cup Size Mean?
Being an A cup size means that the difference between your bust measurement (measured at the center of your breasts where they’re the largest) and your band measurement (measured right under your boobs) is around 1 inch (2.5 cm).
This may sound too confusing, but don’t worry, we’ll clear everything up.
So, you probably know that bra sizes have 2 components – a “letter” part and a “numerical” part. These two components measure different things. Given this, you need to know what both of these mean to find your correct bra size.
You need to start by measuring the “numerical” component. This is your band size. To get it, you take a tape measure and measure right below the breasts (where the band of your bra is), all the way around your rib cage.
If you get an odd number, round up to the largest even number (for example, if your band measurement is 29 inches round it up to 30, if it’s 35 inches round it up to 36, and so on).
Measure yourself while naked to get the most accurate results. Also, stand straight while measuring.
DO NOT ADD 4 INCHES to your band measurement. This is an outdated method that the large majority of bra manufacturers don’t use anymore. Yet, I still find places on the internet where this advice is shared. If you stumble upon those, just ignore that advice.
The second thing to measure is your bust size. Once again, you should take a tape measure and measure all the way around your breasts. This time you measure right across the center of your breasts (where they’re the biggest), instead of under the breasts.
To reiterate, you need to measure the size of your band, that is your chest size measured right under your breasts (this is your band size, or the “number” component in the bra size). Then, you need to measure the size of your bust, that is your size at the point where your breasts are the largest.
These two measurements are all you need to find out your bra size. Now, you just need to calculate the bust size minus the band size. If the difference is 1 inch you’re an A cup size, if it’s 2 inches you’re a B cup size, if it’s 3 inches you’re a C cup size, and so on as shown in the following table.
Let’s look at an example to make things even clearer. If your band measurement is 30 inches, and your bust measurement is 31 inches, then you’re a 30A cup size (31 inches – 30 inches = 1 inch = A cup size).
If your band measurement is again 30 inches, and your bust measurement is 33 inches, then you’re a 30C cup size (33 inches – 30 inches = 3 inches = C cup size).
To reiterate, we only calculate the cup size (the “letter” part) in these examples. The band size (the “number” part) is simply your band measurement.
When talking about bra sizes, many women focus only on the cup size, i.e. the letter part. However, to get a more accurate representation of someone’s breasts you must know their band size as well. Two people can both have an A cup size, but they may look very different (for example, a 30A differs a lot from a 34A).
More About the A Cup Size
The A cup size is one of the smallest cup sizes out there. Still, in many countries such as Japan, South Korea, and many African and Asian countries, this bra size is considered average. In fact, in a lot of Asian countries A cup boobs are above the average.
This cup size generally isn’t considered particularly desirable, probably as a result of media influence. According to a survey of 2,000 Americans and Europeans, only around 2% of women and 3% of men have picked the A cup size as the ideal cup size. Most people have opted for the C cup and the B cup size as ideal.
Despite this, having A cup boobs is perfectly okay. Remember, all breasts are beautiful, regardless of their size and shape. And, being an A cup size means that you can wear basically any style of bra. Also, bras in this size are generally cuter than bras for bigger sizes.
Another benefit of A cup boobs is that they don’t cause back pains.
What Do A Cup Boobs Look Like (A Cup Breasts Examples)
We talked a lot about A cup boobs, but let’s now see what A cup breasts actually look like. In this section, we’ll take a look at a few examples of celebrities with an A cup size.
A thing that you’ll probably notice is that although all of them are A cup size, there’s actually quite a difference between how they look. One of the reasons is that their band sizes may differ a lot.
Another reason is that these women may have different figures. When a woman is overweight, her breasts will be perceived as smaller than those of a slim woman, even when they’re wearing the same bra size.
But, the thing that all of these women have in common is that the difference between their bust measurement and their band measurement is around 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Whether a woman has a band measurement of 30 and a bust measurement of 31, or she has a band measurement of 34 and a bust measurement of 35, both of them will wear an A cup size.
A prominent celebrity with A cup boobs is Ariana Grande. The famous American singer is a 32A bra size. This means that her band size is around 32 inches, and her bust size is around 33 inches.
Another example of the 32A cup size is actress Keira Knightley, known for movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Pride & Prejudice, Love Actually, and so on.
Actress Vanessa Hudgens is another example of a woman with A cup boobs. Compared to the other two examples, she is reportedly a 34A cup size. This puts her band size at around 34 inches, and her bust size at around 35 inches.
A Cup vs B Cup
The B cup is one cup size larger compared to the A cup. This means that for women with the same band measurement, the bust of a woman with B cup boobs will be 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger compared to the woman with A cup boobs.
Unlike B cup boobs, which are the second most desired bra size, the A cup size is generally not considered desirable, neither by men nor women.
A Cup vs C Cup
The C cup is two cup sizes larger compared to the A cup. This means that for women with the same band measurement, the bust of a woman with C cup boobs will be 2 inches (5 cm) larger compared to the woman with A cup boobs.
These two cup sizes differ in desirability as well. Most surveys show that C cup boobs are considered the most desirable size, both by men and women. On the other hand, A cup boobs are relatively low on the desirability scale.
A Cup Size in Inches
Measured in inches, an A cup size means that your bust measurement is 1 inch larger than your band measurement. This means that if your band measurement is 30 inches (or 29 inches, since we round up to the largest even number), your bust measurement is 31 inches. And if your band measurement is 34 inches, your bust measurement is 35 inches.
A Cup Size in Cm
Measured in centimeters, an A cup size means that your bust measurement is roughly 2.5 cm larger than your band measurement. This means that if your band measurement is 67.5 cm, your bust measurement is 70 cm. And if your band measurement is 80 cm, your bust measurement is 82.5 cm.
A Cup Size Chart
A Cup Size (UK)
Cup size measurements differ in the UK from those in the US. Yet, these differences are visible only when it comes to larger cup sizes.
When it comes to A cup size in the UK, it’s pretty much the same as in the US. For example, an A cup in the UK also means that the difference between the bust and the band measurement is 1 inch (2.5 cm).
So, just like in the US, a 32A in the UK would mean that the person has a band measurement of 32 inches and a bust measurement of 33 inches.
A Cup Size Infographic
FAQ
How Big Is an A Cup Bra Size?
An A cup bra size has a bust measurement that’s 1 inch (2.5cm) bigger than its band measurement. Keep in mind that the cup size doesn’t depend on the band measurement alone. Instead, it depends on the difference between the bust size and the band size.
Which Cup Size Is Bigger: A or B?
The B cup size is bigger than an A cup size. From two women who have the same band size, the woman with a B cup size will have a bust measurement that’s 1 inch (2.5 cm) bigger than a woman with an A cup size.
Am I an A or B Cup?
The only way to know if you’re an A cup or a B cup is by measuring yourself. The two measurements you need to make are your band measurement (measured all the way around your rib cage, just below your breasts) and your bust size (measured at the center of your breasts, where they’re the largest). If the difference between the bust size and the band size is 1 inch, you’re an A cup, and if it’s 2 inches, you’re a B cup size.
Which Cup Size Is Bigger: A or D?
The D cup size is significantly bigger than an A cup size. From two women who have the same band size, the woman with a D cup size will have a bust measurement that’s 3 inches (7.5 cm) bigger than a woman with an A cup size.
Is a Double A Smaller Than an A?
While both of these sizes are small, a double A is smaller than an A cup size. The difference between the bust size and the band size of A cup boobs is 1 inch. However, when it comes to the double A cup size, the difference between the bust measurement and the band measurement is only half an inch.
Conclusion
While not exactly the most desirable size, the A cup size has its share of benefits. Here, we discussed what an A cup size means, what A cup boobs actually look like, as well as everything else related to the A cup size that you need to know.
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.