38C Bra Size
38C fits a 37–39 inch (94–99 cm) underbust and a full bust of about 42 inches (107 cm). Its sister sizes are 36D and 40B.
Last reviewed on 25 September 2026.
38C at a glance
| Underbust (band) | 37–39 in · 94–99 cm |
|---|---|
| Full bust | ≈ 42 in · 107 cm |
| Bust minus underbust | ≈ 4 in · 10 cm |
| Sister sizes (same cup volume) | 36D · 40B |
| UK / EU / FR / AU | 38C · 85C · 100C · 16C |
| One cup bigger | 38D |
| One cup smaller | 38B |
| Approx. top size | L–XL · UK 14–16 / US 10–12 |
Measurements for 38C
38C is built for an underbust ribcage measurement that falls in the 37–39 inch range, with a full-bust measurement around 42 inches. The band number — 38 — is a mid-range band where the most common fit issue is the band riding up because it has stretched. The cup letter — C — describes the difference between the two measurements; a C cup means the full bust is about four inches larger than the underbust — this is the threshold where cup shape (full-cup, demi, balconette, plunge) starts to make a noticeable difference.
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38C in Other Sizing Systems
EU, FR, and JP sizing read the band in centimetres, which is why 38C maps to 85C (EU), 100C (FR), and 85C (JP) — the same body, expressed in different units. AU sizing uses a small numeric scale (16C for this band). UK sizing shares the band number with the US but parts ways at the cup once you go past D, so 38C reads as 38C on a UK label.
Sister Sizes for 38C
These sizes have the same cup volume as 38C. Try them if the band feels too tight or too loose.
← Tighter band, bigger cup · Looser band, smaller cup →
Sister sizes are useful when the cup of your 38C fits well but the band is wrong — too loose by the end of the day, or too tight to clip up comfortably. Going one band smaller and one cup larger keeps the cup volume the same while tightening the band; going the other way loosens the band without losing cup space. Read the full sister-size matrix if you want to see how this works for every size at once.
Fit Tips for 38C
C cups work well across most bra styles. If you spill over in one brand but fit fine in another, cup shape and depth vary by maker — the size on the label is only part of the story.
If your 38C bra is gapping at the top of the cup, the cup may be too large or the wrong shape — try a demi-cup or balconette before assuming the size is wrong. If the centre piece between the cups (the gore) does not lay flat against your sternum, the cup is almost certainly too small; go up one cup. If the band rides up across your back during the day, the band has stretched out or was too loose to begin with — drop one band size and add one cup to keep the same cup volume.
For more detailed troubleshooting, the Fit Test on the home page covers six common visible problems and the size or shape change that usually addresses each one. The guide to measuring mistakes covers the most common reasons a calculation comes out wrong in the first place.
Related sizes
If 38C is close but not quite right, these neighbouring sizes are the most useful next places to look:
See every size at a glance on the full bra size index, or read how to measure your bra size if you are not sure 38C is right for you.
38C — frequently asked questions
What measurements are a 38C bra in inches and cm?
A 38C bra fits an underbust (ribcage) measurement of roughly 37 to 39 inches (94–99 cm) and a full-bust measurement of about 42 inches (107 cm). The cup letter C reflects the roughly 4-inch (10 cm) difference between those two numbers.
What size is equivalent to 38C? (sister sizes)
The sister sizes of 38C are 36D (tighter band, one cup letter up) and 40B (looser band, one cup letter down). They hold the same cup volume as 38C on a different band. Try a sister size when the cups of your 38C fit but the band feels too loose or too tight.
What is 38C in UK, EU, and other sizing systems?
38C (US) converts to 38C in UK sizing, 85C in EU sizing, 100C in French sizing, 16C in Australian sizing, and 85C in Japanese sizing. The body is the same; only the labelling system changes.
Is 38C a small or large bra size?
In terms of how common it is, this size pairs an above-average band with a mid-range cup. There is no universal "small" or "large" bra size — the same cup letter describes a different volume on every band — but within the full range BraCalc covers (bands 28–48, cups AA–H) this combination sits toward the middle end.
Is 38C a small, medium, large, or XL?
As a rough guide, a 38 band usually matches size L–XL in tops and bralettes — around UK dress size 14–16 (US 10–12). The band number drives this more than the cup letter, so 38C lands in the same letter size as other 38-band bras. Letter sizing varies a lot between brands, so always check the brand's own chart.
What is the next size up or down from 38C?
Keeping the same 38 band, one size up in the cup is 38D, and one size down is 38B. If you want a bigger or smaller band but the same cup volume, use a sister size instead: 36D or 40B. Remember that the cup letter is relative to the band — 40C has more cup volume than 38C, not the same.
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