38C Bra Size

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 three inches larger than the underbust — this is the threshold where cup shape (full-cup, demi, balconette, plunge) starts to make a noticeable difference.

38C in Other Sizing Systems

EU and FR sizing read the band in centimetres, which is why 38C maps to 85C and 100C respectively — 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:

Not sure about your size? Measure yourself and double-check.