42C Bra Size

Measurements for 42C

42C is built for an underbust ribcage measurement that falls in the 41–43 inch range, with a full-bust measurement around 46 inches. The band number — 42 — is a larger band where reinforced construction starts to matter for long-day comfort. 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.

42C in Other Sizing Systems

EU and FR sizing read the band in centimetres, which is why 42C maps to 95C and 110C respectively — the same body, expressed in different units. AU sizing uses a small numeric scale (20C for this band). UK sizing shares the band number with the US but parts ways at the cup once you go past D, so 42C reads as 42C on a UK label.

Sister Sizes for 42C

These sizes have the same cup volume as 42C. 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 42C 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 42C

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 42C 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 42C 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.