48C Bra Size
48C fits a 47–49 inch (119–124 cm) underbust and a full bust of about 52 inches (132 cm). Its sister sizes are 46D.
Last reviewed on 25 September 2026.
48C at a glance
| Underbust (band) | 47–49 in · 119–124 cm |
|---|---|
| Full bust | ≈ 52 in · 132 cm |
| Bust minus underbust | ≈ 4 in · 10 cm |
| Sister sizes (same cup volume) | 46D |
| UK / EU / FR / AU | 48C · 110C · 125C · 26C |
| One cup bigger | 48D |
| One cup smaller | 48B |
| Approx. top size | 3X · UK 24–26 / US 20–22 |
Measurements for 48C
48C is built for an underbust ribcage measurement that falls in the 47–49 inch range, with a full-bust measurement around 52 inches. The band number — 48 — is a fuller band size where most of the support comes from a strong, snug band rather than the straps. 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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48C in Other Sizing Systems
EU, FR, and JP sizing read the band in centimetres, which is why 48C maps to 110C (EU), 125C (FR), and 110C (JP) — the same body, expressed in different units. AU sizing uses a small numeric scale (26C for this band). UK sizing shares the band number with the US but parts ways at the cup once you go past D, so 48C reads as 48C on a UK label.
Sister Sizes for 48C
These sizes have the same cup volume as 48C. 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 48C 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 48C
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 48C 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 48C 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 48C is right for you.
48C — frequently asked questions
What measurements are a 48C bra in inches and cm?
A 48C bra fits an underbust (ribcage) measurement of roughly 47 to 49 inches (119–124 cm) and a full-bust measurement of about 52 inches (132 cm). The cup letter C reflects the roughly 4-inch (10 cm) difference between those two numbers.
What size is equivalent to 48C? (sister sizes)
The sister sizes of 48C are 46D (tighter band, one cup letter up). They hold the same cup volume as 48C on a different band. Try a sister size when the cups of your 48C fit but the band feels too loose or too tight.
What is 48C in UK, EU, and other sizing systems?
48C (US) converts to 48C in UK sizing, 110C in EU sizing, 125C in French sizing, 26C in Australian sizing, and 110C in Japanese sizing. The body is the same; only the labelling system changes.
Is 48C a small or large bra size?
In terms of how common it is, this size pairs a fuller 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 fuller end.
Is 48C a small, medium, large, or XL?
As a rough guide, a 48 band usually matches size 3X in tops and bralettes — around UK dress size 24–26 (US 20–22). The band number drives this more than the cup letter, so 48C lands in the same letter size as other 48-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 48C?
Keeping the same 48 band, one size up in the cup is 48D, and one size down is 48B. If you want a bigger or smaller band but the same cup volume, use a sister size instead: 46D. Remember that the cup letter is relative to the band — 50C has more cup volume than 48C, not the same.
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