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1Measuring Chest Size for Women
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Co-authored byDavid Pew
Last Updated: March 18, 2024Fact Checked
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If you want to buy a fitted suit or shirt, you'll need to know your chest size. To find your chest size, all you need is a measuring tape and a pencil to write the number down. Loop the tape around your body and measure the widest part of your torso. Read on to learn more about how to find your chest size for both men and women.
Taking a Chest Measurement
Wrap a fabric measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest under your arms. Stand with your arms relaxed at your side and avoid puffing out your chest. Take your chest measurement where the tape overlaps.
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Measuring Chest Size for Women
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1
Locate a fabric tape measure. This type of tape measure is easy to wrap around your body, and accurately measuring curves. If you don't have one, you can instead wrap a string around your body, then measure that with a ruler.[1]
2
Find a friend to help you measure. It can be a little tricky to take an accurate chest measurement on your own, so if possible, see if you can find a friend to help you. If not, you'll just need to be extra careful to make sure the tape measure doesn't slip in the back.
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3
Remove your shirt, but leave your bra on. Any extra fabric will add a few centimeters to your measurement. Since you'll be wearing a bra under the clothing you're getting measured for, the extra fabric of the bra should be included in your measurement.
- Wear whatever undergarments you would wear on a normal day. For instance, you would wear the same type of bra you usually wear. If you usually go braless, measure your chest without a bra. If you're nonbinary and you bind your chest, measure with your binder on.[2]
4
Wrap the tape measure around your chest. Position it so that the tape is horizontal to the ground, and falls just under your armpits. Bring it around your back so that the ends come together in front, across the widest part of your breasts.[3]
- Don't stick your chest out or exhale; just stand normally.
- Make sure the tape measure is not twisted.
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5
Look in the mirror to find your measurement. The place where the end of the tape measure meets with the other side is where you'll find the number that indicates your chest size.
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Part 2
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Measuring Chest Size for Men
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1
Find a fabric tape measure. This type of tape measure is made of soft material that makes it easy to wrap around your body. If you don't have one, you can instead use a piece of string to wrap around your chest, and measure the string with a ruler to get your size.
2
Consider asking someone to help you measure. You will get the most accurate measurement if someone else is holding the tape, since they'll be able to make sure it's lined up correctly across your back. However, you can still get a very accurate measurement if you just want to do it yourself.
- If you must take the measurement yourself, do it in front of a mirror, so that you can see if the tape is parallel to the ground all the way around.
3
Take off your shirt. Clothing adds extra width to the measurement, so it's better not to be wearing anything on your torso.[4]
4
Wrap the tape around your torso. Slide it tape so that it surrounds your chest and falls just under your armpits. Rest it securely around the widest part of your chest, which is often above or at the nipple line.[5] If you are performing the measuring yourself, make sure the numbers are turned out so that you can read it in the mirror.[6]
- Hold the ends of the tape with both hands in the front of your body, so you'll be able to see the measurement.
- Look in the mirror and make sure the measuring tape isn't twisted.
- Ensure the tape is at the same height all the way around. It should be parallel with the ground.
5
Stand normally. Don't puff out your chest or flex your muscles. This will add a few centimeters to the measurement and make it less accurate.
6
Take note of your measurement. Look in the mirror at the place where the beginning end of the tape measure and the remaining portion meet in the front of your chest. This number is your chest measurement.
- Don't look down at the tape to take your measurement, since this can cause it to slip out of place. Look in the mirror instead.
- Add 2 inches (5cm) to the measurement for any garment that you want to be slightly loose, such as a dress shirt. Always round up the measurement when buying clothing.
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Expert Q&A
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Question
Should I measure my chest with a bra on?
David Pew
Professional TailorDavid Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.
David Pew
Professional Tailor
Expert Answer
Wear whatever a typical undergarment is for you. If you typically wear a certain type of bra, wear that. If you usually go braless, don't wear one. If you're nonbinary and you typically bind, measure your chest while you're wearing your binder.
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Question
How do you measure your chest size?
David Pew
Professional TailorDavid Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.
David Pew
Professional Tailor
Expert Answer
To measure the chest size of any person, you need to measure the broadest part. To do that, go over the shoulder blades and the widest part of the bust. For men, that's usually directly over the nipples. For women, that will be over the largest part of the bust, wherever that might be.
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Question
I have a spare tire or beer belly. How do I measure to accommodate for this feature?
Community Answer
Chest is a horizontal measurement across the chest at the nipples, it doesn't depend on belly size. Waist is measured at the widest part if you have a convex belly, or at the narrowest point if not. If you are asking about shirt sizing, you will usually have to buy for your biggest measurement.
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Tips
Your chest measurement is a required measurement for many tops, from T-shirts to dress shirts.
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric measuring tape
- Mirror
- Helper
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References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9464-body-mass-index-bmi
- ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.
- ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/bmi-charts.html
- ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/obesity/Pages/Body-Mass-Index-Formula.aspx
About This Article
Co-authored by:
David Pew
Professional Tailor
This article was co-authored by David Pew. David Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products. This article has been viewed 1,420,527 times.
11 votes - 82%
Co-authors: 17
Updated: March 18, 2024
Views:1,420,527
Categories: Body Measurements
Article SummaryX
To measure your chest size, all you need is a fabric tape measure. If possible, ask a friend or family member to help you, since it can be hard to position the tape measure correctly by yourself. Before you start, take off your shirt, since the fabric can add extra bulk and make your measurement less accurate. However, if you normally wear a bra or a binder, leave it on. Wrap the tape measure around your chest from behind so it passes under your armpits and sits parallel to the ground. Make sure the tape crosses over the widest part of your chest or breasts, which is usually right over the nipples. Pull the tape tight enough so that it doesn’t sag, but don’t make it so tight that it digs into your skin, or your measurement will be too small. Avoid flexing your chest muscles or pushing out your breasts. Just relax and stand normally. Look for the spot where the end of the tape measure overlaps with the length that’s wrapped around your chest, and read the number at that spot to find your chest size. If you don’t have a cloth measuring tape, don’t worry. You can take the same measurement by wrapping a length of string around your chest. Use a marker to mark the spot where the end of the string overlaps the main length of the string, then line the string up with a stiff tape measure, a yardstick, or a meter stick. The distance from the end of the string to the mark you made is your chest size. When you’re using your chest size to buy clothing, always round up if you fall between two sizes. If you want a garment to fit a little loosely around your chest, add 2 inches (5 cm) to your chest measurement when choosing your size. To learn a few key differences between male and female chest measurements, read on!
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