H Cup Size Breasts and Bra Size [Ultimate Guide]
As someone with a larger bust, I know firsthand the challenges that come with having a bigger cup size. It’s not always easy to find the right information, especially since larger cup sizes aren’t as common. Plus, finding a quality bra in a wider variety that fits just right can feel like a real struggle.
That’s why I’ve put together this article—to help you better understand one of the biggest cup sizes, H, and to guide you in finding a bra that’s not only supportive but also comfortable and durable.
What Do H Cup Breasts Look Like?
Breasts with an H cup size are considered above average and amongst the largest bra sizes . The cup size is also not very common, so you may have encountered some issues when shopping for a bra that fits.
In addition, a lot of women with an H cup size end up wearing bras with D cups or DD cups because they do not realize that size H exists. The reason is that a lot of departmental stores do not stock bra sizes bigger than DD. As a result, around 70-80%% of the women end up wearing an ill-fitting bra their entire life.
While I have established that H cup breasts are big, how big they look depends on your overall body shape and height. For a woman with a wider frame, H cup size might look proportional to the hips and limbs. The same size would be far more noticeable on a woman with a petite silhouette.
You need to take an accurate measurement of your breasts to get a US bra size . Then, you can find the right bra that fits.
What About Women With Bigger Breasts?
For women with really large breasts, like an H cup, you’ll need an everyday minimizer bra. My vote is the Wacoal Visual Effects Minimizer Bra. I love the seamless underwiring, making this bra actually decently comfortable.
H bra sizes simply follow the same sizing sequence of A, B, C, D, DD and DDD. Note that the DDD in the A, B, C, D, DD series is the same as E. To give you some perspective of this cup size, a bust with an H cup will protrude about 8 inches from your body .
How to Determine Whether You Have H-Size Breasts
A bra that is too tight or too loose can cause discomfort, irritation, and even health issues such as back pain. On the other hand, a well-fitting bra provides support without digging into your skin or causing bulges.
Even if you are certain that your breasts fall under the H bra sizes, there are still H bra styles you need to know. It’s therefore advisable to use the following tips to determine the exact band size for your H-size cups.
Prepare to Take the Measurements
Generally, you need a measuring tape to take the measurements, a mirror to ensure you are taking measurements in the right places, and, of course, a pen and paper to write down the measurements. Get a tape that is soft and flexible. This allows it to wrap around your body without digging into your skin.
The tape should have clear markings in inches since the band and cup size are usually in inches. If you don’t have a soft measuring tape, you can use a piece of string and then measure it against a ruler. Ensure that the string is not stretchy.
Use a mirror to ensure that the measuring tape is positioned correctly and lies flat against your body. If possible, use a full-length mirror so you can see your entire torso while taking measurements. This helps you check the alignment of the tape and ensure it’s parallel to the ground.
Determine the Band Size
Band size is the measurement of the circumference of your ribcage just under your bust. Usually, this is the size represented by a numerical value, such as 32, 34, or 36.
The band size determines the width of the bra band that wraps around your torso and provides the primary support for your breasts. You can use the following steps to ensure you take the most accurate bra size measurements.
- Wear a non-padded bra or no bra at all to minimize the sizing error resulting from the thickness of the bra fabric
- Wrap a soft measuring tape around your ribcage, just under your bust
- Make sure the tape is parallel to the ground and snug but not tight, just as you would like the bra cup to be
- Take the band measurement in inches and write it down on paper
- Round the band measurement to the nearest whole number to determine your band measurement.
Note that if you are planning to wear a bra with limited elasticity, you need to add four inches to your band measurement if it’s an even number or five inches if it’s an odd number. For instance, if your underbust measurement is 29 inches, adding 5 inches gives you a band measurement of 34.
On the other hand, if your underbust measurement is 30 inches, adding four inches gives you a band measurement of 34. Adding a few inches also ensures the bra remains fitting even after weight fluctuations, such as weight gain after birth.
Measure the Cup Size
The cup size is the volume of the space that accommodates the breast tissue. It is represented by letters such as A, B, C, and D in bra sizes. The bust measurements are usually combined with the band size to create the complete bra size, such as 34B or 36H.
As a result, the cup size is the difference between your bust size taken at the fullest part of your breasts and your band size taken just under your bust. The greater the band and bust measurement difference, the larger the cup size. Each inch of difference corresponds to a specific cup size.
For instance, a 1-inch difference is an A cup size, a 2-inch difference is a B cup size, a 3-inch difference is a C cup size, and a 4-inch difference is a D cup bra. You can determine your cup size using the following steps.
- Wrap the measuring tape around your chest at the fullest part of your breasts, typically over the nipples.
- Take the bust measurements and round off to the nearest whole number.
- Subtract your band size from your bust measurement.
- The result will determine your cup size. For example, if your band size is 32 inches and your bust measurement is 40 inches, the difference is 8 inches, making your bra cup size 32H. On the other hand, a difference of 3 means you have C cup breasts.
H Cup Details
Check out the table below to understand the range of measurements that will result in an H cup size.
| Bra Size (US) | Band Size | Bust Size |
|---|---|---|
| 28H | 24-26 inches | 35-36 inches |
| 30H | 26-28 inches | 37-38 inches |
| 32H | 28-30 inches | 39-40 inches |
| 34H | 30-32 inches | 41-42 inches |
| 36H | 32-34 inches | 43-44 inches |
| 38H | 34-36 inches | 45-46 inches |
| 40H | 36-38 inches | 47-48 inches |
| 42H | 38-40 inches | 49-50 inches |
| 44H | 40-42 inches | 51-52 inches |
| 46H | 42-44 inches | 53-54 inches |
Once you know your band size, you will be one step closer to finding a bra that fits you well, without squeezing your boobs or digging into your sides.
According to research , middle-aged women with bigger cup sizes, such as H, are least likely to be satisfied with their bra size and fit. These women are also more likely to experience upper back pain and dissatisfaction with the size of their boobs.
H Cup Bra Examples
To help you gain a better understanding of how H cup size can look on women with varying band sizes, check out the images below:
30H
The woman in the pic wears a soft, wireless bra that covers her breasts perfectly. Despite the absence of wires, the bra is lined with nylon cups and an inner slang to support the H cup size. Even though there is no hint of cleavage, you can see that the boobs appear big against her slim torso.
32H
Next, I have a girl wearing a 32H mesh bra, with underwires that lift the boobs. Consequently, the boobs appear perkier with a hint of cleavage compared to the previous model.
36H
This lady wears the same bra as the one above, only in a bigger band size. Her breasts do not appear too big, in comparison to her underbust size and the previous models. Along with supportive wires, the bra also has wider straps to hold the bra in place.
40H
Finally, the woman wearing a 40H bra seems to have the most proportional breasts, compared to her overall body shape. Her boobs also appear smaller than the other girls featured here, despite having the same cup size.
You will also notice that bras with H cup size also have wider bands to provide maximum support.
Thus, not all women with the same cup size appear to have similar boobs. The general look of the bust size is perceived relative to the body frame.
Sister Size of H Cup Bra Sizes
Sister sizes in bras refer to sizes with the same cup volume but different band sizes. Adjusting both band and cup size helps find a more comfortable fit. If you go up one band size, you should go down one cup size to maintain the same cup volume.
For example, from 34B to 36A. If you go down one band sizing, you should go up one cup size to keep the same cup volume. For example, from 38C to 36D. For example, if your usual size is 32C, your sister sizing is 30D (down a band, up a cup) and 34B (up a band, down a cup).
For a 36D, sister sizing ise 34DD (down a band, up a cup) and 38C (up a band, down a cup). The following table breaks down the sister sizing for the H size.
| Current Bra Size | Bra Sister Size Up | Bra Sister Size Down |
|---|---|---|
| 32H | 34G | 30I |
| 34H | 36G | 32I |
| 36H | 38G | 34I |
| 38H | 40G | 36I |
| 40H | 42G | 38I |
Fashion Tips for H Size Breasts
Considering that these breasts are generally larger, they tend to draw people’s attention towards your bust. Usually, this can make you feel uncomfortable, especially when wearing a strapless bra with minimal support.
The best way to prevent this is to wear an outfit that diverts people’s attention from the bust area or gives you an overall balanced look. Depending on the occasion and weather, the following are some of the best fashion tips for H-size breasts.
- Go for tops with a V-neckline: V-necklines elongate the neck, complementing the larger cup size. They also draw attention to the center of your chest rather than the size of the boobs.
- Opt for tops and dresses with structure: Tops and dresses with structure, such as tailored blouses, button-down shirts, or wrap dresses, provide support and can help define your waist. This creates an hourglass silhouette.
- Consider layering with jackets or cardigans: I find this to be the best solution for these cup sizes. Jackets or cardigans help to add structure and draw attention away from the bust while creating a stylish and polished look.
- Accessorize strategically: Use accessories like statement necklaces or scarves to draw attention to your face and balance the overall look.
- Go for outfits with prints and patterns: Patterns that have details and designs away from the bust area can divert attention and create a more balanced appearance. Opt for smaller prints or patterns rather than large, bold prints, as they can be more flattering. Avoid horizontal stripes, as they may give the illusion of added width.
- Consider lined garments: Bigger busts tend to sweat more. Lined garments can provide additional comfort, particularly if the lining is made from a soft material. This can reduce irritation and enhance the overall feel of the clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Inches Is an H Cup?
If you wear a bra with an H cup size, this means that your breasts extend out around eight inches from your chest wall. It is important to note that if you are experiencing sagging, the boobs may appear flatter than eight inches.
How Much Does an H Cup Weigh?
An H cup entails that each breast weighs around 3.35 pounds on average. This is a lot of weight to carry around day in and day out. Thus, wearing a high-quality, supportive bra is crucial to diminish the chances of back pain and fatigue.
How Often Should I Measure for a New Bra Size?
It’s advisable to measure your bra size whenever you notice changes in weight, pregnancy, or if your current bras no longer provide the right support. Factors like age and hormonal changes also impact breast size.
Changes in physical activity, such as starting a new exercise routine, can also affect your body shape, including your bust. Evaluate your bra sizing if there are significant lifestyle changes.
Final Thoughts
The purpose of the guide is to help you understand the rare H cup size. The remarkable thing about cup sizes is that they look different on women with different types of frame and body mass.
Consequently, a woman with a 34H bra size appears to have a more curvaceous figure, while 40H bra size provides an almost linear silhouette.
Finally, since H cup size lies towards the largest end of the bra size spectrum, it requires the maximum amount of support from a bra designed specifically for bigger busts.