Master the Art of Measuring Your Chest Size in 11 Simple Steps with Visual Aids

Step 1: Find a flexible fabric tape measure to ensure accuracy when measuring curves. If you don't have one, use a string to wrap around your body and measure it with a ruler instead.

Step 2: Request assistance from a friend to ensure accurate chest measurements. Taking your own measurements can be challenging, so having someone else to help is beneficial. If not, be extra cautious as you measure to ensure the tape measure stays in place in the back.

Step 3: Remove your shirt, but leave your bra on to include the extra fabric in your measurement. Wear the same undergarments you would on a regular day, such as the same bra type, or no bra at all, as appropriate.

Step 4: Wrap the tape measure horizontally around your chest, below your armpits and across the widest part of your breasts so that it meets in front. Stand naturally and avoid sticking your chest out or exhaling. Avoid twisting the tape measure to get an accurate measurement.

To determine your chest size, you can easily do it yourself with just a few steps. Firstly, obtain a soft fabric tape measure or use a string and ruler as an alternative. If you're measuring on your own, do so in front of a mirror to ensure accuracy. Taking off your shirt is recommended for a more precise measurement, as clothing can add additional width. Wrap the tape around your chest below your armpits at the widest point, making sure it's parallel to the ground and not twisted. Keep both ends of the tape in front of you to read the measurement and avoid puffing out your chest or flexing your muscles for a more accurate result. Remember, if you have someone else help you measure, it will be even more precise.

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Observe the point where the tape measure begins and the remaining piece meets in the front of your chest. Take note of this number as it represents your chest measurement.

Avoid looking downward while measuring as this can cause the tape to change position. Gaze into the mirror instead.

In situations where a slightly loose garment is desired, such as a dress shirt, add 2 inches (5cm) to the measurement. Always round up the measurement when purchasing clothing.

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Do I need to keep my bra on while measuring my chest?

David Pew Professional Tailor

David Pew is a bespoke tailor and proprietor of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. He has over a decade of experience, specializing in bespoke tailoring and modifications. His keen eye for detail and expertise produces the highest quality products.

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Wear your usual undergarments while measuring. If you regularly wear a bra, keep it on. If you usually go braless, do not wear one. If you identify as nonbinary and typically use a binder, measure your chest size while wearing it.

Question

How can one determine their chest size?

David Pew Professional Tailor

Sew Generously, located in Seattle, Washington, is owned and operated by David Pew, a skilled and experienced Professional Tailor who specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. With an eye for detail and over a decade of experience, David is dedicated to producing the highest quality products.

To accurately measure a person's chest size, start by measuring the broadest part, which includes the shoulder blades and the widest part of the bust. For men, this typically means measuring directly over the nipples, while for women, it's over the largest part of the bust.

If you're dealing with a spare tire or beer belly, keep in mind that chest size is a horizontal measurement across the chest at the nipples, which doesn't depend on belly size. Waist should be measured at the widest part if you have a convex belly or at the narrowest point if you don't. When it comes to shirt sizing, you'll generally need to buy for your largest measurement.

When measuring yourself, make sure to have fabric measuring tape, a mirror, and a helper if needed. This article was written in collaboration with David Pew, a Professional Tailor with over a decade of experience and a focus on bespoke tailoring and alterations, and has been viewed over 1.1 million times. It falls under the category of Body Measurements. If you would like to unlock more tips and tricks from David, support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To calculate your chest size, a fabric measuring tape is all you require. It is advisable to ask for assistance from a friend or family member as it can be challenging to position the tape correctly by oneself. To obtain an accurate measurement, take off your shirt as the material can add extra thickness. However, if you usually wear a bra or a binder, keep it on. Position the tape measure around your chest from behind and under the armpits. Ensure that it goes across the broadest part of your chest or breasts, which is commonly right over the nipples. Tighten the tape measure adequately to prevent sagging but not so much that it digs into your skin since it can cause an inaccurate measurement. Avoid tensing your chest muscles or pushing out your breasts. Remain relaxed and stand normally. Analyze where the end of the tape measure overlaps with the wrapped length around your chest, and read the number at that spot to determine your chest size. If you don't have a cloth measuring tape, wrap a string around your chest to obtain the same measurement. Mark the point where the end overlaps the main string and line it up with a stiff tape measure, a yardstick, or a meter stick. Your chest size is the amount between the end of the string and the mark. When choosing clothing, round up your chest size if you fall between two sizes. If you like a bit of looseness around your chest, add two inches (five cm) to your chest measurement. Continue reading to discover several fundamental differences between male and female chest measurements.

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