France Bra Size Calculator & Converter
Calculate your French bra size (bonnet system — FR 80, 85, 90, 95…), decode the +15 band offset, and convert instantly to EU, UK, US & AU — with sister sizes and Chantelle, Simone Pérèle, Aubade & Etam fit notes.
How to measure correctly
- Wear a non-padded bra or no bra for accurate readings.
- Underbust: wrap tape snugly around your ribcage directly under the bust. Keep tape parallel to the floor. Exhale and measure in centimetres.
- Overbust: measure around the fullest part of your bust. Tape should be loose enough to slide a finger underneath.
- Stand naturally — don’t lift arms or lean forward. Both measurements in the same posture.
- Round to the nearest 0.5 cm for best accuracy.
International Size Conversions
Your Sister Sizes (Same Cup Volume)
Recommended Bras in Your FR Size
Top-rated French & European brands — verified for French sizing accuracy.
- FR 80–110, cups A–G (Chantelle)
- Seamless, cloud-soft cup
- Chantelle, Simone Pérèle styles
- FR 85–110, cups B–F
- Precision underwire, full coverage
- Simone Pérèle, Aubade styles
Measure in centimetres — your FR band is your underbust rounded to 5, plus 15
What Is the French Bra Sizing System?
French bra sizing is the EU system with a +15 offset on the band number. FR band = underbust cm rounded to the nearest 5, plus 15. So a 75 cm underbust gives FR band 90 (not FR 75). Cup letters are identical to EU cups — A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H — with no doubled letters. FR 90C = EU 75C = UK 34C. The +15 offset applies to every French lingerie brand: Chantelle, Simone Pérèle, Aubade, Princesse tam.tam, Etam, and Ysé. Triumph and Sloggi sold in France use standard EU numbering (without the +15).
The French bra sizing system is one of the oldest in Europe — predating the EU standardisation movement — and its band numbering convention has never been aligned with the broader EU standard. While Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Scandinavia converged on bands that directly reflect the underbust measurement in centimetres (EU 75 for a 73–77 cm underbust), French brands have always added 15 to this number. The result is that the same body measurement produces a completely different number depending on whether you buy from a French or a non-French EU brand.
Cup letters, however, are fully shared between FR and EU. Both systems use A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H as single letters with no DD or DDD notation. This means the cup letter on a Chantelle FR 90C and a Triumph EU 75C is the same letter representing the same cup volume — only the band number differs. Understanding this single rule — FR band = EU band + 15 — makes all French-to-international conversions straightforward.
French lingerie houses are among the most prestigious in the world. Chantelle (founded 1876), Simone Pérèle (1948), Aubade (1958), and Princesse tam.tam (1985) together define the global luxury lingerie market. Their consistent use of the +15 French sizing convention means that shoppers who understand the offset can access world-class sizing ranges that extend from FR 75 (EU 60) to FR 115 (EU 100) and beyond.
Every French band number is exactly 15 higher than the EU equivalent — memorise this one rule.
FR cups are identical to EU cups — single letters only, no doubled notation. FR E = UK DD = US DD.
- FR band = EU band + 15 — this is the only rule you need. FR 90 = EU 75 = UK 34 = US 34
- FR cup letters are identical to EU cups — A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H — no DD, no DDD
- FR E cup = UK DD cup = US DD cup — one step ahead of UK/US above D
- Chantelle, Simone Pérèle, Aubade, Princesse tam.tam, Etam — all use FR numbering
- Triumph and Sloggi sold in France use EU numbering (no +15) — Triumph FR 90 ≠ Triumph EU 90
How to Measure Your French Bra Size
Measuring for a French bra size is identical to measuring for an EU size — only the final band number differs by 15. You need your underbust and overbust in centimetres.
-
Prepare correctly
Wear a non-padded bra or no bra. Stand naturally with arms relaxed. Padded bras add 2–4 cm to your overbust reading, shifting your cup by one or two letters. French brands, particularly Chantelle, specifically recommend measuring without any bra.
-
Measure your underbust in centimetres
Wrap the tape snugly around your ribcage directly beneath your bust. Keep it parallel to the floor all the way around. Exhale fully and record to the nearest 0.5 cm. Your underbust is the starting point — you will add 15 in step four.
-
Measure your overbust in centimetres
Measure around the fullest point of your bust. Keep the tape horizontal and loose enough to slide one finger underneath. Record to the nearest 0.5 cm.
-
Calculate your FR band
Round underbust to nearest 5 cm, then add 15: 63–67 cm → 65 + 15 = FR 80. 68–72 cm → 70 + 15 = FR 85. 73–77 cm → 75 + 15 = FR 90. 78–82 cm → 80 + 15 = FR 95. 83–87 cm → 85 + 15 = FR 100. 88–92 cm → 90 + 15 = FR 105.
-
Calculate your FR cup letter
Subtract underbust from overbust in cm using 2 cm intervals (same as EU): 10–11 cm = A, 12–13 cm = B, 14–15 cm = C, 16–17 cm = D, 18–19 cm = E, 20–21 cm = F, 22–23 cm = G, 24–25 cm = H. FR and EU cup letters are identical.
Chantelle’s fitting specialists in Paris recommend remeasuring every six months — and specifically before purchasing a new style, as Chantelle’s moulded cup styles (Norah, Irène) fit differently to their lace styles (Rive Gauche, Orangerie). The moulded styles suit medium projection, and the lace styles suit fuller or wider-root shapes. The same FR size from the same brand can fit very differently across style families.
Skip the calculation — use the calculator
Enter your measurements once and get your exact FR size plus conversions to EU, UK, US and AU instantly.
Open the France Bra Size Calculator →French Bra Size Chart (Underbust cm Reference)
This chart is the definitive FR-to-international reference. Every French sizing number is derived from this table — all Chantelle, Simone Pérèle, Aubade, and Princesse tam.tam sizing guides use this exact underbust-to-FR-band mapping.
French sizes compared with EU, UK, US, and AU systems — the +15 offset is constant throughout
| FR Band | EU Band | UK / US Band | AU Band | Underbust (cm) | Underbust (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR 75 | EU 60 | 28 | AU 4 | 53–57 | 21–22.5 in |
| FR 80 | EU 65 | 30 | AU 6 | 58–62 | 23–24.5 in |
| FR 85 | EU 70 | 32 | AU 8 | 63–67 | 25–26.5 in |
| FR 90 | EU 75 | 34 | AU 10 | 68–72 | 26.5–28.5 in |
| FR 95 | EU 80 | 36 | AU 12 | 73–77 | 28.5–30.5 in |
| FR 100 | EU 85 | 38 | AU 14 | 78–82 | 30.5–32.5 in |
| FR 105 | EU 90 | 40 | AU 16 | 83–87 | 32.5–34.5 in |
| FR 110 | EU 95 | 42 | AU 18 | 88–92 | 34.5–36 in |
| FR 115 | EU 100 | 44 | AU 20 | 93–97 | 36.5–38 in |
| FR 120 | EU 105 | 46 | AU 22 | 98–102 | 38.5–40 in |
FR Cup to UK, US, AU Cup Conversion
FR cup letters are identical to EU cups and run one letter ahead of UK/AU cups above D. FR E = UK DD (not UK E). This is the most common conversion error for French shoppers buying from British brands.
| FR / EU Cup | UK / AU / IN Cup | US Cup | JP / KR Cup | Overbust − Underbust (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA | AA | AA | AA | 8–9 cm |
| A | A | A | A | 10–11 cm |
| B | B | B | B | 12–13 cm |
| C | C | C | C | 14–15 cm |
| D | D | D | D | 16–17 cm |
| E | DD | DD | E | 18–19 cm |
| F | E | DDD | F | 20–21 cm |
| G | F | DDDD/G | G | 22–23 cm |
| H | FF | G/H | H | 24–25 cm |
| I | G | H/I | — | 26–27 cm |
| J | GG | I/J | — | 28–29 cm |
Many international shoppers see a Chantelle FR 95E and assume the 95 means a 95 cm underbust — which would be a very large frame. It does not. FR 95 corresponds to a 73–77 cm underbust (the same as UK 36). The E cup on the Chantelle label equals UK DD. So Chantelle FR 95E describes exactly the same size as a Triumph EU 80E, a Bravissimo UK 36DD, or a Victoria’s Secret US 36DD. The FR number is always 15 larger than the EU number — never an underbust measurement.
What Are Sister Sizes in French Bras?
Sister sizes in the FR system work identically to EU — bands step in 5, cups shift by one letter. The only difference is that the band numbers are 15 higher than their EU equivalents.
The sister size rule
- Smaller FR band, larger cup: If your FR 95C band rides up, try FR 90D. Same volume, 5 cm tighter band.
- Larger FR band, smaller cup: If your FR 95C band digs in, try FR 100B. Same volume, 5 cm looser band.
| FR Size | EU Equiv. | Band Feel | Cup Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR 90D | EU 75D | Tighter | Same as FR 95C |
| FR 95C | EU 80C | Standard | Your primary size |
| FR 100B | EU 85B | Looser | Same as FR 95C |
French lingerie houses define the global luxury bra market — each brand fits slightly differently within the same FR size
French Bra Brand Sizing Differences
All French brands use the same FR numbering (+15 offset), but cup grading, wire placement, and construction vary significantly between houses.
Chantelle FR
Founded in 1876, Chantelle is the world’s oldest luxury lingerie brand and the reference for French sizing. Their moulded cup styles (Norah, Irène line) are benchmarks for FR precision. Cups tend to run slightly generous — particularly in their newer seamless styles.
Fit: Cups run slightly generous in moulded styles — if your Chantelle cup gapes at the top, size down one cup. Wire styles and lace bras run true to FR size. Bands run true to FR.
Simone Pérèle FR
Founded in Paris in 1948. Known for exceptional construction quality and narrower underwire widths, suited to closer-set breasts. Bands run firm — similar to Panache UK’s band engineering. Stocks FR 75–115 and cups A–G across the full range.
Fit: Bands run firm — size up one FR band if your underbust is toward the top of its range. Cups are true to FR size. Wire width is narrower than Chantelle — better for closer-set breast shapes.
Aubade FR
Parisian luxury brand founded in 1958. Aubade is known for fashion-forward design and rounded cup shapes that suit fuller, more projected breast profiles. Stocks FR 80–105 and cups A–F in most lines.
Fit: Cups are designed for fuller, rounder projection — shallower breast shapes may find Aubade cups gap at the top. If so, size down one cup. Bands run true to FR.
Princesse tam.tam FR
Contemporary Paris brand founded in 1985, known for colourful, fashion-oriented lingerie. Uses FR sizing. Limited extended cup range — mostly stocked through F cup in FR. Cups tend to run slightly shallow.
Fit: Cups run slightly shallow — fuller-bust shoppers above E cup may find options limited. Size up one cup if between sizes. Bands run true to FR. Best for A–D cup range.
Etam FR
France’s largest mainstream lingerie retailer. Uses FR sizing throughout. Etam stocks FR 80–110 and cups A–F in most stores. Construction quality is budget-to-mid-range. Cups tend to run true; bands run slightly roomy.
Fit: Bands run roomy — size down one FR band if between sizes. Cups are approximately true to FR standard. Wide availability in France — the high-street reference brand for FR sizing.
Ysé FR
Independent Parisian brand with a strong focus on D+ cup sizing. Ysé explicitly markets to French women who feel underserved by the limited D+ options at mass-market French retailers. Uses FR sizing, stocks through H cup.
Fit: True to FR size. Cups graded for full-projection shapes — excellent for D–H cup in FR. One of the few French brands with a genuine commitment to extended cup sizing beyond F.
Triumph France (EU in FR market)
Triumph manufactures for the French market but uses EU numbering on its French-market products — NOT FR numbering. A Triumph bra sold in France labelled 75C has a 68–72 cm underbust (EU 75), not a French FR 75 (53–57 cm underbust). Critical distinction.
Fit tip: Triumph sold in France = EU sizing (no +15). Triumph 80C in France = EU 80C = FR 95C. Do not add 15 to Triumph’s band numbers when converting. Triumph uses EU across all markets.
Victoria’s Secret US (buying from France)
Available online in France using US sizing. US band numbers convert via underbust cm: FR 90 = US 34, FR 95 = US 36. Cup conversion: FR E = US DD, FR F = US DDD. VS does not stock above US DDD (= FR F), limiting options for FR G+ shoppers.
Conversion tip: FR 90E → US 34DD. FR 95F → US 36DDD. Subtract 15 from FR band to get EU band, then find UK/US band from EU chart. Cup: FR cup = EU cup. EU E → UK DD → US DD.
Signs Your French Bra Size Is Wrong
Band size problems
- Band rides up at the back: band too big. Try FR 5 down, one cup up (e.g., FR 95C → FR 90D).
- Band digs in or leaves marks: band too small. Try FR 5 up, one cup down (e.g., FR 90D → FR 95C).
- Band pulls forward when arms are raised: band too loose. Tighten hooks or go down 5 FR band units.
Cup size problems
- Spillover at top or sides: cup too small. Size up one FR cup letter (FR 90D → FR 90E).
- Gaping or wrinkling fabric: cup too big. Size down one FR cup letter (FR 90D → FR 90C).
- Underwire on breast tissue instead of flat on ribcage: cup too small. Size up immediately.
- Centre gore not lying flat against sternum: cup too small or wire too wide for your breast spacing.
The most common sizing error in France is the +15 band misinterpretation. Shoppers who assume FR 90 means a 90 cm underbust are systematically choosing bands 15 cm too large. A true 90 cm underbust corresponds to FR 105 in French sizing. If a bra bought using an assumed FR size consistently rides up or feels loose, the band is almost certainly 15 numbers too large — not 5 or 10. Return to the calculator and measure from scratch.
Why French Bra Sizing Confuses Everyone
The +15 offset — origin and persistence
The French +15 band offset has roots in pre-metric French textile sizing conventions. French clothing has historically used different numbering scales from the rest of Europe — French dress size 38 is not the same as German dress size 38, for example. The bra band convention followed this pattern: French manufacturers used a band number that incorporated an offset from the raw cm measurement. Unlike French dress sizing, which has gradually aligned with European standards in many categories, the bra band offset has remained constant among all major French lingerie houses for over a century.
The Triumph paradox
The single biggest source of confusion in the French market is that German-brand Triumph sells bras in France using EU numbering (no +15), while every French brand uses FR numbering (+15). A Chantelle FR 90E and a Triumph 75E sold in the same French department store are the same size — but they look completely different on the label. The Chantelle says 90, the Triumph says 75. Both have a 68–72 cm band and a cup that equals UK DD. Without knowing this distinction, shoppers frequently order Triumph products in their FR size (incorrectly) and receive a bra that is 15 band units too large.
The three-label problem for French shoppers
- 🇫🇷 Chantelle (France): FR 90E
- 🇩🇪 Triumph (France/Germany): EU 75E — same size, different number
- 🇬🇧 Bravissimo (UK): UK 34DD — band same as UK 34, cup drops one letter
- 🇺🇸 Victoria’s Secret (US): US 34DD — same as UK above
- 🇦🇺 Berlei (Australia): AU 10DD — dress-size band, same cup as UK
Our calculator uses your raw underbust cm measurement and adds 15 to produce the FR band after rounding to the nearest 5. Cup calculation uses EU-standard 2 cm intervals. We output the FR size as the primary result, then display EU (FR − 15), UK (via cm-to-inch band conversion), US (same as UK), AU (dress-size band lookup), alongside the FR cup converted to UK and US equivalents. This produces fully accurate results for all five international systems from a single pair of centimetre measurements.
Shopping International Brands as a French Shopper
Buying from EU retailers (Triumph, Hunkemöller, Zalando)
Subtract 15 from your FR band to get EU band: FR 90 = EU 75, FR 95 = EU 80. Cup letters are identical — FR C = EU C, FR E = EU E. So Chantelle FR 90E shopper buys Triumph EU 75E. Note that Triumph France uses EU numbering despite operating in France — so Triumph in France is already on EU numbers, no conversion needed.
Buying from UK retailers (Bravissimo, ASOS, M&S)
FR band to UK band: FR 90 → EU 75 → UK 34. FR 95 → EU 80 → UK 36. Cup: FR A–D = UK A–D (identical). Above D: FR E = UK DD, FR F = UK E, FR G = UK F, FR H = UK FF. So FR 90E = UK 34DD. The cup drops one letter above D when converting from FR to UK.
Buying from US retailers (Victoria’s Secret, ThirdLove)
FR band to US band: same as UK — FR 90 = US 34, FR 95 = US 36. Cup: FR A–D = US A–D. Above D: FR E = US DD, FR F = US DDD, FR G = US DDDD. So FR 90F = US 34DDD. US bands run small — size up one US band if your underbust is toward the top of its cm range.
Buying from Australian retailers (Berlei, Bras N Things)
FR band to AU: FR 90 (EU 75, 68–72 cm) = AU 10. FR 95 = AU 12. FR 100 = AU 14. Cup: AU uses UK cup letters — FR E = AU DD, FR F = AU E, FR G = AU F. So FR 90E = AU 10DD.
When shopping on ASOS France or Zalando.fr, always check whether a brand uses FR or EU sizing on its specific product listing. Zalando displays both French and international brands on the same platform — Chantelle, Aubade, and Etam use FR numbers; Triumph, Sloggi, and Hunkemöller use EU numbers. The number alone does not tell you which system applies. The brand’s own size guide on the product page is always the authoritative reference.
Recommended Bras in French Sizing
As an Amazon Associate, Bra-Calculator.com earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
- FR 80–110, cups A–G
- Seamless moulded cup, cloud-soft
- Norah, Irène & Norah styles
- FR 85–115, cups A–G
- Precision wire, close-set breast design
- Caresse, Karma & Wish styles
- FR 80–105, cups A–E
- French lace, fashion-forward design
- Seasons & Rosessence styles
- EU 70–105 = FR 85–120
- Bands 32–46, cups A–H
- Doreen, Amourette & Essence styles
Frequently Asked Questions
French bra sizing is the EU system with a +15 offset on the band number. FR band = underbust cm rounded to the nearest 5, plus 15. A 75 cm underbust gives FR band 90 (not FR 75). Cup letters are identical to EU cups — A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H — with no doubled letters. FR 90C = EU 75C = UK 34C. All French brands — Chantelle, Simone Pérèle, Aubade, Princesse tam.tam, Etam — use this system. Triumph and Sloggi in France use EU numbering without the +15.
FR 90 equals EU 75 and UK 34. The +15 offset means FR 90 does not indicate a 90 cm underbust — it indicates a 68–72 cm underbust, which is the same body measurement as UK band 34 and EU band 75. To convert any FR band to EU: subtract 15. FR 90 − 15 = EU 75. To convert to UK: EU 75 = UK 34. FR 90 is the most common French bra band — it corresponds to a very average-sized underbust.
No. FR cup E equals UK cup DD — not UK E. The FR and EU cup systems run one letter ahead of the UK/AU system above D cup. FR E represents 18–19 cm of bust-to-underbust difference, which equals UK DD (also 18–19 cm in the UK system). FR F equals UK E. This shift is the most important FR-to-UK cup conversion — French shoppers buying from Bravissimo, Panache, or Marks and Spencer should drop one cup letter: FR 90E becomes UK 34DD, not 34E.
Triumph is a German brand that standardised on EU sizing across all markets, including France. EU sizing uses the raw underbust cm value (no +15), so Triumph 75C in France has the same underbust as Chantelle FR 90C — both correspond to 68–72 cm underbust. When shopping French department stores or ASOS France, Triumph products use EU numbers while Chantelle, Etam, and Aubade products use FR numbers. Always check the brand’s own size guide rather than using the band number alone to determine which system applies.
Two steps. Step 1 — band: subtract 15 from the FR band to get EU band, then convert EU to UK using the underbust cm table: FR 90 → EU 75 → UK 34. FR 95 → EU 80 → UK 36. Step 2 — cup: FR A–D = UK A–D (identical). Above D: FR E = UK DD, FR F = UK E, FR G = UK F, FR H = UK FF. So FR 90F = UK 34E at Bravissimo. The cup drops one letter when converting from FR to UK above D.
Both use French sizing with the +15 band offset, so their size labels follow the same convention. The difference lies in construction. Chantelle cups are slightly more generous and suit medium-projection breast shapes — their moulded styles (Norah) run slightly generous and the lace styles (Rive Gauche) run true. Simone Pérèle bands run firm and their wire widths are narrower, better suited to closer-set breast shapes. The same FR size will fit differently at Chantelle vs Simone Pérèle despite the identical label number.
Sister sizes in the FR system step in 5 band units and one cup letter. From FR 95C, the sister sizes are FR 90D (tighter band, same cup volume) and FR 100B (looser band, same cup volume). These correspond directly to EU 80C, EU 75D, and EU 85B — the same volume in all three. Sister sizes are particularly useful when shopping Chantelle or Etam online where specific FR sizes sell out quickly during French soldes (sales).
Measure your underbust in centimetres, round to the nearest 5, then add 15 — that is your FR band. For cup, subtract underbust from overbust: 10–11 cm = A, 12–13 cm = B, 14–15 cm = C, 16–17 cm = D, 18–19 cm = E, 20–21 cm = F. So 70 cm underbust rounds to 70 + 15 = FR 85 band. If your overbust is 85 cm, that is 85 − 70 = 15 cm difference = C cup. Your FR size is FR 85C. Our calculator handles this automatically from your raw cm measurements.
Based on French retail data, FR 90B and FR 90C are the most commonly sold sizes, equivalent to EU 75B and EU 75C (UK 34B and 34C). This mirrors the common sizing pattern across Western European markets. French specialist brands like Ysé report that their D+ cup range (FR E and above) represents a growing proportion of sales, reflecting increased consumer awareness that French mass-market retail has historically under-stocked larger cup sizes.
FR bands step in 5 cm, so boundary measurements are common. If your underbust is exactly 77 cm — the boundary between FR 90 and FR 95 — try FR 90 first. French bra bands stretch with wear, particularly the elastane blends used by Chantelle’s everyday range and Etam. A band that feels firm when new will relax to a comfortable fit within a week of regular wear. If it still feels tight when breathing deeply, try FR 95.
Most French retailers stock FR 80–110 and cups A through F or G. Ysé stocks through H cup in FR sizing. Chantelle extends to G cup in selected styles. For sizes above FR 110 (EU 95) or above G cup, French shoppers are best served by UK specialist retailers like Bravissimo that ship internationally — whose cup letters are one step behind FR above D (FR G = UK F), giving access to the full UK extended range.
On ASOS France, French brands (Chantelle, Aubade, Etam) use FR numbering; international European brands (Triumph, Hunkemöller, Sloggi) use EU numbering; and UK brands (Panache, Freya, Bravissimo) use UK sizing. The same size filter will return FR 90, EU 75, and UK 34 all together — they are the same band on different systems. For cups through D, all three systems use the same letter. Above D: FR E = EU E = UK DD. Always confirm the brand’s sizing system on the product page before adding to cart.
Belgium and Switzerland both have markets that sell both FR and EU sizing — typically FR numbering from French brands and EU numbering from German and Dutch brands, following the same split as in France itself. Italy uses EU sizing (no +15) — Italian brands like La Perla, Intimissimi, and Calzedonia all use standard EU band numbers. So Italian IT 75C = EU 75C = FR 90C. Swiss brands follow EU numbering. For any brand, check the sizing guide rather than assuming which convention applies based on country of origin.
Related Calculators & Guides
- EU Bra Size Calculator
- UK Bra Size Calculator
- US Bra Size Calculator
- Australian Bra Size Calculator
- Germany Bra Size Calculator
- India Bra Size Calculator
- Canada Bra Size Calculator
- Japan Bra Size Calculator
- All Country Calculators
- Global Bra Size Converter
- Free Bra Size Calculator
- Sister Size Calculator
- Cup Size Calculator
- Complete Bra Size Chart
- How to Measure Bra Size
- Common Bra Fit Problems
- Breast Shape Identifier
- AI Smart Fit Bra Calculator
- Cup Size Visual Guide
- Bra Fit Problem Solver
- How to Know If Your Bra Fits
- 34B Bra Size Guide
Ready to find your exact French size?
Get your FR bra size plus conversions to EU, UK, US and AU — free, instant, accurate.
Open the France Bra Size Calculator →