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Whether you’re preparing for a breast surgery or just curious, it can be useful to know how much your breasts weigh. Unfortunately, finding the answer isn’t usually as easy as putting your breasts on a kitchen scale. You can get a rough estimate by displacing some water with your breasts or make an educated guess based on your bra size. If you need a more accurate weight estimate, your doctor may be able to help.
Steps
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Get a tray, a large bowl, and a kitchen scale. To estimate your breast weight using this method, you’ll be measuring the volume of water displaced by your breasts. [1] X Research source Start by getting a bowl that’s big enough to completely submerge one of your breasts as well as a deep tray or baking dish. You’ll use the tray to catch the displaced water from the bowl. You’ll also need an accurate scale for measuring relatively small weights, such as a kitchen scale.
- A small bucket or cooking pot should also work if you don’t have a bowl that you can easily fit one of your breasts into.
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Weigh the empty tray on a kitchen scale set to ounces. Since you need to determine the weight of the water that spills into the tray, get the weight of the empty tray first. After you weigh the displaced water, you’ll need to subtract the weight of the tray to get the weight of your breast.
- Use a scale that can measure in ounces and fractions of ounces. This will help you get a more accurate weight than if you used larger units of measurement, like pounds.
- Write down the weight of the tray so that you don’t forget it!
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Fill the bowl with water to the brim while it’s on the tray. After you weigh the tray, set it down on a level surface and put the bowl in the middle of the tray. Fill the bowl with water all the way up to the brim so that some of the water will spill out when you lower your breast into it.
- For your own comfort, use warm water.
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Submerge 1 breast in the bowl of water. After you fill the bowl, position yourself over the bowl and tray and slowly lower 1 breast into the bowl. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Lean forward enough so that your entire breast is submerged in the water. You can rest your ribcage very lightly on the rim of the bowl, but try not to push down too hard so you don’t accidentally displace excess water.
- Some of the water should spill over the sides of the bowl into the tray.
- Do this without a bra on so that the bra won’t absorb water and interfere with the measurement.
Tip: This method is easiest if you have relatively large or droopy breasts but not a lot of abdominal fat. To get an accurate result, get your entire breast into the container without dipping any of your belly into the water. [3] X Research source
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Measure the weight of the displaced water in the tray. When you’re done, carefully lift your breast out of the bowl and remove the bowl from the tray. Put the tray with the displaced water in it on your kitchen scale. Subtract the weight of the tray you recorded earlier from the result. [4] X Research source
- Be careful not to spill any of the water from the tray when you move it onto the scale.
- For example, if you get a result of 25.3 ounces (720 g) and your tray weighed 3.2 ounces (91 g), subtract 3.2 ounces (91 g) from 25.3 ounces (720 g). The resulting weight of the water is 22.1 ounces (630 g).
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Multiply the weight of the water by 0 .9. Since breast tissue and water have slightly different densities, they won’t weigh exactly the same amount. You can convert the weight of the water to a closer approximation of your breast weight by multiplying it by 0.9.
- For example, if the displaced water weighs 35 ounces (990 g), multiply that by 0.9 to get 31.5 ounces (890 g). That is the approximate weight of your breast.
- To convert ounces to pounds , divide the weight in ounces by 16. For the previous example, divide by 31.5 ounces (890 g) by 16, which is equal to 1.97 pounds (0.89 kg).
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Repeat the process with your other breast. Once you’ve estimated the weight of one breast, repeat the process with the other one. Since most people’s breasts are not exactly equal in size, you’re likely to get 2 slightly different results.
- To get the most accurate possible results, try weighing each breast 2 to 3 times to make sure you get a consistent measurement each time.
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Find out your band size. To estimate your breast weight based on your bra size, you’ll need an accurate idea of what your bra size is. This means figuring out your band size and your bust size, then using the difference to find your cup size. Start by wrapping a fabric measuring tape around your ribcage just under your breasts. Round the measurement up to the nearest whole number or the nearest even number if you get an odd number (like 33 inches). [5] X Research source
- For example, if the measurement you get is 35 inches (89 cm), add 1 to get a band size of 36.
Keep in mind: Bras are sized differently from one country to another, and measurements also vary between individual manufacturers. This technique will help you estimate your breast weight based on U.S. bra sizes from a few of the most common bra brands.
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Measure your bust size. Next, wrap the measuring tape around your breasts at the fullest point, just over the nipple. Round up the result to the nearest whole number. This measurement will give you your bust size. [6] X Research source
- For example, if you get a measurement of 35.6 inches (90 cm), round it up to 36 inches (91 cm).
- It’s best to do this without a bra on so that you get an accurate measurement.
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Subtract your band size from your bust size to calculate your cup size. Your cup size is based on the difference between your band size and your bust size. The bigger the difference, the larger your cup size is. [7] X Research source For example:
- If the difference is 0 inches (0 cm), you are an AA cup.
- If the difference is 1 inch (2.5 cm), you are an A cup.
- If the difference is 2 inches (5.1 cm), you are a B cup.
- If the difference is 3 inches (7.6 cm), you are a C cup.
- If the difference is 4 inches (10 cm), you are a D cup.
- If the difference is 5 inches (13 cm), you are a DD or E cup.
- If the difference is 6 inches (15 cm), you are a DDD or F cup.
- If the difference is 7 inches (18 cm), you are a G cup.
- If the difference is 8 inches (20 cm), you are an H cup.
- If the difference is 9 inches (23 cm), you are an I cup.
- If the difference is 10 inches (25 cm), you are a J cup.
- Alternatively, you can find your cup size by filling in your measurement info using an online bra size questionnaire. Use search terms like “bra fit quiz.”
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Put your band size and cup size together to get your bra size. Once you know both your band size and your cup size, combine them to get your bra size. For example, if you have a band size of 34 and a B cup, you’re a 34B. [8] X Research source
- If you’d rather not do all the measurements yourself, you can also go to a lingerie store and get a professional fitting.
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Find the approximate weight that corresponds to your bra size. Once you know your bra size, you can estimate the weight of each breast by consulting the chart below. [9] X Research source Keep in mind that this method provides a very rough estimate, and does not take into account the natural differences in weight between each breast. It also doesn’t account for the variations in breast density from one person to another.
- 32A, 30B, 28C: approximately 0.5 pounds (0.23 kg) per breast
- 34A, 32B, 30C, 28D: approximately 0.6 pounds (0.27 kg) per breast
- 36A, 34B, 32C, 30D, 28E: approximately 0.7 pounds (0.32 kg) per breast
- 38A, 36B, 34C, 32D, 30E, 28F: approximately 0.9 pounds (0.41 kg) per breast
- 40A, 38B, 36C, 34D, 32E, 30F, 28G: approximately 1.2 pounds (0.54 kg) per breast
- 42A, 40B, 38C, 36D, 34E, 32F, 30G, 28H: approximately 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) per breast
- 44A, 42B, 40C, 38D, 36E, 34F, 32G, 30H, 28I: approximately 1.7 pounds (0.77 kg) per breast
- 44B, 42C, 40D, 38E, 36F, 34G, 32H, 30I, 28J: approximately 2 pounds (0.91 kg) per breast
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Tell your doctor if you have concerns about your breast weight. If your breasts are heavy, painful, or putting strain on your shoulders, neck, or back, talk to your doctor. In some cases, they may recommend breast reduction surgery or other treatments to help relieve discomfort related to the size of your breasts. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Other treatments include getting a supportive bra that fits well, applying warm or cold compresses, taking over the counter painkillers, or limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption.
- If you are interested in getting breast reduction surgery, your insurance company may cover the procedure if the amount of breast tissue to be removed exceeds a certain weight (usually about 500 grams (18 oz)). [11] X Research source
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Ask about imaging tests if you need an accurate weight estimate. If need to get an accurate measurement of your breast weight, your doctor may be able to use imaging techniques. For example, they might do an MRI, a CT scan, or a mammogram to estimate the volume and density of your breasts. [12] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source From there, they can get an estimate of your breast weight. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Keep in mind: Most surgeons estimate breast size in terms of volume instead of weight. It is also easier to measure the weight and volume of breast tissue after it has already been surgically removed.
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Get a quick and inexpensive estimate using the Archimedes method. Imaging tests can be costly, and they also come with some risks, such as radiation exposure. As an alternative, some doctors use the Archimedes method, which is based on water displacement, to estimate the volume of the breast. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source From there, they can also get an estimate of the weight of your breast. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- The accuracy of the method will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and shape of your breasts and body and how easily you can fit your whole breast into a container of water.
- Your doctor might also recommend other methods, such as taking a cast of your breast and estimating the volume and weight based on that.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionI am 14 years old and I still have small boobs. Is anything wrong with me?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.Girls often start puberty between the ages of 8 and 14. If you’re developing slower or faster than you think you should, then your body may just be changing at its own natural rate. Breast size and shape will change during this time, and even continue to change after the age of 14! If you have concerns, then talk to your mom, close friends, or even your doctor.
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QuestionI am 19 with an E cup, is this normal?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.Many factors determine your breast size. Age, genetics, and weight to name a few. It’s natural for girls to wonder about their breasts, such as are they too big or too small. If your breasts are large, they may get you unwanted attention. Remember that your breasts don’t need to look like your friend’s breasts or a magazine model’s breasts! Find a supportive bra and work on keeping your posture strong.
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Things You’ll Need
Using the Displacement Method
- Kitchen scale
- Bowl or bucket
- Deep tray or baking dish
Estimating Your Breast Weight Based on Cup Size
- Fabric measuring tape
- Bra size chart
References
- ↑ https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Measuring-breast-volume-in-hypertrophy%3A-laser-or-Crittenden-Veitch/82afc95562d3d0c5503a55ce7da7ba0c2ad07c28
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10660182/
- ↑ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7212/9c8074f8123e44da37cd24a7445b32f93ac6.pdf
- ↑ https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2101&context=ymtdl
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/clothing/bra-reviews/a29114502/how-to-measure-bra-size/
- ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-measure-for-a-bra
- ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-find-your-bra-size
- ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-measure-for-a-bra
- ↑ https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/2019/06000/reduction_mammaplasty__what_cup_size_will_i_be_.5.aspx
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/whats-causing-your-breast-pain-or-tenderness-5-soothing-tips
- ↑ https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/Fulltext/2018/06000/Accuracy_of_Predicted_Resection_Weights_in_Breast.1.aspx
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/about/dense-breasts.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3227377/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076010/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3227377/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to weigh your breasts, you can get a rough estimate by looking at your bra cup size in a corresponding weight chart. For example, if your cup size is 36A, 34B, 32C, or 30D, then each of your breasts weighs approximately 0.7 pounds. If your cup size is 40A, 38B, 36C, 34D, 32E, 30F, or 28G, then each breast weighs around 1.2 pounds. Alternatively, if you want more accurate numbers, talk to your doctor about imaging tests they can do, such as an MRI, CT scan, or mammogram. They can also provide you with solutions like breast reduction surgery if you’re concerned about how heavy your breasts are or if they’re causing you pain. For more information from our Medical co-author, including how to weigh your breasts using the displacement method, scroll down!
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