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Printable measuring tape

No tape measure? Print this one. It prints true to size at 100% scale, in centimeters or inches, as eight strips you cut out and join into a 144 cm or 56 inch tape. Long enough to measure your underbust and bust for a bra size.

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Units
Paper

In the print window, set scale to 100% or Actual size, not “Fit to page”.

Measuring tape · centimeters · knowhersize.com

Check: this line is exactly 10 cm. If not, print at 100%.
112345678910111213141516170 cm18 cm
21920212223242526272829303132333435▸ continues from 1836 cm
33738394041424344454647484950515253▸ continues from 3654 cm
45556575859606162636465666768697071▸ continues from 5472 cm
57374757677787980818283848586878889▸ continues from 7290 cm
6919293949596979899100101102103104105106107▸ continues from 90108 cm
7109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125▸ continues from 108126 cm
8127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143▸ continues from 126144 cm

Cut along the outlines. Join each strip to the end of the one before (the ▸ number shows where it continues) and tape the back.

Measuring tape · inches · knowhersize.com

Check: this line is exactly 4 inches. If not, print at 100%.
11234560 in7 in
28910111213▸ continues from 714 in
3151617181920▸ continues from 1421 in
4222324252627▸ continues from 2128 in
5293031323334▸ continues from 2835 in
6363738394041▸ continues from 3542 in
7434445464748▸ continues from 4249 in
8505152535455▸ continues from 4956 in

Cut along the outlines. Join each strip to the end of the one before (the ▸ number shows where it continues) and tape the back.

How to use the printed tape

  1. Print at 100%. Turn off “Fit to page”. Use plain paper; card is sturdier if your printer takes it.
  2. Check the scale. Hold a ruler against the check line: 10 cm or 4 inches exactly. A few millimeters off over 10 cm adds up to about an inch around your underbust, enough to change the band, so reprint if it’s off.
  3. Cut and join. Cut each strip along its outline. Lay them end to end in order, so each strip’s ▸ number meets the end of the one before, and tape the joins on the back.
  4. Measure. Wrap it snug under your bust for the band, then loosely around the fullest part for the cup. Keep it level all the way round; a mirror helps.
  5. Get your size. Put both numbers into the bra size calculator. It works in centimeters or inches and gives your size in US, UK, AU, EU and FR sizing.

Enter your numbers in the calculator

No printer? Measure with string

Any piece of non-stretchy string, ribbon or a phone charger cable works. Wrap it where the tape would go, pinch the point where it meets, and lay it flat along a ruler or a piece of letter paper (US Letter is 11 inches long; A4 is 29.7 cm). Measure twice; the two readings should agree within half an inch.

MeasurementWhereHow tightUsed for
UnderbustJust under the bust, around the ribcageSnug, breathe outBand size
Standing bustFullest part, standing straightLoose, no squeezingCup size
Leaning bust (optional)Fullest part, bent forward at 90°LooseCup size if softer or fuller at the bottom

The full method, with pictures and the reasons behind each step, is in how to measure bra size. If the band you get looks small, that’s normal: the band comes from the snug underbust with nothing added, and a firmer band does most of the support. Sister sizes explain why the cup letter rises when the band drops.

Printing questions

Will a printed tape measure be accurate?

Yes, if it prints at 100%. Check the 10 cm or 4 inch line with a ruler before you cut. If it's off, turn off “Fit to page” or “Scale” in the print settings and print again.

Can I measure my bra size without a tape measure?

Yes. Wrap a piece of string or a phone charger cable around your ribcage, mark where it meets, then lay it along a ruler or this printed tape. Do the same around the fullest part of your bust.

Should I print on A4 or US Letter?

Either. Each strip is shorter than both page widths. Pick your paper size so the page margins come out right.

How do I join the strips?

Cut along the outlines. Butt the start of each strip, marked with the number it continues from, against the end of the one before, then tape them together on the back.