Buzz
There are several reasons why you might want to know your breast weight, such as preparing for breast surgery or simply out of curiosity. However, this isn’t as simple as placing your breasts on a scale. You can estimate it by using water displacement to measure volume or make an educated guess based on bra size. For a more precise measurement, a doctor can assist in weighing your breasts.
Steps
Use the Displacement Method
Find a tray, a large bowl, and a kitchen scale. To estimate breast weight using this method, you’ll measure the amount of water displaced when submerging your breast in the bowl. First, you’ll need a bowl large enough to fit one breast and a deep tray or plate to catch the overflow. You’ll also need a precise scale, like a kitchen scale, to measure relatively small weights.
- A small bucket or cooking pot can work if you don’t have a bowl large enough to fit one breast.
Weigh the tray empty. Since you need to determine the weight of the water that spills into the tray, you must first weigh the tray alone. After obtaining the combined weight of the water and tray, subtract the tray's weight to find the water's weight.
- Use a scale that displays measurements in grams for greater accuracy, as opposed to larger units like kilograms.
- Record the empty tray's weight to avoid forgetting it later!
Place the bowl on the tray and fill it to the brim with water. After weighing the tray, place it on a flat surface and position the bowl in the center. Fill the bowl to the edge so that some water will spill out when you submerge one breast.
- For comfort, use warm water.
Submerge one breast into the bowl of water. After filling the bowl, lean over it and slowly lower one breast into the water. Tilt forward enough to ensure the entire breast is submerged. You may need to rest your ribcage lightly on the bowl's edge, but avoid pressing too hard to prevent excessive spillage.
- Some water will overflow into the tray.
- Avoid wearing a bra, as it may absorb water and skew the measurement.
Tip: This method works best for those with larger or sagging breasts. For accurate results, ensure the entire breast is submerged without letting your stomach touch the water.
Calculate the weight of the spilled water. Once done, carefully lift your breast out of the bowl and remove the bowl from the tray. Use the kitchen scale to weigh the tray and the spilled water. Subtract the tray's empty weight from the result.
- Be careful not to spill water from the tray while placing it on the scale.
- For example, if the total weight is 720g and the tray weighs 90g, subtract 90 from 720. The spilled water weighs 630g.
Multiply the water's weight by 0.9. Since breast tissue and water have slightly different densities, their weights won't be identical. You can convert the water's weight to an approximate breast weight by multiplying it by 0.9.
- For example, if the spilled water weighs 990g, multiply that by 0.9 to get 890g. This is the approximate weight of the breast.
- To convert grams to ounces, divide the number by 28.35. In the example above, divide 890 by 28.35 to get 31.4 ounces.
Repeat the process for the other breast. After calculating the weight of one breast, repeat the procedure for the other. Since women's breasts are rarely perfectly symmetrical, you might get slightly different results.
- For the most accurate results, weigh each breast 2-3 times.
Estimate Breast Weight Based on Bra Size
Measure your underbust. To estimate breast weight based on bra size, you need to understand bra sizing. This means measuring your underbust and full bust, then using the difference to determine your cup size. Start by wrapping a measuring tape around your ribcage just below your breasts. Round the measurement to the nearest whole number. Add 4 if the result is even, or 5 if it's odd.
- For example, if your underbust measures 30 inches (76cm), add 4 to get a band size of 34.
Remember: Bra sizes can vary by country and manufacturer. This technique helps estimate breast weight based on U.S. bra sizes and some of the most popular bra brands.
Measure your full bust size. Next, wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, typically above the nipples. Round the measurement to the nearest whole number. This is your full bust measurement.
- For example, if you measure 90.5cm, round it to 91cm.
- For accurate results, measure without wearing a bra.
Subtract your underbust measurement from your full bust measurement to determine your cup size. The cup size is calculated based on the difference between your underbust and full bust measurements. The larger the difference, the larger the cup size. For example:
- A 0 cm difference corresponds to an AA cup.
- A 2.5 cm difference corresponds to an A cup.
- A 5 cm difference corresponds to a B cup.
- A 7.5 cm difference corresponds to a C cup.
- A 10 cm difference corresponds to a D cup.
- A 13 cm difference corresponds to a DD or E cup.
- A 15 cm difference corresponds to a DDD or F cup.
- An 18 cm difference corresponds to a G cup.
- A 20 cm difference corresponds to an H cup.
- A 23 cm difference corresponds to an I cup.
- A 25 cm difference corresponds to a J cup.
- Alternatively, you can use an online bra size calculator by searching for “bra size calculator.”
Combine your underbust measurement and cup size to find your bra size. Once you have your underbust measurement and cup size, combine them to determine your bra size. For example, if your underbust is 34 and your cup size is B, your bra size is 34B.
- If you prefer not to measure yourself, visit a lingerie store for professional fitting.
Estimate breast weight based on your bra size. Once you know your bra size, you can approximate the weight of each breast using the table below. Keep in mind this method provides a rough estimate and doesn’t account for differences in breast density or asymmetry.
- 32A, 30B, 28C: approximately 230g per breast
- 34A, 32B, 30C, 28D: approximately 270g per breast
- 36A, 34B, 32C, 30D, 28E: approximately 320g per breast
- 38A, 36B, 34C, 32D, 30E, 28F: approximately 410g per breast
- 40A, 38B, 36C, 34D, 32E, 30F, 28G: approximately 540g per breast
- 42A, 40B, 38C, 36D, 34E, 32F, 30G, 28H: approximately 680g per breast
- 44A, 42B, 40C, 38D, 36E, 34F, 32G, 30H, 28I: approximately 770g per breast
- 44B, 42C, 40D, 38E, 36F, 34G, 32H, 30I, 28J: approximately 910g per breast
Medical Evaluation
Inform your doctor if you’re concerned about breast weight. If your breasts are excessively heavy, painful, or causing strain on your shoulders, neck, or back, consult your doctor. In some cases, they may recommend breast reduction surgery or other methods to alleviate discomfort caused by breast size.
- If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, your insurance may cover the procedure if the amount of tissue to be removed exceeds a certain weight (typically around 500g).
Request imaging for precise breast weight measurement. If you need an accurate measurement of your breast weight, your doctor can use imaging techniques for a more precise calculation. For example, they may use MRI, CT scans, or mammograms to estimate breast volume and density, from which they can calculate breast weight.
Remember: Most surgeons estimate breast size by volume rather than weight. The weight or volume of breast tissue is easier to determine after it has been surgically removed.
Quick estimation using the Archimedes method. Imaging tests can be costly and carry risks such as radiation exposure. Instead, some doctors use the Archimedes method (based on water displacement) to calculate breast volume, from which they can estimate breast weight.
- The accuracy of this method depends on factors like breast size, shape, body type, and your ability to submerge your breasts in water.
- Doctors may also use alternative methods, such as creating a plaster mold of the breasts to calculate volume and then determine weight.
What You’ll Need
Using the Displacement Method
- Kitchen scale
- Small bowl or bucket
- Deep tray or plate
Estimating Breast Weight Based on Bra Size
- Measuring tape
- Bra size chart
