Is the cup size the number or letter? This question often arises when people are trying to understand the sizing system used for cups in the Western world. The confusion is understandable, as the cup size system can be quite different from what many people are familiar with in other parts of the world.
The cup size system is primarily used in the United States and Canada, and it is based on the volume of liquid that the cup can hold. When you see a cup size listed on a container or in a recipe, it typically refers to the number of fluid ounces the cup can hold. For example, a “cup” might be labeled as 8 ounces, 12 ounces, or even 16 ounces. This is where the number comes into play.
However, the letter part of the cup size can be a bit more confusing. In the context of bras, cup size is often denoted by a letter (such as A, B, C, D, etc.) followed by a number (such as 34, 36, 38, etc.). This system is used to indicate the size of a woman’s bust, with the letter representing the cup size and the number representing the band size. The cup size is not related to the volume of liquid that a cup can hold, but rather to the amount of space between the bust and the bra cup.
So, to answer the question, “Is the cup size the number or letter?” The answer is that it depends on the context. In the case of liquid measurements, it’s the number. In the case of bras, it’s the letter followed by the number. Understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone trying to navigate the sometimes complex world of cup sizes and bra fitting.
