Breast volume

Breast volume is relevant for planning breast augmentation, breast reconstruction and breast reduction surgery. Usually, the volume of each breast is indirectly proportionate to the chest wall circumference; as the circumference increases, the volume increases to a a greater extent.

• a 32 inch chest has a cup volume of approximately 100g per cup size increment
• a 34 inch chest has a cup volume of approximately 120-140g per cup size increment
• a 36 inch chest has a cup volume of approximately 180g per cup size increment
• a 38 inch chest has a cup volume of approximately 200g per cup size increment

However, these volumes are approximate only and the true volume will depend upon base dimensions of the breast (height and width), projection of the nipple from the chest wall and the degree of ptosis. Alternative methods of determining breast volume include:

• with proprietary algorithms based on caliper-measured breast dimensions
• asking the patient to put on the bra size that they would like to assume and then placing a water-tight bag into the cup; the bag is filled with saline until it fills the bra and then this volume is measured
• placing sizers of known volume within a range of bra sizes to establish the most desired volume while wearing clothes over the bra; this technique is often favoured by patients but again, it can be inexact as sizers may not exactly match the volume and shape of a definitive breast implant or prosthesis