Wedding dress sizing surprises almost everyone. Designers publish their own bridal charts, and Essense Designs says bridal sizes run larger than ready-to-wear, so the number on the gown may not match the number you wear day to day. Allure Bridals’ chart is different again, so a body can get a lower or a higher number depending on the maker. Gowns are altered to fit either way. This calculator takes your bust, waist and hip measurements and finds your size on the Allure Bridals chart, comparing it with your ready-to-wear size.
How to use the wedding dress size calculator
- Measure in the undergarments you plan to wear, with a soft tape: bust at the fullest part, waist at the natural waist (the crease when you bend sideways), hips at the fullest part, tape level, snug but not tight.
- Take each measurement more than once.
- Enter the three numbers in inches or centimetres.
- Read the size. The largest of the three sizes is your starting bridal size.
Wedding dress size formula
size by measurement = first chart size whose value ≥ your measurement
alterations take a gown in more easily than out
The chart is Allure Bridals’ “Bridal B” table for current styles (retrieved 2026-10-15), which lists US sizes 0 to 30 with bust, waist and hip measurements. Allure also publishes an older chart for styles up to Spring 2018 and a plus-size chart (14W–36W). The street size comparison uses Nike’s women’s numeric chart by hips.
| Bridal size (US) | Bust (in) | Waist (in) | Hips (in) | Bust (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 32 | 23.5 | 35.5 | 81.3 | 59.7 | 90.2 |
| 2 | 33 | 24.5 | 36.5 | 83.8 | 62.2 | 92.7 |
| 4 | 34 | 25.5 | 37.5 | 86.4 | 64.8 | 95.2 |
| 6 | 35 | 26.5 | 38.5 | 88.9 | 67.3 | 97.8 |
| 8 | 36.5 | 28 | 40 | 92.7 | 71.1 | 101.6 |
| 10 | 38 | 30 | 41.5 | 96.5 | 76.2 | 105.4 |
| 12 | 39.5 | 31.5 | 43 | 100.3 | 80.0 | 109.2 |
| 14 | 41 | 33 | 44.5 | 104.1 | 83.8 | 113.0 |
| 16 | 42.5 | 35.5 | 46 | 108.0 | 90.2 | 116.8 |
| 18 | 44.5 | 36.5 | 47.5 | 113.0 | 92.7 | 120.7 |
| 20 | 46.5 | 38.5 | 49.6 | 118.1 | 97.8 | 126.0 |
| 22 | 48.5 | 41 | 51.5 | 123.2 | 104.1 | 130.8 |
| 24 | 50.5 | 44 | 53.5 | 128.3 | 111.8 | 135.9 |
| 26 | 53.5 | 47 | 56.5 | 135.9 | 119.4 | 143.5 |
| 28 | 56.5 | 50 | 59.5 | 143.5 | 127.0 | 151.1 |
| 30 | 59.5 | 53 | 62.5 | 151.1 | 134.6 | 158.8 |
Worked example
Bust 36 in, waist 29 in, hips 39 in.
- Bust 36 → 8; waist 29 → 10; hips 39 → 8.
- The largest is the bridal size: 10.
- Street size (Nike, by hips): US 10, a difference of 0 between the bridal and street numbers (bridal minus street).
What else to know when ordering
- Alterations are normal. Essense Designs notes that alterations are usually necessary to take in any areas that are too large, hem the gown and add the bustle.
- Silhouette and fabric matter: stretch satin gives more room than a structured lace mermaid.
- Hollow-to-hem (base of the throat to the hem, in your wedding shoes) is also needed for length.
- Order early: a gown takes months to make, and measurements may change; re-measure before the final order.
For everyday dress sizes use the Dress Size Calculator and Dress Size Converter (US/UK/EU/AU). The result is a starting point; your bridal consultant has the final say.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the dates shown. Brand names are used only to identify published charts.
- Allure Bridals — size guide (bridal charts for bust, waist, hips; plus sizes) — checked 2026-10-15
- Essense Designs — wedding dress sizing guide (alterations, measuring) — checked 2026-10-15
- Maggie Sottero — wedding dress size chart and how to measure — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — women’s numeric size chart (street size comparison) — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
Why is my wedding dress size different from my usual size?
Bridal charts are not the same as ready-to-wear. Allure Bridals notes that its charts often do not follow the typical measurements of ready-to-wear sizes, so do not be alarmed by a different number. Essense Designs says bridal sizing runs larger than ready-to-wear. The calculator shows the difference for the Allure chart against Nike’s street sizes, and it can be positive, zero or negative.
Which measurement decides the size?
The largest. If the bust points to a 10 and the hips to a 14, order the 14, because a gown must fit at its widest point. Alterations can take fabric in more easily than let it out, which is why bridal consultants lean to the larger size.
What if I am between sizes?
Size up. Allure and Essense both stress that altering a gown smaller is easier than larger; the calculator rounds each measurement up to the next chart value.
Do all designers use the same chart?
No. Allure publishes two charts, one for styles up to Spring 2018 and one for later styles, and the numbers differ. This calculator uses the newer chart (“Bridal B”), and every designer’s chart can differ again. Check your gown’s maker.
Should I measure over shapewear?
Maggie Sottero advises measuring in the undergarments you will wear with the gown. A soft tape, snug not tight, taken more than once. Then see the Shapewear Size Calculator and Dress Size Calculator.