Depending on the type of cups that you are using (glass, silicone, plastic) there may be several different sizes available. For body treatments, there are four or five main cup sizes that are commonly used.

Selecting your cup size is straightforward. There are a few things to consider when you are choosing your cup size. If you have a small selection of cups, then you may want to consider planning how you will use the cups in your treatment.

If the cup does not sit flat on the area where you are working, then it may not attain suction. If you are not getting suction, you may want to try using a smaller cup. The other factor is how strong you want the suction. A larger cup will produce more diffuse suction, smaller cups will produce more condensed suction.The largest size of cup is for the largest body area, and they create the broadest suction. For this reason, they are ideal on the glutes, on larger individuals they will fit on the lower back, but not on smaller people. The thoracic area, and the thighs are common areas to use this size of cup. Also for a wider distribution of the suction a larger cup is chosen.

The large cups are most effective for conditions closest to the surface of the body, and have a dispersing effect.

The middle sizes of cups are the most common to use. Normally one of the medium sizes are used in gliding cupping, and they fit on most body areas except the face, and joint areas.

The smallest size of cups are great for treating specific areas. This can be a acu point, the face neck, and base of skull, TMJ, tendon insertions, and on the limbs. Small cups are indicated for treating specific conditions that lay deeper within the body on the Blood and Organ level. (Turk and Allen, 1983)