ANSI A4 vs A5 Cut-Resistant Gloves: Which Do You Need? (2026)

A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves: the short answer

Choose A4 cut resistant gloves for moderate cut hazards — general fabrication, parts assembly and material handling — like the Ansell HyFlex 11-561. Step up to A5 cut resistant gloves for heavy hazards such as glass plate, sheet metal and blade work, like the Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5. The whole decision comes down to one number: grams of cut resistance under ANSI/ISEA 105 — A4 is 1,500–2,199 g, A5 is 2,200–2,999 g.

A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves is the most common cut-glove question we get — and the answer is governed entirely by one measurement: how many grams of cutting force the glove resists on the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut scale. An A4 glove resists 1,500–2,199 grams; an A5 glove resists 2,200–2,999 grams. That one-band step is the difference between a glove built for moderate cut hazards and one built for heavy ones like glass and sheet metal. This guide breaks down exactly when each level is right, which stocked gloves to buy, and how the standard defines the bands. For the full ladder from A1 to A9, start with our cut-resistant gloves complete guide.

Editorial verdict — A4 vs A5: For glass, sheet metal and blade-heavy work, choose A5 — the Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 is our top A5 pick. For general fabrication, assembly and material handling, A4 is the right call and gives better dexterity at lower cost — the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 leads there. Match the level to a documented hazard assessment, not to the highest number.

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A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves at a glance

Both levels are measured on the same TDM-100 cut-test machine defined by ANSI/ISEA 105-2016; the only difference is the grams band each glove reaches. Read the full standard breakdown in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide.

When to choose A4 cut resistant gloves

A4 cut resistant gloves (1,500–2,199 grams) are the right call for moderate cut hazards — the everyday reality on most fabrication, assembly and material-handling lines. A4 gives you real cut protection while keeping the thin-gauge dexterity those tasks need, usually at a lower price than A5. If your ANSI-level hazard assessment points to sheet-metal trim, parts handling, HVAC, glazing prep or general shop work, A4 is your level. These are our top A4 picks.

Ansell HyFlex 11-561 ANSI A4 — Best A4 cut-resistant gloves overall

ANSI cut level: A4 · Liner: INTERCEPT yarn · Coating: nitrile palm · Fit: 18-gauge mechanical

When buyers ask whether they need A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves, the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 is the glove that defines the A4 sweet spot. Its 18-gauge INTERCEPT liner delivers 1,500–2,199 grams of cut resistance — the full A4 band under ANSI/ISEA 105 — while the thin nitrile palm keeps fingertip dexterity high for assembly, fabrication and parts handling. See it on the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 ANSI A4 Cut-Resistant Mechanical Gloves.

→ Browse the cut-resistant gloves collection · Compare every level in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide

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MCR Safety 9188SFBS CutPro A4 — Best value A4 cut-resistant gloves

ANSI cut level: A4 · Liner: Kevlar · Coating: sandy nitrile palm · Fit: form-fitting knit

For shops buying gloves by the dozen, the MCR Safety 9188SFBS CutPro A4 is the budget-conscious answer to the A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves question. The Kevlar liner hits the A4 grams band while the sandy-nitrile palm adds wet and oily grip — a practical, low-cost pick for general fabrication and material handling. See it on the MCR Safety 9188SFBS CutPro A4 Kevlar Sandy Nitrile Gloves.

→ Browse the cut-resistant gloves collection · Compare every level in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide

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Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4 — Best high-visibility A4 cut-resistant gloves

ANSI cut level: A4 · Liner: cut-resistant knit · Coating: nitrile palm · Color: hi-vis lime

When low light or a busy floor is part of the hazard picture, the Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4 brings A4 cut protection in high-visibility lime. It sits squarely in the A4 grams band and pairs the cut liner with a nitrile palm for grip — the choice when you want A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves protection plus visibility for warehouse, dock and roadside work. See it on the Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4 Cut-Resistant Nitrile Gloves.

→ Browse the cut-resistant gloves collection · Compare every level in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide

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When to choose A5 cut resistant gloves

A5 cut resistant gloves (2,200–2,999 grams) are built for heavy cut hazards — glass plate, sheet-metal stamping, blade and knife work, recycling and food deboning. A5 adds roughly 700 grams of cut resistance over A4, which is the margin you want when an edge is genuinely sharp and contact is constant. Modern A5 builds keep dexterity high, so you rarely give up much feel. These are our top A5 picks.

Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 ANSI A5 — Best A5 cut-resistant gloves overall

ANSI cut level: A5 (D5) · Liner: HPPE/steel blend · Coating: nitrile palm · Fit: low-profile covert

The Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 is the top pick when the answer to A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves is decisively A5. Its D5 liner delivers 2,200–2,999 grams of cut resistance — the full A5 band under ANSI/ISEA 105 — in a covert, low-profile fit that keeps dexterity unusually high for a heavy-cut glove. It is the glove for glass, sheet metal and blade-handling crews who refuse to give up feel. See it on the Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 Cut-Resistant Covert Work Gloves.

→ Browse the cut-resistant gloves collection · Compare every level in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide

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MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 — Best value A5 cut-resistant gloves

ANSI cut level: A5 · Liner: cut-resistant HPPE · Coating: PU/cut palm · Fit: form-fitting knit

The MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 is the budget route to A5 protection. It clears the 2,200-gram A5 threshold under ANSI/ISEA 105 in a thin, form-fitting knit, making it the value pick for crews stepping up from A4 because their hazard now involves glass shards or sheet-metal edges — without the premium price of a covert glove. See it on the MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 Cut-Resistant Gloves.

→ Browse the cut-resistant gloves collection · Compare every level in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide

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Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 Food-Grade A5 — Best A5 cut-resistant gloves for food processing

ANSI cut level: A5 · Liner: cut-resistant knit · Coating: food-grade · Use: food handling

In a meat or food-processing plant, the A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves decision usually lands on A5 — and the Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 is built for it. It pairs the A5 grams band with a food-grade construction suited to knife work and deboning lines where blade contact is constant and FDA food-contact compliance matters. See it on the Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 ANSI A5 Food Grade Cut Resistant Gloves.

→ Browse the cut-resistant gloves collection · Compare every level in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide

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HexArmor Helix 3033 Food-Safe A5 — Best premium A5 cut-resistant gloves

ANSI cut level: A5 · Liner: HexArmor cut yarn · Coating: food-safe · Use: food / general A5

The HexArmor Helix 3033 is the premium food-safe pick when the verdict is A5. HexArmor's cut yarn clears the 2,200-gram A5 threshold while staying thin enough for blade work, and the food-safe construction suits processing and packing environments. For buyers who want the strongest A5 build in this comparison, the Helix 3033 is it. See it on the HexArmor Helix 3033 ANSI A5 Food-Safe Cut-Resistant Gloves.

→ Browse the cut-resistant gloves collection · Compare every level in our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide

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A4 vs A5 head-to-head

Protection: grams of cut resistance

This is the whole comparison. Under ANSI/ISEA 105-2016, A4 resists 1,500–2,199 grams and A5 resists 2,200–2,999 grams on the TDM-100 test. A5 sits one full band higher — the right choice the moment your hazard involves glass, sheet metal or blades. For moderate hazards, A4's protection is sufficient and A5 buys protection you will not use.

Dexterity and feel

A4 liners tend to be thinner, so A4 gloves often feel more nimble for fine assembly. But A5 has caught up: covert builds like the Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 stay low-profile. If feel is paramount and the hazard is moderate, A4 wins; if you need heavy protection without sacrificing much feel, a covert A5 is the move.

Cost

A5 generally costs more than comparable A4 because reaching the higher grams band takes denser cut yarn or HPPE-steel blends. Value A5 knits like the MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 narrow that gap; premium food-safe and covert A5 gloves widen it. For high-volume A4 work, value Kevlar knits like the MCR Safety 9188SFBS CutPro A4 keep cost-per-pair low.

Environment and special needs

Match the glove to the setting, not just the level. Need visibility on a busy floor? An A4 hi-vis glove like the Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4. Food processing with constant blade contact? A food-grade A5 like the Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 or the premium HexArmor Helix 3033. Heat alongside cut? Browse the heat-resistant gloves collection.

A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves: full comparison

As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change. Full affiliate disclosure.

What do ANSI A4 and A5 actually mean?

ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 is the American National Standard that classifies cut resistance into nine levels, A1 through A9, by the grams of force needed to cut through the material on the TDM-100 test machine. A4 covers 1,500–2,199 grams — moderate cut protection. A5 covers 2,200–2,999 grams — heavy cut protection. The standard replaced an older five-level scale precisely to give buyers this finer resolution between moderate and heavy hazards. Because both levels use the same test, the comparison is apples-to-apples: an A5 glove simply withstands more cutting force than an A4 before failure. For impact hazards, a separate standard — ANSI/ISEA 138 — applies, and for material-handling work overall see the material-handling gloves collection.

Which should you buy for your job?

Run a quick hazard check, then pick the level. For general metal fabrication and assembly, buy A4 — the Ansell HyFlex 11-561. For warehouse and dock work needing visibility, buy A4 hi-vis — the Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4. For glass and sheet-metal handling, buy A5 — the Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5. For food processing and knife work, buy a food-grade A5 — the Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 or HexArmor Helix 3033. On a tight budget at either level, the MCR Safety 9188SFBS CutPro A4 and MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 keep cost down. Still deciding between cut and impact protection? See cut-resistant vs impact-resistant gloves, and compare top heavy-cut models in our best A5 cut-resistant gloves guide and best cut-resistant gloves for mechanics.

A4 vs A5 cut resistant gloves: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between A4 and A5 cut resistant gloves?

The difference is the amount of cutting force each glove withstands under ANSI/ISEA 105-2016. An A4 glove resists 1,500–2,199 grams of cut load; an A5 glove resists 2,200–2,999 grams. In practice, A4 covers moderate cut hazards (fabrication, assembly) while A5 covers heavy hazards like glass plate, sheet metal and blade work. Both are measured on the TDM-100 cut test.

Is A5 cut resistance better than A4?

A5 stops more cutting force than A4 — roughly 700 grams more on the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale — so for glass, sheet-metal and blade hazards A5 is the safer choice. But "better" depends on the job: A5 yarn is denser, so for general fabrication and assembly an A4 glove like the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 gives more dexterity at lower cost without under-protecting you.

How many grams of cut resistance is A4 vs A5?

Under ANSI/ISEA 105-2016, A4 is 1,500–2,199 grams and A5 is 2,200–2,999 grams of cut resistance, measured on the TDM-100 machine. A5 sits one band above A4, with A6 (2,200–3,999 g overlaps into higher) and A9 (6,000+ g) above it. See our ANSI A1–A9 cut levels guide for the full scale.

When should I choose A4 cut resistant gloves?

Choose A4 for moderate cut hazards: general metal fabrication, parts and component assembly, HVAC and ductwork, warehouse and material handling, and light sheet-metal work. The Ansell HyFlex 11-561 and MCR Safety 9188SFBS CutPro A4 are strong A4 picks. Use our how to choose by ANSI level guide to confirm.

When should I choose A5 cut resistant gloves?

Choose A5 for heavy cut hazards: glass plate and pane handling, sheet-metal stamping, blade changes, recycling and waste sorting, and food-processing knife work. The Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 and MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 are top A5 picks for these tasks.

Are A4 cut resistant gloves enough for glass handling?

For frequent or sharp glass handling, step up to A5. A4 (1,500–2,199 g) handles incidental glass contact, but plate-glass, pane and shard handling generate higher cut loads that A5 (2,200–2,999 g) is built for. The Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 is a common glass-handling choice.

Do A4 or A5 gloves give better dexterity?

A4 gloves are usually more dexterous because the liners are thinner, but modern A5 builds have closed much of the gap — the covert Mechanix Wear Pursuit D5 keeps dexterity high for an A5. If your task demands fine finger feel and the hazard is only moderate, an A4 like the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 is the more comfortable all-day glove.

Is A5 overkill for general assembly work?

Often, yes. For general assembly, parts handling and light fabrication the hazard is moderate, so an A4 glove protects adequately while giving better feel and a lower price. Reserve A5 for jobs with sharp glass, sheet metal or blades. Match the level to a documented hazard assessment as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138.

What hazards need A5 cut resistant gloves instead of A4?

Glass plate and pane handling, sheet-metal stamping and trimming, blade and knife changes, recycling and glass-waste sorting, and meat or food deboning lines all generate cut loads that warrant A5. If your hazard assessment shows contact with these, choose A5 over A4. For food work specifically, see the Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 food-grade A5.

Are A4 and A5 cut resistant gloves cut-proof?

No glove is cut-proof. ANSI/ISEA 105 levels measure resistance to a slicing blade under defined force, not immunity. A4 and A5 dramatically reduce cut risk for their rated hazard bands, but a sufficiently sharp edge under enough force can still cut through. Always pair the right level with safe handling practices.

How much more do A5 gloves cost than A4?

A5 gloves typically cost more than comparable A4 gloves because they use denser cut yarn or HPPE-steel blends to reach the higher grams band. The gap varies by build — value A5 knits like the MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 narrow it, while premium covert and food-safe A5 gloves sit higher. Compare current prices on each product page.

Can I use A5 gloves everywhere instead of buying both A4 and A5?

You can, but it is not always ideal. A5 over-protects moderate tasks and costs more, and the denser yarn can reduce feel on fine assembly. Many shops stock A4 for general work and A5 for the glass/metal stations — matching glove to task per their hazard assessment. Browse both in the cut-resistant gloves collection.

What ANSI levels are above A5?

Above A5 the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 scale continues with A6 (3,000–3,999 g), A7 (4,000–4,999 g), A8 (5,000–5,999 g) and A9 (6,000+ g) for the most extreme cut hazards. For impact in addition to cut, see the ANSI/ISEA 138 impact standard. For the full ladder, read the cut-resistant gloves complete guide.

Are A4 vs A5 gloves the same as EN 388 cut ratings?

No. ANSI/ISEA 105 (A1–A9, in grams) and EN 388 (the European standard, with both a Coupe index and an ISO 13997 letter A–F) are different scales. A glove can carry both. When comparing cut-resistant gloves use the ANSI grams band for U.S. work and read the EN 388 letter for the TDM-equivalent rating.

Do A4 and A5 cut gloves protect against punctures and needles?

Cut and puncture are different hazards. ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels do not certify needle or puncture resistance, which has its own rating. For needle-stick risk choose a needle-resistant glove specifically; for impact-plus-cut see impact-resistant gloves. A4 or A5 alone is not a needle-resistance guarantee.