How do you find the right glove size?

Short answer: Measure the circumference of your dominant hand around the knuckles (excluding the thumb) in inches — that number is your numeric glove size. A 9-inch hand is a size 9, which equals a Large. The international sizing standard EN 420 maps numeric sizes 6 through 11 to XS through XXL, and that single measurement is the fastest way to read any glove size chart and avoid a loose, snag-prone or painfully tight fit.

Glove size chart: how to measure your hand and choose the right size (2026 guide)

Glove fit is a safety variable, not a comfort preference. The international standard EN 420 (general requirements for protective gloves) defines the sizing system most manufacturers print on the box, and OSHA's general PPE rule, 29 CFR 1910.138, requires employers to select hand protection that fits the task and the worker. This glove size chart guide is written for procurement teams ordering by the case, safety managers standardizing a glove program, and field workers who just need to know whether they are a Medium or a Large. We cover the measurement method, the numeric-to-letter conversion, the chart itself, and a worked sizing example across the gloves we stock.

Why this matters.
A glove that is one size too large reduces grip and dexterity and can be pulled into rotating equipment; a glove that is one size too small fatigues the hand, splits at the seams, and tempts workers to remove it. OSHA cites 1910.138 for hand-protection selection, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently reports that the majority of workers treated for hand injuries were not wearing gloves or were wearing the wrong glove for the job. Correct sizing is the cheapest controllable factor in that equation.

Part 1 — What the glove size number actually measures

Almost every protective glove sold in North America and Europe carries a numeric size from 6 to 11. That number is the hand circumference in inches measured around the palm at the widest point, just below the knuckles, with the thumb excluded. A worker whose hand measures 9 inches around is a numeric size 9, which the same manufacturer also labels Large. Disposable gloves (nitrile, latex, vinyl) usually skip the numbers and use S/M/L/XL only, but they map to the same underlying hand measurement.

Numeric size vs letter size

The numeric system (6-11) is more precise because it is tied directly to a measurement, while the letter system (XS-XXL) groups two adjacent measurements into one label. When a glove is offered only in letters, size up if your measurement falls on the boundary and you need finger room for liners, or size down if you need maximum dexterity for fine assembly.

Part 2 — The glove size chart (numeric, letter, and hand measurement)

This is the consolidated glove size chart based on EN 420. Measure your hand first (Part 3), then read across:

Values follow EN 420; individual manufacturers vary by roughly half a size, so always confirm against the brand's own chart on coated and cut-resistant ranges such as our Cut-Resistant Gloves and Impact-Resistant Gloves lines, where liners add bulk.

Part 3 — How to measure your hand for glove size

You need a soft tape measure or a strip of string and a ruler. Measure your dominant hand, because it is usually slightly larger.

1. Measure circumference. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, leaving the thumb out. Make a relaxed fist. Read the measurement in inches — that is your numeric glove size.
2. Measure length. Measure from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm (the crease at the wrist). Use this to break ties when your circumference lands between two sizes.
3. Round to the nearest whole number. A reading of 9 inches is a size 9 / Large. A reading of 9.5 inches rounds to the larger size for coated or lined gloves and the smaller size for thin disposables.
4. Cross-check against the chart. Match your circumference to the glove size chart in Part 2 to confirm the letter equivalent.
5. Adjust for the task. Add a size for cold-weather liners or chemical over-gloves; hold the size for fine-dexterity assembly work.

Part 4 — Disposable gloves size differently from coated gloves

Single-use exam and industrial gloves stretch, so their sizing runs in letters and is more forgiving than coated work gloves. A box labeled Large in our Nitrile Gloves, Latex Gloves, or Vinyl Gloves ranges fits roughly a numeric 9-10, but because the film conforms to the hand you rarely need the half-size precision a leather or cut-resistant glove demands. For a full breakdown of disposable film options, see our nitrile vs latex vs vinyl gloves reference and the nitrile gloves complete buyer's guide.

Coated and cut-resistant gloves run truer to the numeric size

Coated, cut-resistant, and chemical gloves use the numeric system because seam placement and liner gauge matter. When you order across our Chemical-Resistant Gloves, Heat-Resistant Gloves, and Material-Handling Gloves ranges, treat the numeric size as authoritative and the letter as a convenience label.

Part 5 — Worked example: sizing a glove order across the catalog

Suppose a crew lead measures a 10-inch hand circumference. That is a numeric size 10, or XL. Here is how that translates into real SKUs we stock:

1. Disposable nitrile. Order XL in the Gloveworks Blue Nitrile Industrial Gloves or the SAS Safety Raven Nitrile Gloves — the film stretches, so XL covers the 10-11 numeric band.
2. Thick latex. For heavier disposable work, the SAS Safety 6604 Thickster Latex Gloves in X-Large matches a size 10 hand; size down to the 6603 Large or 6602 Medium for smaller crew members.
3. Cut-resistant. Coated cut gloves are sold by exact size — order the MCR Safety 92785NF CutPro A5 in X-Large for the size-10 hand and the matching 92785NF in X-Small for the smallest hands on the crew. Confirm the cut level against our ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-level guide.
4. General-purpose coated. The Ergodyne ProFlex 7025 PU-coated work gloves are ordered in the same numeric size you measured.
5. Standardize the order. Build the case order around the measured distribution of the crew, not a single default size, and keep one box up and one box down on the shelf.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I read a glove size chart?

Measure your hand circumference in inches around the knuckles, then match that number to the numeric column of the glove size chart in Part 2. A 9-inch hand is a size 9, which the letter column lists as Large.

What is the most common glove size?

Large (numeric 9) is the single most-ordered size for adult men in industrial settings, with Medium (size 8) close behind for mixed crews. Stocking Medium, Large, and X-Large covers the majority of a typical workforce.

How do I measure my hand for glove size without a tape measure?

Wrap a strip of string or paper around your palm below the knuckles, mark where it overlaps, then lay it flat against a ruler. The length in inches is your numeric size. See the step-by-step method in Part 3.

Does numeric size 9 equal Large?

Yes. Under EN 420, numeric size 9 corresponds to Large and a roughly 10-inch hand circumference. Size 8 is Medium and size 10 is X-Large.

Should work gloves fit tight or loose?

Snug but not tight. The glove should follow the contour of your hand with no loose fingertip material, because excess material reduces grip and can be drawn into machinery. A correct fit lets you make a fist without the seams straining.

Do nitrile gloves run small or large?

Disposable nitrile tends to run slightly small and short in the fingers compared with latex of the same letter size. If you are between sizes in our nitrile gloves range, size up for comfort during long shifts.

What size glove do I need for a 9-inch hand?

A 9-inch circumference is a numeric size 9, or Large. If your hand length is also long, the Large will fit cleanly; if your fingers are short, a Medium may feel better in coated styles.

Are men's and women's glove sizes different?

The measurement method is identical, but women's hands more often fall in the XS-Medium (size 6-8) range. Measure rather than assume, especially for cut-resistant and chemical gloves where fit affects protection.

How should cut-resistant gloves fit?

Cut-resistant gloves must fit close to preserve dexterity and prevent the shell from bunching. Order the exact numeric size and verify the protection level in our ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-level guide.

Do chemical-resistant gloves use the same size chart?

Yes, chemical gloves follow the same numeric system, but you often size up one step to layer a disposable liner underneath. See our chemical-resistant glove guide for material and breakthrough-time selection.

What size are disposable gloves if I am between Medium and Large?

Because disposable film stretches, choose Large for comfort on long shifts and Medium for maximum tactile sensitivity. There is no half size in disposables, unlike coated gloves.

How tight should disposable exam gloves be?

Exam gloves should feel like a second skin with no air pockets at the fingertips. A glove that balloons at the tips is too large and will reduce grip; one that whitens your knuckles is too small.

Can the wrong glove size cause injury?

Yes. Oversized gloves snag in rotating equipment and reduce grip; undersized gloves fatigue the hand and split, exposing skin. OSHA's hand-protection rule 1910.138 requires gloves appropriate to the hazard, and fit is part of that.

What hand circumference is X-Large?

X-Large is numeric size 10, roughly an 11-inch hand circumference. XXL (size 11) is about 12 inches. See the full glove size chart in Part 2.

Do impact and anti-vibration gloves size the same?

They follow the numeric chart, but padded backs and dampening palms add bulk, so order true to your measured size and try one pair before committing to a case from our impact-resistant gloves or anti-vibration gloves ranges.

How often should I re-measure for glove size?

Hand size is stable in adults, so a single accurate measurement lasts for years. Re-measure only when switching glove categories (for example from thin nitrile to lined leather) where fit behaves differently.

Further reading on this site

• Nitrile gloves complete buyer's guide — thickness, grip, and exam vs industrial grades.
• Nitrile vs latex vs vinyl gloves — which disposable film to choose and why.
• Chemical-resistant glove guide — material selection and breakthrough time.
• ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-level guide — A1 through A9 explained.
• Cut-resistant gloves — full lineup by protection level.
• Nitrile gloves — disposable industrial and exam grades.
• Trade gloves — general-purpose work gloves by application.