How do you read the ANSI cut level on gloves?

Short answer: To read the ANSI cut level on gloves, find the A-prefixed code (A1 through A9) printed on the cuff or label - it states the grams of cutting load the glove withstood in the ANSI/ISEA 105 TDM-100 test before the blade cut through. A1 is the lightest protection at 200-499 grams and A9 is the highest at 6000 grams or more. The higher the number, the more cut force the glove resists, so you match the level to the sharpness and force of your task.

How to read the ANSI cut level (A1 to A9) on gloves (2026)

Knowing how to read the ANSI cut level on gloves turns a cryptic cuff stamp into a precise protection spec, because the A-code is not a marketing tier - it is a measured result. The standard behind it, ANSI/ISEA 105, assigns a glove an A1 through A9 rating based on the grams of cutting load it withstands on a standardized blade test. This guide is written for safety managers, buyers, and anyone holding a cut glove who needs to know whether A4 or A6 actually matches the blade in front of them, and start from our cut-resistant gloves range.

Reading the rating correctly avoids the two expensive mistakes: under-protecting a worker against a sharp hazard, and over-buying a stiff A9 glove for a task that needed A3. Below we decode every level and its gram range, explain the TDM-100 test that produces the number, contrast the ANSI scale with the European EN 388 cut ratings so an imported glove's marking makes sense, and map each level to real work. For the broader selection process, pair this with our guide on how to choose work gloves.

Why this matters.
Lacerations are among the most frequent hand injuries on industrial and food-processing sites, and the wrong cut level is a direct cause - an A2 glove on a glass or blade task fails predictably. OSHA's hand-protection rule, 29 CFR 1910.138, requires gloves matched to the assessed hazard, and the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level is the objective number that proves the match. Reading it correctly is what makes the selection defensible and the worker actually protected.

Part 1 - What you read the ANSI cut level to learn

The ANSI cut level is a single letter-number code, A1 through A9, that states how much cutting force a glove resisted in a controlled test. It is defined by ANSI/ISEA 105, the U.S. hand-protection classification standard. The number reflects grams of load on a blade at the point it cuts through the glove material - more grams means more cut resistance. The 2016 revision replaced the old five-level (0-5) scale with the current nine-level A1-A9 system, which gives much finer resolution at the high end where heavy blade and recycling hazards live. The code appears on the cuff or label, usually inside a small shield or ANSI marking.

Part 2 - The TDM-100 test behind the number

Every ANSI cut level comes from the TDM-100 test method specified in ANSI/ISEA 105. A straight razor blade is drawn across the glove material under a measured load while the load is increased until the blade cuts through at a reference distance of 20 millimeters of travel. The grams of load at cut-through is the glove's cut-resistance value, and that value maps to the A-level. Key points to read correctly:

• A single fresh blade is used per stroke, so the test reflects sharp-edge contact, not a dull worn knife.
• The result is material- and construction-specific - the same yarn knitted tighter or with a steel or glass core scores higher.
• Because it is a load-to-cut-through value, it is comparable across brands that test to ANSI/ISEA 105.

That repeatability is why you can trust an A5 from one maker to mean roughly the same protection as an A5 from another.

Part 3 - Read the gram ranges, not just the letter

Each A-level is a band of grams, not a single value, so two A4 gloves can differ in measured grams while sharing the rating. The decode table below lists every level with its ANSI/ISEA 105 gram range. The practical reading rule: the level tells you the minimum grams of cut load the glove cleared, so an A6 glove cleared at least 3000 grams. When two gloves carry the same level, compare other factors - coating, dexterity, and fit - because their cut protection is in the same band. Browse the full ladder in our cut-resistant gloves collection.

Part 4 - How ANSI differs from EN 388

Imported gloves often carry the European ANSI/ISEA 105 marking alongside or instead of EN 388, and the two are not interchangeable. EN 388 reports a four-or-five character string for abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture, where the original Coupe cut test is a 1-5 number and a newer ISO 13997 cut test adds a letter A-F based on newtons of force. ANSI/ISEA 105 uses one A1-A9 code based on grams from the TDM-100 test. The two scales correlate loosely but do not convert one-to-one, so never assume an EN 388 cut of 5 equals a specific ANSI level. Our EN 388 glove standard explained breaks down the full European string.

Part 5 - Match the cut level to the task

Reading the level is only useful if you map it to work. As a practical guide:

• A1-A3 - light handling, general assembly, packaging, light material handling.
• A4-A6 - glass handling, metal fabrication, HVAC and sheet metal, automotive parts.
• A7-A9 - heavy blade work, recycling and waste sorting, meat and poultry, scrap and demolition.

Going higher than the task requires usually trades dexterity and cost for protection you do not need. A goatskin-and-Kevlar mechanics glove such as the MCR Safety PD43612 Predator A9 goatskin Kevlar glove targets the top of the range, while many fabrication tasks are well served at A5. For the full hazard workflow, see how to choose work gloves.

Part 6 - Read the whole marking, not just cut

The cut level rarely travels alone. A full glove marking may also show puncture and abrasion (under ANSI/ISEA 105), an impact level under ANSI/ISEA 138 if the back of the hand is protected, and EN 388 or EN 407 marks on imported gloves. Read them together: a glove can be A6 for cut but only impact level 1, which matters if your task also has struck-by hazards. For impact-rated gloves, see our impact-resistant gloves collection and the ISEA 138 explainer. When the hazard is heat rather than cut, the relevant scale is EN 407, covered in how to choose heat-resistant gloves.

ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels A1-A9: gram ranges and example tasks

Part 7 - Worked example: how to read the ANSI cut level and pick a glove for sheet-metal work

To make the process concrete, here is how to read the ANSI cut level on a candidate glove and confirm it fits a sheet-metal fabrication task that handles sharp edges and light deburring. The aim is to verify the marking, map the grams to the hazard, and avoid over-buying.

1. Find the marking on the glove. Locate the A-code on the cuff or label, shown as A1 through A9, usually inside a shield or near the ANSI/ISEA 105 reference. If only an EN 388 string is present, do not assume an ANSI equivalent - see the EN 388 explainer.
2. Translate the code to grams. Use the decode table to read the gram band. An A4 glove cleared at least 1500 grams of cut load on the TDM-100 test; an A6 cleared at least 3000 grams. The level is the floor of the band, not an average.
3. Match grams to the hazard. Sheet-metal edges with light deburring typically call for A4 to A5. Reading the marking lets you confirm a candidate glove meets that minimum rather than guessing from the material.
4. Avoid over-rating the task. Resist jumping to A8 or A9 unless the work involves heavy blades or scrap. A higher level adds stiffness and cost; the right read is the lowest level that safely clears the hazard - here, A5 is a strong fit from our cut-resistant gloves.
5. Check the rest of the marking. Read puncture and abrasion under ANSI/ISEA 105 and any ISEA 138 impact level on the back of the hand, since sheet-metal cells often have pinch hazards too.
6. Document and standardize. Record the verified A-level against the task hazard assessment per OSHA 1910.138, then standardize the SKU so every worker on the line wears the same confirmed cut level.

The same reading method scales across the whole ladder - from an A3 general glove to a top-end MCR Safety PD43612 Predator A9 goatskin Kevlar glove for blade-heavy work. For the full hazard-to-glove workflow, read how to choose work gloves, and for the existing buyer's view by level see how to choose cut-resistant gloves by ANSI level.

Frequently asked questions

How do you read the ANSI cut level on gloves?

To read the ANSI cut level on gloves, find the A-prefixed code (A1-A9) on the cuff or label; it states the grams of cutting load the glove withstood on the ANSI/ISEA 105 TDM-100 test. A higher number means more cut resistance - A1 is 200-499 grams, A9 is 6000 grams or more. Cross-check the level against your task using our cut-resistant gloves.

What does A4 mean on cut-resistant gloves?

A4 means the glove withstood at least 1500 grams (and up to 2199 grams) of cutting load on the TDM-100 test under ANSI/ISEA 105. It is a common mid-range level suited to metal fabrication, glass handling, and HVAC work. See where A4 sits on the full ladder in the decode table above.

What is the highest ANSI cut level?

A9 is the highest ANSI cut level, requiring 6000 grams or more of cutting load on the TDM-100 test. It is reserved for extreme blade hazards such as scrap, demolition, and heavy recycling. A goatskin-and-Kevlar build like the MCR Safety PD43612 A9 glove targets this tier.

How is the ANSI cut level tested?

It is measured with the TDM-100 test in ANSI/ISEA 105: a razor blade is drawn across the glove under increasing load until it cuts through at 20 mm of travel, and the grams of load at cut-through set the A-level. A fresh blade is used for each test so the result reflects sharp-edge contact.

What is the difference between ANSI cut level and EN 388?

ANSI/ISEA 105 gives one A1-A9 code from a grams-based TDM-100 test, while EN 388 reports a multi-character string covering abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture, with cut shown as a 1-5 Coupe number and an A-F ISO 13997 letter. The two scales correlate loosely but do not convert one-to-one. Our EN 388 explainer covers the European string.

Is a higher ANSI cut level always better?

No. A higher level resists more cut force but usually adds stiffness and cost and reduces dexterity. The right approach is to read the level needed for your task and choose the lowest level that safely clears the hazard - over-buying an A9 for an A3 job can reduce safety if workers remove the bulky glove.

What cut level do I need for handling glass?

Glass handling generally calls for A4 or higher because edges and shards cut readily. Read the marking to confirm at least A4 and consider A5-A6 for heavier glass work. Browse suitable options in the cut-resistant gloves collection.

Can two A5 gloves have different cut resistance?

Yes. Each A-level is a gram band, so two A5 gloves can measure different exact grams while both clearing the 2200-gram floor. When the level matches, compare coating, dexterity, fit, and any impact or puncture marks to choose between them.

Where do you read the ANSI cut level on a glove?

You read the ANSI cut level on the cuff or sewn label, often inside a small shield or next to an ANSI/ISEA reference. If a glove shows no ANSI mark but lists EN 388, it was rated to the European standard instead - read it per the EN 388 explainer.

What changed in the 2016 ANSI cut level scale?

The 2016 revision of ANSI/ISEA 105 replaced the old 0-5 cut scale with the nine-level A1-A9 system. The change added resolution at the high end, where the old single top level grouped very different blade hazards, so today's A6 through A9 distinguish heavy cutting tasks that used to share one rating.

Does OSHA specify an ANSI cut level?

OSHA does not name a specific cut level. Under 29 CFR 1910.138 the employer must select gloves appropriate to the assessed hazard, and the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level is the objective measure used to document that the glove matches the task.

What ANSI cut level is needed for meat processing?

Meat and poultry work with knives typically calls for A7 or higher because of constant sharp-blade exposure. Read the marking to confirm the high-end rating and choose a glove rated for food contact where required. The decode table maps A7-A9 to these heavy blade tasks.

Does the ANSI cut level account for puncture?

No - cut and puncture are separate ratings under ANSI/ISEA 105. The A-code covers slicing cut resistance only; a needle or sharp-point hazard needs the puncture rating, which is reported separately on the marking. Read both when the task involves needles or wire.

How do I read the ANSI cut level to compare gloves across brands?

Because the TDM-100 test in ANSI/ISEA 105 is standardized, when you read the ANSI cut level an A5 from one brand means roughly the same cut load as an A5 from another, so the level is comparable across makers. Compare the rest - coating, dexterity, and fit - within the same level to choose the best glove for your hands.

What cut level is right for general assembly?

General assembly and packaging with no blade exposure are usually well served by A1-A3, which preserve dexterity and feel. Step up only when the parts or tools introduce edges. Map your task to a level using the decode table and our how to choose work gloves guide.

Do cut-resistant gloves wear out?

Yes. The yarn and any coating degrade with washing, abrasion, and chemical exposure, which can lower real-world cut performance below the original A-level. Inspect for thinning, holes, and worn coating, and retire gloves before the protective layer is compromised regardless of the printed rating.

Further reading on this site

• Cut-resistant gloves — the full A1-A9 ladder for blade, glass, and sheet-metal hazards.
• Impact-resistant gloves — gloves that add ISEA 138 back-of-hand protection alongside cut ratings.
• Hand protection — the complete hand-protection range across every hazard.
• EN 388 glove standard explained — decode the European abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture string.
• ANSI impact gloves (ISEA 138) — how impact levels 1-3 are rated and marked.
• How to choose work gloves — the full hazard-based glove selection workflow.
• Choose cut gloves by ANSI level — a buyer's view of matching A-levels to jobs.
• Nitrile gloves complete guide — the disposable barrier side of a hand-protection program.