How glove sizes work
In the United States and most of Europe, glove sizes are numbers that correspond to the circumference of the hand in inches. A size 8 glove fits a hand that measures about 8 inches around the knuckles. Sizes usually go up in half sizes from 6 to 12. Letter sizes such as S, M and L group these numbers together, but brands draw the lines slightly differently.
How to measure your hand
- Circumference: wrap a soft tape measure around your dominant hand, across the knuckles at the base of the fingers, with the thumb held out. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
- Length: measure from the crease of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger.
If the length in inches is greater than the circumference, use the length: a long, slim hand needs a larger size so the fingers do not reach the end of the glove. The calculator keeps the larger of the two measurements and rounds it to the nearest half size.
Size chart
| Glove size | Hand circumference | Letter size |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 6½ | 6 to 6¾ in | XS |
| 7 to 7½ | 7 to 7¾ in | S |
| 8 to 8½ | 8 to 8¾ in | M |
| 9 to 9½ | 9 to 9¾ in | L |
| 10 to 10½ | 10 to 10¾ in | XL |
| 11 and up | 11 in and up | XXL |
Example
A hand that measures 8.5 inches around and 7.5 inches long:
- Measurement used: 8.5 in
- Glove size: 8½
- Letter size: M
- Work glove size: 9
Work gloves
Protective gloves sold in Europe follow the EN ISO 21420 standard, which defines whole sizes from 6 to 11 based on hand circumference and length. The calculator rounds your measurement to the nearest whole size. Many work glove brands sold in the United States use the same numbers, or letters from S to XXL.
Tips for a good fit
- Measure in the afternoon, when hands are slightly larger, and at room temperature.
- Leather gloves stretch a little, often half a size, so choose a snug fit.
- Ski and winter gloves have insulation, so size up if you are between sizes or want to wear a liner.
- Women’s sizes are sometimes given in letters only; the same chart applies.
- Gloves for children are usually sized by age rather than measurement.