About the Glove Size Calculator
This glove size calculator turns two hand measurements — the circumference around your knuckles and the length from wrist crease to fingertip — into the sizes used on glove labels. You get the letter size (XS to XXL) used for ski, cycling and winter gloves, the numeric EN size (6 to 11) printed on work and safety gloves, and the inch size used for leather dress gloves.
It is useful when buying gloves online, kitting out a work crew with safety gloves, or choosing a gift. Because some people have long, narrow hands and others short, wide ones, the calculator checks both measurements and recommends the larger result so the fingers are not cramped.
Numeric sizes follow the hand-size table of the European glove standard EN 420 (now EN ISO 21420), where size 8 corresponds to a hand about 203 mm (8 in) around and 182 mm long. Dress glove sizes traditionally equal the hand circumference in inches. Brands vary, especially for women’s and children’s gloves, so check the maker’s chart when available.
How to use the glove size calculator
- 1Wrap a soft tape around your dominant hand across the knuckles, leaving out the thumb.
- 2Measure from the crease at the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger.
- 3Choose inches or centimetres and enter both measurements.
- 4Use the letter size for ski and winter gloves, the number for work gloves.
- 5Use the inch size for leather dress gloves.
Formula and method
The EN glove standard defines each size by a nominal hand circumference and hand length: size 6 is 152 mm around and 160 mm long, rising by about 25 mm (1 inch) in circumference and 11 mm in length per size up to size 11 at 279 mm and 215 mm. The calculator converts your measurements to millimetres and finds the nearest size for each.
If circumference and length point to different sizes, the larger is recommended because a glove that is too short or too tight restricts movement and circulation. Letter sizes map to EN sizes (7 = S, 8 = M, 9 = L, 10 = XL). Traditional dress glove sizes simply equal the hand circumference in inches, so the measurement is rounded to the nearest half size.
- circumference
- Around the knuckles, thumb excluded
- length
- Wrist crease to tip of the middle finger
Worked examples
Average adult hand (8.5 × 7.25 in)
A hand 8.5 in (216 mm) around is closest to size 8 (203 mm) and a 7.25 in (184 mm) length is closest to size 8 (182 mm), so you are a medium, EN size 8. For dress gloves, 8.5 in rounds to size 8.5.
Smaller hand measured in centimetres
An 18 cm (180 mm) circumference is nearest size 7 (178 mm) and a 17.5 cm length nearest size 7 (171 mm), so a small, EN size 7. 180 mm is 7.09 in, giving dress size 7.
Long fingers: length decides
A 9.5 in (241 mm) circumference fits size 9, but an 8 in (203 mm) hand length matches size 10 (204 mm). The larger size, 10 (XL), avoids short fingers; dress size is 9.5.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my hand for gloves?+
Wrap a soft tape around the widest part of your dominant hand, across the knuckles but not the thumb, for circumference. Then measure from the crease at the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger for length.
What glove size is a medium?+
A medium glove (EN size 8) fits a hand about 8 inches (203 mm) around the knuckles and about 7.2 inches (182 mm) long. Small is about 7 in around and large about 9 in.
What do the numbers on work gloves mean?+
Work and safety gloves use EN sizes 6 to 11. Each number roughly equals the hand circumference in inches: size 9 fits a hand about 9 in (229 mm) around and 192 mm long.
Should gloves be tight or loose?+
Gloves should be snug with no excess fabric at the fingertips but should not restrict making a fist. Ski and winter gloves can be slightly roomier to trap warm air; work gloves should fit closely for grip.
Are women’s glove sizes different?+
Women’s gloves are often cut narrower with shorter fingers, and many brands shift letter sizes down one step compared with men’s. Measure your hand and compare it with the specific brand’s chart.