“What glove size am I?” Guide to measuring your hands

Have you ever put on a pair of gloves which were either too tight, and cut off your circulation, or too loose, and kept falling off your hands, notwithstanding how much you tried to make them fit? If so, you’re not alone. The most common question which many people find very difficult to answer is, “What glove size am I?”

Locating the right glove size may be easy to the uninitiated, who will only need to measure their hand and then hold it against a chart. However, in reality, it is not that simple as it seems. There is no universal method of the sizing of gloves as there is with shoes or clothes. 

This dressing code guide will teach you all you need to know - how to measure your hands just right, and how various materials and purposes of gloves vary. You will be able to respond to the question “What glove size am I?” in the most positive manner to the end, and you will never back on gloves pinching, slipping, or otherwise un-comfortable again.

Why glove size matters

It would be necessary to answer the question “What glove size am I?” before being drawn into the measurements. Gloves are not just another fashion accessory, they have an important role in making them comfortable, performance, safety and durable. 

Comfort and dexterity

The correct fit of gloves should be made sure that you do not have to move your hands. Too tight gloves may cut off circulation, result in discomfort and also could produce fatigue or cramping in the hands in the long run. 

The perfect glove must fit like a second skin to be tight enough to fit and be loose enough to move. This balance improves comfort when used in extended durations and assists in preserving natural dexterity which is very vital in their activities requiring precision such as handling their tools, playing musical instruments or working in medical facilities.

Performance and control

Fit itself has a direct impact on performance as well as control regardless of the task. In sports, as an example, the game can or cannot be made or broken with the right gloves. Baseball or golf gloves, fitted properly, will help you have a steady grip and increase accuracy. In professional or industrial environments, that of a mechanic, assembler, etc. better-fitted glove will ensure that you have a better grip of the tools and materials due to a more precise and efficient movement.

Safety and protection

Another key factor as to why glove size is important is safety. When working in workplaces where machinery, chemicals, or heavy materials are involved, the wrong size may expose one to the possibility of accidents. Loose gloves may become caught in moving parts and tight gloves may limit movement at opportune times delaying your reaction.

Properly worn gloves serve as a shield - not only covering your hands with abrasions or cuts and extreme temperatures or other dangerous substances, but also protecting them. The correct fit is to make sure that the glove will not fall off during the work but also it remains protective at all times.

Durability and longevity

Lastly, glove fit also impacts on the life span of your gloves. In case of tight gloves, they are always pushed past the intended design, thus they become more likely to tear, split or break their seams. 

Step-by-step: How to find out “What glove size am I?”

Finding your glove size doesn’t require professional tools or training- just a measuring tape and a few minutes of your time.

Step 1: Measure your hand circumference

Wrap a soft measuring tape around the widest part of your hand, just below your knuckles, excluding your thumb. Keep your hand relaxed (don’t clench your fist) and note the measurement in inches or centimeters.

Step 2: Measure your hand length

Measure from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm, where it meets your wrist. This gives you your hand length- another factor that can influence glove size.

Step 3: Use the larger measurement

Compare both numbers. Whichever is larger (circumference or length) will determine your glove size. This ensures a more comfortable fit in both the palm and the fingers.

Step 4: Check a standard glove size chart

Once you have your measurement, match it to a size using a glove chart. Keep in mind that U.S., U.K., and European sizes may differ slightly.

Note: Women’s glove sizes often run about one size smaller than men’s.

How glove material affects fit

When posing the question “What glove size am I?”,  keep in mind that the material is a consideration. All the glove materials have different behaviour:

• Leather gloves: Leather gloves tend to stretch out as time goes by, a close fit is therefore the best.
• Fabric gloves: Could loosen up after washing or long usage.
• Latex or nitrile gloves: Are stretchy, but can contract back a little with use.
• Synthetic gloves: These are normally harder to stretch but can be longer lasting in their shape in comparison to natural materials.

Wondering “What glove size am I?” Always keep in mind the frequency of wearing the gloves and the place of using them, contact with heat, moisture or heavy use may alter the fit of the gloves over time.

What glove size am I for different uses?

Wondering “What glove size am I?” The size of your gloves can also be different depending on the way you are planning to use the gloves. The sizing process in different applications is as follows:

• Work or safety gloves: Select a tight fitting that is conveniently gripping and dextrous. When gloves are loose, you would lose accuracy or can have accidents. Mechanical or industrial gloves will slightly vary in size, so consult the charts before purchasing as well.
• Motorcycle gloves: Test the hands of both - the larger one is your dominant hand. The fit of motorcycle gloves must not be tight to an extent that it will limit movement, particularly when they are made of leather. Gradually, they will be elongated a bit to fit your hand.
• Winter or fashion gloves: These gloves are best loosely fitted so that they can be lined or insulated. Ensure that they are not loosely in such a way that they can influence dexterity or fall off.
• Sports gloves: In the case of such sports as baseball, golf or cycling, gloves can be sized differently with each brand. Others circumference, some hand length. It is always better to consult the chart made by the manufacturer.

Common mistakes when measuring glove size

Wondering “What glove size am I?” Even with the simplest steps in measuring, it can cause an unfitting or inaccurate fit even with small errors. The size of gloves has to be accurate and a few millimeters can determine whether the glove is the right fit, or it is always slipping or pinching. The following are the pitfalls that should be avoided to achieve the best outcomes:

1. More than rings, bracelets or watches

Wondering “What glove size am I?” This may appear like nothing bad to test your hand with accessories or jewelry and this creates an additional bulk and distorts your measurements. It does not take a lot to change the circumference of your hand by a ring or bracelet to make a glove that is a lot tighter than you think it would be.

2. You need to include your thumb in the palm measure

Wondering “What glove size am I?” One of the most widespread errors is to wrap the measuring tape too much on the base of the thumb. The size of your glove depends on the size of your palm, not including the thumb. Making it full will make your hand look larger than it is causing gloves to be loose or with extra room in the fingers.

3. Premature rounding

Wondering “What glove size am I?”. Remember, precision matters. Other people tend to round their measurements too early on, believing that a minor difference will not make a difference to fit - but they do. A half-inch is the difference between a glove that fits and one which does not.

4. Non-conformity to brand-specific sizing charts

Not all gloves are the same size. What one brand might consider a medium will be large in another, particularly when one has global sizing (U.S., U.K., or European). Stretch, insulation or unisex fit is also different with some brands.

5. Measuring cold hands

Wondering “What glove size am I?”, the cold hands will slightly shrink since the blood flow will be reduced and hence the measurement of the hands will be less than normal. In that case, you will size your gloves on the basis that they will be too tight when your hands get warmed up and return to their regular size.

6. Evaluation of non-dominant hands

Most individuals possess a hand that is very slightly bigger in size compared to the other hand- the hand that one writes or works with is usually a bit large owing to muscle development. Fitting the smaller hand may leave a tight or restrictive glove in the places where it is required most.

7. Skipping the “fit test”

Lastly, one of the steps that one has forgotten to undertake is the testing of the glove after measurement. Although the numbers might be right, with other materials, this is not the case. The right size of fabric gloves would be totally wrong in leather or neoprene.

Tips for the perfect fit

Wondering “What glove size am I?” Locating the specific size of your glove is only the argument but the secret is how you conceive that size in various materials, applications, and contexts. The following are some of the professional hints that will assist you to adjust the glove fit to the right fit every time.

Between sizes? Go one size up for comfort

Wondering “What glove size am I?” In case your measurements lie between two sizes, then it is usually good to go with the larger size - when the gloves are crafted out of non-stretch compounds such as synthetic leather, coated fabrics, or protective work gloves. 

Leather gloves? Tight to be, they will be elastic

Wondering “What glove size am I?” Snugness at the beginning is in fact perfect when it comes to leather gloves. The quality of leather, e.g. goatskin, cowhide or deerskin, shapes itself gradually to the shape peculiar to your hand, softening as it wears in place, and stretching somewhat. Firstly picking a glove that seems to fit loosely may lead to a loose fit in the future. 

Sport or performance gloves? Test them with your gear

Wondering “What glove size am I?” In the case of athletic or activity-specific gloves (cycling, golf, baseball, or weightlifting) fit is directly related to the performance and control. Test them with your gear or equipment always to determine their interaction. 

Winter gloves? Create room to be warm and to wear

Wondering “What glove size am I?”  In the case of cold-weather gloves, the size is not as important as the insulation and airflow. Too tight gloves squeeze the insulation making them less efficient at trapping heat. It is always advisable to leave some space on the inside to allow the air to circulate and optional liners, in the event that you would wear them in very cold weather. 

Be attentive to proportions

Wondering “What glove size am I?” Not every hand is made in the same way, some individuals possess longer fingers or wider palms. When a glove is the correct fit in width, but not long enough in the fingers, try a brand with alternate hand shapes or custom-made. The glove should also fit into the shape of your hand and therefore there should not be any pinching, pulling or too much superfluous fabric.

Where possible, try before you buy

Wondering “What glove size am I?”  Whenever possible, do sample gloves before buying. This comes in particularly handy when the gloves are high end or specialized and there may be a limited opportunity to return them. On trying them make a fist, stretch your fingers and move just as you are going to when you are putting them on. 

Read more: How to find glove size - Because the perfect fit feels effortless

Final thoughts: Stop guessing and start measuring

At EvridWear, we believe that, the next time you find yourself posing such a question as What glove size am I? you will know just where to get the answer. A little time to size your hands correctly and learn how materials, activities and environments affect fit will save you the hours of endless trial and error.

The correct glove size is not only a matter of numbers but it is about being confident, controlling and comfortable. A well-fitted glove gives you time to concentrate on what is ultimately important and that is the work you do, the sport you are doing or just the moment you are enjoying.

You could be on-site or driving through the city, or training in the gym or even in the cold, a good fitting glove will never feel more than a part of your hand, protective, comfortable and prepared to handle anything.