Glove Size Calculator
Enter your palm circumference or hand length, choose your gender and preferred units, and this calculator instantly returns your letter size (XS through XXL), numeric size, and European size. It works for general-purpose gloves including work gloves, winter gloves, fashion gloves, and sports gloves. Sizing updates as you type.
How to measure your hand for glove sizing
The most accurate way to find your glove size is to measure your palm circumference. Lay your dominant hand flat, fingers together. Wrap a flexible tape measure (or a piece of string you can then hold against a ruler) around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles. Do not include the thumb. The tape should be snug but not tight. Note the number in inches or centimetres and enter it above. If you do not have a flexible tape, measure your hand length instead: from the base of your palm (where your wrist creases) to the tip of your middle finger. Palm circumference is preferred because it more closely controls how tight the glove feels around the hand, which is where fit matters most.
Understanding letter, numeric, and EU glove sizes
Most gloves sold in North America and Europe use one of three sizing systems. Letter sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL) are the most common and appear on consumer gloves of all types. Numeric sizes (6 through 12, sometimes in half steps) are standard in dress gloves, driving gloves, and many work gloves - the number roughly equals the palm circumference in inches. European sizes follow the same numeric scale. For everyday purposes the numeric and EU systems are interchangeable: a size 9 EU is the same as a numeric 9 US. If you have a glove that gives only a numeric or EU size, this calculator's outputs let you cross-reference it directly.
Sizing tips by glove type
The right fit depends on how you will use the gloves. Work and safety gloves should fit snugly with no excess material at the fingertips but still allow a full fist - loose material reduces grip and increases snag risk. If you fall between sizes in a work glove, size down. Winter and ski gloves need a little extra room for liner gloves underneath; size up by one if you plan to layer. Touchscreen or driving gloves are meant to be close-fitting for dexterity; stay true to size or size down. Medical and latex examination gloves follow a separate chart (XS through XL only) and are typically sized by the non-dominant hand to reduce contamination swapping. Sports gloves such as batting gloves and goalkeeper gloves come in their own brand-specific charts and should be sized from the manufacturer's guide, not a general chart.
When to choose a different size
If your measurement lands exactly on a boundary between two sizes, a few practical rules help you decide. For tasks requiring dexterity - surgery, writing, electronics work - a tighter glove reduces slippage, so choose the smaller size. For warmth, outdoor work, or comfort over long wear, the larger size gives your fingers room to move and accommodates swelling that can occur in the cold or after extended use. If one hand is noticeably larger than the other, buy for the larger hand; a slightly loose fit on the smaller hand is rarely a problem, whereas a glove that cannot be fully pulled on is useless. Consider also material stretch: leather gloves have little give and may feel tighter than stated; knit and neoprene gloves stretch significantly and often feel larger than the label suggests.
Glove size chart: palm circumference to size
| Circumference (in) | Circumference (cm) | Men's letter | Men's numeric | Women's letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5-6.0 | 14.0-15.2 | - | - | XS |
| 6.0-6.5 | 15.2-16.5 | - | - | XS |
| 6.5-7.0 | 16.5-17.8 | XS | 7 | S |
| 7.0-7.5 | 17.8-19.1 | S | 7.5 | S |
| 7.5-8.0 | 19.1-20.3 | S | 8 | M |
| 8.0-8.5 | 20.3-21.6 | M | 8.5 | L |
| 8.5-9.0 | 21.6-22.9 | M | 9 | XL |
| 9.0-9.5 | 22.9-24.1 | L | 9.5 | XL |
| 9.5-10.0 | 24.1-25.4 | L | 10 | - |
| 10.0-10.5 | 25.4-26.7 | XL | 10.5 | - |
| 10.5-11.0 | 26.7-27.9 | XL | 11 | - |
| 11.0-12.0 | 27.9-30.5 | XXL | 11.5 | - |
Measure around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. Use your dominant hand.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly do I measure for glove size?
Wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your palm - usually just below the knuckles (across the metacarpal heads) - while excluding the thumb. Keep the tape snug but not compressing the skin. This is called palm or hand circumference and is the standard measurement used by almost every glove brand worldwide. If you cannot wrap a tape around your hand, measure from the crease of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger (hand length) and use the length option in this calculator.
Should I use my left hand or right hand?
Measure your dominant hand - the hand you write with. Your dominant hand is usually slightly larger due to more developed muscle. If you are ambidextrous or buy gloves primarily for one specific hand, measure that hand.
What if my measurement falls between two sizes?
Go up one size for work gloves, winter gloves, or any application where comfort and warmth matter. Go down one size for tasks requiring fine dexterity, snug fit, or grip precision. Leather gloves break in over time and generally do not stretch much, so sizing up is rarely a mistake. Synthetic or knit gloves often stretch, so true-to-size or half a size down can work well.
Are men's and women's glove sizes different?
Yes. Women's gloves are sized on a smaller scale than men's because average hand proportions differ. A women's medium (M) corresponds to roughly 7.5-8.0 inches of palm circumference, while a men's medium runs from about 8.0-9.0 inches. If you buy unisex gloves, use the men's chart regardless of your gender and compare your measurement to the chart shown.
Does the numeric glove size equal my hand circumference in inches?
Approximately, yes. The US and European numeric systems were originally defined so that the size number matches the hand circumference in inches (or the equivalent in centimetres divided by 2.54). In practice, brands round to the nearest half-inch step, so a size 9 glove is designed for a palm circumference of roughly 9.0-9.5 inches. Use this calculator to map your exact measurement to the correct numeric size.
Can I use this calculator for baseball, boxing, or goalkeeper gloves?
Not directly. Baseball gloves (mitts) are sized by the length of the glove itself, not your hand. Boxing gloves are sized in ounces by weight class and training type. Goalkeeper gloves use a specific numeric scale that does correspond to hand width but often runs differently than standard letter sizes. For those sports, refer to the manufacturer's sizing guide. This calculator is best suited for work, winter, fashion, driving, and general-purpose gloves.