By Andre Refersion
Once you’ve figured out the right material for your glove, you’re ready for the next most important component: finding the right size glove.
Of course, if you’re like many glove buyers, you’re probably thinking that numbered sizes offer all the information you need. In reality, if you’re looking for gloves that fit perfectly, you’ll need to go a little deeper.
And trust us: if you’re looking for gloves that get the job done right, finding the right size glove is worth the extra time.
Here’s a look at why glove sizing is so important and how to measure for the right glove.
Why Proper Sizing is Essential
Remember the expression “fits like a glove”? A good pair of work gloves fit snugly but comfortably, without any extra space for slippage that would compromise your grip, tactile sensitivity, or dexterity.
But in order to find the right fit, you need to find gloves that are the right size.
It doesn’t matter how a glove is designed to fit--if it’s not designed to fit a hand your size, it will never go on the way it’s supposed to and will never give you the right level of performance.
This is true of disposable gloves just as much as any pair of reusable gloves, especially if you count on your disposable glove for tasks requiring dexterity and tactile sensitivity. Doctors and surgeons, for example, need their gloves to fit perfectly so that they can do precise work.
Of course, glove sizing is also a safety issue. For industrial workers, for example, a glove that doesn’t fit can easily get caught in machinery or tools, potentially endangering the worker’s entire hand. Picture trying to work with moving parts while wearing gloves that have too much room in the fingers and you can understand why.
The one exception to sizing is when you’re looking for gloves to provide a basic sanitary barrier, such as basic food prep. However, even in this case, you still need a glove that’s the right size. Looseness is fine for a basic sanitary barrier, but if the glove is too big, it will get in your way anytime you try to handle utensils.
How to Find the Correct Glove Size
Here’s the good news: finding the right size gloves is a matter of knowing how to measure. A basic pair of gloves can be found with one hand measurement, though if you want truly well-fitted gloves, there are a few other measurements worth including.
How to Measure Your Hand
Gloves are generally sized based on the width of your hand, so if you don’t measure anything else, measure your hand width. To do this, simply find a tape measure and measure all the way around the widest part of your hand (excluding your thumb). The result, in inches, is your glove size. Here’s how it breaks down in US sizing:
- 6-7 Inches: XS
- 7-8 Inches: S
- 8-9 Inches: M
- 9-10 Inches: L
- 10-11 Inches: XL
- 11 + Inches: XXL
For more precise measurements, you should also measure your finger length. To do this, measure from the bottom of your palm (at the crease of your wrist) all the way up to the tip of your middle finger. This translates as follows:
- 6 5/16 Inches: XS
- 6 3/4 Inches: S
- 7 3/16 Inches: M
- 7 9/16 Inches: L
- 8 1/16 Inches: XL
- 8 7/16 + Inches: XXL
You can also measure the length of your index finger, but generally, measuring your middle finger will give you a glove that fits your hand at its longest point.
What’s Most Important in Glove Sizes
For some glove buyers, length and width don’t translate to a perfect match. If that’s the case for you, choose a glove that fits the length of your hand rather than the width, even if that means a smaller size than your recommended width. Remember, fingers that are too long can get caught in tools and machines and compromise your tactile sensitivity.
Some glove buyers also have thick fingers or muscular hands. You may be tempted to go a size up, but you should instead look for gloves that stretch. That way, you won’t compromise your grip or dexterity with a glove that’s too loose. Look for a glove with a loose cuff, as this will make application and removal much easier.
Glove Sizes to Fit Every Hand Perfectly
Once you know how to find your glove size, it’s that much easier to choose a pair of nitrile gloves that fit your hand perfectly. That way, you can focus on what matters: getting the job done right every single time.
Ready to shop for a reliable pair of nitrile gloves? Check out our selection of nitrile gloves today (and the rest of our store selection too!)
