What glove size are you? Measure your hand, type it in, get every system
You are in a shop, the salesperson asks "what size?" and you shrug. Or you are ordering online and the chart shows XS, S, M, L plus 6, 6.5, 7, 8 plus Mechanix XS, S, M plus surgical 6.5. What does it all mean and which one is yours?
Type your hand circumference in centimeters (or inches, whichever you prefer) and pick the glove type: everyday, work, ski, cycling or medical. The converter shows the size in every scale at once: letter (XS-XXXL), numeric (6-12), work scale (XS-4XL), surgical ASTM (5.5-9). Plus the sizes immediately above and below, for when you are on the edge.
The differences between glove types are big: cycling fits skin-tight for control, ski fits loose for layering, work fits tight on the palm but loose at the cuff. The converter gives you a concrete size plus a short note on how it should fit, instead of clicking through brand charts.
How to use it
- Pick the glove type in the segmented bar at the top: everyday, work, ski, cycling or medical. Each type has a different ideal fit, because each one does a different job.
- Measure your hand circumference: flexible tailor tape wrapped around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. Make a loose fist, that is when the palm is widest. Write down the number.
- Type the circumference in centimeters or inches. You can also start from the other side: if you already know your letter size (XS-XXXL) or numeric size (6-12), switch the input mode to letter or numeric.
- The converter shows your size in every scale at once: letter, numeric, UK, plus work scale when you pick work gloves and surgical ASTM when you pick medical. Your input scale is highlighted.
- The sizes around you card shows the slots immediately above and below, with the actual circumference. Use it when you are on the edge between M and L, or when a brand "runs small".
- Pay attention to the fit advice under the result. Cycling tight, ski loose, work tight on the palm but loose at the wrist. Measure your dominant hand (usually 0.5-1 cm larger than the other).
- For kids ski gloves there is a separate card with sizes by age (4-6, 7-9, 10-12). Kids grow at random, remeasure every season.
When this is useful
Six common situations where the converter gives you a concrete number instead of guesswork:
- Buying gloves online and you do not want to return them. The store lists sizes by letter, you know your numeric size from a previous pair, or the other way around. Type what you know, read the missing translation, order once.
- Picking your first ski gloves. Everyday S is not the same as ski S, ski runs looser to leave room for a liner and a sweaty hand. Type 20 cm circumference, you get ski M with 5 mm of slack at the fingertips, exactly the right fit.
- Buying work gloves for a construction site. The seller asks "XL or 2XL?". You measure, get 26 cm, the answer is Mechanix 2XL (= everyday XL). Cuff length is the second parameter: short for assembly, gauntlet for welding.
- Cycling gloves for a new bike. Bar control matters, so the fit is tight. You type, you get M, the seller suggests L "for comfort", but you know that cycling gloves are meant to be tight.
- Buying surgical gloves for a clinic. ASTM D3578 standard: the size is your hand circumference in inches. 8.3 inches = size 7.5 surgical. Measure once, order a box in the right size.
- Sizing ski gloves for a kid. The child is 7 years old, you buy roughly 13 cm circumference from the age table. Plus the note: do not size up, the kid will outgrow them by next season anyway, and a loose ski glove on the slope is dangerous, a finger can catch in the lift mechanism.