How Are Cut Resistant Gloves Rated? ANSI and EN Levels Explained
Cut resistant gloves in the US are rated on the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale from A1 (lightest protection) to A9 (heaviest). Europe uses EN 388, which gives a short code such as 4131 and, on newer gloves, a cut letter from A to F. In both systems a higher number or letter means the glove resisted more cutting force in a lab test, but the rating only covers a controlled blade test, not every real-world hazard.
HANDLANDY 5972Best overall
JUMPHIGH Reinforced pigskin fingertips
Mechanix Wear MG-05-010Vented all-purpose comfortThe short version of the two systems
ANSI/ISEA 105 is the American standard. It sorts gloves into nine cut levels, A1 through A9. Each level is a range of force, measured in grams, that the glove fabric withstood before a blade cut through it.
EN 388 is the European standard, and many gloves sold in the US show both marks. It uses a pictogram with a row of digits and sometimes letters. The digits cover several hazards, and cut is only one of them.
The two scales are not the same, so an A4 glove and an EN level 4 glove are not equivalent. Always check which standard a number belongs to before comparing gloves.
How cut resistant gloves are tested
Under ANSI/ISEA 105, cut resistance is measured with a test method called ASTM F2992, which uses a machine with a straight blade. The blade is drawn across a sample of glove material under a set load, and the test finds how much weight is needed to cut through in a fixed travel distance. That weight, in grams, sets the level.
EN 388 uses a blade test too. The older method, called the coup test, uses a small circular blade that spins as it moves across the sample. It counts how many cycles it takes to cut through and turns that into an index from 1 to 5. Some very cut resistant fabrics dull the blade, so the newer EN 388 edition adds a second straight blade test and reports the result as a letter.
Both methods use flat fabric samples on a bench. They do not model a moving knife, a pinch, a puncture or a hot edge, which is why the rating is a guide and not a guarantee.
ANSI cut levels A1 to A9
The 2016 edition of ANSI/ISEA 105 set these gram ranges. Standards get revised, so confirm the figures against the current edition if you need them for a workplace safety plan.
Roughly, A1 and A2 suit light tasks like handling paper stock or boxes. A3 and A4 fit moderate jobs such as sheet metal edges or glass handling. A5 and above are meant for sharp, heavy work like stamped metal or knife-heavy food prep.
| ANSI level | Cut force (grams) | Typical hazard |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 200 to 499 | Very light, packaging and paper |
| A2 | 500 to 999 | Light, small parts and assembly |
| A3 | 1000 to 1499 | Moderate, sheet goods and glass |
| A4 | 1500 to 2199 | Moderate to heavy, metal handling |
| A5 | 2200 to 2999 | Heavy, sharp stamped parts |
| A6 | 3000 to 3999 | Heavy, sharp edges and blades |
| A7 | 4000 to 4999 | Very heavy industrial |
| A8 | 5000 to 5999 | Very heavy industrial |
| A9 | 6000 and above | Highest tested level |
What level 3, level 5, A5 and level 9 mean
Level 3 means different things depending on the label. An ANSI A3 glove resisted 1,000 to 1,499 grams of cutting force. But a listing may also say "ANSI Level 3 abrasion resistance," which is a different test about wear, not cuts. For example, the Mechanix Wear Original Coyote Tactical glove in our data lists ANSI Level 3 abrasion resistance, and it does not list a cut level. Read which hazard the number refers to.
Level 5 and A5 usually mean the same thing in a US listing: the second-highest tier of heavy cut protection in the common range, at 2,200 to 2,999 grams under the 2016 edition. One caution: older ANSI editions used a 0 to 5 scale, so a plain "level 5" on an old glove may be the top of that old scale. A5 with the letter A is the current wording. In our data, the Schwer CR3088 lists A5 cut resistance, with a polyurethane coating and a 0.154 lb pair weight.
Level 9 means A9, the top of the ANSI scale at 6,000 grams or more. EN 388 has no level 9. Its cut index stops at 5 and its newer letter scale stops at F, so a "level 9" claim should always point back to ANSI.
Reading an EN 388 code
An EN 388 mark shows four digits in a fixed order: abrasion, blade cut, tear and puncture. Abrasion, tear and puncture are scored on short numeric scales. Blade cut is scored 0 to 5 under the older test. A fifth character, a letter from A to F, may follow it for the newer straight blade cut test, and a final P can mean the glove passed an impact test.
As an example, the DULFINE DF148 listing in our data cites EN388:2003 4131. Reading it left to right: abrasion 4, blade cut 1, tear 3, puncture 1. That is strong wear resistance with only light cut protection, which matches a thin polyurethane-coated knit meant for dry, light to medium work.
A zero in any position means the glove was not rated or failed that test. A listing that shows only a brand name and no code has given you nothing to compare.
Choosing a rating for your task
Pick the lowest level that covers the real hazard, not the highest number available. Higher cut levels often cost you dexterity or add bulk, and a glove you take off to do fine work protects nobody.
A quick way to decide:
- Match the hazard: paper and boxes need little, sheet metal and glass need more, exposed blades need the most.
- Check the standard: confirm whether the number is ANSI, EN 388 or something else.
- Check which hazard: cut, abrasion, puncture and tear are separate scores.
- Look for a full code or level on the listing, not just words like "cut proof."
- Consider the coating, fit and weight, since you will wear the glove all shift.
Safety notes and limits of ratings
A cut rating is not a promise that nothing will get through. Blades that are held still, pushed hard or used with a sawing motion can behave differently from the test. Punctures from needles, nails or pointed tools are a separate hazard that a cut rating does not cover.
Never wear loose gloves near rotating machinery such as drills, lathes or saws, because they can pull your hand in. Stay with the tool maker's guidance for those jobs. Replace gloves that are cut, thinned, frayed or soaked in oil, and wear eye protection when cutting glass or metal.
If you want to compare real models with their stated ratings, see our best cut resistant gloves page, which lists which products state a cut level and which do not. Our comparisons rely on published specifications, so use them alongside the manufacturer's safety documents for any job where injury is a real risk.
Where to go from here
Start by naming the hazard, then pick the standard and level that fits it. Once you have a short list, compare coatings, closures and weight on our cut resistant gloves comparison. That page notes, for example, that a listing with no cut level should be treated as an abrasion and general work glove.
Frequently asked questions
Is a higher cut level always better?
Not always. Higher levels protect more but can be thicker and less sensitive, so a lower level may be the safer choice for fine work if it still covers the hazard.
Are cut resistant gloves also puncture resistant?
Not automatically. Puncture is rated separately, so look for the puncture digit in the EN 388 code or a puncture rating on the listing.
Do cut resistant gloves protect against power tools?
No. Cut ratings come from a blade test on fabric and do not cover saws, grinders or other moving machinery.
Can I wash cut resistant gloves?
Some can be machine washed, as noted in several listings. Follow the maker's care label, since harsh washing can wear coatings.