Glove Cut Resistance Ratings

Did you know that gloves have ratings? When looking for a glove to protect your hands from cuts and scrapes you should get a pair that matches the required duty. There are actually two different glove ratings for cut resistance: ANSI/ISEA 105 and EN 388. In the United States we use ANSI/ISEA 105 which had a significant update in 2016.  There are nine levels, A1 – A9, with A9 being the most cut resistant. The gloves are tested by placing a fixed amount of pressure on a blade while moving it across the glove for a distance of 20 millimeters (roughly ¾ of an inch). The tool used is called a tomodynamometer which moves a razor blade slowly across the material being tested at a specified pressure for a specific length. The glove cut resistance levels are established based on the amount of pressure required to cut through the material. The Table below shows the nine levels in the ANSI system. You can see that the minimum recommended cut level for HVAC work is A4.

ANSI/ISEA 105 2016 Glove Cut Rating
Grade	Pressure Required to Cut Through	Recommended Use
A1	200-499 grams	General Purpose Material Handling
A2	500-999 grams	Packaging, paper handling
A3	1000 – 1499 grams	Handling construction materials
A4	1500 – 2199 grams	HVAC, duct work
A5	2200 – 2999 grams	HVAC, metal fabrication, metal stamping
A6	3000 – 3999 grams	HVAC, metal fabrication, metal stamping
A7	4000-4999 grams	HVAC, metal fabrication, glass manufacturing
A8	5000 – 5999 grams	HVAC, metal fabrication, glass manufacturing
A9	6000 or more grams	HVAC, metal fabrication, metal recycling

There is no requirement for glove manufacturers in the United States to test and label their gloves, so many gloves are sold without the cut rating. However, better manufacturers test and label their gloves. Look for gloves that have an ANSI/ISEA rating of at least A4 to protect your hands. To learn more, check out this page from Superior Glove Company.

Glove Rating Systems Explained