Use the manufacturer's sizing guide for the exact glove model. Number labels such as 8, 9 or 10 are starting points, but the same number can fit differently between designs, coatings and brands. Fit and protection rating are separate decisions.
Size is one of the most important details when buying work gloves online. Too tight feels restrictive; too loose shifts around and makes small items harder to handle. This guide explains how sizing works and what to check.
What Do Sizes 8, 9 and 10 Mean?
Many work gloves use numbers instead of S, M and L. They broadly relate to hand measurements, but letter equivalents aren't consistent across manufacturers. SHOWA, for example, publishes a hand-size guide and warns that letter conversions vary by product.
Check the maker's hand-size range. Don't assume every brand calls it medium.
Check palm fit and finger length. Two size 9 styles can feel different.
Check the product's measurements. It doesn't always equal XL.
How to Measure Your Hand
- Palm circumferenceWrap a tape around the widest part of your palm, excluding the thumb.
- Hand lengthMeasure from the wrist crease to the tip of your middle finger.
- Compare to the chartUse the maker's chart for the exact model, not a generic conversion.
- Check between sizesIf you fall near a boundary, compare the neighbouring sizes.
Palm circumference is the usual starting point, and some charts also consider hand length. Two hands with the same circumference can differ in finger length, and a glove with fingers that are too short feels restrictive while extra fingertip space reduces control.
Size Reference Table (EN 420)
The European glove standard EN 420 gives reference hand dimensions for numbered sizes. Treat this as a general guide only, because individual brands and models vary, so always check the maker's own chart.
| Glove size | Hand circumference | Hand length |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 152mm | 160mm |
| 7 | 178mm | 171mm |
| 8 | 203mm | 182mm |
| 9 | 229mm | 192mm |
| 10 | 254mm | 204mm |
| 11 | 279mm | 215mm |
How to Judge Whether a Glove Fits
The glove should sit securely without painful pressure, the fingertips shouldn't bunch, and the cuff should stay where intended. It should allow comfortable movement for its designed purpose. Seams and coated areas matter too, since a thicker coating or reinforced palm can feel different from an uncoated liner in the same size. Knitted liners stretch differently from structured fabrics, which is why one labelled size can be comfortable in one model and restrictive in another.
Sizing Isn't a Protection Rating
A size describes fit, not protection. Labels such as EN 388 relate to specific test categories, not hand size, and a size 10 doesn't protect more than an otherwise equivalent size 9. Check each model's declared standards and suitability for your task. Words like grip, coated or flexible don't replace certified protection information. See our EN 388 guide.
What If You're Between Two Sizes?
Check the exact maker's chart first, as material or cuff may change the fit. If measurements still seem ambiguous, ask the retailer or manufacturer for guidance instead of assuming a universal conversion, and avoid simply buying the largest size.
Work Gloves at DBR Tools
These Predator models are all listed in sizes 9 and 10. They are different gloves, so don't assume the same fit or protection, and confirm the size you select is in stock.
Predator Pred Graphite Gloves
Listed in sizes 9 and 10. The listing gives no feature description, so check the packaging for the model's details. Both sizes in stock.
View at DBR Tools
Predator Pred Fire Gloves
Listed in sizes 9 and 10, with plenty in stock. Check the model's own sizing and protection details before choosing.
View at DBR Tools
Predator Pred EzGrip Gloves
Listed in sizes 9 and 10. A different model, so confirm its fit separately.
View at DBR ToolsBrowse Safety & Workwear for more.
A Final Check Before Buying
- Model and variantRead the exact model name, variant and size chart.
- Size selectedMake sure the basket shows the size you meant.
- Pack typeCheck whether it's one pair or a multipack.
- ProtectionReview marked standards separately from size.
- StockConfirm your size is available.
Work Glove Size FAQs
Is size 9 always large?
No. Letter conversions vary, and the same number can fit differently across ranges.
Can I use my normal fashion-glove size?
It can be a starting point, but work gloves use different sizing systems. Use the maker's measurements.
Are tighter gloves safer?
Not necessarily. Uncomfortably tight gloves restrict movement. Proper fit and suitability to the task both matter.
Do different coatings change fit?
They can. Coating thickness, elasticity, seams and shape all influence how a glove feels.
The Bottom Line
Measure your hand, use the maker's chart for the exact model, and judge fit and protection separately. A number is a starting point, not a universal size.
Check size, model details and stock before ordering.
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