Glove Cut Levels Explained — EN388 A–F vs ANSI A1–A9
Every cut-resistant glove carries a rating, but the rating only helps if you know what it means. This guide explains the two systems you'll see on gloves sold worldwide — the European EN388:2016 scale (A–F, used across the UK, EU, Australia and New Zealand) and the North American ANSI/ISEA 105 scale (A1–A9) — how they're tested, how they map to each other, and how to pick the level your work actually needs.
The short version up front: both modern ratings come from the same test. A machine draws a straight blade across the glove material and measures the force needed to cut through after 20 mm of travel. EN388 reports that force in Newtons on a six-step scale; ANSI reports it in grams on a nine-step scale. Since 1 Newton ≈ 102 grams-force, the two scales line up directly — which is what makes the conversion chart below possible.
The conversion chart (EN388 ↔ ANSI)
| Cutting force | EN388:2016 (ISO 13997) | ANSI/ISEA 105 | Hazard band | Typical work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≥2 N (200–499 g) | A | A1 | Light | General handling, packaging, warehouse picking |
| ≥5 N (500–999 g) | B | A2 | Light | Small-parts assembly, general maintenance |
| ≥10 N (1,000–1,499 g) | C | A3 | Light–medium | Construction, raw material handling |
| ≥15 N (1,500–2,199 g) | D | A4 | Medium | Drywall, metal handling, glass, fabrication |
| ≥22 N (2,200–2,999 g) | E | A5 | Medium–high | Sheet metal, HVAC ducting, blade contact |
| ≥30 N (3,000–3,999 g) | F | A6 | High | Knife-heavy work, glass plate, recycling |
| ≈40–49 N (4,000–4,999 g) | F | A7 | High | Heavy metal stamping, blade manufacture |
| ≈50–59 N (5,000–5,999 g) | F | A8 | Very high | Extreme cut environments |
| ≥60 N (6,000+ g) | F | A9 | Maximum | Highest-rated protection made |
The one trap in this chart: EN388 tops out at F (30 Newtons), while ANSI keeps going to A9 (60+ Newtons). That means every ANSI glove from A6 to A9 carries the same EN rating — F — even though an A9 glove is roughly twice as cut-resistant as an A6. If you're comparing two “Level F” gloves, check their ANSI ratings (or the raw Newton/gram figure) to see which is actually tougher.
And the honest caveat: because the EN (ISO 13997) and ANSI (ASTM F2992) test procedures differ slightly in execution, a glove certified to one standard can't legally claim the equivalent level on the other without being tested to it. The chart shows how the force bands align — it doesn't replace certification.
How the tests actually work
The modern test (both standards). A TDM-100 machine draws a fresh straight blade across the sample under increasing load. The result is the force required to cut through after 20 mm of blade travel. EN388 reports it via ISO 13997 in Newtons → A–F. ANSI reports it via ASTM F2992 in grams → A1–A9.
The old EN “Coupe” test (the 1–5 number). EN388's original cut test spins a circular blade back and forth under fixed load and counts cycles to cut-through, scored 1–5. Its known flaw: high-performance yarns (especially steel/glass-core) dull the blade, producing inflated scores. That's why EN388:2016 added the ISO 13997 letter rating — and why on modern high-cut gloves you'll often see an X in the Coupe position, meaning “not applicable, see the letter.”
Why ANSI changed in 2016. The old US scale ran 1–5 with huge ranges per level, so two very different gloves could share a rating. The nine-level A1–A9 scale (introduced 2016, current revision ANSI/ISEA 105-2024) narrowed each band for precise matching. Key consequence: an old “Cut Level 5” glove is not the same as today's A5 — if you're replacing gloves speced years ago, re-check against the current scale.
How to read an EN388 marking
EN388:2016 prints up to six characters under the hammer-and-anvil shield, always in this order:
| Position | Property | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abrasion resistance | 1–4 |
| 2 | Cut (Coupe test) | 1–5, or X if not applicable |
| 3 | Tear resistance | 1–4 |
| 4 | Puncture resistance | 1–4 |
| 5 | Cut (ISO 13997) | A–F ← this is the one that matters |
| 6 | Impact protection | P (pass), or absent |
Example: 4X43F = top abrasion (4), Coupe not applicable (X), tear 4, puncture 3, cut level F. That's the exact rating our Work Site Gloves carry.
For cut protection, read the fifth character first. The letter is the reliable rating; the position-2 number is the legacy test.
What level do you need?
Rate for the sharpest edge you handle routinely, not the average day:
- A–B / A1–A2 — light-duty: boxes, packaging, general warehouse. Cut protection as insurance, not the main event.
- C / A3 — general construction and manufacturing where sharp edges are occasional.
- D / A4 — the workhorse band. Drywall, metal handling, glass, general fabrication. If you're unsure, this is the sensible default for trade work.
- E / A5 — regular blade or sheet-metal contact. HVAC, ducting, steel framing.
- F / A6–A9 — deliberate blade work, plate glass, recycling/sorting, blade manufacture. At this end, compare ANSI numbers, not the shared F.
Two rules that apply at every level:
- The rating covers the palm only. Cut tests are run on palm material; the back of the hand is unrated unless the glove is explicitly built and marked for 360° protection.
- No glove is cut-proof. Even Level F is cut resistant. A wearable glove must flex — no flexible material is impenetrable. Higher levels buy time and reduce severity; they don't make carelessness safe.
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Frequently asked questions
Is EN388 Level F the same as ANSI A9?
Not exactly. Level F covers everything from 30 Newtons up, so it spans ANSI A6 through A9 — a Level F glove could sit anywhere in that range. To compare two F-rated gloves, check their ANSI levels or the raw force figures.
What does the X mean in an EN388 rating?
An X in the second position means the old Coupe (rotating blade) cut test wasn't applicable — usually because the material dulls the test blade. The real cut rating is the A–F letter in the fifth position, from the more reliable ISO 13997 test.
Is an old “Cut Level 5” glove the same as A5?
No. The pre-2016 ANSI scale ran 1–5 with much wider bands. An old Level 5 could fall anywhere from roughly A4 to A9 on today's scale. Re-check any glove spec written before 2016 against the current A1–A9 ratings.
Can a glove certified to EN388 claim an ANSI level (or vice versa)?
No — the test procedures differ slightly, so a glove must be tested to each standard to claim its rating. The force bands align closely (the chart above shows how), but alignment isn't certification.
Do higher cut levels mean bulkier gloves?
Less than they used to. Modern engineered yarns (HPPE and composite fibres wrapped over steel or fibreglass cores) reach the top levels in 13–18 gauge knits thin enough for fine work. There's still a dexterity trade-off at the very top end, but the days of choosing between protection and feel in the D–E band are largely over.