On almost every glove quotation we send, the same question comes back within a day: “should I take 13G or 15G?” The gauge number decides the weight, the feel and the price of the glove more than any other single spec – yet most spec sheets bury it in the middle of a code like “13G-PU-10”. Here is the working answer we give our own customers.
What the gauge number actually means
Gauge is the number of knitting needles per inch around the glove former. A 13G liner is knitted on 13 needles per inch; a 15G liner uses 15. More needles per inch means a finer knit: thinner yarns, a tighter surface, a lighter glove. The rule of thumb our knitting floor uses:
- Lower gauge (7G, 10G, 13G) – thicker yarns, heavier fabric, better mechanical durability.
- Higher gauge (15G, 18G, 21G) – thinner yarns, lighter and more flexible, better feel and dexterity.
13G vs 15G side by side
| Property | 13G liner | 15G liner |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric weight (typical) | Approx. 45 – 60 g per pair | Approx. 35 – 50 g per pair |
| Surface feel | Standard, slightly textured | Finer, smoother, closer to skin |
| Dexterity | Good | Better – finer tasks, higher precision |
| Abrasion durability | Generally stronger (thicker yarn) | Slightly lower at the same fibre |
| Cut resistance | Can carry more HPPE/glass fibre | Slightly less yarn per cm, same fibre grade achievable |
| Price per pair | Lower | Approx. 8 – 15% higher |
| Best for | Construction, warehousing, rough handling | Assembly, electronics, automotive trim, clean handling |
The three questions that pick the gauge for you
Instead of memorising spec sheets, answer three questions about the job:
- How fine is the handling? If workers pick up screws, glass panels or small parts all day, the extra dexterity of 15G usually pays back in fewer dropped parts – go 15G. If they handle cartons, bricks, steel stock or tools, 13G holds up longer.
- How rough is the environment? Abrasive surfaces eat thin liners. For heavy wear we spec 13G even when the buyer asks for 15G, because the replacement rate on 15G can be double and the pair-price saving is gone by month two.
- What coating do you need? A 13G nitrile sandy glove feels like an industrial work glove. A 15G PU glove feels like a second skin. If your workers complain about sweaty or stiff gloves, moving to 15G with a thinner PU coat solves most of it.
When neither is right: 18G and 21G
For electronics, precision assembly and inspection work we knit 18G and 21G liners – noticeably thinner again, with cut ratings from EN 388 B to C. They cost more and wear faster, but on a picking line where a glove edge damages a screen or a component, they are the correct answer. Ask for them explicitly; many suppliers simply do not stock the higher gauges.
How we price by gauge
We quote 13G and 15G from the same knitting floor in Changsha, so the comparison is honest – same fibre, same coating line, two gauges:
- 13G – PU / nitrile sandy / latex – the workhorse grades, EN 388 C up to ANSI A4.
- 15G – PU / nitrile sandy – lighter hand, EN 388 C up to ANSI A4 at the same cut level.
- 18G / 21G – PU – precision grades, EN 388 B to C.
- ANSI A6 and A9 – available on both 13G and 15G liners with high-performance fibre blends.
MOQ is 1,000 pairs per style and colour, lead time 25 – 35 days, private label from 500 pairs. A sample pair ships worldwide for USD 19.9 and the fee comes off your first order.
Get both gauges on your desk
The fastest way to settle the 13G vs 15G debate is to put both in the same hands. Tell us the application, the coating and your quantity, and we will quote both gauges side by side within 24 hours – or send one sample pair of each so your team can decide before you spend a cent on volume.
Request a quotation for both gauges | Browse 13G and 15G gloves | Order samples (USD 19.9, worldwide)
The 16-page catalogue with liner and coating specifications is available from the download bar at the bottom of any page.
