Two standards dominate every cut-resistant glove quotation you will ever read: ANSI/ISEA 105 in North America and EN 388 in Europe and most of the rest of the world. Suppliers quote both, often in the same line: “A4 / EN 388 D”. This guide explains what each scale measures, how they map to each other, and how to buy the right level instead of the highest one.
The one thing both standards now agree on: the TDM test
Since the 2016 revisions of both standards, cut resistance is measured the same way in principle: the TDM-100 test (ISO 13997) — a straight blade drawn once across the glove material under a set force. The force needed to cut through is recorded in newtons, and the level is assigned from that force. This replaced the old circular-blade “coup test”, which produced unreliable results on modern high-performance yarns such as HPPE.
Because the underlying measurement is now the same, the two scales can be compared directly — with one caveat: EN 388 tops out at F, while ANSI continues to A9. That is why an “A9” glove has no exact EN letter: it is above F.
The mapping table
| ANSI / ISEA 105 | EN 388:2016 | Cut force (approx.) | Typical job |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 – A2 | A / B | 2 – 10 N | Assembly, inspection, packaging |
| A3 | C | 10 – 15 N | General handling, warehousing |
| A4 | D | 15 – 22 N | Construction, material handling |
| A5 | E | 22 – 30 N | Sheet metal, automotive, logistics |
| A6 | F | 30 – 35 N | Glass handling, stamping, recycling |
| A7 – A9 | above F | 35 – 60+ N | Blade work, extreme cut hazards |
Approximate mapping for specification reference only — always confirm against the actual test report for the exact model, as coating and construction influence the result.
Why ANSI goes to A9 and Europe stops at F
The two standards diverged in how far they pushed the scale above the old “coup test” ceiling. EN 388:2016 defines A–F. ANSI/ISEA 105 extended its TDM scale further — A7, A8 and A9 (A9 corresponds to more than 60 N) — to describe the ultra-high-modulus yarns (HPPE, glass-fibre and steel-fibre blends) that entered the market after 2016. If a European tender asks for “above F”, an A7–A9 glove with an ISO 13997 report in newtons is the clean way to answer.
The number that actually decides glove life: abrasion
Buyers fixate on cut level, but on most jobs the glove is worn out, not cut through. EN 388 reports abrasion as the first character (1–4 cycles on abrasive paper). A high-cut glove with abrasion 1–2 will be replaced twice as often as a mid-cut glove with abrasion 4. The cheapest glove per pair is rarely the cheapest glove per work-hour — when you compare quotations, ask for both numbers.
A five-question specification checklist
- What is being handled? Sharp glass and metal need D and above; cartons and pallets rarely need more than C.
- How often are gloves replaced? High replacement frequency favours abrasion resistance over extreme cut level.
- Wet, oily or dry? Coating choice (nitrile sandy / PU / latex) changes grip and comfort more than one cut level.
- Which standard does your market cite? Tenders in the EU/UK cite EN 388; US buyers cite ANSI. Spec both if you export.
- Can the supplier show the report? An accredited lab report (ISO 17025) for the exact model — not just the printed code.
How Mesian specs and tests gloves
China Hunan Mesian Safety Technology has knitted and dipped gloves in Changsha since 2009 — 8,000 m², 170 workers, 8 million pairs a year, with our own spinning mill for HPPE and composite yarns. Our cut-resistant range spans ANSI A1–A9 with EN 388 equivalents, and every model ships with its test report. For private-label programmes we engineer the specified cut level on your yarn and coating, then hold it across production runs.
Not sure which level your workers need? Tell us the task, the material and your current glove — we will recommend the lowest level that covers it and send samples (US$19.90 worldwide, credited to your first bulk order) so your team can test on the job. Request a quote →
China Hunan Mesian Safety Technology Co., Ltd. — cut-resistant gloves (ANSI A1–A9 / EN 388 A–F), nitrile sandy gloves and industrial yarn. About our factory · Cut-resistant gloves landing page
