Choosing Cut-Resistant Gloves: What EN 388 and ANSI Ratings Mean

Cut-resistant gloves are protective gloves designed to help reduce the risk of cuts and lacerations when handling sharp objects or materials.

They're commonly used in industries such as construction, manufacturing, metal fabrication, warehousing and glass handling, where workers may come into contact with sharp edges, tools or components.

Depending on their design, cut-resistant gloves may be made from materials such as high-performance synthetic fibres, aramid fibres, polyethylene-based yarns or reinforced materials.

However, not all cut-resistant gloves provide the same level of protection. Their performance depends on the materials used, how they're constructed and the type of cutting force they're designed to withstand.

This is where cut resistance ratings come in.

These ratings are determined through standardised laboratory tests that measure how well glove materials resist cutting under specific conditions. They allow users to compare the tested performance of different gloves and make more informed decisions when selecting hand protection.

It's also important to remember that cut resistance is only one aspect of glove protection. Depending on the task, workers may also need gloves that offer suitable resistance to abrasion, tearing, punctures or impact.

What are EN 388 and ANSI glove standards?

When looking at cut-resistant gloves, you'll commonly encounter two rating systems: EN 388 and ANSI/ISEA 105.

Both are used to evaluate protective glove performance, but they use different classification systems.

EN 388: European Standard for Mechanical Risks

EN 388 is a European standard used to assess how well protective gloves withstand mechanical hazards.

Under this standard, gloves are tested for several types of resistance, including:

• Abrasion resistance

• Blade cut resistance

• Tear resistance

• Puncture resistance

• Straight-blade cut resistance

• Impact protection, where applicable

The results are displayed as a combination of numbers and letters beneath a mechanical risks pictogram.

Each character represents a particular test, making it possible to identify the glove's performance across different mechanical hazards.

ANSI/ISEA 105: American Standard for Hand Protection

ANSI/ISEA 105 is an American standard used to classify hand protection performance against various hazards, including cuts, abrasion and punctures.

For cut resistance, ANSI uses a classification system ranging from A1 to A9.

The rating is based on the amount of force required for a standardised blade to cut through the glove material during testing.

Generally, the higher the ANSI cut rating, the greater the material's measured resistance to cutting.

What about safety glove standards in Australia?

In Australia, protective gloves are also covered by the AS/NZS 2161 series of standards.

For mechanical risks, AS/NZS 2161.3:2020 adopts the EN 388:2016+A1:2018 requirements.

You may therefore come across gloves displaying EN 388 markings, ANSI cut ratings or both when comparing protective gloves available in Australia.

When purchasing gloves for workplace use, it's important to check the applicable standards, product specifications and manufacturer's information to ensure the gloves are appropriate for the hazards involved.

EN 388 glove ratings: What do the numbers and letters mean?

If you've looked closely at the markings on a pair of safety gloves, you may have noticed a symbol accompanied by a series of numbers and letters.

This is commonly the EN 388 mechanical protection rating.

The marking can contain up to six characters, with each position representing a different type of mechanical resistance.

For example, a glove might display a rating such as EN 388: 4X43C.

Here's what each position means:

 

For the first four tests, a higher number generally indicates greater resistance under that particular test method. The fifth position uses letters from A to F to indicate increasing levels of straight-blade cut resistance.

The sixth position is optional and relates to impact protection.

You may also notice an X in some EN 388 ratings. This generally means the relevant test was not performed or a result was not reported under that test method. A rating of 0, on the other hand, indicates performance below the minimum threshold for Level 1.

What does each EN 388 test measure?

Let's look at the individual tests in more detail.

1. Abrasion Resistance (0–4)

Abrasion resistance measures how well the glove material withstands rubbing or friction against an abrasive surface.

This is particularly relevant for tasks involving rough materials, repetitive handling or contact with abrasive surfaces.

2. Blade Cut Resistance – Coup Test (0–5)

The Coup test measures resistance to cutting using a rotating circular blade that moves across the glove material.

The result is expressed as a cut index and classified from Level 1 to Level 5.

However, this test has limitations when testing certain high-performance materials that can dull the blade.

3. Tear Resistance (0–4)

Tear resistance measures the force needed to continue tearing a sample of glove material.

This can be relevant when gloves are exposed to pulling, snagging or contact with rough materials.

A higher tear resistance rating doesn't necessarily mean a glove provides better cut resistance.

4. Puncture Resistance (0–4)

Puncture resistance measures how much force is required for a standardised probe to penetrate the glove material.

This helps indicate resistance to certain pointed hazards, but the test does not establish protection against fine needles or every type of sharp object.

5. Straight-Blade Cut Resistance – TDM Test (A–F)

The TDM test measures the force required for a straight blade to cut through the glove material over a specified distance.

The result is classified from Level A to Level F, with Level F representing the highest cut resistance classification in this system.

6. Impact Resistance (P)

The optional impact test evaluates whether designated protective areas of the glove meet the required impact performance criteria.

Gloves that pass may display the letter P.

If impact protection is relevant to your work, check the product specifications rather than assuming that a cut-resistant glove also provides impact protection.

EN 388 cut resistance level: Coup test vs TDM test

One of the more confusing aspects of EN 388 is that it includes two different methods for measuring cut resistance.

These are the Coup test and the TDM test.

Although both assess resistance to cutting, they use different testing methods and classification scales.

Coup test: Cut Levels 1–5

The Coup test uses a rotating circular blade that repeatedly moves across the glove material under controlled conditions.

The test compares the material's resistance to cutting against a reference material, producing a cut index.

The results are classified as follows:

 

A higher cut index generally indicates greater resistance to the circular blade under the test conditions.

However, some modern cut-resistant materials can cause the blade to become dull during testing, making the Coup test less suitable for evaluating their performance.

When blade dulling occurs, the straight-blade TDM test is used to determine the material's cut resistance classification.

TDM test: Cut Levels A–F

The TDM test, based on ISO 13997, uses a straight blade and measures the amount of force required to cut through the glove material over a specified distance.

Unlike the Coup test, which uses a cut index, the TDM test measures cutting force in newtons (N).

For example, a glove rated Cut Level C has demonstrated resistance at the 10 N classification threshold during testing, while a Cut Level F glove meets the highest threshold in this classification system.

It's important to understand that these are laboratory performance classifications, not guarantees of protection against particular tools or cutting hazards.

Are Coup level 5 and TDM level E the same?

No. Although both may indicate relatively high cut resistance within their respective systems, they are determined using different tests.

A Coup Level 5 rating cannot be directly interpreted as a TDM Level E rating.

When comparing gloves, always check which cut resistance test was used rather than relying on the rating number or letter alone.

ANSI cut ratings: What do A1–A9 mean?

Unlike EN 388, which uses both numerical and alphabetical cut classifications, the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut resistance system uses nine levels, from A1 to A9.

These ratings are based on the cutting force required to cut through the glove material during standardised testing.

The results are commonly expressed in grams-force.

The higher the ANSI rating, the greater the measured resistance to cutting.

ANSI Cut Resistance Levels

 

For example, an ANSI A2-rated glove provides a lower level of measured cut resistance than an ANSI A6-rated glove under the standard's testing method.

However, this doesn't mean an A6 glove is automatically the best choice for every task.

Higher cut resistance may be beneficial for certain hazards, but glove selection should also consider grip, flexibility, comfort and other mechanical risks.

A glove with a higher cut rating may not be necessary for a task involving relatively minor cutting hazards, while a glove with insufficient resistance may not provide appropriate protection when handling sharper materials.

The aim is to select gloves that provide suitable protection for the actual work being performed.

EN 388 vs ANSI: What's the difference?

Now that we've covered both rating systems, how do they compare?

Although EN 388 and ANSI/ISEA 105 both provide information about cut resistance, they differ in how performance is measured and classified.

Can you convert EN 388 Ratings to ANSI Ratings?

You may come across comparison charts that place EN 388 and ANSI cut levels alongside each other.

While these can provide a general indication of how the scales relate, the ratings shouldn't be treated as exact equivalents.

For example, a glove rated EN 388 Cut Level C isn't automatically identical in performance to every glove carrying a particular ANSI cut rating.

Although the straight-blade tests use related measurement principles, differences in testing and classification requirements mean that a simple letter-to-letter conversion can be misleading.

For a more accurate comparison, check the manufacturer's technical specifications and available test results.

If you're selecting gloves for workplace use, the most important consideration is whether the product's tested performance is suitable for the specific cutting hazards involved.

How to choose the right cut resistance level for your work

Understanding cut ratings is useful, but knowing how to apply them to your work is just as important.

Different tasks involve different types of cutting hazards, so there isn't one cut resistance level that's suitable for every workplace.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing protective gloves.

1. Identify the materials you're handling

Start by looking at the materials, tools and equipment involved in the task.

For example:

• Cardboard and packaging: Workers may encounter sharp packaging edges, box cutters and repetitive handling tasks.

• Sheet metal: Thin metal sheets, unfinished edges and burrs can present significant cutting hazards.

• Glass handling: Glass sheets and broken pieces can create cutting and puncture hazards.

• Construction work: Sharp building materials, rough surfaces and hand tools may require protection against several mechanical risks.

• Manufacturing and assembly: Sharp components and repetitive handling may require a combination of cut resistance, grip and dexterity.

These examples highlight why different tasks may require different protective properties.

Rather than selecting gloves based on the industry alone, consider the actual materials and hazards workers are exposed to.

2. Check more than just the cut rating

Cut resistance is important, but it isn't the only protective property that matters.

For example, gloves used to handle rough building materials may also need suitable abrasion and tear resistance.

Likewise, workers handling pointed components may need to consider puncture resistance in addition to cut protection.

This is one of the advantages of understanding the full EN 388 marking. It provides information about several mechanical resistance properties, rather than just one.

3. Consider fit, grip and dexterity

A glove may have a high cut resistance rating, but it still needs to allow you to perform your work safely.

Poorly fitting gloves can interfere with grip, reduce control and make it more difficult to handle tools or materials.

Depending on the task, consider whether the gloves provide:

• A comfortable and secure fit.

• Sufficient grip for the materials being handled.

• Enough flexibility for the required movements.

• Suitable protection across the areas of the hand exposed to hazards.

• Compatibility with other PPE or workplace equipment.

The goal is to find a balance between protection and the ability to perform the task safely.

4. Review the manufacturer's specifications

Before purchasing, check the glove's technical information to confirm its tested performance and intended applications.

Look for the applicable standards, cut resistance ratings, other mechanical protection ratings and any limitations identified by the manufacturer.

For workplace use, glove selection should form part of a broader risk assessment that considers the task, equipment, exposure and other available safety controls.

Are cut-resistant gloves completely cut-proof?

One important thing to remember is that cut-resistant doesn't mean cut-proof.

Even gloves with high cut resistance ratings can be penetrated or cut under certain conditions.

This is because glove ratings are determined through controlled laboratory tests, which cannot replicate every situation a worker might encounter.

For example, the level of protection provided may depend on the sharpness of an object, the force applied, the angle of contact and the condition of the glove.

It's also important to understand that:

• A high cut rating doesn't automatically mean a glove is puncture-resistant.

• Cut-resistant gloves aren't necessarily suitable for protection against needles or other fine, sharp points.

• Damaged, worn or incorrectly fitted gloves may not perform as intended.

• Gloves can introduce additional risks around certain moving machinery if they become caught or entangled.

This is why cut-resistant gloves should be viewed as one part of a broader workplace safety approach.

Where possible, cutting hazards should be eliminated or reduced through safer equipment, work methods and other appropriate controls, rather than relying on gloves alone.

Explore safety gloves at Aussie Pharma Direct

At Aussie Pharma Direct, you can explore a range of safety gloves designed for different handling and workplace protection needs. Compare available materials, features and protective ratings to help identify suitable options for your tasks.

👉 Shop Safety Gloves