How to Measure Glove Size: Ultimate Glove Sizing Guide

Whether you're using gloves to keep your fingers warm during winter, provide you with a better grip when playing certain sports, or protect your hands from danger while working, it's crucial that you always get a pair that fits your hands just right.

If your gloves are too loose, they can easily slip off at the slightest movement. They can also make it more difficult for you to properly grip something in your hand. If you get something too small, you will end up restricting your hands' movements, cutting off circulation in your hands (which is worse), and cause hand fatigue. Moreover, you will end up compromising your dexterity.

The question is, how do you make sure you get the right glove size when shopping online? Because of the pandemic, it's not advisable to go to your local store and shop for the gloves right now. But buying it online will mean you can't try it on for size before making your purchase. This means you have to learn how to measure glove size at home to be able to choose the right gloves online. Even if you're planning to consider gloves as a gift, you still need to be sure you're choosing the right size. Gloves are one of the camping essentials, so adventure seekers will appreciate your decision.

How to measure hand size 

Before we begin learning how to measure your hand size, you'll need the following: 

• fabric tape measurer 
• a pencil 
• paper 

Measure around 

The first thing you need to measure is the widest part of your dominant hand. Measure your right hand if you're right-handed or your left one if you're left-handed. To start measuring, put one end of the tape measure on the palm of your hand and hold it in place using your thumb. Then, wrap the tape measure across the palm, around the outside of your hand, all the way back to the end of the tape measure. Make sure that the tape measure is not too loose or too tight. Just keep it taut and then note down the measurement either in inches or centimeters. Be as precise as you can. 

Measure lengthwise 

To get your glove size, you will also need to measure the longest part of your hand. Spread your fingers wide and then place the end of the tape measure on the tip of your middle finger. Stretch it down all the way to the base of your hand, right where the wrist begins. Make sure the line is taut before recording the measurement. 

Choose the larger number and round up 

Once you have these two measurements, pick the number that is larger and round up. For example, the measurement around your hand is 6 inches while the length of your hand is 7 ¼ inches. Since the second number is larger, you'll pick that one and round it up to 8. That means that your glove size is 7 ½. 

Find your measurement in the glove sizing chart 

Look at a gloves size chart. Take note that gloves sizes may vary depending on their style. You need to make sure that you use the right one. For sizing gloves made of leather or fabric, use the following chart to size your hand and gloves.

Sport gloves need to be sized according to the chart below.

Size check 

Once your gloves get to you, you should immediately perform a size check. This helps you determine if you have the right size and allows you to return the item immediately.

To perform a size check, you should put on the gloves. New gloves should provide you with a tight fit initially. The material will stretch out over time, adjusting to your hand size. But the fit should not be too tight that you find it difficult to put on and/or you feel that your hand's mobility is restricted. If that is the case, your gloves are too small for you.

To check if the gloves are too large, simply bend your fingers backward a little bit. A small crease should appear across your knuckles. If no crease appears, then your gloves are a size too big for you. 

Gloves Use and Storage 

Good, comfortable gloves are not always easy to come by. If you want to make sure that your gloves retain their shape and last a good long while, you should always make sure that you follow the proper way to put them on, take them off, and store it.

To put on your gloves, switch between gently pulling the back of your glove and the palm of your glove towards your wrist. Pushing the gloves down between your fingers is a no-no.

To take them off, gently pull each fingertip before pulling all the fingers of the glove simultaneously. As for storage, make sure your gloves are laid flat. Keeping them away from any heat source will ensure the durability of the material as well as the color. This is especially true if you have leather gloves. 

Conclusion 

Finding gloves that fit your hands properly is not an easy task, especially when you can't try them on for size at the store. This is why knowing how to measure your glove size can make a huge difference. While there may be slight variances to glove sizing charts used by manufacturers, knowing your hand size should lower the likelihood you'll be choosing the wrong size.

Mariam Simmons

Mariam Simmons is a fashion enthusiast and Content Manager at Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful fashion and lifestyle guides. With over a decade of writing experience, her main goal in creating content is to ensure readers learn something useful and provide value instead of noise.