SAFETY GLOVE STANDARDS AND THE CUT RESISTANCE EXPLAINED

Confused by EN 388 glove ratings? You’re not alone. 

Picking cut-resistant gloves is tough if you don’t know what the safety ratings mean.

How do you:

• Compare one glove to the other?
• Know which glove is the strongest?
• Figure out what the numbers and letters mean?

Don’t stress - we’ve got the answers, without all the fluff.

Read on for a clear breakdown of EN 388 cut-resistance levels and what they actually mean.

WHAT ARE CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES?

Cut-resistant gloves are tough gloves for tough jobs. They protect your hands from sharp edges and slicing injuries.

They’re made from high-strength materials like:

• Spectra - strong and durable.
• Kevlar - light, strong, and heat resistant.
• Dyneema - up to 15 times stronger than steel.
• Fibreglass - good strength with added flexibility.
• Steel mesh - extreme strength for high-risk jobs.

That’s why these gloves offer better protection than basic safety gloves.

That being said, general handling gloves are great for light work. But if you or your team work with anything that could cut skin, choose cut-resistant gloves.

DO I NEED CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES?

Do you handle sharp tools, blades, or materials that could cut your skin? If there’s even a small risk of injury, cut-resistant gloves are a must.

Construction. Warehousing. Recycling. Food prep. Tough jobs call for tough protection.

Choosing the right glove for the task keeps your team safe, comfortable, and focused on the job.

Shop our full range of hand protection.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EN 388

EN 388 is the European (EU) safety standard for gloves that protect against mechanical risks - things like cuts, scrapes, punctures, and tears.

The cut-resistance of EN 388 used to be listed between 1 and 5.

Now, it uses the letter system:

• A = lowest level of cut-resistance
• F = highest level of cut-resistance

The EN 388 rating is printed in numbers and letters on the gloves. It shows you how well the glove performed in safety tests.

So, knowing the cut-resistance by level helps you pick the right gloves.

CUT-RESISTANT GLOVE LEVELS EXPLAINED

EN 388 ratings and the A-F resistance scale aren’t just for show. Use them to help you find the right hand protection for the job.

Here’s how much protection you get based on the A to F scale:

• A. Light - low-risk jobs with little risk of cuts and scrapes.
• B. Minimal - work with a chance of light cuts and scrapes.
• C. Medium - risky workplaces with sharp tools/materials.
• D. Robust - heavy-duty work where cuts and punctures are likely.
• E. Strong - workplaces with serious hazards.
• F. Powerful - where hands are constantly at risk from blades, sheet metal, or broken glass.

TOP TIP: Levels C to F all offer sturdy, reliable protection.

Still not sure which glove is right for you? We’re here to help.

Call us on 0330 441 3500 or drop us a message - let’s find the right fit for your team.

DIVING DEEPER INTO CUT-RESISTANCE BY LEVEL

EU standards aren’t just about cut protection. They go through a full range of safety tests to see how well they perform in tough working conditions.

Here’s what they’re tested for:

• Abrasion - How long the glove can hold up against continual rubbing with sandpaper (rated 1-4, level 4 being the strongest).
• Tearing - How much force it takes to tear the glove apart (rated 1-4, level 4 being the strongest).
• Punctures - How much force it takes to push a nail through the glove (rated 1-4, level 4 being the most puncture-resistant).
• Impact - How much force is needed when a weight is dropped on the knuckles (there should be a P as the sixth digit, no P means no protection).
• Cut (TDM-100 test) - How much force it takes to cut through a glove with a straight blade (rated A-F, with F meaning the most protection).
• Cut (Coup test) - How long a circular blade can move over the glove liner until it cuts through (rated 1-5, with 5 being the highest and X meaning failure).

TOP TIP: Go for gloves with a strong TDM rating – it’s the most accurate way to measure cut protection.

EXAMPLE OF EN 388

What do those numbers on your gloves mean? They make sense once you know. 

For example, if your glove label says 4X42CP, it simply states the glove's scores for each hazard tested. 

Here’s what it breaks down to:

Hazard	Resistance rating	What it means
Abrasions	4	High abrasion resistance
Cuts	X	Cut test not done (Coup test)
Tears	4	Strong tear resistance
Punctures	2	Moderate puncture resistance
Cuts	C	Solid cut resistance (TDM test)
Impact	P	Passed impact protection

TOP TIPS:

• Need more cut-resistance? Go for a higher TDM rating - D, E, or F. 
• No impact risk on the job? You can skip the P.

WHAT CUT LEVEL GLOVES DO I NEED?

It all depends on what you handle on any working day.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Opening boxes - go for Level A or B.
• Working with glass, metal, or knives - it’s Level C or above.
• Handling sharp edges or objects all day - always choose level F.

Check your glove for a printed code to see what level of protection you’ll get. Then, you’ll know if it’s right for the job.

When in doubt, go for the highest protection. You only get one pair of hands.

Need help choosing the right glove? Let's chat.

Or browse our full range of cut-resistant gloves and find the right fit for your team.

WHY PARTNER WITH A SPECIALIST?

Understanding EN numbers and cut resistance ratings can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. 

At SMI, we take the guesswork out of PPE. We know what works, and we’ll help you find it.

Here’s how we make it easy:

• Maximum 3-hour response time
• 5PM order cut-off for next-day delivery
• 2-day dispatch on branded garments
• 97% stock availability
• Own delivery fleet in key regions for extra reliability

With SMI, you’re partnering with a team dedicated to protecting your people.

Need advice or help? Chat with our friendly team today. 

Drop us a message, or give us a call on 0330 441 3500.

FAQS

We’ve got the answers to these commonly asked questions about cut-resistant gloves.

WHAT IS CUT LEVEL ON GLOVES?

It shows how well gloves protect your hands from sharp materials.

WHAT ARE CUT LEVEL D GLOVES?

These gloves offer reliable protection against hazards like blades or sheet metal. 

They’re not as tough as levels E and F, but are less bulky and easier to work with.

WHAT IS LEVEL B CUT-RESISTANCE?

Level B gloves are great when you only need light cut protection, but they’re not the best choice for sharp blades.

IS CUT LEVEL 5 BETTER THAN 4?

Yes, level 5 resistance gloves can take more force before they see any damage. You’ll need these for work with sharp tools, materials, or machinery.