Cut-Resistant Glove Levels Explained: The ANSI A1–A9 Chart (and How to Choose)
Quick answer: ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 rates cut resistance on a nine-level scale, A1 to A9. The level tells you how many grams of force a blade needs to cut through the glove material on a TDM-100 machine — A1 starts at 200 grams, A3 at 1,000 grams, A6 at 3,000 grams, and A9 at 6,000 grams. A higher letter means more cut resistance, not a better glove for every job: grip, fit, coating, and dexterity decide whether you can actually wear it for a full shift.
If you've ever stood in front of a product page trying to work out whether you need A3 or A5 gloves, this guide is for you. By the end you'll know exactly what the letters mean, what they don't mean, and how to pick a pair you'll actually keep on.
What a "cut level" actually measures
Cut resistance is measured, not estimated. Under ANSI/ISEA 105-2016, a sample of the glove material is placed on a TDM-100 cutting machine — the same machine used for the European EN 388 ISO test — and a straight-edge blade is drawn across it under increasing load. This is test method ASTM F2992-15.
The score is the force, in grams, required to cut through the material. A fresh blade is used for every cut, which removes the blade-dulling problem that made the older five-level scale less consistent. That gram score is then grouped into one of nine levels, from A1 (lightest) to A9 (heaviest).
Two things worth knowing before you shop:
- The test measures one property only. Cut resistance is separate from puncture resistance, abrasion resistance and heat resistance — a glove can be A4 for cuts and still be unsuitable for a job where you're handling wire or hot metal.
- "Grams" is a force, not a weight. It describes how hard the blade pushed before it went through, not how much the glove can lift.
The full ANSI A1–A9 cut level chart
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Cut level
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Blade force needed to cut through (grams)
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Hazard level
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Typical work
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A1
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≥ 200 g
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Light
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Light assembly, packing, material handling without sharp edges
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A2
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≥ 500 g
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Light–medium
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Wire harness assembly, metal stamping, general warehouse work
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A3
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≥ 1,000 g
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Medium
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Automotive work, construction, fishing, food prep with light blades, gardening with hand tools
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A4
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≥ 1,500 g
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Medium–heavy
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Glass handling, sheet metal, appliance manufacturing, HVAC, carpet installation
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A5
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≥ 2,200 g
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Heavy
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Handling sharp-edged parts, bottle and light glass, drywall, electrical
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A6
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≥ 3,000 g
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Very heavy
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Heavy glass, metal fabrication, recycling and sorting, tough materials
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A7
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≥ 4,000 g
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Very heavy
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High-volume blade contact, paper and pulp, heavy fabrication
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A8
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≥ 5,000 g
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Extreme
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Extreme cut hazards where dexterity is secondary
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A9
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≥ 6,000 g
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Extreme
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Highest published level — meat and poultry processing, high-volume blade work
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Most general-purpose work gloves sold in North America sit between A2 and A5. A3 is the level most buyers land on for everyday tasks: it handles packaging knives, garden tools and light sheet metal while staying comfortable enough to wear all day.
ANSI/ISEA 105 vs EN 388: two scales, one machine
If you buy gloves from Europe or Asia as well, you'll see cut resistance written as A–F instead of A1–A9, measured in newtons rather than grams. Both tests use the TDM-100 and the ISO 13997 method, so the numbers convert directly — roughly 1 newton ≈ 102 grams-force.
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ANSI/ISEA 105 (grams)
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EN 388:2016 (newtons)
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A1 — 200–499 g
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A — 2–5 N
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A2 — 500–999 g
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B — 5–10 N
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A3 — 1,000–1,499 g
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C — 10–15 N
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A4 — 1,500–2,199 g
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D — 15–22 N
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A5 — 2,200–2,999 g
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E — 22–30 N
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A6 — 3,000–3,999 g
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F — 30 N and above
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A7–A9 — 4,000–6,000 g+
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F — above 30 N (not separated)
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The scales are not interchangeable on a spec sheet — always quote the standard you were tested to. But when you're comparing two gloves on a shelf and one says A4 and the other says D, you now know they're describing the same kind of performance.
How to choose a cut level: four questions
1. What are you actually cutting — or what might cut you? Paper and cardboard are low-hazard. Sheet metal, glass, and blades are high-hazard. The material in your hand matters more than the job title on your badge.
2. How hard and how long is the contact? Occasional contact with a dull edge is an A2–A3 situation. Continuous pressure against a sharp edge is A4 and above.
3. What else does the task need besides cut protection? This is where most people pick the wrong glove. Oil resistance, wet grip, touchscreen compatibility, impact protection on the back of the hand, and forearm coverage are all separate requirements. A super-high cut level with no grip is a safety risk, not a safety upgrade.
4. Will you actually wear it for eight hours? A glove in your pocket protects nobody. Fit, breathability, and cuff length decide whether the glove stays on during the last hour of the shift.
Matching the level to the job — and to a glove
A1–A2 · light handling, assembly, packing Warehouse and assembly work with occasional box cutters. Choose thin, breathable gloves with a grippy palm.
A3 · the everyday middle The most useful level for general trades, fishing, gardening, and food prep with light blades. Look for a seamless knit liner with a dipped or coated palm for grip. → COOLJOB A3 cut-resistant work gloves (touchscreen): black · grey → Food-grade A3 gloves with bamboo rayon: shop here
A4–A5 · glass, sheet metal, HVAC, carpet, sharp parts Dealing with edges under pressure, oil, or water. Reach for coated palms and, if the back of your hand is exposed, TPR impact protection. → COOLJOB A4 cut-resistant work gloves → COOLJOB A5 cut-resistant gloves with TPR impact protection
A6–A7 · heavy glass, metal fabrication, recycling Where blade contact is routine. Expect thicker liners, and consider anti-vibration protection if you're also running power tools. → COOLJOB A6 cut-resistant gloves with grip → COOLJOB A6 cut-resistant PU gloves
A8–A9 · meat and poultry, high-volume blade work Highest published levels, usually with the trade-off in dexterity and price. Kitchen and food-processing rated gloves live here. → COOLJOB A9 cut-resistant work gloves → COOLJOB A9 cut-resistant kitchen gloves
Don't forget your forearms
Here's the gap in most people's PPE: cut-resistant gloves stop at the wrist, and the most common cut injury on a gloved hand is on the forearm — pulling a long edge, catching a branch, reaching past a sheet. Sleeves fill that gap and slide under a glove cuff.
- For thorny garden work specifically, thorn-proof gardening gloves with long sleeves are built for a different hazard than blade cuts.
Five mistakes that cost more than the gloves
1. Buying by level alone. A5 with no grip is more dangerous than A3 with good grip, because the tool slides.
2. Believing any glove is "cut-proof". No glove is. Levels describe how much force it takes to cut through in a laboratory test; real blades, real pressure, and damaged material behave differently. Replace gloves as soon as you see a nick, a cut, or a worn palm.
3. Wearing the wrong size. A loose cuff catches, a tight cuff tires your hand out and gets taken off. Sizes are cheap to check — measure your palm circumference.
4. Ignoring what the coating does with your hands. Nitrile and PU handle oil and wet parts differently, and a liner that holds sweat will be peeled off by lunch.
5. Never inspecting or washing. Sand and grit trapped in the knit act like sandpaper on the fibers and on your skin. Follow the care label, air-dry, and retire gloves that have hardened or lost their coating.
FAQ
What is the highest cut level? A9 — 6,000 grams of force on the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 scale, which is the highest level published. It's used for extreme blade contact such as meat processing.
Is A4 better than A3? A4 resists more force than A3 (≥ 1,500 g vs ≥ 1,000 g), but "better" depends on the job. A4 is usually thicker, so if your task needs fingertip dexterity, a well-fitting A3 glove you actually wear beats an A4 glove that stays in your pocket.
What cut level do I need for glass? Glass handling typically starts at A4 and moves to A5–A6 for heavier plate and routine edge contact — plus sleeves, because the forearm takes the edge.
Are ANSI cut levels the same as EN 388 levels? They measure the same property on the same TDM-100 machine, but they're reported on different scales: ANSI/ISEA 105 uses A1–A9 in grams, EN 388:2016 uses A–F in newtons. About 1 newton equals 102 grams-force.
How long do cut-resistant gloves last? There's no fixed number of days — it depends on abrasion and how often they're washed. Inspect before every use and replace at the first nick, cut, hole, or hardened coating.
Do cut-resistant gloves work for gardening and thorny plants? Yes, but thorns are a puncture hazard as much as a cut hazard. A denser knit or a coated palm helps; for heavy thorny work a purpose-built thorn-proof garden glove is a better match than a thin cut-resistant liner.
Shop by cut level
Browse the full range of cut-resistant work gloves and sleeves — from A2 liners to A9 kitchen and processing gloves — and pick the level that matches the edges you actually handle, not the highest number on the page.
Safety note: cut resistance ratings describe tested performance under laboratory conditions. No glove or sleeve is cut-proof. Always match the product to the task, inspect it before use, and replace it when damaged.
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