Cut-resistant gloves are safety-rated hand protection designed to reduce injuries from blades, glass, and sharp metal, rated on the ANSI A1–A9 scale where higher numbers mean greater resistance.
A worker handling sharp glass, sheet metal, or ceramic edges needs more than just a thick pair of leather gloves. Cut-resistant gloves are purpose-built PPE that uses engineered fibers and coatings to stop a blade mid-slice, and the key to choosing the right pair is understanding the nine-level ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 rating system. The wrong level means either inadequate protection or clunky grip that workers won’t wear, so matching the hazard to the rating matters.
How Cut-Resistant Gloves Are Rated
The current US standard, ANSI/ISEA 105-2024, measures how much cutting load in grams a glove material can withstand before the blade cuts through. Nine levels run from A1 (200–499 grams of load) to A9 (6,000 grams or more). Earlier versions used a different testing method called the Tomodynamometer (TDM), but the 2024 system is now the benchmark for US workplace compliance.
A quick reference for what each level handles:
| ANSI Level | Cutting Load (grams) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 200–499 | Light assembly, paper handling |
| A2 | 500–999 | Light glass, small parts |
| A3 | 1,000–1,499 | Metal stamping, glass handling |
| A4 | 1,500–2,199 | Sheet metal, sharp edges |
| A5 | 2,200–2,999 | Heavy glass, die casting |
| A6 | 3,000–3,999 | Heavy metal, scrap processing |
| A7 | 4,000–4,999 | Food processing, blade handling |
| A8 | 5,000–5,999 | Severe cut hazards |
| A9 | 6,000+ | Extreme hazards, sharpening |
What Materials Make Gloves Cut-Resistant
Cut resistance comes from a combination of fiber choice, yarn construction, and knit pattern. The most common high-performance fibers include HPPE (high-performance polyethylene) and UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene), along with para-aramids like Kevlar. Steel fiber, fiberglass, composite yarns, nylon, and polyester are also used, often blended to balance protection with dexterity. Palm coatings such as polyurethane, nitrile, and latex improve grip and abrasion resistance for oily or wet tasks.
The way these materials work together matters more than any single ingredient. A glove’s resistance comes from strength, hardness, and the rolling action that deflects or distributes a blade’s force before it reaches skin. The same fiber in a loose knit offers far less protection than in a tight, engineered weave.
Choosing the Right Cut Level for the Job
Start with a hazard assessment. Identify the sharp edge geometry, the amount of force involved, whether the motion is a slice or a slash, and whether fluids or heat are present. Then pick an ANSI level that handles that cutting load while still letting the worker grip and move freely. A glove that forces someone to work slower or remove it for fine tasks offers zero protection when it’s off. Matching the glove’s coating — nitrile for oil, polyurethane for dry grip, sandy nitrile for wet grip — is as important as the cut level itself.
Common mistakes include assuming cut resistance equals puncture protection (it does not), picking a level by material name alone instead of the tested rating, and confusing ANSI ratings with the European EN 388 system, which uses a different scale. No glove is truly cut-proof; all are cut-resistant within a tested load range. The label should show the ANSI level, and for most sharp-material handling, A3 through A5 covers the middle ground of safety and wearability.
For those ready to shop, our guide to the best cut-resistant gloves compares top-rated models across different ANSI levels and coatings for actual field use.
FAQs
Are cut-resistant gloves also puncture-resistant?
Not usually. Cut resistance and puncture resistance are separate properties tested by different standards. A glove can be rated A5 for cuts but offer almost no protection against a nail or wire piercing the material. Check for a separate puncture rating if that hazard exists.
How do I know if a glove is ANSI rated?
Look for an “ANSI/ISEA 105” marking on the package or the glove itself, followed by the cut level (A1 through A9). Any glove sold as cut-resistant in the US should display this rating. If it only shows an EN 388 number, the rating uses a different system and is not directly comparable.
Can I wash and reuse cut-resistant gloves?
Many can be washed, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Knitted gloves with high-performance fibers (HPPE, UHMWPE, aramid) usually tolerate gentle machine washing and air drying. Washing removes debris that can embed in the fibers and reduce performance, but repeated washing slowly degrades the coating and the yarn structure.
References & Sources
- Ansell. “What Are the Levels of Cut-Resistant Gloves?” Explains the ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 rating scale from A1 to A9 with gram thresholds.
- Ansell. “What Are Cut-Resistant Gloves Made Of?” Details HPPE, UHMWPE, aramid, steel fiber, and palm coating materials.
- Ironclad. “Glovepedia — Cut Resistance.” Glove technical guide covering standards, testing, and material properties.