Understanding Cut-Resistant Glove Levels: How to Choose the Right Protection for the Job

Jun 16th 2025

Posted by Nicole

Protecting Hands, Preventing Injuries: Your Guide to Cut-Resistant Gloves

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 124,000 hand injuries were reported in 2018 alone. Even more alarming, 41% of those involved cuts and lacerations - most of which could have been prevented with proper protective equipment.

Whether you're in construction, manufacturing, metal fabrication, or handling glass and wire, one of the most critical steps in injury prevention is selecting the right cut-resistant glove for the task.

Why Cut Resistance Matters

Not all gloves are created equal—and when dealing with sharp edges or heavy-duty tools, choosing gloves based on ANSI cut level ratings could mean the difference between a normal workday and a serious injury.

What Is the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 Standard?

The ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard sets the benchmark for cut-resistant gloves in the U.S. It uses a nine-level system (A1–A9) to measure how much force (in grams) a blade needs to cut through glove material. The higher the number, the more protection you get.

This test is performed using a Tomodynamometer (TDM) method, which slides a sharp blade across the glove material to determine its cut resistance.

🛡 Quick Fact:
A1 gloves resist cuts under 500 grams of pressure, while A9 gloves can withstand over 6,000 grams.

ANSI Cut Levels Explained (A1 to A9)

Minimal protection. Not recommended for tasks involving sharp tools or materials.

Light-duty cut hazards. Suitable for light assembly or warehouse tasks.

Low to moderate hazards. Starting to address medium cut risks.

Moderate protection. Great for sheet metal work or glass handling.

Medium to heavy-duty tasks. Ideal for wire handling, machining, or HVAC work.

Heavy-duty hazards. Choose for metal stamping or automotive assembly.

High-cut hazards. Suitable for tool and die shops.

Very high-risk tasks. Often used in metal fabrication or extreme environments.

Extreme protection. Best for glass manufacturing, demolition, or steelwork.

Applications for A9 Gloves Include:

Blade and sharp object handling
Heavy material fabrication
Contact with barbed wire, glass, or sharp metal
Extreme cut hazard environments

Choosing the Right Glove for the Job

Selecting the right glove doesn’t stop at cut levels. You also need to consider puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, and glove flexibility. That’s why we recommend using our Cut Protection Finder Tool—available on our website—to simplify the selection process.

🔍 Click here to browse by cut level and glove type

Whether you need a glove with high dexterity or maximum durability, our tool will guide you to the perfect fit.

FAQs: Cut-Resistant Gloves

Are gloves cut-proof?

No glove is completely cut-proof. Even the highest-rated glove can be penetrated under extreme force. Select the highest appropriate rating for your environment.

What does Level 5 cut resistance mean?

It means the glove withstands between 2,200–2,999 grams of cutting force (ANSI A5).

What does CAT mean on a cut-resistant glove label?

It refers to the category (cut level) of protection. For example, CAT 2 = ANSI A2.

Are there two different cut resistance standards?

Yes. The ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard is used in the U.S., while EN 388 is the European standard.

What gloves should I use for barbed wire?

We recommend gloves with both high cut and puncture resistance, such as A7–A9 gloves combined with a needle-resistant layer.

Cut-Resistant Knowledge: We’ve Got You Covered

At The Safety Source, we take your protection seriously. That's why we carry a full range of ANSI-rated cut-resistant gloves, sleeves, and PPE essentials to help reduce workplace injuries.

🛒 Browse Our Cut-Resistant Glove Catalog →

✨ Make safety your top priority—with cut protection that works as hard as you do.