The Ultimate Guide To Boxing Gloves Size For All Factors - Unflinched (2024)

Once you measure your dominant-hand size and body weight, and what the gloves will be used for, you’ll know what your boxing glove size is.

Boxing gloves come in a variety of types and sizes, and you need to find the best for you to feel comfortable and safe during training and fights.

Some factors need to be considered when choosing the right glove size, such as the hand size, body weight, punching power, boxing level, and usage.

1. Hand Size

You want your hands to be comfy because they are the most important thing for you as a boxer.

To measure your dominant-hand circumference, use a measuring tape or a piece of string around your open hand just below the knuckles, excluding your thumb. The tape should meet the palm center to get a clear number.

Here are some recommendations for your perfect gloves size, considering your hand size, but keep in mind that different manufacturers’ gloves may not conform to the same sizing standard.

S-Glove Size: Dominant-Hand Circumference, Glove Size (in ounces)

If you find out your hand circumference is about 6” to 71⁄2” (max. 19 cm), then the small glove size fits you the best. Choose the gloves labeled with 8oz up to 14oz, depending on what they’re for.

M-Glove Size: Dominant-Hand Circumference, Glove Size(in ounces)

If you see your hand circumference is from 71⁄4” to 81⁄2” (max. 21 cm), then buy medium, 8oz-16oz size of your boxing gloves.

L-Glove Size: Dominant-Hand Circumference, Glove Size(in ounces)

Large glove size is the best choice for you if your dominant-hand circumference doesn’t exceed 9.75” (25 cm). Pay attention to the ounces written on the label – 8oz up to 16oz is perfect for you.

XL-Glove Size: Dominant-Hand Circumference, Glove Size(in ounces)

If your hand circumference goes up to 11” (28 cm), then buy extra-large gloves that weigh from 10oz up to 18oz.

Of course, these glove sizes are not the only ones that are made – you can find smaller than S-size or larger than XL-size if you need.

I want to remind you that measuring the hand circumference is a perfect method of determining the right boxing gloves size only if other factors are considered, too.

It’s important to consult with a boxing trainer or coach before making your purchase so they can help guide you in the right direction.

There are many different brands and styles of boxing gloves on the market, so be sure to test out different sizes before making a purchase.

And don’t forget about sparring partners! Find someone who is similar in size and weight to you so that you can get an accurate idea of what size boxer glove works best for you.

2. Body Weight

It is important to consider a boxer’s weight when selecting gloves size. Heavyweights tend to require larger gloves than lighter fighters because their muscles are more pronounced and their hands are larger in diameter.

Here are guidelines for selecting the proper boxing gloves size due to your body weight:

• For fighters who weigh between 90 and 108 pounds: Size S
• For fighters who weigh between 108 and 130 pounds: Size M
• For fighters who weigh between 131 and 159 pounds: Size L
• For fighters who weigh between 160 and 209 pounds: Size XL
• For fighters who weigh over 210 pounds: Size XXL

Also, body weight is a parameter connected with the boxing gloves sizing in ounces. The label in ounces refers to the weight of each glove, not the pair. On a 14oz pair of gloves, each hand will weigh close to 14oz.

Boxing glove weight depends on the padding amount. A heavier glove means an increased padding amount, making your punches slower and you and your opponent more protected.

Different padding amounts are required for different activities. For example, 10oz gloves are good for speed and cardio if your activity is bag work. Whereas this pair is not recommended for sparring because it doesn’t include the required padding amount to protect you and your sparring partner.

Ask yourself first if you are going to use your new gloves in sparring, bag work, or competition, and then I can help you to find your perfect gloves in ounces.

3. Usage

After knowing your hand circumference and your body weight, it’s time to ask yourself what the gloves will be used for.

As I said, different activities require different padding amounts. If you’re boxing with no gloves on, your punching speed is much faster, and no padding creates a much more condensed impact, making a tearing risk higher.

Gloves padding makes your punches slower and increases the safety of both you and your opponent.

If you train, then more padding is better for you and your partner. You want to protect yourself and your partner from injuries right before the fight, right?

Therefore, the minimal size required for bag work/pads is 10oz, and for sparring is about 14oz.

Fights are a bit different. They need much finer padding which makes the gloves smaller and more compact, so fighters can deliver a sharp blow.

Here is a table with gloves size recommendations due to the activity you’re planning to work on.

8oz Boxing Glove Size: Bag Work/Pads, Sparring, Fights

An 8oz glove is not recommended while doing bag work or sparring. It is required in fights for pro fighters who weigh up to 147lb.

10oz Boxing Glove Size: Bag Work/Pads, Sparring, Fights

If you want to do a little bit of bag work, choose 10 oz gloves – they’re good for speed and cardio.

Don’t put them on when sparring – you may hurt both yourself and your sparring partner.

This glove size is used in fights – pro boxers just love it. If your body weight is below 147lb, better choose 8oz gloves.

12oz Boxing Glove Size: Bag Work/Pads, Sparring, Fights

12 oz gloves are great for bag work and are not recommended when sparring. They are used in some amateur competitions, too.

14oz Boxing Glove Size: Bag Work/Pads, Sparring, Fights

Such a great glove for bag work, fine for lighter weight fighter sparring, and used in some amateur competitions. Don’t use it when sparring if you’re in a heavier class.

16oz Boxing Glove Size: Bag Work/Pads, Sparring, Fights

This glove size is good for strength and power while doing some bag work, and it’s suggested in sparring. Not suitable for pro-fighters during fights, but it’s often used in some amateur competitions.

18oz Boxing Glove Size: Bag Work/Pads, Sparring, Fights

An 18oz glove is used by heavier fighters when doing bag work or sparring. However, it is not suitable for any kind of competition.

You’ll know what size gloves you need to buy if you consider your hand size, body weight, and usage altogether, not isolated.

Every previously-mentioned factor to consider when buying new boxing gloves is important, but one without another causes the situation where you can make a bad decision.