How to Measure Hands for Boxing Gloves: A Practical Guide for MMA Athletes

When you purchase boxing gloves without taking into account your hand size, you may end up with gloves that are too tight, too loose or too small. It only takes a couple of minutes to measure your hands for boxing gloves, and you could make your next pair of boxing gloves easier to choose.

The proper fit is even more significant for MMA practitioners, as you might be required to wear boxing gloves during heavy bag rounds, focus mitts or striking drills and sparring. There is one aspect that can get confused, however: your hand size is used to determine if the glove fits, whereas the labels 10oz, 12oz, 14oz and 16oz are used to describe the weight and padding of the gloves.

Knowing both of these will assist you in making an informed decision.

Why Measuring Your Hands for Boxing Gloves Is Important

Boxing gloves should be snug enough to ensure that your hand is in a proper position without squeezing your fingers and causing discomfort.

If the internal compartment is too big, you could end up having too much excursion in the glove. If it's too small, your fingers may feel squeezed, particularly when you put on your hand wraps.

Using a good measurement tool provides you a point of reference that can come in handy when shopping for products online.

It can assist you to evaluate:

• Whether you are within a manufacturer's recommended fit range
• Whether or not the space inside your hand compartment is too large or small for you
• The amount of room hand wraps will require
• Whether a youth, standard or larger size is appropriate
• Determine whether a specific brand's size is likely to be correct for you

Measuring is especially helpful for MMA athletes who frequently play in multiple disciplines, as MMA gloves and traditional boxing gloves are constructed differently. Don't assume that if your size in one is small, you must be small in the other.

Boxing Glove Size Guide Australia: Know Fit vs Ounces

Some of the most common sizing errors occur when people think that a 16oz glove is just a bigger glove than a 12oz.

Not all boxing gloves are created equal.

The ounce rating is a rough estimate of the weight of the glove and is similar to how much and where the padding is distributed. It is not a standard tool to measure the internal hand compartment.

For instance, two models with 16oz might be quite different around the fingers, palm or wrist.

That's why it's best for an Australian boxer to take three factors into consideration when looking for the right glove:

Hand measurement + planned use of training + manufacturer's fit advice.

General Training Guide

These are general training examples, not universal rules. Specific requirements may be required by your coach, gym or competition organisation.

For example, DAAN MMA's Apex training boxing gloves come in 10oz, 12oz, 14oz and 16oz, which are the most common sizes used for training.

The Items You Should Measure Your Hands With

There is no need for specialist equipment.

Prepare:

• A flexible fabric tape measure
• The standard boxing hand wraps you normally use
• A phone, notebook or paper to take notes of measurements
• The size of gloves that you are interested in

A fabric tape is best as it will conform to the shape of your hand.

However, if you don't have one, you can create one by wrapping a piece of string around your hand and recording where the ends join and then use it to measure against a ruler.

Measurements should usually be noted in centimetres, but some overseas manufacturers might use inches.

Body Measurements for Boxing Gloves: Step by Step

Step 1: Use Your Bare Hand

Do not wear gloves or hand wraps unless the manufacturer's instructions for sizing say otherwise.

Let your hand relax itself.

Don't make a fist too tight; this can increase or decrease the circumference, resulting in less consistency.

Step 2: Measure Around Your Knuckles

Measure your hand around the widest point of the hand, the knuckles.

Do NOT put your thumb inside the tape.

The tape should be flat against your hand and not dig into your skin. You desire a tight measurement and not a compacted one.

Step 3: Write the Circumference

Determine where the tape overlaps and make note of the number.

Your hand circumference may be 21 cm, for instance.

Don't just convert that number to an ounce weight. Rather, you should use it to compare the size of your hand to the sizing details provided by the glove manufacturer.

Step 4: Measure Both Hands

You may not have the same size hands.

Take both measurements, and use the larger measurement when checking for fit. This decreases the risk of purchasing a glove that is too tight.

Step 5: Measure Hand Length If Necessary

A few manufacturers offer hand length-based measurement.

If you need to measure the length, it should be from the base or wrist crease of the palm to the tip of your middle finger.

Not all sizing charts for boxing gloves utilise this measurement, so you don't need to use this one unless the particular brand calls for it.

When Purchasing Boxing Gloves, Consider How You Will Use Them

If you know your hand circumference, look for the manufacturer's sizing/fitting information for a specific glove.

This is important as different brands of boxing gloves are not uniform.

A glove from one company with a 14oz rating may feel smaller than another company's 14oz glove.

Even different models of gloves from the same manufacturer can be different due to:

• Padding construction
• Palm design
• Thumb position
• Lining thickness
• Wrist closure
• Intended use

It is therefore not recommended to use one single centimetre chart for all boxing gloves in the market.

When purchasing online in Australia, be sure to check the specifications of the specific product you're interested in and not just a generic chart in a different location.

Is There a Right or Wrong Time to Wear Hand Wraps?

Use your bare hand for circumference measurements, unless specified by the manufacturer.

If you try them out on yourself, however, wear the type of hand wraps you normally use during training.

This is a significant difference.

The bare hand measurement is a consistent size measurement that can be used to compare size charts. The fitting of the glove using the wrapped hand will determine the comfort of the glove in training.

Hand wraps wrap around the knuckles, palm and wrist. Some gloves are comfortable to wear without wrist wraps, but wrapped up they could be too tight.

If wraps are being used, test gloves with wraps before you determine that they fit.

The Size of Your Boxing Gloves Should Correspond to Your Size

The boxing glove should fit snugly, but not be tight enough to cause pain.

Your Hands Should Fit Comfortably Into the Gloves

You should be able to fit your fingers comfortably into the compartment and not have to stretch your fingers out of shape.

They should not be pushed down the end of the glove.

Your Knuckles Should Be Behind the Main Padding

With the fist in the air, the knuckles should be at the correct level below the area that is being hit.

The glove should not feel like your hand is moving back and forth in the glove.

The Thumb Should Feel Natural

The attached thumb section should comfortably fit your thumb.

Do not wear a glove that puts your thumb in an awkward position just because the rest of the glove fits.

The Wrist Should Feel Secure

Tie the wrist closure the same way as when it was made for training.

It should feel secure yet not have a constricting impact or cause any unwanted pressure.

The Glove Should Still Fit With Wraps

Lastly, re-check the fit after putting your hands in the gloves.

This is the fit which is most significant when training in practice.

Warning Signs That Your Boxing Gloves Don't Fit Properly

Look at the label, but listen to how your hands feel.

A tight fitting glove can cause some of the following symptoms:

• Fingertips pressed firmly against the end
• Grip pressure that is continually maintained on the knuckles
• Trouble forming a fist comfortably
• Thumb discomfort
• Numbness or tingling
• Inadequate space for normal hand wraps

If the glove is too loose:

• It has a large amount of space in which the hand is moving considerably
• Your knuckles are not regularly under the padding
• The glove rotates when training
• Even if you tighten the wrist strap, it still doesn't provide a secure feel

Some variations between brands are to be expected. If there's considerable movement or discomfort, it's time to reassess the fit.

Selecting the Correct Glove Weight for MMA and Boxing Training

When you know what kind of hand fit you have, you will be able to determine what you are going to do with the gloves.

Bag and Pad Work

The reason a lot of athletes favour lighter or medium weight gloves for heavy bag and focus mitt sessions is that they feel lighter and more comfortable to move around with, and they permit faster combinations.

But size, experience, equipment and coach's input are all factors that determine what is appropriate.

General Striking Training

A medium weight may be preferable if wanting one pair for multiple training sessions.

For instance, 12oz or 14oz gloves are usually used for training, depending on the athlete's size and training session.

Sparring

Sparring is self defence and protecting your training partner.

Sparring gloves are typically heavier gloves, typically around 16oz, due to the added padding in these gloves. This shouldn't be taken as a rule, however.

Buy sparring gloves based on your coach's requirements for the weight of the gloves.

Competition

There should never be a case where the equipment of competition is selected based on an online training chart.

Weight and specifications of the gloves may vary depending on the sport, type of athlete, sanctioning body and event.

Obey the coach, the promoter and/or appropriate governing body.

Some of the Most Common Errors Made When Sizing Boxing Gloves

Mistake 1: Using the Circumference of the Hand Alone

The larger the hand, the larger the ounce rating does not necessarily mean it is the best.

Fit is indicated by your measurement. The weight of your gloves will depend on your training goal.

Both matter.

Mistake 2: Taking for Granted That All Brands Are Created Equal

A 16oz glove from one manufacturer isn't necessarily the same as a 16oz glove from another.

When in doubt, be sure to check the individual product.

Mistake 3: Testing Gloves Without Hand Wraps

If you're a typical wrapper, a bare-hand fitting is just half the solution.

Test the actual training set-up.

Mistake 4: Purchasing a Loose Fitting “Extra Comfortable” Glove

A bigger interior doesn't necessarily translate to extra comfort.

Too much play in the glove may cause it to be unstable.

Don't just go for spacious; go for safe and comfortable.

Mistake 5: Disrespecting Your Coach

Your gym may have its own sparring, drills or particular training session requirements.

If your coach specifies a glove size requirement, be sure to consider that when you buy a glove.

Mistake 6: Using MMA Glove Sizing for Boxing Gloves

Gloves for MMA are different in construction and size, and expose the fingers.

Use the sizing guidelines for each glove type to determine the actual size of each glove.

Practical Boxing Gloves Checklist

When ordering your next pair, be sure to consider these features:

• Wrap a tape around the thickest part of your knuckles.
• Do not place your thumb in between the measuring tape.
• Measure both hands and write down the biggest measurement.
• When measuring using Australian sizing information, use centimetres.
• Please refer to the fit guide for the specific manufacturer.
• Don't take it for granted that ounces are the same size as hands.
• Select the weight of the gloves based on training objective.
• Test the gloves using regular hand wraps.
• Look for the correct position of the fingers, thumb, knuckles and wrist.
• Check the conditions of sparring/competition with your coach.

Final Takeaway

Having an understanding of how to measure hands for boxing gloves is a lot better than basically just guessing an ounce size or copying another boxer's gloves.

Wrap around your knuckles, note the greater of the two and then compare to the manufacturer's instructions. After that, think about what gloves you are using for: bag work, pad work, general striking, sparring or competition.

Keep in mind that hand size is one aspect for MMA players. The weight of the boxing gloves, padding, the inner structure of the boxing gloves, hand wrap and training conditions all have an impact on the decision.

A decent boxing glove size guide Australia people can count on ought to be more than just a number. It should guide you in understanding the fit of the glove, how it will be used and what to inspect prior to training.

Take your measurements, look at the specifications of the gloves, try them on to see how they fit with your wraps and select the right glove for the task.

FAQs

1. How do I measure my hand for boxing gloves?

Put the flexible measuring tape around the widest part of the knuckles, with your thumb outside. Measure the circumference and compare it to the manufacturer's sizing chart.

2. Do I need to measure both my hands for boxing gloves?

Yes. Make sure to measure both hands and refer to the sizing information for the bigger hand.

3. Are the ounces used for boxing gloves an indication of hand size?

Ounces are primarily used to refer to the weight and padding of the glove and not necessarily a standard size all the way in.

4. Should I measure my hand with or without wraps?

Typically, use the bare hand to determine the circumference on a manufacturer's chart. But you should always try the real thing with the wraps you normally train in.

5. Which is more suitable for MMA training: 12oz or 14oz?

This is based on the kinds of striking training, your body size, comfort and your coach's suggestions. Both weights are used to train the bag and the pad in general.

6. Is 16oz always used for sparring?

Sparring gloves are typically 16oz in size, but this varies from gym to gym and athlete to athlete. Check with your coach how much weight is necessary.

7. Should boxing gloves fit snugly?

They should be snug and comfortable but should not crush fingers, cause numbness or force the thumb into an uncomfortable position.

8. Do all boxing gloves have the same dimensions?

Each manufacturer and glove type can have varying depths of glove pockets, padding, thumb design and wrist systems.

9. Can I use my MMA glove size to select boxing gloves?

Not reliably. This is because the design of MMA gloves and boxing gloves varies from one type of glove to another, and every glove size should be determined according to its own sizing guide.

10. When selecting a boxing glove size, what is the most important factor?

Take into account your hand size, hand wraps, training goal, coach and gym needs.