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Almost every work glove sold in the EU carries a small shield pictogram with a row of numbers and letters underneath — for example 4131X or 4X42C. That code comes from EN 388, the European standard for protection against mechanical risks. Once you know how to read it, you can compare gloves from different brands in seconds and pick the right pair for each job on site.
The EN 388 code, position by position
The current version of the standard (EN 388:2016+A1:2018) uses up to six characters. Each position always means the same thing:
| Position | Test | Scale | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abrasion resistance | 0–4 | How long the palm material survives rubbing against sandpaper. High numbers for handling blocks, bricks and rough timber. |
| 2 | Blade cut resistance (Coup test) | 0–5 or X | The older circular-blade cut test. Shown as X when the material blunts the blade and the test is not valid — then look at position 5. |
| 3 | Tear resistance | 0–4 | Force needed to tear the glove. Important around rebar, formwork and machinery. |
| 4 | Puncture resistance | 0–4 | Resistance to a pointed probe — nails, splinters, wire ends. Note: this is not protection against needles. |
| 5 | Cut resistance (ISO 13997 TDM test) | A–F | The more reliable cut test. A is the lowest, F the highest. Most construction cut gloves sit at B–D. |
| 6 | Impact protection | P (optional) | A P means the glove passed the impact test on the knuckles and back of the hand. |
A 0 means the glove was tested and scored below level 1. An X means the test was not carried out or does not apply.
Example: what does 4131X mean?
Abrasion 4 (very high), blade cut 1 (low), tear 3, puncture 1, and no ISO cut result. This is a typical general handling glove — great grip and durability for carrying materials, but not a cut glove. Compare it with 4X42C: abrasion 4, tear 4, puncture 2 and ISO cut level C — a real cut-resistant glove for sheet metal, glass or insulation work.
Which ratings does a construction crew need?
- General site work, carrying blocks and timber: abrasion 3–4, tear 2+. A nitrile or latex-coated knitted glove is enough. See our coated work gloves.
- Sheet metal, ventilation ducts, glass, cutting insulation: ISO cut level C or higher. Look at letter 5, not digit 2.
- Rebar, formwork and demolition: high tear and puncture (3–4), ideally the P for impact.
- Outdoor winter work: EN 388 for mechanical protection plus EN 511 for cold — read our guide on choosing winter work gloves.
- Welding: EN 388 alone is not enough — welding gloves must also meet EN 12477. See Type A vs Type B welding gloves.
Common mistakes when buying work gloves
- Comparing only the second digit for cut protection. On modern cut gloves it is often X; the letter at the end is what counts.
- Buying the highest rating for everyone. Higher cut levels usually mean thicker, less flexible gloves. Workers take off gloves that are too stiff — and an unworn glove protects nobody.
- Ignoring size. A glove that is too big reduces grip and catches in tools. Glove sizes follow EN 21420: measure hand circumference around the knuckles. Our size guide shows the numbers.
Ordering gloves for a crew
Most teams use two or three glove types: a coated all-round glove, a cut-resistant glove for specific tasks and an insulated glove for winter. Every product page on TrustGear lists the EN 388 code in the specifications table, so you can compare them side by side. Browse all work gloves or put together a full kit per worker with the kit builder. Companies with an EU VAT number can buy without VAT and receive an invoice.