ANSI vs EN388: glove ratings explained
4 min read · Updated July 7, 2026
You'll often see two ratings on the same glove - an ANSI cut level and an EN388 code. They measure overlapping things in different ways. Here's how to read both.
ANSI/ISEA 105 (North America)
ANSI rates cut resistance on a single A1-A9 scale using the TDM-100 test, which is consistent and repeatable. When you see 'ANSI A4', that's the cut level and nothing else.
EN388 (Europe)
EN388 is a four-to-six character code covering several hazards at once. The digits, in order, rate abrasion (0-4), coupe cut (0-5), tear (0-4), and puncture (0-4). A fifth character (A-F) is the TDM cut result, and an optional sixth covers impact.
So in a code like 4X42, the '4' is abrasion, 'X' means the coupe test wasn't applicable (often because the material would dull the blade - common on high-cut gloves), '4' is tear, and '2' is puncture. The TDM cut letter, when present, is the most directly comparable to ANSI.
Reading them together
Use the ANSI letter as your primary cut guide in North America, and treat EN388 as a fuller picture that adds abrasion, tear, and puncture. On Armor Guys product and compare pages, we publish the ANSI level for every glove and the EN388 code wherever the manufacturer has certified one.
Frequently asked questions
- Which rating matters more, ANSI or EN388?
- Neither is better - ANSI is the North American standard and EN388 is European. ANSI gives a single cut level; EN388 codes abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture together. The EN388 TDM letter (A-F) is the closest comparison to the ANSI level.
- What does the X in an EN388 code mean?
- X means that test was not performed or not applicable. It is common on high-cut gloves because the material dulls the coupe test blade, which makes that result unreliable.
- What EN388 rating equals ANSI A4?
- Roughly a TDM cut letter of D. For example, the 24-840 Kyorene® Pro Max carries both ratings: ANSI A4 and EN388 4X42D.
Ready to gear up?
Compare every glove's ratings