Hand protection – buyer guide
EN 388 Cut Levels Explained: A to F Guide
How EN 388 cut, abrasion and puncture ratings translate into the right glove for the hazard on your line.
Short answer: EN 388:2016+A1:2018 rates cut resistance on an A–F scale using the TDM-100 test (ISO 13997), replacing the old 1–5 Coup test scale for high-performance materials. Level A is the lowest (2 newtons) and F the highest (30 newtons). For most metal handling and glass work, levels C to E cover the risk; the old “Level 5” roughly corresponds to C or D, so re-specify rather than assume equivalence.
What the Six-Digit EN 388 Code Means
Every glove certified to EN 388 carries a shield pictogram followed by up to six characters. Each position is a separate test — reading them in order tells you exactly what the glove was proven to do.
| Position | Property | Scale | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abrasion resistance | 1–4 | Cycles under abrasive paper |
| 2 | Cut resistance (Coup test) | 1–5 or X | Rotating circular blade |
| 3 | Tear resistance | 1–4 | Force to propagate a tear |
| 4 | Puncture resistance | 1–4 | Force to push a stylus through |
| 5 | Cut resistance (TDM, ISO 13997) | A–F | Straight blade, single pass |
| 6 | Impact protection | P or blank | EN 13594 impact test |
A code such as 4X43D means: abrasion 4, Coup test not applicable (X), tear 4, puncture 3, TDM cut level D, no impact protection.
Why Position 2 Often Shows “X”
The Coup test uses a rotating blade. When a glove contains high-performance fibres such as HPPE, glass or steel, those fibres blunt the blade during the test, which produces an artificially high and unreliable result. When blunting occurs, the standard requires the Coup result to be reported as X and the TDM (ISO 13997) result in position 5 becomes the governing figure.
This is the single most misread part of EN 388. An X in position 2 is not a failure or a missing test — for cut-resistant gloves it is the expected outcome, and you should read position 5 instead.
The A–F Cut Levels in Newtons
The TDM test measures the force required for a straight blade to cut through the material in a single 20 mm pass.
| Level | Cutting force | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| A | ≥ 2 N | Light assembly, general handling |
| B | ≥ 5 N | Packaging, light material handling |
| C | ≥ 10 N | Metal pressing, warehouse with banding |
| D | ≥ 15 N | Sheet metal, glass handling |
| E | ≥ 22 N | Heavy glass, sharp-edged fabrication |
| F | ≥ 30 N | Blade changing, extreme cut hazard |
Mapping Old Coup Levels to New TDM Levels
Buyers replacing an existing glove specification frequently ask for a direct conversion table. There is no exact one, because the two tests measure different things — a rotating blade under fixed load versus a straight blade under increasing force. As a practical guide, a glove previously sold as Coup “Level 5” commonly tests at TDM level C or D, not E or F.
The safe approach when re-specifying: ask the supplier for the full test report, read the TDM figure in newtons, and match it to your risk assessment rather than to the old number on the previous glove.
EN 388 vs ANSI/ISEA 105
North American buyers use ANSI/ISEA 105, which rates cut resistance A1 to A9 in grams of cutting load. Both standards can be tested on the same glove, and dual-marked gloves are common for suppliers serving both markets. Because the units differ (newtons versus grams), never assume an EN level and an ANSI level with a similar letter are equivalent — request both test reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a higher cut level always mean a better glove?
No. Higher cut levels generally mean thicker or denser materials, which reduces dexterity and tactile feedback. A worker who removes an over-specified glove to handle small parts is less protected than one wearing a correctly rated glove continuously. Match the level to the actual hazard.
What does the P at the end of an EN 388 code mean?
P indicates the glove passed the optional impact protection test carried out to the method in EN 13594. It applies to gloves with padding across the knuckles and back of hand, typical in oil and gas and heavy mechanical work. If the position is blank, no impact test was performed.
How often should cut-resistant gloves be replaced?
EN 388 certifies the glove as manufactured, not after wear. Cut performance falls as fibres abrade, and laundering can also affect it. Inspect for thinning, cuts and seam failure, and set a replacement interval based on observed wear in your own operation rather than a fixed calendar date.
Next Steps for Buyers
Start from the hazard, not the catalogue: identify the sharpest edge a worker will contact, decide the cut level, then check dexterity is still acceptable in a wear trial. MSQ SAFE supplies EN 388:2016+A1:2018 gloves with full test documentation and OEM options. Browse hand protection, review the standards library, or request a quote.