EN 388 – Protective gloves against mechanical risks
In short: EN 388 assesses how well a glove protects against mechanical stress. The pictogram shows up to six positions – each for a different test, each with its own scale. The sequence of characters looks the same on every glove, but means something completely different depending on the position. If you can read it, you can tell in seconds whether a glove suits the job.
- The marking
- Below the pictogram are the performance levels in a fixed order – each position stands for a different test. The sequence “2121X” reads in order as follows: abrasion resistance level 2, cut resistance in the coupe test level 1, tear resistance level 2, puncture resistance level 1 – and in fifth position an X, because the TDM cut test was not carried out. The sixth position is missing altogether: no tested impact protection.
- What the individual levels mean in concrete terms – abrasion cycles, newtons, letters – is set out in the table under Reading the pictogram.
Reading the pictogram
Below the hammer symbol are up to six characters in a fixed order. A higher number always means: better. An X means: not tested or not applicable – not “poor”.
| Position | Test | Scale | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abrasion resistance | 1–4 | 100 / 500 / 2,000 / 8,000 abrasion cycles |
| 2 | Cut resistance (coupe test) | 1–5 or X | Rotating blade, index value |
| 3 | Tear resistance | 1–4 | 10 / 25 / 50 / 75 N |
| 4 | Puncture resistance | 1–4 | 20 / 60 / 100 / 150 N |
| 5 | Cut resistance (TDM test) | A–F | 2 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 22 / 30 N |
| 6 | Impact protection | P or blank | Optional, only if tested |
Why there are two cut resistance values
Until 2016, cut resistance was tested only by the coupe test: a rotating blade moves across the material, and the number of passes of the blade is counted; this produces an index value. The method has a design flaw – with highly cut-resistant materials such as glass or steel fibre, the blade becomes blunt during the test. The glove then appears to last longer and is rated too favourably.
That is why the TDM test was added with the 2016 edition: here a fresh blade passes across the material exactly once, and the force required is measured in newtons. The result is given as a letter from A to F in fifth position. For blade-blunting materials the TDM test is mandatory, and the coupe test may then be replaced by X.
A glove marked “4X43D” and one marked “4343” cannot be compared directly in terms of cut resistance – according to the standard, the coupe and TDM scales have no fixed relationship, even if the second sequence of numbers looks more complete. Always compare the same test, not a number against a letter.
What matters in practice
The best glove is the one that gets worn
A glove with top values in every category is usually thick, stiff and imprecise. Anyone who cannot pick up a screw with it takes it off – and then it does not protect at all. For most jobs, the right glove is the one that covers the actual hazard while remaining as fine as possible.
Fit determines the protective effect
Gloves that are too large slip and lose grip; gloves that are too tight tire the hand and are taken off sooner. Glove sizes are standardised – a fitting before buying stock saves expensive mistakes.
What EN 388 does not cover
The standard assesses mechanical risks only. Other hazards are covered by separate standards: chemical protection, heat protection, cold protection or cut protection against chainsaws are not tested here. A glove with good EN 388 values can be completely unsuitable against solvents.
Work gloves from Kübler
Our work gloves are tested to EN 388 and complement the protective clothing wherever mechanical stress acts on the hands.
Cut protection for chainsaw work is covered by a separate standard – see EN ISO 11393-2.
Frequently asked questions
What does an X in the pictogram mean?
That this test was not carried out or was not meaningful. In second position this is the norm for highly cut-resistant materials, because the coupe test becomes unreliable there. The reliable value is then given in fifth position as a letter.
Which is better – a 5 in the coupe test or a D in the TDM test?
The values are not directly comparable because they are measured differently. The TDM value in newtons is more meaningful for highly cut-resistant materials. Always compare the same test.
Does EN 388 also cover chemicals or heat?
No. The standard assesses mechanical risks only: abrasion, cut, tear, puncture and optionally impact. Chemicals, heat or cold are covered by separate standards.
Do I always need the highest level?
No – and it is often counterproductive. Gloves with top values are thicker and less flexible. Anyone who cannot work in them takes them off. The right glove covers the actual hazard while remaining as fine as possible.
Advice on hand protection
The best glove is the one
that actually gets worn.
We tell you which values your work requires and where the compromise between protection and dexterity lies.
Last updated: July 2026