Cut-Resistant Glove Levels Explained: A vs F (Which Portwest Glove You Need)
Quick answer: Cut-resistant work gloves are rated under EN 388:2016+A1:2018, shown as four numbers plus a letter (e.g. "4X44F"): abrasion, circular-blade cut, tear, and puncture resistance as numbers, then a straight-blade cut rating from A (lowest) to F (highest). The letter is the one that actually matters for cut protection — general handling and assembly work is usually fine with A or B, most trades with sharp edges or metal need C or D, and glass, sheet metal, or blade-heavy work needs E or F.
Most gloves on a shelf just say "cut resistant" without explaining how much. Portwest's own glove range spans a genuine spread — from general-purpose dexterity gloves with no meaningful cut rating at all, through to Level F gloves built for glass and sheet metal handling. Buying below what the job needs is an obvious risk; buying well above it just wastes money and sacrifices the dexterity a lower-rated glove would have given you. Here's how the rating actually works, and which level your job needs.
How EN 388 gloves are actually rated
The code stamped on a Portwest glove label under EN 388:2016+A1:2018 has five characters, read left to right:
1st digit — Abrasion (0-4): how well the palm resists being rubbed against abrasive material.
2nd digit — Circular blade cut, or "X" (0-5 or X): the older rotating-blade cut test. Many current gloves show "X" here because this test has been superseded by the straight-blade letter test below for materials it can't reliably measure.
3rd digit — Tear resistance (0-4): the force needed to tear the material.
4th digit — Puncture resistance (0-4): resistance to a single sharp point pushing through.
Letter — Straight blade cut, A to F: a more accurate straight-blade test (ISO 13997) that replaced the old circular-blade test as the real cut-resistance benchmark. This is the character to check first.
What the cut letter A to F actually means for the job
A-B (light): general assembly, parts handling, and light warehouse work where the main hazard is grip and dexterity, not sharp edges.
C-D (moderate): most general trade work involving occasional sharp edges — metal offcuts, cable work, general fabrication. This is where the bulk of Portwest's everyday cut-resistant range sits.
E-F (high): glass handling, sheet metal, blade-heavy cutting work, or any role where a genuine laceration risk exists from sharp material rather than incidental contact. Level F is the top of the scale.
Higher isn't automatically better for every role — a Level F glove is stiffer and less dextrous than a Level A-B glove, so fitting an assembly-line role with F-rated gloves "to be safe" usually just slows the job down for no real protection benefit. Browse the full Work Gloves range to compare cut levels side by side.
Not every glove is cut-tested at all
General-purpose and disposable gloves often carry no meaningful cut rating, and that's not a defect — it just means cutting hazards aren't what they're built for. A general dexterity glove built for precision assembly work is tested and rated, but its cut score sits at the bottom of the scale because grip and feel are the priority, not blade resistance. Disposable nitrile gloves for food handling or light chemical contact are governed by entirely different standards (EN 455 for medical-grade gloves, EN ISO 374 for chemical and microorganism protection) and aren't tested against EN 388 at all. Checking "does this glove have a cut rating" before assuming any glove protects against cuts is the single most common gap we see.
Which glove does your job actually need?
Assembly, parts handling, general warehouse: a general-purpose dexterity glove is genuinely fine — cut resistance isn't the priority, grip and feel are.
General trades with occasional sharp edges: Level C-D cut resistance covers most fabrication, cable, and site handling work without sacrificing too much dexterity.
Glass, sheet metal, blade-heavy cutting work: Level E-F, and check the puncture rating too if the role involves sharp points as well as edges.
Cold storage or freezer work: look for EN 511 (cold protection) alongside the cut rating — a cut-resistant glove with no cold rating won't keep hands warm.
Needle or sharps risk (waste handling, recycling): a dedicated needle-resistant glove tested to ASTM F2878, not just a high EN 388 cut rating — puncture from a fine point is a different hazard to a blade edge.
Dexti-Grip Glove — A320
Maximum dexterity for precision assembly and parts handling, not built for cut protection.
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Cut D13 PU Hi-Vis Glove — A625
Level D cut resistance with a high-vis liner and contact-heat protection to 100°C — a solid default for general trade work.
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CS Cut F13 Nitrile Glove — A672
Top-of-scale Level F cut resistance for glass, sheet metal and blade-heavy handling, with a reflective label for low-light visibility.
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Needle Resistant Glove — A792
Level F cut resistance plus Level 5 puncture protection against hypodermic needles, for waste handling and recycling roles.
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Apacha Cold Store Glove — A751
Waterproof, insulated glove rated to EN 511 for cold protection, with a leather palm for grip and durability in freezer or winter conditions.
Shop this glove →Frequently asked questions
What does the EN 388 glove code actually mean?
EN 388:2016+A1:2018 rates gloves with four numbers and a letter, in order: abrasion resistance, circular-blade cut resistance (often shown as X), tear resistance, puncture resistance, then a straight-blade cut rating from A to F, with F being the highest.
What cut level glove do I need for general trade work?
Level C-D covers most general trade work with occasional sharp edges, such as metal offcuts or cable handling, without sacrificing too much dexterity compared to a higher-rated glove.
Is a higher cut level glove always better?
No. Higher cut ratings mean stiffer, less dextrous gloves. Fitting a light assembly role with Level F gloves slows the job down without a real protection benefit, since the actual hazard doesn't call for it.
Are disposable gloves cut resistant?
Generally no. Disposable nitrile and latex gloves are typically governed by EN 455 (medical-grade) or EN ISO 374 (chemical and microorganism protection) rather than EN 388, and carry no meaningful cut rating.
Do cut-resistant gloves protect against needles?
Not necessarily. A high EN 388 cut rating measures resistance to blade edges, not fine points. Needle-specific protection is tested separately, typically to ASTM F2878, and needs a dedicated needle-resistant glove.
Are Portwest gloves certified for Australia?
Portwest's Australian-market gloves are typically tested against both the international EN 388 mechanical risk standard and Australia's own AS/NZS 2161 series, often shown together on the same product label.
Related guides
- Portwest Workwear in Australia — the full brand guide across hi-vis, FR, PPE, gloves and footwear.
- Safety Boot Classes Explained — the equivalent standard breakdown for Portwest footwear.
- Winter Workwear Checklist — cold-store gear including insulated gloves and jackets.
Not sure which cut level your team needs? Browse the full range and check the label before you buy.