Protective glove sizes
Measure the hand, read the size 6 to 11 chart, understand the move from EN 420 to EN ISO 21420.
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PPE guidesPPE size guide.
One measurement per item, one size chart per product. Here is what to measure, from head to toe.
- 7 PPE families
- Standards cited
- Sources checked
In short
How do you choose the right PPE size?
In short: there is no universal PPE size. Clothing is chosen from the supplier's size chart, gloves by hand circumference and length (EN ISO 21420), footwear by foot length, helmets by head circumference. Always read the size chart of the exact item ordered.
The French Labour Code requires PPE that can be worn, after adjustment if needed, in a way compatible with the work and ergonomics (article R4323-91). In Great Britain, the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 require PPE to be capable of fitting the wearer correctly. Size is part of protection.
Table
PPE sizing: what to measure, item by item.
The key measurement, the reference in the standard and the most common pitfall.
| Item | Key measurement | Reference | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workwear | Chest, waist, hip girth, inside leg, depending on the item. | The supplier's size chart. | Two "M" sizes from two suppliers do not fit the same person. Remote sizing |
| Gloves | Hand circumference, thumb excluded, and hand length. | EN ISO 21420: sizes 4 to 13, size 8 for a 203 mm circumference. | The standard's sizing system is indicative. Glove sizes |
| Safety footwear | Foot length, then width. | European size; toecap at least 34 to 42 mm long depending on size. | Toecap width varies from model to model. Shoe sizes |
| Hi-vis vest | The garment size, worn over the outfit. | EN ISO 20471: minimum areas per class (class 3: 0.80 m² fluorescent, 0.20 m² retroreflective). | The small sizes of a model can be certified in a lower class: read the label. |
| Safety helmet | Head circumference. | The adjustment range stated in the model's instructions. | A helmet adjusts: check the head circumference is within the range. |
| Safety glasses | Face width and shape. | The model and any sizes it comes in. | A gap at the sides lets splashes through. Measuring the face |
| Hearing protection (earmuffs) | The size range of the earmuff. | EN 352-1: medium range for most people, small and large ranges for others. | Glasses arms and hair under the cushions reduce effectiveness. |
Guides by item
The detailed guides.
Safety shoe sizes
Measure the foot, convert to a shoe size, check the toecap width.
PPE issue record
The employer's duties and a free Excel template to download.
In an allocation
A whole team in the right size.
Sizing errors rarely come from the wearer. They come from a declared size read in the wrong size chart.
- One size per product. A new supplier means a new size chart.
- One record per issue. Product, size, date and signature on the PPE issue record.
- A calculation, not a declaration. WeeFizz calculates the size with no photo needed, from a few answers, in the real size chart of each product.
Read next: PPE size charts: the most common mistakes, reducing sizing errors in your PPE allocations and our workwear allocation software.
Frequently asked questions
PPE sizes: your questions.
How do you choose the right PPE size?
Each item has its own measurement: the supplier's size chart for clothing, hand circumference and length for gloves, foot length for footwear, head circumference for helmets. Measure, then read the size chart of the exact item you are ordering.
Is there a universal PPE size?
No. Each manufacturer publishes its own size chart, and two items with the same size label can fit different people. Standards give reference points, for example glove sizes 4 to 13 in EN ISO 21420, but the manufacturer's chart takes precedence.
Does the employer have to provide PPE in the right size?
In France, the Labour Code requires PPE that suits the risks and working conditions and can be worn, after adjustment if needed, in a way compatible with the work and ergonomics (article R4323-91), supplied free of charge by the employer (article R4323-95). In Great Britain, the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 require PPE to be capable of fitting the wearer correctly (regulation 4(3)(c)). Other countries have their own rules.
Does the class of a hi-vis vest depend on its size?
It can. EN ISO 20471 sets minimum areas of fluorescent and retroreflective material for each class, and some manufacturers certify the smallest sizes of a model in a lower class. The class is shown on the label of each garment.
How do you choose the size of ear defenders?
Earmuffs that comply with EN 352-1 belong to a medium, small or large size range. The medium range fits most people; the small and large ranges are for those it does not fit.
Can you find employees' sizes without a fitting session?
For workwear, yes: WeeFizz calculates the size with no photo needed, from a few answers, in the real size chart of each product. The wearer answers on their phone or computer, with no tape measure.
Sources: French Labour Code, article R4323-91 and article R4323-95; Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, regulation 4 (legislation.gov.uk); AFNOR, NF EN ISO 21420; INRS, ED 6509 (June 2025, in French); Centexbel, EN ISO 20471, minimum areas per class; Hazchem Safety, class by size (EN ISO 20471); Delta Plus, EN 352-1 earmuff instructions. Checked on 11 October 2026.
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