How Hand Length Affects Glove Size

Hand length for gloves is a straight measurement from your middle fingertip to the large skin fold at your wrist. The EN ISO 21420 glove standard pairs every size with both a hand circumference and a hand length, but the Leather Collection and MotoSpeeds glove charts size by circumference only. So pick your size from the palm measurement, then use length to check whether the fingers of that size will be too long or too short for you.

New to measuring? Start with the glove measurement guide for the full process.

Key takeaways- Hand length runs from the middle fingertip to the wrist crease.- Under EN ISO 21420, each size step adds about 1 in (25 mm) of circumference but only about 0.4 in (10–12 mm) of length.- The store chart has no length column, so circumference sets your letter size.- If your length sits a size above or below your circumference size, expect long or short fingers and check the fit on the grips.

What counts as hand length for gloves?

Lay a ruler along your middle finger and read the distance from its tip to the big crease at your wrist. One glove maker instead describes the end point as the base of the palm. Use your dominant hand: the right if you are right-handed, the left if you are left-handed.

Write the result in inches, or convert from millimeters: 1 in equals exactly 25.4 mm. For the circumference half of the job, follow how to measure your hand for gloves.

How does ISO sizing pair length with circumference?

EN ISO 21420 is the main general standard for gloves and replaced EN 420. Motorcycle gloves tested to EN 13594 must follow the EN 420 sizing system or another system described in the user information. That makes the ISO table a useful reference, even when a brand uses its own letters.

The table gives one circumference and one length for each size from 6 to 11:

Sources: sizes 6–11; letters; circumference in inches; length in inches calculated with 25.4 mm per inch.

Read across the table and the pattern is clear. Circumference grows by about 1 in (25–26 mm) per size, while length grows by only about 0.4 in (10–12 mm). A length that lands one row away from your circumference row is a difference of under half an inch.

Only sizes 6–11 have standard values. For sizes 4, 5, 12 and 13 one maker lists length as under 160 mm or over 215 mm, while another gives single numbers marked as guidelines outside the standard.

All values in the table come from three glove makers' summaries of the standard, from Wenaas, TEGERA and COFRA, and the three agree. We have not yet checked them against the standard's own text.

Does hand length change your size on the store chart?

No. The glove chart shared by Leather Collection and MotoSpeeds lists one measurement, hand circumference, and has no hand-length or finger-length column. Measure around the palm just below the knuckles with the thumb left out, which is where the chart diagram places the tape.

The store's men's leather gloves page does ask for hand length and says to compare both numbers with the size guide. The chart it points to has no length column, though. Until a length column exists, length cannot move you to another letter on this chart; use it as a fit check instead.

Letters also do not carry over between systems. Under EN ISO 21420, an 8 in (203 mm) hand is size 8, or M. On the store chart, an 8 in hand is men's S or women's XL.

Measure, then read each maker's own chart, as covered in how to find your glove size and the leather glove size chart.

What if length and circumference point to different sizes?

Find your circumference size in the ISO table, then compare your hand length with the length in that same row. A standard size may not fit everyone, because hand shapes differ, for example a wide hand with short fingers.

Basis for the table: the ISO rows and the hand-shape caveat.

Long fingers for your palm size

Say your hand measures 8 in (20.32 cm) around, which is men's S on the store chart and about ISO size 8. ISO size 8 lists a 7.17 in (182 mm) hand length. If your hand is 7.56 in (192 mm) long, that matches the size 9 length row instead.

Try the glove in riding position before deciding. Your fingertips should reach the ends of the glove without cramping, and numbness or pressure points after a few minutes on the bar mean the fit is wrong. A snug fit gives better feel at the grips and levers.

Going up a size for length also loosens the palm: men's M is 0.5 in (1.27 cm) larger around than men's S. The store's own sources disagree on whether leather will adapt to close that gap.

One store page says the cowhide slowly molds to the hand and softens with wear. A store blog says leather breaks in only slightly and a loose glove stays loose.

When length and width really do not match, the store blog suggests a custom size for hands that are unusually narrow or wide for their length. On the store's custom motorcycle gloves, a custom size adds $75 to the price.

You send your measurements after ordering, quoting the order number, before production starts. Made-to-measure pairs take 4–6 weeks and cannot be refunded or replaced.

Short fingers for your palm size

The store notes that women often need a smaller palm size and shorter fingers. If your fingertips stop short of the glove ends, the glove does not pass the fit check above. A wide hand with short fingers is one of the shapes a standard size may not fit.

Riders in this spot can compare styles in women's motorcycle gloves for short fingers.

Put it together: four steps to your size

1. Measure around your palm just below the knuckles, thumb out.
2. Read your letter size from the store chart, which uses circumference only.
3. Measure hand length and compare it with the ISO row for your size.
4. Check the fit on the grips: fingertips reach the ends, no pressure points.

The size calculator at the top of this page runs steps 2 and 3 for you.

When you have your size, browse Leather Collection men's leather gloves. Each pair is made to order in the size you choose.

Frequently asked questions

What size gloves for a 7 inch hand?

It depends on which 7 in you measured. A 7 in (17.78 cm) circumference is women's M on the store chart and close to ISO size 7, or S. A 7 in (178 mm) length falls between the ISO size 7 length of 6.73 in and the size 8 length of 7.17 in.

What size is a 9 inch hand?

A 9 in (22.86 cm) circumference is men's L on the store chart and close to ISO size 9, also L. A 9 in (229 mm) length is longer than the size 11 length of 8.46 in, where the ISO table only lists "over 215 mm" for larger sizes.

What size is 7.5 gloves?

On the store chart, a 7.5 in (19.05 cm) hand circumference is men's XS or women's L.

What is size 9.5 in gloves?

A 9.5 in (24.13 cm) hand circumference is men's XL on the store chart.