Boxing Glove Size Chart: Find Your Perfect Fit in 2026
Picking the wrong boxing glove size is one of the most common mistakes new fighters make. Too small and your hands cramp after two rounds on the bag. Too big and you lose the feel of your punches, which makes it harder to develop proper technique.
At Bushido Martial Arts, we’ve been fitting fighters across Canada for over 30 years. We manufacture our own Bushido line and carry premium brands like Drako, Fairtex, Venum, Hayabusa, Rival, and King Pro, so we know how sizing varies from one manufacturer to the next. This boxing glove size chart will help guide you to buy based on your body weight, training style, and experience level. For a broader overview of glove types and materials, check our complete buyer’s guide.
Boxing Glove Sizes Explained
Boxing gloves are generally measured in ounces (oz), with the exception of some brands. The oz rating refers to the weight of padding in the glove, not the hand compartment size. Gloves range from 4 oz to 20 oz. More ounces means more padding. More padding means better hand protection and a softer impact on your sparring partner. But heavier gloves also slow your hands down and fatigue your shoulders faster, which is why the right size depends on what you’re using them for.
Here’s the most popular range:
- 8 oz – Youth, speed drills
- 10 oz – Competition, bag work
- 12 oz – Bag work, pad work, fitness boxing
- 14 oz – Sparring (lighter contact), heavy bag work
- 16 oz – Sparring (most common adult size), heavy bag work
- 18–20 oz – Heavy sparring and injury prevention
Boxing Glove Size Chart by Body Weight
This is the guide chart you came here for. Match your body weight to the right glove size for your training type.
| Body Weight | Bag / Pad Work | Sparring | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 100 lbs (45 kg) | 8–10 oz | 12–14 oz | 10 oz |
| 100–125 lbs (45–57 kg) | 10–12 oz | 14 oz | 10 oz |
| 125–150 lbs (57–68 kg) | 12 oz | 14–16 oz | 10 oz |
| 150–180 lbs (68–82 kg) | 12–14 oz | 16 oz | 10 oz |
| 180–200 lbs (82–91 kg) | 16 oz | 16–18 oz | 10 oz |
| Over 200 lbs (91+ kg) | 14–16 oz | 18–20 oz | 10 oz |
Hand size matters too. Two people at 160 lbs can have very different hand sizes. If your hands are on the larger side, look at various styles of gloves. Hand compartment of gloves are different from model to model. A tight glove restricts blood flow and leads to hand fatigue during longer sessions.
Hand wraps add volume. If you always train with wraps (and you should), try gloves on with your wraps. A glove that fits perfectly bare-handed will feel tight once you add 180 inches of cotton wrap underneath.
How to Pick Your Glove Size by Training Type
The chart above gives you a starting point. Your training type narrows it down. If you’re unsure whether to get separate gloves for different activities, read our breakdown on using separate gloves for pad work and sparring.
Bag and Pad Work
For hitting the heavy bag or pads, you want enough padding to protect your knuckles without sacrificing too much speed. Most fighters land on 12 oz or 14 oz for bag work. Under 130 lbs, 10 oz works. Over 180 lbs, go with 16 oz.
Our best-selling bag glove is the Drako SB990 Bag Gloves available in 10 and 12 oz at a price point beginners appreciate. The Drako NRX Ballistic Bag Gloves offer better wrist support and last significantly longer under heavy bag abuse.
Sparring
Sparring gloves need more padding to protect your training partner. Most gyms require 14 oz minimum if doing light controlled sparring, and 16 oz is the standard for adults. Going lighter than what your gym requires is disrespectful to your partner and will get you pulled aside by your coach.
The Fairtex Super Sparring Boxing Gloves are built for partner work, with extra padding across the knuckles and a wider landing surface. For a more affordable option, the Drako Super LX Sparring Gloves come in 16 oz and handle both sparring and bag training.
Fitness and Cardio Boxing
For cardio boxing classes and group fitness sessions, 10 oz or 12 oz gloves are standard. You need enough padding for the bag but not so much weight that your arms give out before the workout does.
Youth and Kids Boxing Glove Sizes
Kids’ gloves follow the same oz logic but start smaller.
| Age | Weight | Recommended Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4–6 years | Under 50 lbs | 4–6 oz | Velcro closure for easy on/off |
| 7–9 years | 50–70 lbs | 6–8 oz | Transition to real training gloves |
| 10–12 years | 70–100 lbs | 8–10 oz | Adult technique, youth sizing |
| 13+ years | 100+ lbs | 10–12 oz | Use adult size chart above |
One mistake parents make: buying gloves two sizes too big so the kid can “grow into them.” Oversized gloves teach bad habits because the child can’t close a proper fist or feel where their punches are landing. Buy the correct size now and replace them when the fit gets tight.
Boxing Glove Sizes by Brand
Sizing isn’t universal across manufacturers. A 14 oz Fairtex fits differently than a 14 oz Venum. Here’s how the brands we carry at Bushido Martial Arts compare.
| Brand | Available Sizes | Fit Notes | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drako | 10, 12, 14, 16 oz | True to size, comfortable break-in | $55–$80 | Beginners |
| Fairtex | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 oz | Snug hand compartment, Thai-style fit | $130–$170 | Muay Thai, serious sparring |
| Venum | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 oz | Runs slightly large, generous wrist | $80–$170 | All-around training |
| Hayabusa | 10, 12, 14, 16 oz | Premium fit, dual-strap closure | $150–$250 | Advanced fighters |
| Rival | 12, 14, 16, 18 oz | Snug fit, great wrist support | $70–$300+ | Sparring, pro training |
| King Pro | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 oz | Wide compartment | $130–$200 | Muay Thai, kickboxing, bigger hands |
Thai-style brands (Fairtex, King Pro) tend to have a wider compartment and a more pronounced curve at the knuckle. Western boxing brands (Rival, Hayabusa) offer a snug and premium hand compartment. If you have wide knuckles or large hands, start with Venum or King Pro. If you prefer a tighter, more locked-in feel, try Rival or Hayabusa.
5 Common Boxing Glove Sizing Mistakes
- Buying for looks instead of fit. That flashy pair might look great, but if they’re the wrong oz, they’re hurting your training. Size first, style second.
- Using one pair for everything. Sparring gloves and bag gloves take different beatings. A 16 oz sparring glove gets compressed from partner impact. A 12 oz bag glove absorbs concentrated heavy bag force. Two pairs last longer than one pair used for both.
- Forgetting hand wraps. Always try gloves with wraps on. A snug bare-hand fit becomes uncomfortable after wrapping 180 inches of cotton around your knuckles.
- Going too light. Lighter gloves feel faster, but less padding means more stress on your hands and wrists. Beginners should err on the heavier side until their technique solidifies.
- Not trying before buying. Hand shapes vary more than you’d expect. If you’re near Langley, BC, visit our store at #110, 19715 96 Ave and try on different sizes and brands with your wraps on.
How to Measure Your Hand for Boxing Gloves
If you can’t try gloves on in person, measure your hand circumference. Wrap a flexible tape measure around your dominant hand at the widest point (across the knuckles, excluding the thumb). Pull snug but not tight.
| Hand Circumference | Hand Size | Typical Glove Size |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5–6.5 inches | Small | 8–10 oz |
| 6.5–7.5 inches | Medium | 12 oz |
| 7.5–8.5 inches | Large | 14–16 oz |
| 8.5+ inches | X-Large | 16–18 oz |
This is a rough guide for hand compartment fit. The oz selection should still follow the body weight and training type charts above. A person with small hands at 180 lbs still needs 16 oz for sparring. They just need a brand with a snugger compartment (Rival, Hayabusa) rather than a roomier one (Venum, King Pro).
Frequently Asked Questions
Most gyms require 14 oz minimum for sparring. If you weigh over 140 lbs, 16 oz is the standard. Check with your gym for their specific house rules, as some facilities require 16 oz for all adult sparring regardless of weight class.
For beginners doing bag work and pad drills, 12 oz is the sweet spot for most body types between 120–170 lbs. If you plan to spar, get 14 oz or 16 oz as well. Many of our customers buy two pairs right away: 12 oz for bag work and 16 oz for sparring. For more on picking your first pair, read our best boxing gloves for beginners guide.
Yes. A 14 oz Fairtex has a tighter hand compartment than a 14 oz Venum. Thai-style brands (Fairtex, King Pro, Twins) run wider. Western boxing brands (Rival, Hayabusa) offer a snug compact fit. We recommend trying different brands to find what works for your hand shape.
Follow the same body weight chart. Most women between 110–150 lbs use 10–12 oz for bag work and 14 oz for sparring. Some brands offer women’s-specific models with a narrower hand compartment. The Drako SB990 fits smaller hands well in 10 oz.
You can, but they’ll wear out faster and you’ll compromise on fit for both activities. Bag work compresses padding from concentrated impact. Sparring distributes force across a wider surface. A dedicated bag glove (12–14 oz) and a dedicated sparring glove (16 oz) will each last twice as long. Read our full breakdown on different types of fighting gloves for more on this.
Find Your Size at Bushido Martial Arts
Still not sure which size is right? Browse our full boxing gloves collection online, or visit us in person at #110, 19715 96 Ave, Langley, BC. Our team has been fitting fighters for over 30 years and can help you try on different sizes and brands to find the right match for your training.
Call us at 604-513-0317 or shop online at bushido.ca with free shipping on orders over $125 across Canada.
