How to Measure for Motorcycle Gloves? | Get the Right Fit

One wrong measurement can leave you with gloves that pinch on long rides or flap loose in the wind. The process is straightforward, but the details matter—palm circumference, hand width, and finger length all play a role. Different brands use different sizing methods, so the number you measure is only half the answer. Here is how to get it right the first time.

Which Measurement Method Does Your Glove Brand Use?

Most motorcycle glove sizing relies on one of two measurements: hand circumference or hand width. Circumference—wrapping the tape around the palm just below the knuckles—is the more common method. Some brands, however, ask for the width across the widest part of the palm with your hand flat. The correct approach is to follow the specific brand’s instructions. RevZilla’s sizing guide notes that methods vary by manufacturer, so always check the chart on the product page before ordering. If a brand’s chart is ambiguous, fall back to the circumference method, which works for most gloves.

How to Take Your Palm Measurement Step by Step

Use a soft measuring tape for the most accurate result. If you don’t have one, wrap a piece of string around your hand and lay it flat against a ruler. Measure your dominant hand unless the brand specifies otherwise. Here is the correct sequence:

• Keep your hand relaxed and open. Do not clench your fist or squeeze the tape—this is the most common mistake in glove sizing guides.
• Wrap the tape around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles. Exclude the thumb entirely; wrapping over it inflates the measurement.
• Snug but not tight. The tape should contact the skin without compressing it. A tightly pulled tape guarantees a glove that’s too small.
• Measure both hands. They are rarely identical. Use the larger measurement as your working number.
• If the brand’s chart also asks for hand length, measure from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm at the wrist crease.

That number—your palm circumference in inches or centimeters—goes directly against the glove maker’s size chart. If your measurement falls between two sizes, Five Gloves’ official guidance recommends sizing up to avoid tightness that restricts movement.

Critical Sizing Details Most Riders Overlook

Three factors regularly trip people up, and each one can mean the difference between a comfortable fit and a return shipment.

Finger length matters as much as palm width. A glove that fits your palm circumference perfectly but has fingers that are too short will chafe on every ride. When trying gloves on, make sure the fingertip padding aligns with your actual fingertips—not pressed to the end or bunched with extra material.

Brands size differently. A size Large from one manufacturer might fit like a Medium from another. The Ride Icon size chart uses different breakpoints than Five Gloves, which uses different breakpoints than dozens of other brands. Always measure fresh and match against the chart for the exact gloves you are buying.

Leather stretches; textile does not. Leather gloves typically break in and stretch by about ¼ to ½ a size over the first few weeks of regular use. A snug initial fit is normal for leather—it will relax. Textile gloves, by contrast, should fit correctly from day one. For windproof and winter gloves, this distinction matters even more because a loose fit lets cold air in. If you are shopping for cold-weather riding, check our tested roundup of the best windproof motorcycle gloves to find options that pair accurate sizing with effective insulation.

Common Measurement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced riders make these errors. Catching them before you measure saves a return shipment and a week of waiting:

• Measuring while making a fist. A clenched hand pulls the skin taut and gives a falsely small reading. Keep fingers relaxed and slightly apart.
• Wrapping the tape over the thumb. The thumb sits in its own compartment on the glove; including it in the circumference measurement adds about half an inch of error.
• Measuring only one hand. A 2019 study of hand anthropometry found that the dominant hand averages 3-5% larger in palm width. Measure both; pick the larger number.
• Ignoring the brand’s chart. Using a generic “Small/Medium/Large” conversion from a different brand almost never works. Check the chart on the product page, not your memory.
• Testing fit while sitting still. Your hands swell slightly during rides. A glove that fits perfectly in the store may feel tight after an hour. If you are between sizes, the larger one usually works better for extended riding.

For leather gloves, also account for the break-in period. RevZilla’s guide notes that leather can stretch by as much as half a size, which means a pair that feels slightly constrictive new may fit perfectly after a few long rides. Textile and synthetic gloves do not stretch—if they feel tight in the store, they will always feel tight.