Reference guide

Cut Resistance Levels Explained: ANSI A1–A9 vs EN 388 A–F

The two standards that rate cut resistance use different scales and different units — which makes comparing cut-resistant clothing, arm guards and gloves confusing. This is the plain-English conversion, with the numbers behind each level.

The one thing to know: both modern scales come from the same test — a blade is drawn across the material and the machine measures the force needed to cut through. North America (ANSI/ISEA 105) reports that force in grams on a 9-level scale (A1–A9). Europe (EN 388:2016, TDM method) reports it in newtons on a 6-level scale (A–F). Once you know the force, the two scales line up directly.

ANSI vs EN 388 cut level conversion chart

This table maps the North American ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels to the European EN 388:2016 (ISO 13997) cut levels, using the cutting force measured on the TDM test machine. Grams-force and newtons are two units for the same measurement (1 newton ≈ 102 grams-force).

ANSI/ISEA 105 level Cutting force (grams) EN 388:2016 level Cutting force (newtons)
A1 200–499 g A 2–5 N
A2 500–999 g B 5–10 N
A3 1000–1499 g C 10–15 N
A4 1500–2199 g D 15–22 N
A5 2200–2999 g E 22–30 N
A6 3000–3999 g F 30 N and above
A7 4000–4999 g F (above 30 N)
A8 5000–5999 g F (above 30 N)
A9 6000 g and above F (above 30 N)

Important: EN 388 stops at level F (30 N). ANSI keeps going to A9. So an ANSI A6, A7, A8 or A9 glove all carry the same EN rating — F — even though ANSI A9 is far more cut-resistant than A6. When comparing a top-tier European product (F) against a North American one, check the ANSI level too: F could mean anything from A6 to A9.

Where BAC sits: our Cut-Tuff® Core garments are independently lab-tested by Groupe CTT Inc. (Quebec, Canada) to ANSI/ISEA 105 Level A6 and EN ISO 13997 Level F — the point where the two scales meet at the top of the EN range.

How to read an EN 388:2016 glove marking

EN 388:2016 prints a string of numbers and letters beneath the shield-and-anvil pictogram. Each position rates a different mechanical property:

4Abrasion (0–4)
XCoupe cut (0–5 / X)
4Tear (0–4)
3Puncture (0–4)
FTDM cut (A–F)
PImpact (P or blank)

So a marking of 4X43F P means: abrasion 4 (highest), Coupe test not applicable (X), tear 4, puncture 3, TDM cut resistance F (highest), and impact protection passed (P). The fifth character — the letter A to F — is the one that matters most for blade and slash protection.

Why the Coupe (rotating blade) test shows “X” on high-cut materials

The original EN 388 Coupe test runs a circular blade back and forth until it cuts through. But high-performance cut-resistant fibres dull the blade during the test, producing unreliable results. For those materials the Coupe result is recorded as X (not applicable), and the TDM / ISO 13997 test (the A–F letter) is used instead. A high-cut product showing “X” in the second position is normal — look at the letter.

The test method behind both scales: EN ISO 13997 / ASTM F2992

Both modern cut ratings come from a single test method, run on a machine called a tomodynamometer (TDM):

  • EN ISO 13997 — the international test method. A straight blade is drawn once across the material; the result is the force in newtons required to cut through after 20 mm of blade travel. EN 388:2016 uses this to assign the A–F letter.
  • ASTM F2992/F2992M — the North American equivalent, reporting the same measurement in grams. ANSI/ISEA 105 uses this to assign A1–A9.

Because the underlying measurement is identical, grams and newtons convert directly — which is what makes the chart above possible.

Which cut level do you actually need?

Risk Typical level Example settings
Light / incidental ANSI A1–A2 (EN A–B) General handling, light assembly
Moderate ANSI A3–A4 (EN C–D) Glass, sheet metal, warehousing
High ANSI A5–A6 (EN E–F) Special education, behavioural health, healthcare and corrections — bite, scratch and slash protection (where our arm guards and Cut-Tuff® Core clothing sit)
Extreme / known knife threat ANSI A7–A9 (EN F) Deliberate edged-weapon risk

Higher is not automatically better — cut resistance trades off against dexterity, comfort and cost. Match the level to the actual threat. For most cut, slash and bite exposure in schools, healthcare and corrections, ANSI A6 / EN F is the practical top of the everyday-wearable range.

FAQ

What is the highest cut resistance level?
On the European EN 388:2016 scale, the highest cut level is F (30 newtons and above). On the North American ANSI/ISEA 105 scale, it is A9 (6000 grams and above). Because EN stops at F, ANSI levels A6 through A9 all show as EN F.
What does ANSI A6 equal in EN 388?
ANSI/ISEA 105 Level A6 (3000–3999 grams of cutting force) corresponds to EN 388:2016 Level F (30 newtons and above) — the highest level on the EN scale.
Is EN 388 Level F the same as ANSI A9?
Not exactly. EN Level F covers everything from 30 newtons upward, so it includes ANSI A6, A7, A8 and A9. An EN F product could be anywhere in that range. To compare two F-rated products precisely, check their ANSI level or the actual gram/newton value.
Why does a product show “X” for cut resistance?
The “X” in the second position of an EN 388 marking (used for gloves, and the same letter rating applies to cut-resistant garment fabrics) means the Coupe (rotating blade) test was not applicable — usually because the material is cut-resistant enough to dull the test blade. The real cut rating is the A–F letter at the fifth position, measured by the more reliable TDM / ISO 13997 method.
Do cut levels apply to clothing or only gloves?
The EN 388 and ANSI/ISEA 105 standards were written for gloves, but the underlying test methods (EN ISO 13997 / ASTM F2992) measure the cut resistance of the material. That is why cut-resistant garments — arm guards, shirts and jackets — are tested and rated to the same cut levels as the fabric they are made from. Our core arm guards and Cut-Tuff® Core clothing are rated this way.

Reviewed by the team at Body Armour Canada Ltd. (BAC Tactical), a Canadian-owned protective-clothing supplier. Our Cut-Tuff® Core garments are independently lab-tested by Groupe CTT Inc. to ANSI/ISEA 105 Level A6 and EN ISO 13997 Level F. Spot an error or need a test report? Reach us through our contact page.