Boxing gloves size chart: all oz sizes at a glance
Adults: 10 oz up to 60 kg, 12 oz up to 75 kg, 14 oz up to 90 kg, 16 oz above that; competition 8 or 10 oz, kids 4 to 8 oz.
Boxing gloves range from 4 oz for young children to 18 oz for heavy fighters who spar. For most adults it comes down to 10, 12, 14 or 16 oz, depending on body weight and whether you need to protect sparring partners. Below you'll find the full chart, what each size does and how brands like Twins Special and Booster differ in fit.
The full oz chart
Every oz size has its own role. Here's the complete range as you'll come across it in practice:
- 4 oz: children up to around 25 kg, or as an MMA glove for adults
- 6 oz: children up to around 40 kg
- 8 oz: children up to 55 kg and competition glove for lighter weight classes
- 10 oz: bag and pads up to 60 kg, competition glove for heavier classes
- 12 oz: bag and pads from 60 to 75 kg
- 14 oz: bag and pads from 75 to 90 kg, light sparring
- 16 oz: bag and pads over 90 kg, the standard for sparring
- 18 oz: sparring for heavy fighters, over roughly 100 kg
The table below this article lays it all out by weight once more. Use it as a starting point and check with your trainer if in doubt.
What an ounce does to your glove
An ounce is 28.35 grams. The difference between a 12 oz and a 16 oz glove is therefore well over 110 grams per hand, and almost all of that extra weight sits in the padding over your knuckles. That padding spreads the blow over a larger surface and slows down the impact, so both your own hand and your opponent take less punishment.
For most brands the weight is a guide value. A 16 oz from one brand may in practice be a few grams lighter or heavier than one from another. That's down to differences in leather, inner lining and the type of foam. For training it makes no difference at all; only at official competitions is the weight actually checked.
Choosing a size by training purpose
What you train for matters at least as much as your weight. For bag work and pad work you can stay closer to your weight class: it's about feel and speed, and you don't need to protect anyone. For sparring you always go to 14 oz or higher, no matter how much you weigh.
If you mix it up, say technique and pads twice a week and sparring once, a single pair of 14 oz is a good compromise if you're under 75 kg. If you weigh more, 16 oz for everything is the simplest choice. Want the best of both worlds? Then buy a lighter pair for the bag and a heavy pair for sparring. Many of our regular customers do exactly that after a few months of training.
Competition gloves: 8 and 10 oz
In competitive boxing and kickboxing, lighter gloves are used than in training. Which size depends on the federation and the weight class, but usually it's 8 oz up to around 67 kg and 10 oz above that. These gloves often have laces for a tighter wrist and a more compact shape.
Competition gloves aren't meant for daily use on the bag. The padding is thinner and wears out faster, and for sparring they are banned without exception. Only buy them once you're actually going to fight, and then use them only for the bout and the final pad sessions in your fight camp.
Differences in fit between brands
The same oz size fits differently from brand to brand. A few things to know about the brands we carry in the shop:
- Twins Special (for example the BGVL series) runs roomy and round, with lots of padding. Great for wide hands and for sparring.
- Booster (BGL and BT Starter) runs normal to slightly more compact and has a somewhat longer cuff for wrist support.
- King Pro Boxing sits between the two, with a tight fist shape.
- Fairtex x Booster combines the roomy Thai fit with a sturdy velcro closure.
If you have narrow hands, Booster and King Pro Boxing are often more comfortable. If you have wide hands or want plenty of room for thick wraps, look at Twins. If you try a glove on without wraps, it should feel just slightly too roomy.
Common mistakes when choosing
The most common mistake is buying too light because the glove looks faster and sleeker. Your knuckles and wrists pay the price, especially on a hard heavy bag. A second mistake is trying gloves on without wraps, so the glove suddenly pinches during training.
Don't buy on price or looks alone either. A glove that doesn't match your weight won't get used for long. And make sure you don't mistake an 8 oz kids' glove for a competition glove: they share the same oz size but have a completely different interior. In our shop, every model states which group it's intended for.
| Weight | Bag and pads | Sparring | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 kg (child) | 4 oz | - | - |
| Up to 40 kg (child) | 6 oz | - | - |
| Up to 55 kg (junior) | 8 oz | 10 oz | - |
| Up to 60 kg | 10 oz | 14 oz | 8 oz |
| 60 to 75 kg | 12 oz | 14 or 16 oz | 8 or 10 oz |
| 75 to 90 kg | 14 oz | 16 oz | 10 oz |
| 90 to 100 kg | 16 oz | 16 oz | 10 oz |
| Over 100 kg | 16 oz | 16 or 18 oz | 10 oz |
Ordering from anywhere in the EU
PadsByBilly ships from the Netherlands to every EU country: Belgium €7.95, Germany €9.95, other EU countries €14.95, free from €75. No customs or import fees inside the EU; prices include VAT. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days and you have a 14-day right of withdrawal.
Running a gym or fight school and need boxing gloves for the whole team? From €500 order value we make a custom quote with a bigger discount.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is 16 oz?
Around 454 grams per glove. The exact weight varies slightly by brand and material.
Are there boxing gloves of 13 or 15 oz?
Hardly ever. The standard sizes go up in steps of 2 oz. If you're in between, choose the heavier size.
Which size for a woman of 60 kg?
According to the chart, 10 or 12 oz for bag and pads, and 14 oz for sparring. Body weight counts, not gender.
Are 18 oz gloves still worth it?
Only for heavy fighters who spar a lot, usually over 100 kg. For bag work they're unnecessarily bulky.
Does every 12 oz glove run the same size?
No. Twins runs roomy, Booster and King Pro Boxing somewhat more compact. The weight is the same, the interior isn't.
