ANSI Cut Levels A1–A9, Explained
The ANSI/ISEA 105 standard rates cut resistance on a nine-point scale, A1 through A9, measured in grams — the cutting load a material withstands on a TDM-100 test before the blade breaks through.
What the levels mean
A1–A3 (200–999g): light tasks — general assembly, packaging, light material handling. A4–A5 (1500–2199g): medium — metal parts handling, HVAC, automotive. A6–A9 (3000g+): heavy — glass, metal stamping, blade-change, sheet-metal work.
Picking a level
Match the level to the sharpness and force of the edge, not the worst-case imaginable. Over-speccing to A9 when A4 fits the hazard just costs dexterity and money. When in doubt, tell us the task — we’ll recommend a level and send a free sample to test.
Tell us the hazard. We’ll match a glove and prove it.
Give us the exposure and your current glove if you have one. We’ll spec a line and ship a free sample with its cert docs.
- No minimums or annual spend to start
- Cert documentation included
- A real person replies within 1 business day