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Guide to Personal Protective Equipment Sizing

Personal protective equipment is only effective when it fits properly. Sometimes finding out what size you are is challenging. In order to ensure your comfort and safety, check out PE Facts to find out exactly what size your PPE should be!

Depending on the field you work in, your personal protective equipment (PPE) might be something as simple as a hard hat or as complicated as a sealed suit with a self-contained breathing apparatus. Though this equipment may just help you avoid minor discomfort, it could also save your life. Choosing the right PPE is worth searching far and wide, especially when it comes to finding the right fit.

Unfortunately, selecting PPE can be somewhat confusing. Understanding sizing conventions and determining which size is the right one for you can be challenging. Here are some simple guidelines to help you make the best choice when purchasing sized PPE.

Hard Hats
Hard hat sizes may appear a bit strange. The size measurements do not correspond directly to head circumference. As a general guide: size 6 fits a head with a 19-inch circumference; size 6-1/2 fits a 20-inch head; size 7 fits a 22-inch head; size 7-1/2 fits a 23-inch head; size 8 fits a 25-inch head.

To determine your hat size, wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of your head (this is usually just above the eyebrows). Make sure the tape measure is pulled snug, but not too tight. Use the sizing chart below to convert inches to hat size.

Hat / Cap Sizing Chart

Size

Small

Medium

Large

XL

Hat

6-3/4 to 7

7-1/8 to 7-1/4

7-3/8 to 7-1/2

7-5/8 to 7-3/4

Head (in.)

21-1/2 to 21-7/8

22-1/4 to 22-5/8

23 to 23-1/2

23-7/8 to 24-1/4

**For more information on Hard Hats and Hard Hat requirements, see our PE Facts Guide to Hard Hat Requirements

Eyewear
Size measurements for safety eyewear depend on the type of lens needed. Size is measured in millimeters (25.4mm equals an inch) from the outside of the left temple to the outside of the right temple for a single-lens eye piece. If the eyewear has two lenses, such as prescription eyewear, size is measured in millimeters from the left to right of each lens.

Respirators
Of all PPE sizing challenges, accurate sizing for respirators is the most serious. It can be confusing at times because respirator sizes are given descriptors (Small, Medium and Large), but these do not correspond to a measurable value. Respirators sizes are labeled based on the assumption that a majority of people's faces and heads are approximately the same width and length. This means that a medium will fit about 85 to 90 percent of the population. Small and large sizes are made for a very small minority of the population. People who need these sizes usually know that their face and head size falls outside the norm through past experiences buying hats or prescription eyewear. The only way to accurately choose the right respirator size is by doing respirator fit testing.

Comfort and fit must be carefully considered when choosing PPE. If it does not fit properly, it will not provide the necessary protection. Protective devices are usually available in various sizes. Care should be taken to guarantee that the right size is chosen. Adjustments should be made individually for a comfortable fit that will keep the protective device in the proper position. If manufacturer's instructions are available, they should always be followed carefully.

Gloves
In order to get a properly fitting glove, it is essential to know exactly how to measure the hand. Having a glove that fits properly allows employees to get the greatest protection available without compromising their task, duty or comfort.To find your glove size, measure around the knuckles of your dominant hand with a tape measure. The dominant hand is the right if you are right-handed and the left if you are left-handed.

The inch measurement of your hand should correspond directly to the numbered sizes of the glove. For example, if you measure your hand to be 8 inches, you would wear a size 8 glove. If your hand measures over 8 inches it is wise to choose the next size up to avoid hand fatigue or discomfort from a glove that is too small. Some gloves come in lettered sizes such as XS, S, M, L, and XL. These can easily convert to a numerical size for simple selection. See the table for numerical and lettered sizing relation.

Men's Sizes

Women's Sizes
 

Inch

cm

  

Inch

cm

XS

7

18

XS

6

15

S

7-1/2 to 8

20

S

6-1/2

17

M

8-1/2 to 9

23

M

7

18

L

9-1/2 to 10

25

L

7-1/2

19

XL

10-1/2 to 11

28

XL

8

20

**For additional information on proper selection of gloves, please refer to PE Facts Glove Sizing

Shoes
By the time our feet are fully grown, most of us have figured out how to find a comfortable pair of shoes or boots, but when it comes to PPE, the most common types of footwear are overshoes and overboots. Overshoes are designed to fit over the shoes being worn and agree in size; a size 10 overshoe will fit over a size 10 shoe. It can be hard to find women's sizes in overshoes and overboots, but a practical rule of thumb is to just add two sizes. For example, a men's size 10 would be a women's size 12.

Shoe Sizing Conversion Charts

Women's to Men's Shoe Sizing Conversion
When converting women's shoe sizes to men's shoe sizes you need to subtract two whole sizes; a women's shoe size 10 is a men's shoe size 8.

Men's International Shoe Sizing Conversion Chart

When converting a men's shoe size to an accurate U.S. shoe size, use the following chart. As shown below, a men's European shoe size 44 is a U.S. shoe size 10.

Women's International Shoe Sizing Conversion Chart

When converting a women's shoe size to the correct U.S. shoe size, use the following chart. As shown below, a women's European shoe size 39 is a U.S. shoe size 8.

Sizing Chart For Dupont Tyvek Clothing

Please note this chart is a guide for garment selection, but proper fit depends on individual body shape and under-clothing. Try on for proper fit before use. Garment performance greatly depends on appropriate size selection.

Height

Weight (lbs.)

Men's Size

6'8"

240-300

4XL

6'6"

220-300

3XL/4XL

6'4"

180-280

2XL/3XL

6'2"

160-250

XL/2XL

6'

160-250

XL/2XL

5'10"

130-220

L/XL

5'8"

130-220

L/XL

5'6"

110-200

M/L

5'4"

110-160

S/M

5'2"

110-160

S/M

5'

110-140

S

Please Note: The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.