How to Size a Baseball Glove | Sizing Chart & Fit Tips

Like most players, I started out with a hand-me-down glove from my dad. I outgrew it fast. But the little time I spent with that glove told me everything I needed to know. I was going to take this sport seriously, and that meant getting the right gear.

So my dad got me my first real glove. I didn’t think much about it at the time. We went to the store, I picked one out, and he handled the rest. It wasn’t until I started buying my own gloves as an adult that I realized how tricky it can be to land on the right size.

Tricky isn’t even the right word. Confusing is more like it. The right size for you depends on your hand size, sure, but also your playing position and how you like to grip the ball. That combination can make things complicated fast, especially if you’re buying your first glove.

I’ve fitted a lot of players for gloves over the years, and I want to walk you through how to size a baseball glove properly so you end up with one that actually fits your hand and lets you play your best. Let’s get into it.

How to Measure a Baseball Glove

Before I get into what size you should buy, you need to know how a baseball glove is measured in the first place. Gloves are sized in inches, but depending on the type of glove, the way that measurement is taken changes.

To make things more confusing, a fielder’s glove, a first base mitt, and a catcher’s mitt are all measured a little differently, and a rookie player often has no idea. So let me break down each format and give you a general idea of glove sizing before we get to the charts.

How to Measure a Fielder’s Glove

A fielder’s glove is what outfielders, infielders, and pitchers use. To get its size, you measure in a straight line from the heel of the glove up to the top of the index finger, following the palm. In other words, a fielder’s glove is measured by its vertical length, not its width. You’ll usually find that number stamped right into the leather near the wrist.

How to Measure a Catcher’s Mitt

The catcher’s mitt, as the name suggests, is only used behind the plate. Unlike a fielder’s glove, a catcher’s mitt is measured by its circumference rather than its length. To get the size, you wrap a measuring tape around the widest part of the mitt’s pocket. This gives you a clearer picture of how much catching surface you’re actually working with, since a mitt’s shape is so different from a regular glove. If you’ve ever wondered why a mitt looks nothing like a fielder’s glove in the first place, I get into that in my baseball mitt vs glove breakdown.

How to Measure a First Base Mitt

First base mitts confuse people because they look like a catcher’s mitt but they’re actually sized like a fielder’s glove. You measure a first base mitt the same way, heel to fingertip, not by circumference. Most first base mitts run in the same 12 to 13 inch range as a big outfield glove, just with a deeper pocket and a more scooped shape for digging throws out of the dirt.

Baseball Glove Size Chart by Age

As I mentioned, the right glove size for you comes down to two main factors: your age and your playing position. I can’t give you one single answer, but I can lay out the general ranges most manufacturers and coaches work from, and let you fine-tune from there.

One thing worth saying up front: don’t buy a glove for a young player to “grow into.” An oversized glove is harder to control, and it can actually slow down a kid’s development since they end up fighting the glove instead of learning to catch.

You’ll notice younger players have more room to work with, since a smaller hand can still comfortably use a slightly bigger or smaller glove without much difference. Once a player gets into their teens, position starts to matter a lot more than age, which brings me to the next chart.

Baseball Glove Size Chart by Position

Age alone doesn’t decide the right glove size for your hand. Your playing position matters just as much, since infielders and outfielders need very different tools. Here’s a chart to help you understand the general size range for each position, based on a high school age or older player.

I’m keeping this chart focused on players 14 and up, since younger age groups usually stick closer to the age-based chart above regardless of position.

One thing is clear from that chart: outfielders and first basemen tend to go with the biggest gloves. That’s because both positions benefit from a deeper pocket, whether it’s for tracking down fly balls or scooping throws in the dirt. Infielders, on the other hand, want something smaller and shallower so they can get the ball out of the glove faster for a quick transfer.

If you want a deeper look at how those two glove styles actually differ beyond just size, from webbing to pocket depth, check out my infield vs outfield baseball gloves comparison.

How to Measure Your Hand for a Baseball Glove

Now that you have a clearer picture of glove sizing, you’re probably wondering how you actually figure out your own hand size. All you need is a tape measure or a ruler.

Start by placing your hand flat on a surface with your fingers spread out slightly. Place one end of the tape measure at the tip of your index finger, then pull it down to the heel of your palm (the base of your hand, right above your wrist). That length gives you a rough starting point for the glove size you should be shopping for.

A word of advice before you go shopping: if your hand measures between two glove sizes, go with the smaller one. With baseball gloves, a slightly snug fit that breaks in nicely is almost always better than a glove you can never quite control.

And if you’re not sure of your playing position yet, consider a utility glove. Utility gloves work across multiple positions, which makes them a solid choice for players just starting out. Once you settle into a position, you can switch to a position-specific glove that’s built for exactly what you need. Parents shopping for younger players might also want to browse a list of youth baseball gloves that already accounts for smaller hands and lighter padding.

How Should a Baseball Glove Fit Your Hand

Finding the right size glove is one thing. Getting it to actually fit your hand the right way is a separate battle. If you’re new to the game, you might not realize that most players don’t wear their gloves the traditional way anymore.

The traditional way means sliding your hand all the way into the glove and putting each finger into its own finger slot.

I won’t go into too much detail here since I already covered how to wear a baseball glove in another article, so check that out if you want the full rundown. Once you decide how you want to hold your glove, it should feel snug and comfortable once it’s on your hand.

If you wear it the way most pros do, with the heel of your palm outside the glove, it’s normal for it to feel a little awkward at first. But if it still feels off once you’ve gotten used to it, there’s a good chance the glove is either too big or too small for your hand.

The best test I can give you is simple. Slide your hand all the way into the glove the traditional way. If it feels snug, and your fingers have a little wiggle room without swimming in the finger stalls, you’ve got the right size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size baseball glove does a 10 year old need?

Most 10 year olds land somewhere around 10.5 to 11.5 inches, but hand size varies a lot at that age, so it’s worth measuring your kid’s hand instead of guessing purely off age. If your player is on the smaller side, a youth glove sized down from that range will usually control better than one they’ll “grow into.”

Should I size up or down if I’m between two glove sizes?

Go smaller. A glove that’s a touch snug will loosen up naturally as you break it in and play with it. A glove that’s too big stays too big, and it’s a lot harder to control.

Is a catcher’s mitt sized differently than a fielder’s glove?

Yes. A fielder’s glove is measured heel to fingertip in a straight line, while a catcher’s mitt is measured by wrapping a tape measure around its circumference. That’s why you’ll see catcher’s mitts listed in the low 30 inch range instead of the 10 to 13 inch range you see on fielder’s gloves.

What if I don’t know my playing position yet?

Go with a utility glove sized for your age or hand length. Utility gloves are built to work reasonably well across multiple infield and outfield spots, so you won’t be locked into a shape that only suits one position while you’re still figuring out where you fit best on the field.

A Few Final Words

Wearing the right size glove can be the difference between fumbling the ball and making an easy catch look routine. It might seem complicated at first, but it gets a lot easier once you’ve been through a glove or two.

If you’re still on the fence about sizing, talk to a coach or a teammate who plays your position, or bring them along the next time you go shopping for a glove. And once you land on the right size, don’t skip the break-in process, since even a perfectly sized glove needs some work before it plays its best.

I hope this guide on how to size a baseball glove helps the next time you’re shopping for one. Cheers!

Tyler Wells

With 4 years of Division II experience, a .272 career batting average, .410 on-base percentage, and 7 home runs, I’m now in my fifth season. I’ve played baseball since age 3, alongside future MLB Draft picks, and I aim to pursue a career in baseball professionally, be it playing, coaching, or scouting.