What does oz mean?
Boxing gloves are not sold in S, M or L, but by weight: in ounces, written as oz. The number of ounces is the weight of one glove. One ounce is about 28 grams. Most of that weight is padding, so a heavier glove usually has more padding.
| Glove weight |
Weight per glove (approx.) |
| 12 oz |
340 g |
| 14 oz |
397 g |
| 16 oz |
454 g |
| 18 oz |
510 g |
Which weight for what?
There is no single official table: clubs and trainers use their own rules of thumb.
- 12 oz: for juniors and lighter adults, for bag and pad work.
- 14 oz: an all-round weight for many adults, for bag and pad work and, for lighter fighters, sparring.
- 16 oz: the weight many clubs ask for in sparring, and an all-round choice for heavier adults.
- 18 and 20 oz: for heavier and taller fighters, or when you want extra padding.
Always check your club's rules: many clubs set a minimum glove weight for sparring.