Glove weight is the weight of one medium-size glove in grams, and it is the fastest proxy for how thick and durable a disposable nitrile glove will be. Lighter gloves (3.0g to 3.5g) give better tactile sensitivity and a lower cost per piece; heavier gloves (4.0g to 6.0g) add puncture resistance and chemical splash protection. On our KG-1101 production line, for example, palm thickness rises from 0.06 mm at 3.5g to 0.09 mm at 5.0g, while length (240 mm), AQL 1.5 and 400% elongation stay the same across the range.
What Does Glove Weight Actually Mean?
When a datasheet says "3.5g", it refers to the median weight of one size-M glove. The number is not a marketing label; it is a direct measure of how much nitrile compound goes into each piece. Because the glove shape, length and cuff design stay constant within a product family, more material means a thicker film at the palm, fingers and cuff.
Weight scales with size as well. In our KG-1101 3.5g specification, a size S glove weighs 3.2 g, the M weighs 3.5 g, the L weighs 3.8 g and the XL weighs 4.1 g, each with a tolerance of ±0.3 g. So when you compare offers from two factories, always compare the M-size reference weight, not a size you happened to sample.
For importers, gram weight matters for three practical reasons:
- Barrier performance. A thicker film is harder to puncture and holds up longer against chemical splash.
- Tactile sensitivity. A thinner film transmits more touch, which matters for examination, dental and precision work.
- Cost. Nitrile compound is the largest raw-material cost in the glove, so weight drives the unit price more than any other single spec.
How Do Weight, Thickness and Strength Relate?
The table below maps the five weights we produce to the measured values on their respective datasheets. Note how palm thickness and force at break climb with weight, while the general design parameters remain identical.
| Spec (size M) | 3.0g | 3.5g | 4.0g | 5.0g | 6.0g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series | KG-1101 | KG-1101 | KG-1101 | KG-1101 | KG-1303 |
| Palm thickness | 0.055 mm | 0.06 mm | 0.07 mm | 0.09 mm | 0.10 mm |
| Finger thickness | 0.09 mm | 0.09 mm | 0.11 mm | 0.135 mm | 0.155 mm |
| Force at break | ≥5 N | ≥6 N | ≥6 N | ≥7 N | ≥6 N |
| Grade | Food grade | Medical + food grade | Medical + food grade | Medical + food grade | Medical + chemo grade |
| Recommended applications | Food processing, beauty, light cleaning | Medical examination, general purpose | Medical examination, laboratory | Dental, laboratory, industrial | Chemotherapy handling, heavy duty |
Several specs do not change with weight. Every glove in this range is 240 mm long, powder-free, ambidextrous, surface-chlorinated with textured fingertips and a beaded cuff, rated AQL 1.5 for pinholes, with elongation after aging of at least 400% and a 5-year shelf life. Packaging is uniform at 100 pieces per box and 10 boxes per carton, so carton counts and container loading plans are the same whichever weight you buy.
The KG-1101 examination gloves (3.5g to 5.0g) are tested to EN 455, EN 374 and EN 1186, and our nitrile glove products carry FDA and CE registration information. The 6.0g KG-1303 adds chemo-grade testing under ASTM D6978 on top of ASTM D6319 and EN 455.
Which Weight Should You Choose for Your Application?
3.0g: food handling, beauty and light tasks
The KG-1101 3.0g is the food-grade entry point. At a 0.055 mm palm it is the thinnest glove in the range, which keeps hands cool during long shifts and keeps the per-piece cost at its lowest. It suits food processing lines, salons, janitorial work and any short-duration task where gloves are changed often. It is tested to EN 1186 for food contact and EN 374 Type C for chemical splash.
3.5g and 4.0g: medical examination
These are the standard examination weights. The KG-1101 3.5g at a 0.06 mm palm is the common hospital and clinic choice: thin enough for palpation and instrument handling, strong enough at ≥6 N force at break for routine patient contact. The KG-1101 4.0g moves the palm to 0.07 mm and the fingers to 0.11 mm, a step up that laboratories and users who tear lighter gloves tend to prefer. Both are medical grade and food grade.
5.0g: dental, laboratory and industrial
The KG-1101 5.0g is where durability becomes the priority. Palm thickness reaches 0.09 mm, finger thickness 0.135 mm, and force at break rises to ≥7 N. Dental practices, laboratories handling solvents, and industrial users doing maintenance or parts handling typically spec this weight because it survives longer wear times and rougher contact.
6.0g: chemo-grade and heavy duty
The KG-1303 6.0g is the heavy option in black, rated medical grade and chemo grade, with a 0.10 mm palm and 0.155 mm fingers. It is the weight to choose for chemotherapy drug handling, chemical cleanup and any task where a glove failure is not acceptable. The trade-off is the highest material cost per piece and the lowest tactile feedback in the range.
Does Glove Weight Affect Price?
Yes, and roughly in proportion. Nitrile compound is sold by weight, so a 5.0g glove consumes about 43% more raw material than a 3.5g glove. Other costs (energy, labor, packaging, freight) stay nearly flat because carton dimensions are identical across the range. In practice the unit price gap between adjacent weights is modest, but across a full container the difference between speccing 3.5g and 5.0g is significant. That is why we advise buyers to match the weight to the actual task rather than defaulting to the heaviest glove: you pay for every gram, whether the application needs it or not.
FAQ
Is a 3.5g nitrile glove good enough for medical use?
Yes. A 3.5g examination glove at 0.06 mm palm thickness, AQL 1.5 and ≥6 N force at break meets the routine needs of clinics and hospitals, and it is the most widely used exam weight worldwide. Step up to 4.0g or 5.0g only if your users report tearing or handle sharper instruments.
Is a heavier nitrile glove always better?
No. Heavier gloves are thicker and more durable, but they cost more per piece and reduce tactile sensitivity. A 6.0g glove is the right tool for chemo handling and heavy industrial work, and the wrong tool for a food line that changes gloves every hour. Match the weight to the task.
What weight nitrile glove is best for food handling?
3.0g to 3.5g. These weights are food grade, tested to EN 1186 for food contact, light enough for long shifts, and inexpensive to change frequently, which is what food hygiene protocols demand.
Does glove weight affect the price?
Yes. Raw nitrile is bought by weight, so heavier gloves use more compound per piece and cost more. A 5.0g glove uses roughly 43% more material than a 3.5g glove, while packaging and freight costs stay the same.
Need help matching glove weight to your market? Contact our export team for datasheets, samples and a quotation, or see the heavy-duty end of the range in our KG-1303 6.0g nitrile gloves.