Cut injuries are among the most common — and most preventable — workplace hand injuries. Yet when EHS managers compare cut-resistant gloves, the ratings on the packaging often raise more questions than they answer. What does “4X43D” actually mean? Why do some gloves list a Coupe score and others a TDM score? And which number should you trust when specifying gloves for your workforce?
This guide breaks down the EN 388 cut levels, explains the two test methods behind them, and shows you how to read the markings like a pro.
What Is EN 388?
EN 388 is the European standard for protective gloves against mechanical risks. The current version, EN 388:2016+A1:2018, rates gloves on six properties, each represented by a character in the marking printed on the glove:
- Abrasion resistance — rated 1 to 4
- Cut resistance (Coupe test) — rated 1 to 5, or X if not tested
- Tear resistance — rated 1 to 4
- Puncture resistance — rated 1 to 4
- Cut resistance (TDM test) — rated A to F, or X if not tested
- Impact protection — P (pass) or blank (not tested)
A typical marking looks like 4X43D: abrasion level 4, Coupe cut not tested (X), tear level 4, puncture level 3, TDM cut level D, no impact claim. Once you can decode this string, you can compare any two gloves in seconds.
The Coupe Test: The Original Blade Test
The Coupe test is the older of the two cut methods. A circular rotating blade moves back and forth across the glove sample under a fixed 5-newton load, and the number of cycles needed to cut through is compared against a reference cotton fabric. The result is an index that maps to levels 1–5.
The problem: on high-performance cut-resistant materials — HPPE, steel fiber, glass fiber blends — the blade dulls during the test. A dulled blade needs more cycles to cut through, which inflates the score. In other words, the Coupe test can make a glove look more protective than it really is, precisely on the materials where accuracy matters most.
That is why the standard says: if the Coupe test shows signs of blade dulling, its result is discarded (marked X) and the TDM test becomes the reference result.
The TDM Test: The Modern Reference Method
The TDM (tomodynamometer) test, defined in ISO 13997, works differently. Instead of a rotating blade, a straight blade slides across the sample in a single stroke, with the load varied across at least 20 repetitions. The result is the force in newtons required to cut through 20 mm of material.
TDM levels under EN 388:
- A — 2 N
- B — 5 N
- C — 10 N
- D — 15 N
- E — 22 N
- F — 30 N
Watch: blade testing in action — how cut-resistant gloves are put through their paces:
Because the blade is replaced for each stroke, there is no dulling effect — the result is consistent and repeatable, even on the toughest cut-resistant yarns. For any glove designed for serious cut hazards, the TDM letter (A–F) is the number that counts.
Coupe vs TDM: Which Score Should You Use?
The rule is simple:
- Light-duty gloves (general handling, assembly): the Coupe score (1–5) is usually sufficient and widely listed.
- Cut-resistant gloves (metal stamping, glass handling, sheet metal, recycling): always go by the TDM letter (A–F). If the marking shows X in the Coupe position and a letter in the TDM position (e.g., 4X43D), that is correct — it means the Coupe result was discarded in favor of TDM.
Be suspicious of any “high cut” glove that only lists a Coupe score with no TDM letter. For a practical walkthrough, see our cut-resistant gloves levels guide. Without the TDM result, you cannot reliably compare it against true cut-resistant options.
How to Choose the Right Cut Level
Matching the level to the hazard is a risk-assessment decision — OSHA’s PPE standard requires employers to assess hazards before selecting protection — but these rough bands help:
- TDM A–B: light assembly, packaging, warehouse handling — dexterity matters most
- TDM C–D: automotive, appliance manufacturing, construction — the workhorse range
- TDM E–F: metal stamping, glass and sheet-metal handling, meat processing, recycling — maximum cut protection
Two cautions. First, higher cut resistance usually means a thicker or stiffer glove — over-specifying hurts dexterity, and workers who cannot feel their work take the gloves off, which is the worst outcome of all. Second, cut rating is only one property: check abrasion and grip for the actual task, because a glove that survives the blade but slips off a workpiece is not doing its job.
Common Mistakes Buyers Make
1. Comparing Coupe 5 to TDM F. They are different scales from different tests. A Coupe 5 is roughly comparable to the lower TDM letters, not to F.
2. Ignoring the X. An X does not mean “failed” — it means “not tested / not applicable.” 4X43D is a perfectly valid high-cut glove marking.
3. Mixing up EN 388 and ANSI/ISEA 105. The US standard uses its own A1–A9 scale (also TDM-based, in grams). A4 is not the same as EN level D. If your sites span regions, specify both.
4. Buying on rating alone. Fit, grip, and task-specific features (touchscreen compatibility, chemical resistance, thermal protection) decide whether the glove actually gets worn.
Bottom Line
For cut-resistant gloves, read the TDM letter (A–F) and treat it as the real cut score. Understand what the X means, never compare Coupe and TDM numbers directly, and match the level to the hazard — not to the catalog’s biggest number. Do that, and your glove specification will stand up to any audit. When you are ready to specify, browse our anti-cut work gloves.
AceppePro is an industrial PPE manufacturer supplying cut-resistant safety gloves, respiratory protection, and protective workwear for construction, manufacturing, and logistics. For bulk and OEM inquiries, visit aceppe.com.
