Most kids ages 4 to 6 need a 9 to 10.5 inch glove, ages 7 to 8 a 10 to 11 inch glove, ages 9 to 12 about 10.5 to 12 inches, and teens and adults 11.25 to 13 inches depending on position. The charts below cover every age and position, plus catcher’s and first base mitts. When a child is between sizes, go smaller: a glove that is too big is hard to squeeze and slows down how a young player learns to catch.
Baseball glove size chart
Glove size by age, all positions
Ages 13 to 14
Middle school
9″10″11″12″13″
Glove size is measured from the tip of the index finger down to the center of the heel. Younger players should stay at the small end of each range.
Teens and adults
Glove size by position, ages 13 and up
Second base
Quick transfers
11″11.5″12″12.5″13″
Middle infielders go smaller for fast exchanges; outfielders go longest for reach.
Catcher’s mitts
Catcher’s mitt size by age (circumference)
29″30″31″32″33″34″
Catcher’s mitts are measured around the outside of the mitt, not tip to heel, which is why the numbers are so much larger.
First base mitts
First base mitt size by age
11″11.5″12″12.5″13″13.5″
Most players under 9 use a regular glove at first base.
Fit check
How to size a glove in four steps
1
Measure the hand
From the tip of the index finger to the base of the palm; match it to the age chart above.
2
Try it on
The glove should close with a firm squeeze and not slide off when the hand is pointed down.
3
Check the pocket
A young player should be able to close the glove around a ball without help.
4
Leave a little room
Buy for this season, not three years out; an oversized glove slows how a kid learns to catch.
Spending guide
How much glove to buy at each age
Under age 8 · Budget to mid range
Hands grow fast; a mid priced youth glove is plenty
Ages 9 to 12 · Mid range
Real leather starts to matter as the game speeds up
High school and up · Mid to premium
A quality leather glove can last several seasons
The bar shows how much it is worth investing, not a specific price.
Why the Right Size Matters
Learning to catch is the first big skill in baseball, and the right glove builds confidence fast. A glove that is too big is almost impossible for a small hand to close, while one that is too small leaves no pocket to catch in. Do not overspend on a first glove for a player under 8, since hands grow quickly, but avoid the cheapest option too; something in the middle lasts and breaks in properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size glove does a 10 year old need?
Usually 10.5 to 11.5 inches, at the smaller end for infielders and the larger end for outfielders.
What size glove does a 12 year old need?
About 11 to 12 inches, depending on position and hand size.
What size glove do adults use?
Infielders use 11.25 to 12 inches, pitchers 11.5 to 12.25, and outfielders 12.5 to 13 inches.
Related
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Glove makers publish their own sizing guides; Rawlings and Wilson both list sizes by age and position.
