How to use the chart
Start with the age group, then read across the row for the player’s position. The size is the glove’s nominal length in inches. The centimeter column converts the same endpoints at exactly 2.54 cm per inch; it is not a separate fit recommendation. All rows are visible without a form, so you can compare nearby sizes before handling an actual glove.
These brand-independent starting ranges come from the Houston Astros MLB Youth Academy coaching manual, page 51. They describe US baseball guidance, not an official national sizing standard or a particular brand’s product fit. The youth and high-school/adult categories reflect the source; a birthday alone does not determine the right hand opening.
How to measure a baseball glove
Use a flexible measuring tape on the glove itself. Start at the index-finger tip and follow the inside surface through the pocket to the heel. A ruler suspended over the pocket measures a different path. The drawing shows the route, not a to-scale glove pattern or a hand measurement.
Compare the measured route with the size marked on the glove and the maker’s product information. Pocket shaping, wear and where you position the tape can affect a home measurement. This page does not turn a palm circumference into a fielding-glove length.
Two chart examples
For a 9-year-old infielder, the youth row gives 9–11.75 inches, or 22.86–29.85 cm after rounding. This broad range covers different players, not a single ideal size. Compare gloves the player can comfortably close and control; do not assume that the largest option is best for growth.
For a high-school or adult outfielder, the range is 11.75–12.5 inches, or 29.85–31.75 cm. The corresponding infield range is 10.5–11.75 inches. Choosing a position changes the starting range, but equal nominal lengths can still have different pockets, finger stalls and hand openings.
Using the ranges sensibly
Use this chart when identifying a starting range, comparing a glove you already own, or understanding size labels. Keep the manufacturer and position attached to a saved number. A bare “12 inches” loses the distinction between a fielder’s glove and a first-base model.
This table covers infield and outfield gloves for ages 9–13 and high-school/adult players. It does not supply a range for children under nine, pitchers, first-base mitts, catchers, softball or batting gloves. Those uses need their own guidance. League equipment rules, handedness and approval for competition remain separate from choosing a comfortable size.
Is this my hand length?
No. The measurement follows the glove’s inside surface. Hand fit depends on the actual model, so equal nominal lengths can still feel different.
Why are catcher’s mitts missing?
Catcher’s mitt sizing uses a different convention, commonly circumference. Mixing those numbers into a length chart would be misleading. Use the manufacturer’s catcher-specific guide.
What should a twelve-year-old use?
Use the 9–13 youth row as a starting point. If the player is already in a high-school program, compare that context too. Try the actual glove instead of treating age as an automatic change in fit.
Can I use the same chart for another brand?
Yes. These are general starting ranges from a coaching resource, not a manufacturer-specific chart. Check the actual model’s hand opening and feel. Different brands can use the same length label without fitting the same way.