Baseball Glove Size Chart by Age (2026): What Size Glove for 5 to 12 Year Olds

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Size guide · 2026

Baseball glove size chart by age

Not sure what size baseball glove your child needs? Glove size is measured in inches, from the tip of the index finger down to the heel of the palm. A glove that is too big flops on a small hand and makes catching harder. A glove that is too small wears out fast and leaves the hand open to hard throws.

Use the chart below to find the right glove size by age, then check it by position and hand size. We also list the best glove for each age.

Try the glove size finder →

Baseball glove size chart by age

These are starting points. A tall 8 year old with big hands may need an 11 inch glove, while a small 10 year old may still be best in a 10.5 inch glove. If your child is between sizes, go with the smaller size for infield and the larger size for outfield.

Want a quick answer? Our baseball glove size finder asks for age and position and gives you a size in seconds.

What size baseball glove for each age

What size baseball glove for a 4 or 5 year old?

A 9 to 9.5 inch glove. At this age, kids are learning to catch soft tosses. The glove should be very light and soft enough to close without help. A mesh-back glove like the Franklin Meshtek is a good first glove.

What size baseball glove for a 6 year old?

A 9.5 to 10 inch glove. Most 6 year olds play T-ball or early coach pitch. Pick a soft, ready-to-play glove so they can squeeze it shut on their own.

What size baseball glove for a 7 year old?

A 10 to 10.5 inch glove. This is the age when balls start coming faster in coach pitch. The Rawlings Sure Catch in 10 or 10.5 inches is a great fit.

What size baseball glove for an 8 year old?

A 10.5 to 11 inch glove. If your 8 year old plays infield, 10.5 inches is often best. For outfield or a bigger child, choose 11 inches.

What size baseball glove for a 9 year old?

An 11 inch glove for most players. Nine is a good age to move up to a leather youth glove, because kid pitch starts and the ball comes harder.

What size baseball glove for a 10 year old?

An 11 to 11.5 inch glove. Infielders usually like 11 inches, outfielders 11.5 inches. The Rawlings Select Pro Lite comes in both sizes.

What size baseball glove for an 11 year old?

An 11.25 to 11.75 inch glove. By 11, many players have a main position, so choose by position (see the chart below).

What size baseball glove for a 12 year old?

An 11.5 to 12 inch glove, and up to 12.5 inches for outfielders. Some 12 year olds with big hands are ready for an adult glove.

Baseball glove size chart by position

Middle infielders use smaller gloves so they can get the ball out fast for a throw. Outfielders use longer gloves to reach fly balls. Catcher’s mitts and first base mitts are measured differently, around the outside of the mitt, so their numbers are much bigger.

Young players who play many positions should get one all-round glove in the middle of their range, not a special glove for each spot.

Baseball glove size chart by hand size

If your child is very big or small for their age, measure their hand. Use a soft tape measure from the tip of the index finger to the crease at the base of the palm, where the hand meets the wrist.

This is a rough guide, since brands fit a little differently. The best test is to try the glove on: your child should be able to open and close it with one hand, and the fingers should reach close to the end of the finger stalls.

Best baseball gloves for each age

Here is one clear glove for each age group. For more choices, see our full guide to the best youth baseball gloves.

Ages 3 to 6 (T-ball)

Franklin Sports Kids Meshtek Glove + Ball

You need this if: your child is starting T-ball and needs a soft, light glove that closes easily.

• Size9.5 in
• ShellSoft mesh back
• IncludesGlove and ball
• Ratings4.7★, 5,800+

Why we recommend it: It is light and very soft, so small hands can close it right away with no break-in. It comes with a ball, which makes it a simple first glove. Parents mention quality and an easy fit for small hands most.

Keep in mind: It is a starter glove. Most kids outgrow it by age 7.

Check the Franklin Meshtek on Amazon →

Ages 5 to 9

Rawlings Sure Catch Youth Glove

You need this if: your child is in coach pitch or machine pitch and needs a glove that is easy to close.

• Sizes9.5 to 11 in
• ShellSoft, game-ready
• PriceAbout $40
• Ratings4.7★, 6,000+

Why we recommend it: It is made for young players. The shell is soft out of the box and the pocket helps kids squeeze the ball. It comes in many sizes and colors, so you can match it to your child and team.

Keep in mind: It is not built for older kids who throw hard. Move up to a leather glove around age 9 or 10.

Check the Rawlings Sure Catch on Amazon →

Ages 9 to 12

Rawlings Select Pro Lite Youth Glove

You need this if: your child plays kid-pitch baseball and is ready for a real leather glove.

• Sizes10.5 to 12 in
• ShellLeather, youth fit
• PriceAbout $65
• Ratings4.7★, 4,000+

Why we recommend it: It is built like an adult glove but with a youth hand opening, so it fits smaller hands. It comes in patterns based on MLB players for each position, and it lasts several seasons.

Keep in mind: It needs a short break-in. Play catch for a week before the first game.

Check the Rawlings Select Pro Lite on Amazon →

Ages 13 and up

Rawlings Player Preferred Glove

You need this if: your teen has adult-size hands and needs a bigger glove that lasts.

• Sizes11 to 14 in
• ShellFull leather
• PriceAbout $80
• Ratings4.7★, 10,000+

Why we recommend it: It is one of the best-rated leather gloves under $100. It has adult sizes for every position and holds its shape well once broken in.

Keep in mind: It is stiffer than youth gloves and takes longer to break in.

Check the Rawlings Player Preferred on Amazon →

Youth vs adult baseball gloves

Youth gloves are not just smaller. They have a narrower hand opening and smaller finger stalls, and they are made softer so kids can close them. A 12 inch adult glove on a 10 year old is often too wide at the wrist, even if the length looks right. Most kids should stay in youth gloves until about age 12 or 13, or until their hand fills a youth glove tightly.

Right-hand throw vs left-hand throw

Glove listings say “RHT” or “LHT”. This is the hand your child throws with, not the hand the glove goes on. A right-handed thrower wears the glove on the left hand and needs an RHT glove. A left-handed thrower needs an LHT glove.

How to check that a glove fits

1. The glove should feel snug at the wrist, not loose.
2. Your child should be able to open and close it with one hand.
3. It should not slide off when they hold the hand down and shake it.
4. Most kids put the index finger outside the glove, on the back. This adds padding and gives a better fit.

Next steps: find the right bat with our bat size chart by age, or try the bat size calculator. For game day, see the best baseball socks.

Softball glove size chart for girls

Fastpitch softball gloves run a little bigger than baseball gloves for the same age, because the ball is bigger. Many fastpitch gloves also have a narrower hand opening made for girls’ hands.

A young player can use a baseball glove for softball in the early years. Once the softball gets bigger (11 inch and 12 inch balls), a real fastpitch glove helps the ball stay in the pocket.

When to buy a new glove

Most kids need a new glove every one to two seasons up to age 12. Look for these signs:

• The fingers reach the very end of the finger stalls, or stick out at the wrist.
• The hand opening feels tight when the glove goes on.
• Your child moves up to kid pitch or a new position, like catcher or first base.
• The laces are broken or the pocket is torn. Laces can be fixed, but a torn palm usually cannot.

Hand down outgrown gloves to younger siblings or donate them to your local league, since T-ball programs always need spare gloves.

How we made this guide

We put this chart together from the size guides published by major brands and youth leagues, and checked it against what parents say in verified Amazon reviews in October 2026. The product picks are the best-rated options we found for each age on Amazon. We have not tested these products in person, no brand paid for placement, and prices change often. Leagues can set their own rules, so always check yours. Read our full method.