How to size a softball glove?

Read the inch length printed on the glove (heel toward the index fingertip, or the brand’s marked scale). Match age first for youth, then position. Fastpitch infielders often use 11.5–12.5"; outfielders 12.5–13"; slowpitch outfield can run 12.5–15". Confirm the pocket holds a softball and the player can close the glove.

What size softball glove for adults?

Adult fastpitch: infield about 11.5–12.5", pitcher about 12–12.5", outfield about 12.5–13". Adult slowpitch often uses 12–13" infield and 12.5–15" outfield. Catcher’s mitts use circumference (about 32.5–34.5"), not length.

What size softball glove for a 10-year-old?

Ages 9–12 commonly use about 10–11.5". Prioritize a glove the player can close and control. Move up only when the hand fills the finger stalls and the pocket feels small for a regulation softball.

Can I use a baseball glove for softball?

A baseball infield glove is often too narrow and shallow for a regulation softball. Prefer a softball-labeled pattern with a wider, deeper pocket. Fastpitch gloves also often have a smaller wrist opening than adult baseball gloves.

Is fastpitch glove size the same as slowpitch?

Not always. Slowpitch gloves—especially outfield—tend to run longer (often into the 13–15" range) for higher flies and a larger ball path. Fastpitch keeps infield lengths shorter for quicker transfers.

How are softball catcher’s mitts sized?

By circumference around the mitt (often about 32.5–34.5" for high school / adult), not the heel-to-tip length used on fielding gloves. Youth mitts run smaller—check the age band on the package.

Do I measure my hand to pick a softball glove?

The tag size is the glove’s length in inches, not your hand circumference. Still try the glove on: wrist opening and finger stalls must fit the player’s hand. Hand-circumference charts are for winter or work gloves, not softball patterns.

Softball Glove Size Chart

Size the glove in inches, not your hand cm. Youth often 9–11.5". Adult fastpitch infield 11.5–12.5", outfield 12.5–13". Slowpitch outfield can reach 12.5–15". Use age → game type → position, then close the glove on a real softball.

Last updated: September 2026 · Typical US retail, work (EN-style numeric), and coaching charts—confirm the brand chart you buy.

Softball glove size chart with softball and larger pocket glove — Softball patterns run larger for a bigger ball and deeper pocket.

Quick picks (start here)

Youth beginner (≈9–12): about 10–11.5"—must close the glove alone.
High school / adult fastpitch infield: about 11.5–12.5".
Adult fastpitch outfield: about 12.5–13".
Slowpitch outfield / recreational: often 13–15".
Catcher: mitt circumference ≈ 32.5–34.5" (adult)—not a length tag.

Need winter or work gloves by hand circumference? Use the glove size chart (cm).

Softball glove size by age

Starting ranges for youth through adult. When a player moves to a dedicated position, switch to the fastpitch or slowpitch tables below.

Age / level	Glove length	Note
Ages 8 & under	9–11"	Control first—player must close the glove
Ages 9–12	10–11.5"	Youth infield / early outfield
Ages 13–15	11.5–12.5"	Moving into adult fastpitch lengths
High school / adult	11.5–14"+	Position and fastpitch vs slowpitch decide the number

Fastpitch softball glove size by position

Typical high school / adult fastpitch lengths. Many fastpitch gloves use a smaller wrist opening than adult baseball gloves.

Position	Typical size	Note
Infield (2B / SS / 3B)	11.5–12.5"	Shallower pocket; open or I-web for visibility
Pitcher	12–12.5"	Closed web hides grip
Outfield	12.5–13"	Longer pattern, deeper pocket
First base mitt	12–13"	Curved edge for scoops—not a fielding glove
Catcher's mitt	32.5–34.5" circumference	Measured around the mitt, not heel-to-tip

Slowpitch softball glove size by position

Slowpitch patterns usually run larger—especially outfield—so high arcs stay in the pocket.

Position	Typical size	Note
Infield	12–13"	Still shorter than outfield; pocket holds a bigger ball
Pitcher / utility	12.5–14"	Many recreational players share one glove
Outfield	12.5–15"	Largest slowpitch patterns for high flies
First base mitt	12.5–13"	Wider scoop than a standard glove

At-a-glance use chart

Condensed map if you only know “youth / infield / slowpitch / catcher.”

Use	Glove size	Note
Youth fastpitch	10–12"	Match player age and league rules
Adult fastpitch infield	11.5–12.5"	Shallower pocket for quick transfers
Adult fastpitch outfield	12.5–13"	Deeper pocket for fly balls
Adult outfield / utility	12.5–14"	Utility and recreational patterns
Slowpitch	12–15"	Often longer than fastpitch—especially outfield
Catcher's mitt	33–35" circumference	Softball mitt circumference, not length

How to choose a softball glove size

Choose the game type: Decide fastpitch or slowpitch first—slowpitch outfield gloves often run longer.
Match age or level: Youth: start from the age chart so the player can close the glove. Adults: go to the position chart.
Pick position length: Infield shorter and shallower; outfield longer and deeper; pitcher often closed web; catcher mitt by circumference.
Check fit with a ball: Close the glove on a softball. Confirm finger stalls and wrist strap feel secure before you buy.

The inch number on the tag is the glove pattern length. Brands print it on the thumb or pinky—use that number with the tables above, then verify fit on the hand.

Softball vs baseball glove sizing

A regulation softball is larger than a baseball, so softball patterns usually have a wider, deeper pocket.
Fastpitch gloves often use a smaller wrist opening and tighter finger stalls than adult baseball gloves—better for many female athletes' hands.
Slowpitch gloves tend to run longer (often 12–15") than fastpitch or baseball outfield gloves.
Do not size a softball glove from hand circumference charts used for winter or work gloves.

Compare baseball lengths on the baseball glove size chart.

Fit checklist before you buy

With the glove on, the player should close it on a softball without the webbing staying open.
Finger stalls should feel snug with a batting glove or thin liner if that is how they play—not floppy.
Infield: prefer a shallower pocket so the ball comes out fast on the throw.
Outfield / slowpitch: prefer depth so high flies stay in the pocket.
New stiff leather will soften—judge pocket depth after a normal break-in, not only day one.

Hand length or circumference is secondary here—but if finger stalls feel huge or tiny, measure the hand for context with how to measure hand size, then try another shell size in the same inch range.

Webbing (quick note)

Closed / basket web: common for pitchers who hide the grip. Open / I-web / H-web: common for infield visibility and transfers. Trap-style webs: help outfielders secure fly balls. Web choice does not replace getting the inch length right.

FAQ

How to size a softball glove?: Read the inch length printed on the glove (heel toward the index fingertip, or the brand’s marked scale). Match age first for youth, then position. Fastpitch infielders often use 11.5–12.5"; outfielders 12.5–13"; slowpitch outfield can run 12.5–15". Confirm the pocket holds a softball and the player can close the glove.
What size softball glove for adults?: Adult fastpitch: infield about 11.5–12.5", pitcher about 12–12.5", outfield about 12.5–13". Adult slowpitch often uses 12–13" infield and 12.5–15" outfield. Catcher’s mitts use circumference (about 32.5–34.5"), not length.
What size softball glove for a 10-year-old?: Ages 9–12 commonly use about 10–11.5". Prioritize a glove the player can close and control. Move up only when the hand fills the finger stalls and the pocket feels small for a regulation softball.
Can I use a baseball glove for softball?: A baseball infield glove is often too narrow and shallow for a regulation softball. Prefer a softball-labeled pattern with a wider, deeper pocket. Fastpitch gloves also often have a smaller wrist opening than adult baseball gloves.
Is fastpitch glove size the same as slowpitch?: Not always. Slowpitch gloves—especially outfield—tend to run longer (often into the 13–15" range) for higher flies and a larger ball path. Fastpitch keeps infield lengths shorter for quicker transfers.
How are softball catcher’s mitts sized?: By circumference around the mitt (often about 32.5–34.5" for high school / adult), not the heel-to-tip length used on fielding gloves. Youth mitts run smaller—check the age band on the package.
Do I measure my hand to pick a softball glove?: The tag size is the glove’s length in inches, not your hand circumference. Still try the glove on: wrist opening and finger stalls must fit the player’s hand. Hand-circumference charts are for winter or work gloves, not softball patterns.