Best Gloves for Handling Gasoline and Diesel Fuel

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Jeff B., Safety Products Specialist

Nitrile is the glove material to choose for gasoline and diesel. OSHA's glove selection chart rates nitrile "very good" against leaded and unleaded gasoline, diesel, kerosene and petroleum distillates, and rates natural latex "poor" for most of them. The thickness and coverage you need depend on how much fuel touches the glove: a disposable nitrile glove handles brief splashes, a fully coated nitrile work glove handles nozzles, hoses and oily parts, and a thick unsupported nitrile gauntlet is for cleanup, spills or hands in fuel.

Which Glove for Which Job

Fuel contact	Glove type	We stock
Occasional splash: refueling, filter changes, small-engine work	Disposable nitrile, 6 mil or thicker; change as soon as fuel soaks in	Grabber 6 mil, Raven 7 mil, more in heavy-duty nitrile gloves
Regular handling: nozzles, hoses, drums, oily parts	Fully coated nitrile or oil-proof coated work glove	Smooth Finish Fully Coated Nitrile Glove, Versus RevoTek Fully Coated Glove, Oil-proof
Spills, tank cleaning, parts washing, hands in fuel	Unsupported nitrile gauntlet, 15 mil or thicker, 13" cuff	Liberty 13" Green Nitrile Flock Lined Glove, 15 mil, Ansell AlphaTec Solvex 37-175

See all chemical-resistant gloves.

Gloves to Avoid for Fuel

• Latex: rated poor for gasoline and diesel; it swells and weakens.
• Leather and fabric work gloves: they absorb fuel and hold it against the skin.
• Palm-coated knit gloves (PU, foam nitrile or latex palms): the uncoated back lets fuel straight through. Fine for dry handling, not for fuel.

How Long a Glove Lasts in Fuel

Every glove material is eventually permeated. Thin disposables give splash protection for minutes, not hours; thicker gauntlets last much longer. Gasoline is a blend, and some components, such as benzene and toluene, get through nitrile faster than the fuel as a whole (OSHA's chart rates nitrile poor for benzene and fair for toluene). For long or repeated contact, ask the glove maker for breakthrough times for the fuel you use, and replace gloves on a schedule rather than waiting for damage.

Using Fuel Gloves Safely

• Inspect for cracks, swelling or soft spots before each use; swelling means the material is absorbing fuel.
• Change a disposable glove as soon as fuel soaks it; don't let it dry on the glove and reuse it.
• Wash reusable gauntlets with soap and water while still wearing them, then remove them without touching the outside, and dry them away from heat.
• Pair gloves with splash goggles and, for transfers and spills, a chemical-resistant apron or coveralls.

FAQ

What gloves are resistant to gasoline?

Nitrile. OSHA's glove selection chart rates nitrile very good for gasoline; latex is rated poor.

Are nitrile gloves good for diesel?

Yes. Nitrile is rated very good for diesel fuel. Use 6 mil or thicker disposables for splashes and 15 mil gauntlets for heavy contact.

Can I wear latex gloves to pump gas?

It is better not to. Latex is rated poor for gasoline; a disposable nitrile glove holds up far better.

Are leather gloves OK for handling fuel?

No. Leather absorbs fuel and keeps it against your skin.

How often should fuel gloves be replaced?

Disposables after each job or as soon as they are soaked; reusable gauntlets when they swell, crack or stiffen, or on the schedule your glove maker's breakthrough data supports.

Source: OSHA glove selection chart (copy hosted by Florida State University). Product details from each Harmony listing.