How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing: Step by Step

Short answer. Put your thumb through the loop and wrap the wrist two or three times, go once round the thumb, then cover the knuckles two or three times with the hand slightly open. Go back to the wrist, cross an X over the back of the hand and pass the wrap between each pair of fingers, returning to the wrist each time. Finish with the rest of the wrap round the wrist and close the Velcro flat. It should feel snug: if your fingers tingle, go numb or change colour, wrap again with even tension.

Shopping in the UK? See the UK pick. In the US? See US picks.

Before you start

Wraps go on before the gloves, for bag, pads and sparring. Gloves cushion the impact; wraps hold the small bones of the hand and the wrist in line underneath them (Fairtex). Most adults use 180-inch (about 4.5 m) wraps and smaller hands 120-inch; if you are not sure, the hand-wrap length check works it out.

Start from a rolled-up wrap: rolling them after they dry keeps them untangled and makes even tension easier (Nak Muay Wholesale). Roll from the Velcro end so the thumb loop ends up on the outside.

The standard wrap, step by step

This is the common pattern for boxing, kickboxing and general training: wrist, thumb, knuckles, an X, the fingers, then the wrist again. Everlast and Fairtex describe the same order with small differences, noted in each step. It works with 120 or 180-inch wraps; a 180-inch wrap simply leaves more for knuckle layers and wrist turns (Fairtex).

Step 1

Thumb through the loop

Unroll the wrap and put your thumb through the loop, with the wrap lying on the back of your hand and the label side facing down, so it rolls off cleanly (Everlast, Fairtex).

Step 2

Two or three turns round the wrist

Start just above the wrist bone and wrap the wrist two or three times (Everlast). These turns anchor the wrap and set the tension for everything that follows (Fairtex): snug, not tight.

Step 3

Once round the thumb

Bring the wrap diagonally across the back of your hand, loop it once round the thumb, then back across the back of the hand to the wrist (Everlast). If a thumb turn feels restrictive, keep it to one (Fairtex).

Step 4

Cover the knuckles

Take the wrap across the palm and over the knuckles, two or three times (Everlast; Fairtex says two to four). Keep the hand slightly open, not a hard fist, and overlap each pass by about half the width of the wrap so the layers act as one pad (Fairtex).

Step 5

Back to the wrist

Come down to the wrist for one or two passes to lock the knuckle pad in place (Fairtex).

Step 6

An X across the back of the hand

Run the wrap diagonally across the back of the hand to the base of the thumb, loop round the thumb once more, and bring it back diagonally to the wrist, so it crosses in an X on the back of the hand (Everlast).

Step 7

Between the fingers

Bring the wrap between your little and ring fingers, round the wrist, then between the ring and middle fingers, round the wrist again, and then between the middle and index fingers (Everlast, Fairtex Store). Going back to the wrist each time stops the wrap sliding and helps the knuckles line up when you close your fist (Fairtex).

Step 8

Finish on the wrist

Use the rest of the wrap on two or three more wrist turns and close the Velcro flat (Everlast, Fairtex). Any spare length goes on the wrist, not on more knuckle layers.

Step 9

Check it

Make a hard fist, then open the hand: it should feel supported, not trapped. Turn the wrist a little as if shadowboxing; it should feel guided into a straight line, not bent (Fairtex). Then put the glove on.

How tight?

Snug and supportive, but you should still be able to open and close the hand fully. If your fingers tingle, go numb or change colour, it is too tight: take it off and wrap again with even tension instead of pulling harder (Fairtex). Elastic, Mexican-style wraps make over-tightening easier, so ease off on the wrist turns with those. If the wrap keeps loosening during training, the cause is usually the pattern rather than the wrap: slow down and keep the overlaps clean (Fairtex).

Muay Thai version: more wrist and thumb

Muay Thai wraps follow the same idea; Fairtex says most Muay Thai fighters do well with 180-inch wraps, for the extra wrist stability and knuckle layers. Fairtex's Thai-style method, as set out by Nak Muay Wholesale, changes the order:

Start with the loop in the palm and go up over the knuckles first, at least one full circle.
Come down from between the thumb and index finger to the opposite side of the wrist, and do one full circle round the base of the palm and wrist.
From the thumb side of the wrist, cross the back of the hand to between the little and ring fingers, back along the palm side of the knuckles to between the index finger and thumb, and down to the little-finger side of the wrist, making an X; go round the wrist to start again under the thumb. Repeat between each pair of fingers.
From the wrist, go round the thumb and back to the wrist, and repeat until the thumb feels stable.
Use all the remaining length on the wrist and close the Velcro.

Want more wrist support in any wrap? Fairtex's advice is to add a couple of extra wrist passes and finish with a firmer lock, rather than stacking more layers on the knuckles; if the knuckles are what feel sore, make the knuckle layers cleaner and flatter instead. Either way, the fist still has to close naturally inside the glove.

Common mistakes

Too tight at the wrist. It cuts circulation and tires the hands. Rewrap with even tension (Fairtex).
Wrapping the knuckles with a clenched fist. Fairtex's advice is to keep the hand slightly open, not a hard fist, while you wrap them.
Gaps over the knuckles. Overlap each pass by about half its width so the wrap does not shift once you sweat (Fairtex).
Too much bulk for the glove. A long wrap with many knuckle layers in a snug glove stops the fist closing. Use fewer knuckle passes or 120-inch wraps (Fairtex).
Twists and creases. Keep the fabric flat; a bunched wrap is a common cause of numb fingers (Fairtex).
Quick wraps for hard sessions. Slip-on quick wraps are fast but less adjustable; for hard bag rounds or sparring a full wrap gives more support (Fairtex, Everlast).

Which length?

180 inches for most adults; 120 inches for children, small hands or snug gloves (Everlast, Fairtex). The length check in the hand wraps guide picks a length by who the wraps are for and converts the label to metres.

If you box in England Boxing bouts, the rules are stricter: wraps of 2.5 to 4.5 m and 5.7 cm wide, in a stretchy cotton material with a Velcro closure or a small piece of tape (7.6 × 2.5 cm at most), in good condition, clean and dry, and inspected by an official before you enter the ring; professional bandages are not permitted (England Boxing rule 8.6). A 180-inch wrap is 4.57 m, a touch over that limit.

Washing and drying

After every session: take the wraps out of your bag and hang them up to dry; a damp wrap left in a bag smells and can grow mould (Ringside).
How often to wash: Fairtex says after every session if you train hard and sweat a lot; Ringside suggests the washing machine every few sessions.
In the machine: close the Velcro first and put the wraps in a mesh laundry bag so they do not tangle (Fairtex, Ringside, Hayabusa). Use cold or warm water and a mild detergent; hot water can shrink cotton and wear out the elastic (Fairtex).
Colours: coloured wraps can bleed, so wash them on their own (Ringside).
Drying: air-dry, hung up or laid flat. High heat in a tumble dryer shortens the life of elastic wraps (Fairtex, Hayabusa).
When dry: roll them up from the Velcro end so they are ready for the next session.
How many pairs: enough that you never put on damp wraps. Fairtex suggests two to three pairs if you train three days a week.
When to replace: when they stop holding tension, the fabric over the knuckles thins, or the closure no longer sticks (Fairtex).

UK pick: Blitz hand wraps

Blitz is a UK store and one of our partner stores. It sells its own wraps, so one product covers both lengths: pick 180 or 120 inches on the product page.

Blitz Hand Wraps

Slightly stretchy wraps with the thumb loop and Velcro closure the steps above assume.

120 and 180 inch lengths, sold in pairs (Blitz)
60% nylon, 40% cotton: the nylon gives a slight stretch for a snug fit, the cotton breathability (Blitz)
Thumb loop and hook-and-loop Velcro closure (Blitz)

Hand wraps at Blitz

Buy two pairs so one can dry while you use the other.

Wet wraps need somewhere to go after training: Blitz's Training Duffel Bag has a ventilated side compartment for damp kit (Blitz). Gloves go on over the wraps; the glove size guide covers weights.

Training Duffel Bag at Blitz Training gloves at Blitz

Compare Blitz prices on GloveWatch.

US picks: Revgear

Revgear, a US store and one of our partner stores, sells its own wraps in both lengths, plus a mesh wash bag.

Most adults

Revgear Pro Series 180" Elastic Hand Wraps

Elastic 180-inch wraps with a wide closure that Revgear says stops the end lifting mid-round.

2 × 180 in (Revgear)
Elastic cotton blend; full-width anti-lift hook-and-loop closure (Revgear)

Pro Series 180" wraps at Revgear

Rotation

Revgear 180" Hand Wraps 3-Pack with Wash Bag

For training often enough that one pair is always in the wash.

A 3-pack of Revgear's 180-inch stretch elastic wraps, with a mesh wash bag included (Revgear)
Full-width closure with Revgear's Ultra-Lock hook and loop (Revgear)

180" 3-pack with wash bag at Revgear

Small hands

Revgear Premier Hand Wraps 2" × 120"

The shorter length, for younger martial artists, smaller hands or anyone who wants less bulk under the glove (Revgear).

2 × 120 in (Revgear)
Pitched at quick wrapping before classes (Revgear)

Premier 120" wraps at Revgear

Revgear also sells the wash bag on its own: a zipped mesh bag that keeps wraps from tangling in the machine (Revgear).

Wash bag at Revgear

Compare Revgear prices on GloveWatch.

On Amazon (US)

If you are in the US and want other brands, search by length and compare the listing with the maker's own page.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

180 in wraps on Amazon 120 in wraps on Amazon

Wrapped and ready: the heavy bag workout for beginners is a 20-minute round plan, and the boxing starter kit covers what else to buy for your first classes.

FAQ

How do you wrap your hands for boxing step by step?

Thumb through the loop, two or three turns round the wrist, once round the thumb, two or three passes over the knuckles with the hand slightly open, back to the wrist, an X across the back of the hand, then between each pair of fingers with a return to the wrist each time. Finish with the rest of the wrap round the wrist and close the Velcro flat.

How tight should hand wraps be?

Snug and supportive, but you should be able to open and close your hand fully. Tingling, numbness or fingers changing colour mean it is too tight: rewrap with even tension (Fairtex).

How many times should I wrap my knuckles?

Two or three passes (Everlast); Fairtex says two to four. Overlap each pass by about half the wrap's width, and use fewer passes if your gloves feel tight.

Should you wrap your thumb?

Usually, yes. Everlast's method goes round the thumb twice; Fairtex's baseline wrap goes round it once if you need it and says to keep thumb turns minimal if they feel restrictive. Fairtex's Thai-style method repeats the thumb turn until the thumb feels stable.

How do I wash hand wraps?

Close the Velcro, put them in a mesh laundry bag and machine-wash in cold or warm water with a mild detergent, coloured wraps on their own. Air-dry rather than tumble-dry. After every session, at least unroll and hang them up to dry.

What length hand wraps should I buy?

180 inches (about 4.5 m) for most adults and 120 inches for children, small hands or snug gloves. For England Boxing bouts, wraps must be 2.5 to 4.5 m long and 5.7 cm wide, so a 180-inch wrap (4.57 m) is slightly over.

How to wrap your hands for boxing