Guide · Hand Wraps
How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing (Step by Step, 180 Inch)
The standard wrap — wrist, hand, fingers, thumb, knuckles, wrist — in eight steps a beginner can follow with the wraps in hand. Two sessions and it takes two minutes. Then the variations: wrapping your own right hand, and the 120-inch version.
Written by Mike M. · Owner, Iron Mako Media
Published
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Part of the Hand Wraps hub.
How to wrap your hands for boxing · 8 steps
Step 01
Unroll and find the thumb loop
Unroll the wrap fully. The thumb loop is at one end; the hook-and-loop closure is at the other. Hold the loop end, hook-and-loop side facing away from your skin so it closes on the outside at the finish.
Step 02
Hook the thumb and go around the wrist
Put your thumb through the loop with the wrap running across the back of your hand. Wrap around the wrist three to four times, snug, keeping the wrist straight and the wrap flat with no twists.
Step 03
Cross to the knuckles
From the wrist, cross diagonally over the back of the hand to the knuckles. Wrap around the knuckles two or three times, just below the knuckle line, with the fist relaxed and fingers slightly spread.
Step 04
Come back to the wrist and anchor
Cross diagonally back down to the wrist and go around it once. Every pass across the back of the hand should form an X — that is what binds the hand bones together.
Step 05
Wrap between the fingers
From the wrist, go up between the pinky and ring finger, back across the palm to the wrist; then between the ring and middle finger, back to the wrist; then between the middle and index finger, back to the wrist. One pass each. Keep the palm side flat.
Step 06
Wrap the thumb
From the wrist, go around the thumb once — over the top from the outside — and back to the wrist. Then take one turn around the wrist to lock it.
Step 07
Finish the knuckles
Cross back up to the knuckles and go around them once or twice more so the padding over the knuckles is even. Make a fist: it should feel snug, not tight, with no bunching.
Step 08
Finish at the wrist and close
Use whatever length remains on turns around the wrist, and fasten the hook-and-loop on the outside of the wrist. Make a fist and flex the wrist: the wrap should hold it firm. If your fingers tingle or go pale, unwrap and redo looser.
Why the pattern is in that order
The wrist goes first because everything else anchors to it. The knuckle passes come next so the fabric is thickest where you hit. The finger passes pull the four metacarpals — the long bones behind the knuckles — into one unit, which is what stops a punch landing on one knuckle from spreading the others. The thumb turn holds the thumb against the hand so it cannot catch on a bag. The last wrist turns are the support: three or four turns of elastic fabric holding the wrist straight. That is why 180 inches is the adult length — the leftover is the wrist support (180 vs 120).
Wrapping your own right hand
Most guides show a coach wrapping someone else. Alone, you wrap your left hand with your right (easy) and your right hand with your left (awkward). Three things help: unroll the whole wrap first so you are not fighting the roll; do the wrist turns with the wrap end pinned under your left thumb; and hold the finger passes with your right thumb while your left hand feeds the wrap. It is clumsy for a week. By the second week it is as fast as the left.
The 120-inch version
Same order, fewer turns: two at the wrist to start, one pass per finger gap, two over the knuckles, and the rest at the wrist. If you run out before the wrist, you went around the knuckles too many times. Kids and small hands use this length — see the kids' section.
Mistakes beginners make
- Too tight. The wrap should hold, not squeeze. Numb fingers are the signal.
- Twisted fabric. A twist makes a ridge under the glove that rubs. Keep it flat.
- Skipping the finger passes. They look optional; they are the part that binds the hand.
- Bunching at the wrist. If there is a ball of fabric at the wrist and the glove will not close, you have too much wrap for your hand — try 120 inches.
- Hook-and-loop facing in. It should close on the outside. If it is facing your skin at the end, you started with the loop the wrong way up.
Mexican-style vs traditional cotton
“Mexican-style” wraps are the elastic kind; they stretch and are easier to wrap snug. Traditional cotton is firmer and preferred by some experienced boxers who wrap tight and know exactly how tight. Start with elastic. Both are ranked on the wraps roundup.
Picks
Wraps that make this easier
Two elastic 180-inch wraps that stretch snug for a beginner, and the 120-inch length for small hands and kids.
Key specs
- Length
- 180 in (4.5 m)
- Fabric
- Stretch cotton-polyester blend
- Closure
- Hook-and-loop, wide-mouth thumb loop
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Support & elasticity
- 9
- Length options
- 7
- Thumb loop & closure
- 9
- Wash durability
- 8
- Value
- 9
Pick 01 · Hand wraps
Everlast Elite Hand Wraps (180 in)
Everlast
The default adult wrap: 180 inches of stretchy cotton-poly, a wide-mouth thumb loop, hook-and-loop, machine washable.
Best for
Every adult's first wraps
Pros
- 180 in covers Mexican-style wrapping with knuckle padding for adult hands
- Wide-mouth thumb loop is easier to start than a narrow one
- Machine washable — you will wash these every week
Cons
- Only 180 in; buy the Core 120 in for small hands or kids
- Stretch wraps loosen slightly as they age
Specs from Everlast — Elite Hand Wraps 180 in (specs).
Key specs
- Length
- 4.5 m (180 in)
- Fabric
- Cotton blend + nylon, elastic
- Closure
- Thumb loop, Quick-EZ hook-and-loop
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Support & elasticity
- 8
- Length options
- 6
- Thumb loop & closure
- 8
- Wash durability
- 8
- Value
- 9
Pick 02 · Hand wraps
RDX RB 4.5 m Elasticated Hand Wraps
RDX Sports
Cotton-nylon 4.5 m (180 in) wraps with flat-locked seams and a Quick-EZ closure — the stretchiest budget wrap.
Best for
Anyone who wants maximum stretch and a secure thumb loop
Pros
- Cotton-nylon stretch conforms to the hand; RDX calls out a non-slip weave
- Flat-locked seams
- Machine washable
Cons
- RDX's copy is heavy on marketing words; the product is a standard elastic wrap
- 180 in only
Specs from RDX Sports — RB Elasticated Hand Wraps (specs).
Key specs
- Length
- 120 in × 2 in
- Fabric
- Polyester-cotton blend
- Closure
- Thumb strap, hook-and-loop
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Support & elasticity
- 6
- Length options
- 6
- Thumb loop & closure
- 8
- Wash durability
- 8
- Value
- 10
Pick 03 · Hand wraps
Everlast Core Hand Wraps (120 in)
Everlast
A 120 in, 2 in wide poly-cotton wrap — the right length for small hands, kids, and anyone who finds 180 in bulky.
Best for
Small hands, kids, and slim gloves
Pros
- 120 in fits under an 8–10 oz glove without crowding the compartment
- Machine washable
- Cheapest wrap on this list
Cons
- Not enough length for a padded Mexican-style adult wrap
- Less stretch than the Elite
Specs from Everlast — Core Hand Wraps 120 in (specs).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you wrap your hands with 180 inch wraps?
Thumb loop on, three to four turns at the wrist, cross to the knuckles for two or three turns, back to the wrist, one pass between each pair of fingers returning to the wrist each time, one turn around the thumb, finish the knuckles, use the rest at the wrist and fasten. Eight steps above.
How tight should hand wraps be?
Snug enough to hold the wrist straight when you flex it, loose enough that your fingers keep full color and feeling. Tingling means too tight.
How do I wrap my own right hand?
Unroll fully first, pin the start under your left thumb for the wrist turns, and hold the finger passes with your right thumb while the left hand feeds. Clumsy for a week, then normal.
Do you wrap hands for a freestanding bag?
Yes. The bag type does not change what the wrap does for your wrist and hand bones.
How long does it take to wrap hands?
About two minutes per hand once you have done it a few times. The first few tries take longer; that is normal.
Next in your kit
Best hand wraps for boxing →Keep reading
Related guides
- Best hand wraps for boxing →
The wraps to practice with.
- 180 vs 120 inch hand wraps →
Which length for your hand.
- Hand wraps vs quick wraps →
If you're tempted to skip this.
- Hand wraps for kickboxing and MMA →
The small differences.
- Best boxing gloves for beginners →
What goes on next.
Sources
- —Everlast — Elite Hand Wraps 180 in (specs) · everlast.com
- —RDX Sports — RB Elasticated Hand Wraps (specs) · rdxsports.com
- —Everlast — Core Hand Wraps 120 in (specs) · everlast.com