How To Wrap Your Hands For Boxing: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing PDF download Download Article Protect your knuckles and training partners by wrapping your hands properly Co-authored by David Engel

Last Updated: September 16, 2025 Approved

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  • Using the Right Wrap and Technique
    • |
  • Winding the Wrap
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by David Engel. David Engel is a Muay Thai Instructor and Self Defense Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of martial arts instruction and training experience, David runs California Martial Athletics with co-owner Joe Chernay. He has created and maintained martial arts programs at Rise Combat Sports in San Francisco and Round 5 Martial Arts Academy in San Leandro, with a mission to provide students with a level of comfort and competency that manifests both within and outside the martial arts context. He is also a registered cornerman for amateur and pro competitors under the IKF (International Kickboxing Federation). David was the youngest apprentice instructor of the Thai Boxing Association of America under Ajarn Chai Sirisute (2009), and was a top-ranked amateur competitor in his weight class (127-130 lb) in California between 2013 and 2015. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 16 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,600,112 times.

Before putting on boxing gloves and entering the ring, boxers wrap their hands in a thin band that protects the tendons and muscles and lends additional support to the movements of the wrist. Boxing wraps come with a strip of Velcro at one end so that the wrap can adhere to itself. Read on for instructions on how to wrap your hands for a training session.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Using the Right Wrap and Technique

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  1. Step 1 Choose the right wrap. 1 Choose the right wrap. There are many different types of wraps, and it's important to choose one the one that will work best for the size of your hands and the type of boxing you intend to do. Consider these options when you're picking out a wrap to buy:[1]
    • Cotton wraps are a good choice for frequent training and sparring. They come in adult and junior lengths, and they are secured with velcro at the end.
    • Mexican wraps are similar to cotton wraps but they are woven with elastic fibers, so they mold to the hand more easily. They aren't quite as durable as cotton wraps because the elastic gets worn out over time, but they're a good option for training.
    • Gel wraps aren't actually woven onto the hand, but are slipped on like fingerless gloves. They are more expensive than cotton or Mexican wraps. They are convenient to slip on, but they don't provide as much wrist support as traditional wraps, and for that reason serious boxers don't usually opt for gels.
    • Competition wraps are composed of gauze and tape. Boxing rulebooks specify the exact amount that can be used, to make sure each boxer has the same amount of padding. Since these wraps aren't reusable, they aren't practical for use during everyday training. The wrapping technique for competition wraps is also different and should be done with a partner or coach.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 2 Wrap with the correct tension. Hand wraps should be taut to provide stability for the hand and wrist, but if they're too tight they can cut off circulation. You might have to practice a few times before you get the tension just right. Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 3 Keep the wraps free of wrinkles. Lumps and wrinkles can be uncomfortable when you're trying to focus on boxing, and they also prevent the wrap from adequately protecting the fine bones in your hands and stabilizing your wrists.[2]
  4. Step 4 Keep your wrists straight when you wrap them. 4 Keep your wrists straight when you wrap them. If your wrists are bent when you wrap them, they the wrap won't help to stabilize them. Your risk of injury won't be as high if you keep your wrists straight during the process.[3]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Winding the Wrap

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 1 Stretch your hand out. Spread your fingers as far apart as possible and flex all of the muscles. The boxing wrap is meant to support the hand while it's in motion, so you should begin by exposing the wrap to all the movements you might use while boxing.[4]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 2 Place your thumb through the hole at the end of the wrap. It's located at the opposite end from the Velcro. Make sure the underside of the wrap is against your hand; if you wind the wrap upside down, you'll have trouble fastening it when you're finished. Most wraps will have a tag or printed place letting you know which side should face down.[5]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 3 Wrap your wrist. Wind the wrap around the back of your wrist 3 to 4 times, depending on the size of your hands and the level of stability you want to attain. Finish with the wrap at the inside of your wrist.[6]
    • The wrap should be flat and directly overlap itself with each turn.
    • If you find that you need to add or reduce length to the wrap at the end, adjust the number of times you wrap your wrist.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 4 Wrap your hand. Pull the wrap around the back of your hand, over the area just above your thumb, and across your palm to the other side. Wrap the same place three times, ending with the wrap on the inside of your hand near the thumb.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 5 Wrap your thumb. Start by wrapping your wrist one time, finishing with the wrap near your thumb. Wind the wrap from the bottom of your thumb toward the top, then back to the bottom. Finish by wrapping your wrist once more.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 6 Wrap your fingers. Starting at the inside of your wrist, wind the wrap in the following way to secure your fingers at the base:
    • Wind the wrap from the inside of your wrist over the top of the hand and between the pinky and ring finger.[7]
    • Wind it back from the inside of the wrist over the top of the hand and between the ring finger and middle finger.
    • Wind it again from the inside of the wrist over the top of the hand and between the middle finger and index finger. Finish at the inside of the wrist.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 7 Wrap your hand again. Start by wrapping the wrist, then wrap diagonally from the inside of your wrist to the outside of your hand. Continue wrapping across your palm and just above your thumb. Repeat until the length of the wrap has been used, then finish with one last wrap around your wrist.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing 8 Secure the wrap. Velcro it to secure it in place. Flex your hand and throw a few punches to determine if it's comfortable. If the wrap is too tight or too loose, redo it.[8]
  9. Step 9 Repeat with the other hand. 9 Repeat with the other hand. It may be difficult to wrap using your non-dominant hand at first, but you'll get the hang of it after some practice. If you need help ask your coach or a partner to do it for you.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Can a novice use hand wraps? Joe Sweeney Joe Sweeney Community Answer Not only can a novice use hand wraps, they should. All professional fighters, not just boxers, use hand wraps. You could do without them, but you'd risk breaking your wrists and being unable to fight. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 66
  • Question Can I use athletic tape as a wrap? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, but you obviously could not reuse the athletic tape and it would probably require a lot more tape each time you wrap your hand/wrist. It might also be uncomfortable between your fingers. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 43
  • Question Does wrapping make the punch more effective when striking an opponent? Community Answer Community Answer No, it doesn't. The wraps are there for the protection of your wrist and hand. They help ensure that there's no injuries when you do decide to give that hard punch. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 35 Helpful 92
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Video

Tips

  • Keep the wrap flat when wrapping hands. You should also clean the wrap frequently to avoid stiffness and to reduce the risk of chafing. Thanks Helpful 80 Not Helpful 28
  • For those with especially small hands, it is best to purchase a shorter boxing wrap than to loop a normal wrap several times. A normal wrap will bunch up inside the boxing gloves on a smaller hand, making control of the gloves more difficult. Thanks Helpful 89 Not Helpful 38

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Remember, practice makes perfect, so once you get your hands wrapped, get out there and practice!
  • Wash your wraps at least once a week, or they may become smelly.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not wrap too tightly. Wrapping hands is meant to support the hand and wrist, not to cut off circulation. If the wraps do not feel comfortable inside the boxing gloves, or if your hands feel numb, take off the wrap and wrap your hands more loosely. Thanks Helpful 69 Not Helpful 12
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Things You'll Need

  • Boxing wrap

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References

  1. ↑ https://evokeacademy.com/blog/wrap-your-hands-for-kick-boxing
  2. ↑ https://evokeacademy.com/blog/wrap-your-hands-for-kick-boxing
  3. ↑ https://evokeacademy.com/blog/wrap-your-hands-for-kick-boxing
  4. ↑ https://evokeacademy.com/blog/wrap-your-hands-for-kick-boxing
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/-1RdBB8kf3c?t=70
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/-1RdBB8kf3c?t=100
  7. ↑ David Engel. Muay Thai Instructor & Self Defense Trainer. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMS_ni5lEs4&t=226s

About This Article

David Engel Co-authored by: David Engel Muay Thai Instructor & Self Defense Trainer This article was co-authored by David Engel. David Engel is a Muay Thai Instructor and Self Defense Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of martial arts instruction and training experience, David runs California Martial Athletics with co-owner Joe Chernay. He has created and maintained martial arts programs at Rise Combat Sports in San Francisco and Round 5 Martial Arts Academy in San Leandro, with a mission to provide students with a level of comfort and competency that manifests both within and outside the martial arts context. He is also a registered cornerman for amateur and pro competitors under the IKF (International Kickboxing Federation). David was the youngest apprentice instructor of the Thai Boxing Association of America under Ajarn Chai Sirisute (2009), and was a top-ranked amateur competitor in his weight class (127-130 lb) in California between 2013 and 2015. This article has been viewed 1,600,112 times. 50 votes - 74% Co-authors: 18 Updated: September 16, 2025 Views: 1,600,112 Categories: Boxing Article SummaryX

To wrap your hands for boxing, stretch your hand out with your fingers spread, and place your thumb through the loop at the end of the wrap. Then, wrap your wrist 3-4 times so that it’s snug and supportive, but not tight. Wrap your palm 3 times just above your thumb, and then wrap your wrist another time. Circle around your thumb 2 times and then wrap the wrist again. Starting at your wrist, wrap between your pinky, ring, middle, and index fingers before wrapping your hand again. At the end of the roll, wrap your wrist again and velcro the wrap into place. If you want to learn how to choose between wraps to use, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Manoj Pathania

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    May 28, 2017

    "Thanks, it was really very helpful for my 10 yr old kid. He has recently started boxing classes but it was a tough..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. icon $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything. Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. David Engel Co-authored by: David Engel Muay Thai Instructor & Self Defense Trainer 50 votes - 74% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 18 Updated: September 16, 2025 Views: 1,600,112 Manoj Pathania

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"Thanks, it was really very helpful for my 10 yr old kid. He has recently started boxing classes but it was a tough..." more Rated this article: Christopher LaFave

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"I hadn't boxed for a long time, and was surprised that I forgot parts of how I wrapped my hands. I love this..." more Anonymous

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"Thanks a lot! This article helped me. When I go to boxing I now know how to wrap my hands, how to do it right and..." more Debbie Benz

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"It helped me more than any other one, because it took it in sections and stopped and replayed it. Then it did the..." more Rated this article: Vedamurthy B C

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