A hand covering is an item of clothing that is worn to protect the hands from cold or other elements. The most common hand coverings are gloves, mittens, and mitts. Gloves are the most popular type of hand covering, consisting of five separate fingers and a thumb, all connected together. Mittens are similar to gloves, but they have only one compartment for the four fingers and the thumb. Mitts are similar to mittens, but they do not have a separate compartment for the thumb. All three types of hand coverings provide protection and warmth for the hands.