BJJ belt size chart and embroidery options
A belt that is too long drags; too short and it will not hold a double knot with both ends hanging. Size it to your waist and your gi, not to your height.
BJJ belts are numbered A0 to A5 and sized by length, typically running from about 240 cm (A0) to about 320 cm (A5), in a standard 4–5 cm width. As a rule the belt number matches your gi size. The belt should wrap twice, tie in a double knot and leave both ends hanging roughly to mid-thigh.
Last updated · Combatwear Factory
BJJ belt size chart
Typical lengths across brands. Belt number usually matches gi size. Check the maker’s own chart.
| A0 | About 240 cm (94″) — suits a waist of roughly 24–28″ |
|---|---|
| A1 | About 260 cm (102″) — suits a waist of roughly 28–32″ |
| A2 | About 280 cm (110″) — suits a waist of roughly 32–36″ |
| A3 | About 295 cm (116″) — suits a waist of roughly 36–40″ |
| A4 | About 310 cm (122″) — suits a waist of roughly 40–44″ |
| A5 | About 320 cm (126″) — suits a waist of roughly 44–48″ |
| Kids M0–M4 | About 200–240 cm, graded with the kids gi range |
| Width | 4–5 cm across all adult sizes — this is a competition requirement, not a style choice |
How to check the size is right
Wrap it twice around your waist over the gi jacket and tie a double knot. Both ends should hang roughly level, reaching about mid-thigh. If one end is noticeably shorter, the belt is too small; if the ends reach the knee, it is too long and will swing into your face in guard.
Size by waist over the gi, not bare waist. The jacket adds several centimetres of wrap, and a belt sized to a bare waist comes up short.
Ranks and stripes
The adult order is white, blue, purple, brown, black. Juniors use a separate progression that includes white, grey, yellow, orange and green before a student is old enough for the adult ranks.
Stripes are applied to the black bar on one end of the belt, usually in white athletic tape or as a stitched stripe. A black belt’s bar is red; a coral and red belt indicate the highest degrees.
For a club order this matters practically: the black bar has to be stitched on, so rank colour and bar are set at production, not after.
Construction: rows of stitching
Belts are described by the number of stitch rows running their length — commonly 4, 6, 8 or more. More rows means a stiffer belt that holds a knot better and frays less; fewer rows means softer and easier to tie.
Cotton is standard. A heavier cotton twill with more stitch rows is the usual choice for an academy belt that will be worn for years; a softer construction suits kids and anyone who dislikes a stiff knot.
Embroidery and personalisation
The common placements are the wearer’s name along one end, the academy name along the other, and a small mark on the bar. Embroidery on a belt is through a thick, dense fabric, so fine detail and small lettering do not hold the way they do on a jacket.
Thread colour against belt colour is the decision people regret. White on black reads cleanly; mid-tones on a similar belt colour disappear at any distance.
For a club running personalised belts, settle the layout once and keep it fixed across ranks — it makes reordering simple and the belts look like a set.
BJJ belt sizing: frequently asked questions
What size BJJ belt do I need?
As a rule your belt number matches your gi size — an A2 gi takes an A2 belt. Check by wrapping twice over the jacket: a double knot should leave both ends hanging to about mid-thigh.
How long is an A2 BJJ belt?
About 280 cm (110″), suiting roughly a 32–36″ waist. Lengths vary a little between brands, so check the specific chart.
How wide should a BJJ belt be?
4–5 cm. This is a competition requirement rather than a style preference.
What do the stripes on a BJJ belt mean?
Stripes mark progress within a rank and are applied to the black bar at one end of the belt. Four stripes typically precede promotion to the next belt.
What does the number of rows of stitching mean?
How many lines of stitching run the length of the belt. More rows means a stiffer belt that holds a knot better and frays less; fewer rows is softer and easier to tie.
Can I get belts embroidered with my academy name?
Yes. Name on one end, academy on the other is the standard layout. Belt fabric is dense, so keep lettering reasonably large and choose a thread colour with real contrast against the belt.
Related: Order belts from our custom BJJ belts page. Academy bundles: academy uniform programs. Gi sizes: BJJ gi size chart.
Where your BJJ belts are made
Photographs from our own unit in Sialkot, where BJJ belts are cut, stitched, checked and packed for dispatch.
Academy belts, made as a set
Tell us the ranks, sizes and embroidery layout you need. We confirm belt construction, stitch rows, thread colours and MOQ for your actual order.