Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) belt ranking system might seem too complex or even confusing to some people. But overall, the belt order in BJJ is quite simple and easy to understand when explained right.

BJJ color belt ranks are separated into two main groups, each with five different solid color belt ranks. Each color belt has stripes or sub-ranks in the youth belts. Youth (below 16 yrs of age): white, gray, orange, green, black. Adults (above 16 yrs of age): white, blue, purple, brown, and black.

Keep reading this article to learn all about the history of the BJJ belt system, how it works in practice, and how long it takes to get each belt on average. After reading this article, we are confident that you will have a pretty good understanding of the BJJ ranking system and everything you need to know about the BJJ Belt ranking system.

The History of the BJJ Color Belt Ranking System

BJJ was created on the foundation of Judo base by brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie. Thus, jiu-jitsu shares many similarities with judo regarding techniques and belt ranks. At the same time, the color belt ranks in jiu-jitsu differ in certain aspects. But the core concept of the ranking system remains the same as the one in judo.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the father of Judo, Kano Jigoro, searched for a grading system to improve the learning process. His main idea was to somehow separate beginners from more experience students and instructors.

The solution he came up with was the color belt ranks. A piece of cloth students has to wear around their waist indicates their skill level and experience. In the initial form, there were only two belts: white and black. But over the years, Jigoro would make many changes, add more belt colors, and separate the ranking system between the youth and senior students.

Since the inception of the Judo colored belt ranking system, many other martial arts would adopt judo ranking systems, such as karate, taekwondo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to indicate the level of their student’s skill set.

When BJJ began to emerge in the 1920s and 1930s, most schools had three different belt ranks:

• White belt – is a color belt worn by beginner students who are yet to master the art of jiu-jitsu
• Light blue – is a belt worn by practitioners who have reached the level of the instructor
• Black belt – is a belt worn by the very true masters of jiu-jitsu

Over the years, the BJJ belt ranking system would undergo many changes and add more color belts. However, the most significant change came in 1967 when the color belt ranks became standardized globally. This system is still in use in modern days, along with many others such as:

• Helio Gracie Lineage system
• JJGF developed by Rickson Gracie
• Gracie Barra belt ranking system

The belt ranks are divided into two main categories: 

• Adult belts for people above 16 years of age
• Youth belts for kids below 16 years of age.

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Youth BJJ Belt System (Fully explained)

Youth belts are reserved for students between 5 and 16 years old. The system includes five color belt ranks: White, Grey, Yellow, Orange, and Green.

Each of the five belts consists of three additional sub-rank groups: a white stripe, a black stripe, and a solid color belt. 

To make it simple and easy to understand, here is how it all looks in a table:

The next thing to remember is those additional degrees (stripes) within each belt rank. Depending on the school policies and the way they operate, there can be:

• 12 stripes per belt (Monthly system)
• 4 stripes per belt (Triannal system)
• 3 stripes per belt (Quartile system)

For example, once you earn a Gray belt, you will need to earn 4 stripes within the Gray belt before moving up in rank and earning a Yellow belt. Students usually receive stripes for being consistent and regularly showing up to classes. 

Most academies prefer to utilize the monthly system. But note that the one in your area might use one of the remaining two. 

Once students turn 16 years old, they switch to Adult BJJ ranks. It’s worth noting that the level you reached in the youth ranks has its equivalent in the adult ranks. It usually goes like this:

• Grey, Yellow, and Orange belts may become blue belts
• Green-Black belts may become purple belts if the main instructors agree

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Adult BJJ Belt System

Adult BJJ belt ranks are reserved for students who are 16 years old or older. The system consists of five different color belt ranks, with four stripes (IBJJF) per belt. In most schools, stripes are awarded for the time spent on the mats, consistency, progress, knowledge, and performance in competition.

Once a student earns a black belt, there are six additional black belt ranks for the levels between 0-6 and red belt ranks for the levels between 7 and 10. Sounds a bit confusing? Here is a table to better understand it:

Belt color	Level of Skill	Minimum age
White Belt	Beginner belt	No age limit
Blue Belt	Intermediate stage	16+
Purple Belt	Intermediate stage	17+
Brown Belt	Advanced stage	18+
Black Belt	Advanced stage	19+
1st degree black belt	Master	/
2nd degree black belt	Master	/
3rd degree black belt	Master	/
4th degree black belt	Master	/
5th degree black belt	Master	/
6th degree black belt	Master	/
Red and Black belt (7th degree)	Master	50+ years old
Red and White belt (8th degree)	Master	57+ years old
Red Belt (9th and 10th degree)	Grand Master	67+ years old

How Do You Progress Through the BJJ Ranks?

Unlike in other martial arts, such as karate, BJJ academies do not host official promotional tests where three or more commission members evaluate your progress. No, BJJ students get promoted by their main instructor.

Some academies hold promotions once or twice per year, usually around holidays in December, when a group of students gets promoted to the higher ranks. But still, there is no testing.

Overall, BJJ students get promoted into the higher ranks by their main instructor; in most cases, the promotion is informal. Therefore, it is up to your main instructor and their subjective evaluation to determine whether you have made the required progress and reached a certain level of proficiency to be worthy of a higher rank.

They will evaluate your progress based on factors such as:

• Knowledge you gained 
• Tournament experience and performance
• Consistency and dedication to classes
• Behavior on and off the mat and relationships you build

A belt is not just someone’s level in rolling. It’s also knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu, how they treat their team mates, if they are mentally mature for that belt level, if they understand the BJJ code of conduct, mat time, loyalty, competitions etc…

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Once your instructor determines that you have earned a new color belt rank, they will promote you to a higher belt at the beginning or end of a class.

Though this sounds informal (and it is), the instructor will always do their best to surprise you, make it authentic, and acknowledge the progress you have made in front of the other students. It is a rewarding experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

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How long does it take to get each belt in BJJ?

The following is a detailed explanation of each color belt rank in BJJ up to the black belt. Learn what each color means and how long it takes to earn it.

White belt

Beginners who are just starting are white belts. At this stage, students must focus on being consistent, learning the basics of defense and escape, improving fitness and conditioning, and surviving and not losing the motivation to train.

Your days as a white belt might be among the hardest on your journey. In the opening months, you will get submitted hundreds of times, which may destroy your ego, as no one likes to lose all the time. But that’s a humbling part of the learning process that even the most talented black belts must go through initially.

Blue belt

Reaching a blue belt is where students start making significant progress and transitioning from beginner to intermediate levels of learning.

The main goals at this stage are to master all the fundamentals, develop a solid defense, learn escapes, and add more complex moves to your game. Therefore, blue belt days are crucial as you have to master all the fundamentals to perfection to develop a good base, on top of which you will later add more advanced skills.

How long does it take to earn a BJJ blue belt? 
On average, students spend 1.5–2 years training before moving to the blue belt. However, some students who come into BJJ from judo or wrestling might do it within a year.

Purple belt

By the time students have reached the purple belt rank, they have already mastered the fundamentals and are slowly transitioning to the advanced stages of learning.

At this level, students must focus on developing good automatic reactions and instincts, improving offensive and defensive skills and strategies, and start putting together more complex combos. This is also the phase where most students develop their strategies and game plans.

How long does it take to earn a BJJ purple belt?
Students spend between 2 and 4 years at the blue level before reaching the purple belt rank. This is a crucial stage where you may either give up or stick with BJJ for the rest of your life.

Brown belt

Reaching a brown belt rank means you have become an advanced student. The brown belt stage is where students have an objective look at their BJJ abilities and are well aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

This cognizance allows them to develop their grappling style, specialize in certain aspects, and maximize their potential. Brown-belt students often assist in teaching lower-ranked students.

How long does it take to earn a BJJ brown belt?
Students spend a minimum of two years training at the purple level to earn a brown belt rank.

Black belt

The black belt is the final belt rank for the adult BJJ color belt system and the pinnacle of the belt system. Being a black belt means you fully understand the intricacy of every technique and have proven that you can masterfully execute these techniques in grappling.

But achieving a black belt does not represent the end of your journey as a BJJ athlete. Instead, earning a black belt will elevate you to becoming a master of art by pursuing a higher black belt degree, continuously honing your techniques to improve your game further, and seeking the best way to teach others.

How long does it take to earn a black belt?  
Earning a black belt takes between 10 and 15 years in total. Some talented and dedicated grapplers might do it in 9 or 8 years, but this does not happen that often. It also depends on the academy you train in, the quality of the coaching staff, and many other factors, such as your athletic level and comprehension level.

The table below summarizes the entire BJJ belt system and what each belt requires:

Color belt rank	Minimum Age	Time to get	Total Time
White	/	/	/
Blue	16	1.5-2 years
Purple	17	3-4 years	4.5-6 years
Brown	18	2-4 years	6.5-9 years
Black belt	19	2-3 years	9-15 years
Black belt (0-6th degree rank)	21	10-15 years	20-30 years
Red and Black	50 years old	10 years	40 years
Red and White	57 years old	10 years	50 years
Red belt	67 years old	Undefined	Undefined

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Can non-black BJJ belts promote students?

Yes, according to the IBJJF standards, brown belts are enabled to promote purple belts, while purple belts can promote students into blue belt ranks. However, it’s worth pointing out that this is only allowed in academies without a black belt instructor.

For example, suppose a BJJ academy with a certified black belt is not established in a particular area or town other than by having brown or purple belt instructors in their academy. In that case, the IBJJF will respect the academy’s brown or purple belt authority to promote lower-ranking students.

Can a black belt promote a black belt?

According to IBJJF standards, a 2nd-degree black belt is allowed to promote students into black belt ranks and sign memberships and certifications. However, a black belt below the 2nd-degree ranks can only promote students to the brown belt rank.

Is There a Fee for Belt Promotion in BJJ?

No, according to the BJJ philosophies and policies, students do not have to pay any fee when promoted to a higher rank. They earned it through hard training, sweat, blood, and tears.

Yes, you must pay monthly BJJ fees, buy a GI uniform, and spend money on other equipment and accessories. However, if you train in a legitimate BJJ school, you will not be required to pay any fees for belt promotion.

The main reason why there’s no fee associated with belt promotion is that there is no official test like in other martial arts such as karate or taekwondo.

Can BJJ black belts be beaten by lower belts?

Yes, it is not uncommon to see a purple or brown belt student often beat a black belt in training. A black belt indicates that you are an expert in executing BJJ techniques, but it doesn’t make you unbeatable against lower-ranked students. Rener Gracie once famously stated that if you are ten years younger than a black belt or 20 pounds heavier, you compete on equal terms.

A BJJ black belt is often beaten by a lower-ranked student who entered BJJ from a rich wrestling background. Wrestlers are powerful grapplers and are superior to BJJ regarding takedowns and top control. Thus, a white belt with a Division I collegiate wrestling background can easily dominate blue or even purple belts during the rolls.

Final thoughts on BJJ belt ranks

The BJJ belt ranking system originates in Judo, and as you have learned in this article, it is not that complex or hard to understand. Furthermore, unlike most other martial arts, the ranking system does not vary too much between organizations or countries and is pretty much standardized globally.

The crucial thing to remember is that rankings are split between youth (below 16 years of age) and senior ranks (above 16 years of age). Each of the two includes five solid color belts, stripes (degrees), or sub-rank within each belt for youth, and students get promoted by their main instructor.

Hopefully, this article helped you better understand how BJJ belt ranking works and what you may expect on your journey.

Whether you are in the grappling world or not, you have likely heard about the Gi vs No Gi Jiu-JItsu debate. It’s very unlikely that you didn’t, as this is one of the never-ending debates in the modern martial arts world. And in this article, you are going to finally find out all the differences and which one is better.

A “Gi” is a style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) where all athletes must wear a unique Gi uniform made out of thick cotton that includes a top/jacket, long pants, and a color belt rank. No Gi, as its name suggests, is a style where students do not wear the uniform, which makes it quite different in many aspects.

Gi BJJ is better than No-Gi BJJ if you want to learn practical techniques based on grabbing onto an opponent’s clothing. In contrast, No-Gi is better than Gi BJJ if you plan to become an MMA fighter, where you need to learn to apply techniques without grabbing onto an opponent’s clothing.

Sounds simple, right? Well, though similar, these two styles differ a lot in certain technical aspects, and you are going to learn all about it in this article.

Let’s dive right into it!

What is Gi BJJ?

A “Gi” is the most popular style of BJJ practiced by millions of people around the world. It is an initial style of jiu-jitsu developed way back in the 1920s by Carlos and Helio Gracie.

In this style, all students need to wear a unique “Gi” uniform. The uniform includes a jacket similar to the “judogi” top, long pants, and the color belt rank around the waist. In fact, the uniform is very similar to the one in Judo but is made out of lighter materials. Students must wear it both in training and competition, and they never do any exercises without it.

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What is No Gi BJJ?

No-Gi BJJ is the modern style of BJJ where students do not have to wear a traditional Gi uniform (jacket and pants). Instead of a traditional uniform, students wear a rush guard, or just a shorts and a T-shirt.

The exact origins of this style are not clear, but the man who deserves a lot of credit for developing modern no-gi is BJJ legend Eddie Bravo who is also the founder of Combat Jiu-Jitsu. 

Key differences between Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

The difference in friction

Gi uniform creates a lot of friction during the grappling exchanges, notably when the uniform gets soaked with sweat. As a result, friction makes it harder for students to rely on sheer physical strength and speed to gain an advantage. Instead, they have to be patient, and focus more on technique and strategies to find a way to win. 

Friction slows the action down and forces you to think three steps in advance to create the perfect opportunity to attack and win the exchange. 

No-Gi differs a lot here as, due to the lack of uniform, there is far less friction which speeds up the action. This also means that physical strength, athleticism, and speed play a much bigger role than in gi training.

Difference in grips

Gi style enables you to grab and pull the opponent’s uniform in many different ways. Here are the three main gi grips practitioners use:

• Collar grip – is a grip used to control the posture from both top and bottom positions. Or, athletes might use it to finish the opponent with the famous “loop choke”.
• Pants grips – are often used when the practitioner is working their way from the bottom position for instance. 
• Sleeve grips – is one of the most common grips used in Gi training both in the standup and on the ground. 

No-Gi actually includes more grip positions. There are various arm and leg grips (ankle, knee, foot etc.) and head controls:

• Collar tie
• Overtie
• Wrist control
• Ankle grip

Techniques

The Gi style has more techniques as there are many ways in which you can manipulate the opponent’s gi against them. Grabbing and using both your and the opponent’s uniform is the key element of the game that opens up a wide range of the way you can attack, defend or set up traps. The emphasis is on collar chokes, powerful judo throws, and open guards. 

Gi style includes most of the techniques that No-Gi has. But on top of that, it adds more as there are plenty of throwing and choking techniques specific just for Gi like the grips on the lapel and collar. A good instance is the collar choke, a very popular move in BJJ that you can’t execute without the uniform.

No-gi training focuses more on explosive wrestling takedowns, and submissions like guillotines and leg locks. 

Grappling style

Gi style is much slower due to friction, and there are also many ways in which you might use various grips to stall the action and control the opponent. You have to be patient, think three steps in advance to create the chance to attack, or spot the danger and defend.  This is just one of the reasons why gi training is also called the “human chess match”. 

No-gi differs here as the action is much faster and the physical strength and speed play a much bigger role than in gi training. Of course, the concept and goals are the same and practitioners also have to be strategic and apply various tactics to win a match, but in a different way. 

Gi or No-Gi – Which one is better for self-defense?

The answer is a matter of subjective opinion as to which one is better for self-defense. The popular opinion is that gi training is more in line with street fighting. The idea is that GI jackets and pants worn in training add to the realism as all people wear some clothing. For example, gi training can better prepare you for real-life situations where you can grab the attackers’ jackets or pants to take them down to the ground and neutralize them with a submission.

Advocates of no-gi jiu-jitsu claim that the clothes people wear today differ a lot from the ones worn when BJJ was created. Modern clothing is made out of lighter materials, is more flexible, and can be torn apart much more easily. Also, people living in warmer climates do not walk around wearing thick and heavy clothes like jackets and pants.

This is where the other opinion comes into play. Many believe No-Gi jiu-jitsu is more realistic as its frantic, aggressive pace and approach are more in line with street fighting. They say no-gi’s reliance on physical strength, speed, technique, and body mechanics is more natural and allows you to defend more efficiently and finish the fight much faster.

Of course, street fighting has many variables and both of these styles of BJJ have pros and cons. 

Gi or No-Gi BJJ – Which one is better for beginners?

Gi style of BJJ training should be your choice if you are a beginner just starting out. No-Gi is not a bad option either, but starting out and learning techniques in a gi uniform has many benefits.

First, gi training is the original style of jiu-jitsu, better for beginners as it is more technical. Since the focus is not on physical strength, you will have to master each move to perfection. It is also a much slower and less aggressive style, which enables you to focus on performing with proper technique rather than rushing things and trying to make up for the lack of technique with athleticism. 

Next, gi training includes almost all of the techniques that you will find in No-Gi. But on top of that, it adds even more sweeps, escapes, and submissions. As a result, you will have a much easier time transitioning from gi to no-gi training, than the other way around. In fact, most no-gi students who switch over to traditional Gi jiu-jitsu must spend a lot of time adapting to the usage of Gi in grappling as they are not familiar with it.

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Gi vs No-Gi – Which one is better for MMA?

No-Gi is a better option if your main goal is to develop good BJJ skills for MMA fighting. The reason is quite simple: training without a gi uniform is more in line with grappling in MMA where fighters compete wearing only shorts. All of the skills and techniques you learn in no-gi work well in MMA and when combined with other martial arts.

On the other hand, traditional Gi training is a bit limited since many techniques are dependent on the gi uniform. Since fighters do not wear Gi uniform during MMA fights, techniques they learn in Gi jiu-jitsu do not apply well in MMA fights.

To make their game work in cage fighting, all Gi BJJ practitioners wishing to participate in MMA fights must spend some time in no-gi training. Gi BJJ practitioners need to adapt to the lack of uniform (no friction) and learn additional ways of attacking and defending to fight in MMA.

Traditional Gi training can provide some benefits to MMA fighters. This is notably true when it comes to learning escapes and guard pass prevention, which is crucial skills in MMA. But overall, No-Gi is, in some ways, designed to meet the demands of modern MMA, and with that, is a far better option.

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Gi vs No-Gi – Which one is harder to learn?

Which one is harder to learn is an individual thing and is based on many different factors. Some people have easier time training in a gi, while others are better at no-gi. It all depends on your talent, athleticism, passion, and in the end, which style you prefer. To find which one might be harder, let’s take a look at some of the different factors.

More techniques – Gi

Overall, gi style has more techniques and more variations of each move. It is a bit harder from the technical perspective due to its emphasis on technique rather than athleticism.

More intense – No-Gi

No-Gi is a faster and more explosive style where being physically strong, agile and fast plays a key role during the exchanges. It is more intense than gi training as it puts more emphasis on fast and explosive attacks. 

More injuries – both

Both styles have about equal rates of injuries. But Gi jiu-jitsu might have a slightly higher injury rate because there is more friction training in gi. For example, with increased friction, escaping from a submission hold will cause more stress on your bones or muscles when your limbs rub against your training partner, which may lead to more injuries.

But overall, both styles are equally dangerous.

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Can you train Gi and No-Gi at the same time?

Yes, training in both styles of BJJ at the same time has many benefits and it will make you a complete grappler and improve your overall grappling abilities. These two styles might differ from one another in certain aspects, but in the end, complement one another. Here is a detailed explanation.

Gi training helps no-gi students to improve their technique to perfection. It improves their defensive skills, teaches them how to manipulate the clothes, and be more strategic. It won’t help them much when it comes to preparing for no-gi competition. But cross training has many benefits when it comes to self-defense. It’s always good to know how to apply gi grips, and various types of sweeps and escapes specific for gi training.

No-gi training can help gi students learn how to rely more on strength and speed, wrestling takedowns, positional control, and be more explosive in their approach. Instead of gi grips, you will learn how to use arm or leg grips, and perform at a much higher pace. It also has benefits in terms of self-defense aspect as people do not walk around wearing a gi uniform or similar clothes all the time. 

Training in both styles can only make you a complete grappler in the long run.

Gi vs No-Gi – Which one is better for Police Officers?

The only fair answer is that training in both styles is the best option. If you are a police officer looking to improve your hand-to-hand combat abilities to deal with the scenarios at work in a more efficient way, then the best option is to train in both gi and no-gi. This is the only way that you can prepare, as far as hand-to-hand grappling is concerned, for most scenarios.

Due to the nature of the job, police officers need to deal with people of all ages, genders, physical sizes, and even martial arts experts. Some of these people may wear a jacket and jeans, while some may wear as little as shorts. Police officers must prepare for a myriad of unexpected situations on the street, and the only way to prepare for most of them is to train in both styles.

The best way is to start in one style and be sure to talk with your instructor about your intentions and what you want to achieve with BJJ training. They will guide you through the entire process of learning and how you can benefit from training. In some cases, they might even adapt the training to your needs, and focus more on specific aspects of BJJ closely related to the common scenarios you are dealing with on duty.

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Final Summary: Gi vs No-Gi – Which is better?

Both of these styles are very similar and the concept is very much the same. But a single difference in clothes is a game changer and a key reason why these two styles differ so much.

Which one is better for you depends on many factors, and it mainly comes down to your personal preference and what you want to achieve. Here is a final look at both styles which might help you make the right choice:

Who should learn Gi BJJ?

Gi style of BJJ is the original style that embraces traditional BJJ philosophy, methods of teaching, strong hierarchy and respectful atmosphere. It should be your choice if you are in for the full BJJ experience that enables you to easily transition to no-gi training later on your journey. It is also a more popular style with millions of practitioners all across the world, which makes it far more accessible than the less popular No-Gi.

Who should learn No-Gi BJJ?

No-Gi classes will cost less than Gi classes as you don’t have to buy a Gi uniform. Also, the monthly payment for no-gi classes is likely lower than in traditional gi schools.

Next, no-gi is the right choice if you are a fan of fast-paced grappling, rapid transitions, takedowns, and submissions.

The culture and gym atmosphere are also a bit different as most No-Gi schools do not embrace traditional values as much as gi BJJ does. It is more in line with the modern lifestyle when you look at it from the social context.

Last but not least, No-Gi should be your choice if you want to compete in MMA, or maybe want to switch over to MMA at some point.