The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) belt ranking system is a way to categorize practitioners based on their skill level and experience.
Before 1900 there are just 3 belt ranking systems in jiu-jitsu.
- White Belt for beginners,
- Light Blue Belt for intermediate-level students.
- Dark Blue Belt for advanced-level students.
In around 1960, total 5 belts were discovered,
- BJJ White Belt: Beginner
- BJJ Blue Belt: Intermediate
- BJJ Purple Belt: Advanced
- BJJ Brown Belt: almost expert
- BJJ Black Belt: Expert (with additional degrees of mastery)
After 1980 total of 8 belts were discovered,
Here’s a breakdown of the 8 BJJ belt rankings system from beginner to grandmaster:
- White Belt: This is the starting belt for all new students. White belts are beginners who are just starting to learn the basics of BJJ.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: 1 to 2 Years
- Required Age: No Required - Blue Belt: After spending time training and mastering fundamental techniques, practitioners can earn their blue belt. This belt usually takes about 1 to 3 years to achieve.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: 2 to 4 Years
- Required Age: Minimum 16Years - Purple Belt: The next level is the purple belt, awarded to students who have a good understanding of BJJ techniques and can apply them effectively. It typically takes about 2 to 5 years to progress from blue to purple.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: 1.5 to 5 Years
- Required Age: Minimum 16 Years - Brown Belt: Practitioners who reach the brown belt have advanced skills and are close to earning their black belt. This belt can take about 1 to 3 years to achieve after earning a purple belt.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: 1 to 5 Years
- Required Age: Minimum 16 Years - Black Belt: The black belt represents a high level of proficiency in BJJ. It takes at least 10 years of training and dedication to reach this level. There are also degrees of black belts (1st to 10th degree), which are awarded based on additional years of training and contributions to the sport.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: 8 to 12
- Required Age: Minimum 19 Years - Red and Black Belt (7th Degree Coral Belts): Also known as a coral belt, this is a special rank that shows advanced knowledge and years of dedication.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: Minimum 7 years
- Required Age: Minimum 19 Years - Red and White Belt (8th Degree Coral Belts): This belt is another step closer to the highest honor in BJJ, given to those who have spent a lifetime training and contributing to the art.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: Minimum 10 years
- Required Age: Minimum 19 Years - Red Belt (9th and 10th Degrees): The highest belt in BJJ is the red belt. It is rare and reserved for those who have made significant contributions to the sport, typically requiring many decades of dedication.
- Average Time to Spent in Belt: Final Belt
- Required Age: Minimum 48 Years
BJJ Belts for Kids
The ranking system for kids is a little different because they are still growing and learning. Kids have more belt colours to show their progress as they develop their skills. Here are the belts for kids:
- White Belt
- Grey Belt (white-gray, solid grey, grey-black)
- Yellow Belt (white-yellow, solid yellow, yellow-black)
- Orange Belt (white-orange, solid orange, orange-black)
- Green Belt (white-green, solid green, green-black)
When kids turn 16 years old, they can move into the adult belt system, starting at the blue belt.
How to Earn a New Belt
Moving up to the next belt in BJJ takes time and practice. It’s not just about learning new moves; it’s about understanding when and how to use them in a real fight. Instructors or coaches watch how students practice and perform during training sessions or competitions to decide when they are ready for a new belt.
The time it takes to earn a new belt depends on how often you train, your dedication, and your ability to learn the techniques. It can take a few years to move from one belt to another, especially as you get to higher levels.
Please note that the belt ranking system can differ between different BJJ associations or schools, but the general structure remains consistent.
Stripes and Degree on the Belts
In BJJ, students also earn stripes on their belts before moving to the next level. Stripes are like small marks that show your progress within each belt.
For white, blue, purple, and brown belts, there are four stripes on each belt. For the white belt, it takes 3 to 6 months to earn a new stripe, and for the remaining three belts, each belt takes 6 to 12 months to get a new stripe. When a student earns all four stripes on a belt, they earn a new belt.
For the remaining 4 belts there are used Degree instead of stripe
- Black belts (1st to 6th Degrees) take almost 6 years
- Red/Black Belt (7th degree) is given to that student who spent 31 years in black belt.
- Red/White Belt (8th degree) is given to that student who spent 38 years in the black belt.
- Red Belt, (9th and 10 Degrees) is given to that student who spent a minimum of 48 years in the black belt.
Why the BJJ Ranking System Is Important
The ranking system in BJJ is more than just a way to show what belt you have. It’s a way to motivate students to keep learning, practicing, and improving. Each belt shows that you have put in the hard work and have grown as a martial artist.
Earning a new belt or stripe can feel like a big achievement because it proves that all your training is paying off. It’s a reminder that you’re getting stronger, smarter, and more skilled in BJJ.
Conclusion
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking system is a journey that takes time, patience, and a lot of practice. Whether you are a beginner with a white belt or a black belt master, the important thing is to keep learning and growing. Remember, each belt is a step closer to becoming the best version of yourself, both on and off the mat.
