How to Tie a BJJ Belt: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Tie a BJJ Belt: Step-by-Step Guide

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by black belt instructors with 15+ years teaching experience | Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Tying your BJJ belt properly keeps it secure during training and shows respect for the art. This guide covers two proven methods: the traditional 6-step knot (best for beginners) and the super lock method (stays tight through multiple rounds without coming untied).

Your BJJ belt represents your rank and progress in the BJJ belt system from white belt through black belt. Learning to tie it correctly matters for practical training and cultural respect.

Why Properly Tying Your BJJ Belt Matters

Hayabusa explains that a properly tied belt stays secure throughout training, preventing constant interruptions to retie it. In IBJJF competition, athletes have only 20 seconds to retie a belt that comes undone, making a secure knot essential.​

Training efficiency:

• Belt coming undone disrupts your rolling flow
• Constantly retying breaks concentration
• Partners must wait while you retie (wastes time)
• Loose belts can get caught during techniques
• Creates safety hazards if stepped on

Cultural respect:
Your belt shows your current position in the BJJ belt system and represents hours of training. A properly tied belt demonstrates attention to detail, respect for the martial art, and professional appearance on the mat. All students should tie their belts before stepping on the mat as part of preparing for training.

Traditional BJJ Belt Tie Method

The traditional method is the most common technique taught to beginners worldwide. It’s simple to learn and master in one class, though it may come undone more frequently during intense rolling sessions.

Easton BJJ provides this proven 6-step method:​

Step 1: Find the center
Hold your belt in both hands and find the exact middle point. Place the center at your belly button (front and center). This ensures even tail lengths when finished.

Step 2: Wrap around waist
Keep the center point at your belly button and wrap both ends around your back. Cross the ends behind you and bring both ends back to the front. You should now have two tails hanging in front.

Step 3: Secure the left tail
Take the left tail in your left hand and wrap it downward and around BOTH strands of belt wrapped around your waist. Pull it up behind both strands. This creates the foundation of your knot.​

Step 4: Fold left tail
Once the left tail is pulled through underneath, fold it toward the left side. This creates the first part of your knot structure while keeping tension on the tail.

Step 5: Thread right tail
Take the right tail in your right hand and bring it up in front of the folded left tail. Pull it down between the left tail and the belt strands. You’re essentially creating a square knot.​

Step 6: Tighten and adjust
Pull both tails simultaneously outward and pull HARD to ensure the knot is tight. Adjust so tails are even length and check that the knot sits centered at your belly button. Both tails should hang evenly to mid-thigh area.

With practice, this method takes only 10-15 seconds. If tails are uneven, start over ensuring the center was exact. If the knot slides, you didn’t pull tight enough.

Super Lock Belt Tie Method

King Killers explains that the super lock method is superior because it stays tight through multiple rounds of rolling and won’t come undone during training—it’s the pro method that experienced practitioners use.​

Journey BJJ Academy emphasizes: “The super lock knot helps your belt stay on through multiple rounds of rolling—it just works”.​

Key benefits:

• Stays secure through entire training session
• Rarely comes undone even in intense rolling
• Preferred by competitors and advanced students
• Saves time (no constant retying)

Step-by-step super lock method:

Step 1: Position belt center
Find the exact middle of your belt and place it at your belly button, ensuring both sides are equal length initially.

Step 2: Double wrap around waist
THIS IS THE KEY DIFFERENCE: Wrap around TWICE. The first wrap goes around your waist, then the second wrap goes on top of the first. This creates a double layer of security that thinner belts especially benefit from.​

Step 3: Cross ends in back
Cross the two ends behind you (doesn’t matter which goes on top) and bring both ends back to the front. You should have four layers of belt around your waist now.

Step 4: Identify layers and tuck
Take whichever tail is on the TOP layer and tuck it underneath ALL layers of the belt. Pull it through so it comes out at the bottom. This is the crucial step for security.​

Step 5: Tighten foundation
Pull both tails outward to tighten, creating your “top tail” and “bottom tail.” Pull VERY tight at this stage—the tighter here, the more secure the final knot.

Step 6: Create loop with bottom tail
Take the BOTTOM tail (the one underneath) and create a loop shape with it. Don’t pull all the way through yet. Keep the loop open and visible.​

Step 7: Thread top tail through loop
Take the TOP tail and thread it through the loop you just created. Pull it all the way through the loop and begin to tighten, but don’t fully tighten yet.

Step 8: Final tightening
Pull both tails simultaneously outward and pull VERY HARD to secure. Some people kneel down and use body weight to pull tight. The final knot should look like a “fortune cookie shape” with both tails even length.​​

The super lock takes 3-5 attempts to master but is worth the learning curve for security.

Common Belt Tying Mistakes

Tying too loose: King Killers warns that the most common mistake is tying the knot too loose, causing it to come undone during training. Pull HARD on both tails when tightening—use body weight by kneeling down and pulling with full force. Each wrap around your waist should be snug with no slack in any layer.

Uneven tail lengths: Not aligning the two ends evenly affects both balance and appearance. Start with the EXACT center of the belt at your belly button. Before tying the knot, check both tails are equal. If uneven after tying, unwrap and restart. Both tails should hang to mid-thigh area.​

Skipping steps: Each step serves a specific purpose. The most common errors are not wrapping the left tail under both strands (traditional method), not wrapping around waist twice (super lock), and not pulling tight enough at each stage.

Wrong belt quality: Reddit r/bjj discusses that thin belts untie more easily than thick ones. Invest in quality belts from reputable brands. Use the super lock method for thin belts, and consider upgrading if your belt is constantly problematic.​

Why Your Belt Keeps Coming Untied

Insufficient tightening: This is the most common cause. Use full arm strength when pulling tails, kneel down to use body weight, and pull in sharp, firm motions. Have a partner help pull if training with a friend. Your belt should feel snug but not uncomfortable.​

Wrong method for your belt: If the traditional method fails repeatedly, switch to super lock. The extra wrap around the waist adds significant security. Practice your chosen method until it’s automatic—muscle memory takes 20-30 repetitions.

Belt material issues: Thin belts lack friction to hold knots. Very stiff new belts may slip, while overly soft worn belts don’t grip well. Cotton versus cotton blend affects knot security, and width variations impact stability.

Competition and Belt Etiquette

IBJJF competition rules: Hayabusa explains that in IBJJF competition, athletes have only 20 seconds to retie a belt that comes undone. Practice tying under time pressure, use the super lock method for maximum security, and know your method so well it’s automatic. Stress and adrenaline affect motor skills, so 20 seconds feels very short.​

Belt care and washing: Wash your belt regularly just like your gi to maintain hygiene and prevent bacteria that cause skin infections. The traditional myth that washing removes absorbed knowledge is superstition. Wash after every 2-3 training sessions using cold or warm water, air dry only (never machine dry), and ensure it’s completely dry before your next class.

Mat etiquette: Your belt should be tied before stepping on the mat. If it comes undone during class, step to the side and retie quickly. Don’t train with an untied belt for safety and respect. Keep your belt on until officially dismissed after class, and bow on/off the mat with your belt properly tied.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight should my BJJ belt be?
Tie your belt snugly without restricting breathing or movement. Pull very tight when securing the final knot. The belt will loosen slightly during training, so start quite tight. You should comfortably breathe and move through positions like closed guard and mount, but the knot should resist coming undone.​

Which method is better: traditional or super lock?
The super lock method is superior for preventing your belt from coming undone, staying secure through multiple rounds. The traditional method is simpler for beginners but comes undone more frequently. Start with the traditional 6-step method as a white belt, then transition to super lock once comfortable, especially if your belt frequently comes undone or you’re preparing for competition.​

Should I wash my BJJ belt?
Yes, wash your belt regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent bacteria growth that causes skin infections. The myth that washing removes absorbed knowledge is superstition. Your belt color and rank in the BJJ belt system remain the same regardless of washing frequency.

How long should BJJ belt tails be?
Belt tails should hang evenly on both sides to approximately mid-thigh length when properly tied. Start with the exact center of the belt at your belly button before wrapping. If tails are significantly uneven, you didn’t start centered correctly—untie and restart. Standard adult BJJ belts range from 260-320cm in length depending on waist size.

Conclusion

Master tying your BJJ belt using either the traditional 6-step method (simple and quick) or the super lock method (wraps twice, stays secure through entire sessions). Start with your belt’s exact center at your belly button, wrap around your waist, and pull the final knot VERY tight to prevent it coming undone during rolling.

Practice your chosen method until it becomes automatic—this is crucial for 20-second competition time limits. Your belt represents your earned rank from white through black belt, so tie it properly as a sign of respect for the art.

For more BJJ fundamentals, check out our guides on butterfly sweep, kimura lock, and finding BJJ classes near you.