BJJ Stripe System Explained: What Stripes Mean

BJJ Stripe System Explained: What Stripes Mean and How They Work

The BJJ stripe system tracks your progress between belt promotions. Most academies award up to 4 stripes on each belt to recognize improvement in technique, consistency, and skill development. These small pieces of tape or cloth sewn onto your belt serve as stepping stones that acknowledge your hard work while keeping you motivated toward the next belt level.

Unlike belt promotions that might happen every 1-3 years, stripes provide more frequent recognition of your progress. Understanding how the stripe system works helps set realistic expectations for your journey through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

How the Stripe System Works

Most BJJ academies follow a 4-stripe system between each belt color. You start with a plain belt and can earn up to 4 stripes before becoming eligible for promotion to the next belt rank.

Stripe Appearance: Stripes typically consist of athletic tape wrapped around one end of your belt or small pieces of cloth sewn onto the belt. Some academies use specific colors, while others use standard white or black tape.

Frequency: How often you receive stripes varies significantly between schools. Some academies award stripes every few months with formal criteria. Others give them less frequently based on instructor observation during regular training.

Requirements: There’s no universal standard for stripe promotions. Each academy sets its own criteria based on technical skill, training frequency, sparring performance, and attitude. Some schools require minimum class attendance (like 40 classes for white belt stripes or 80 classes for colored belt stripes), while others base it purely on demonstrated skill.

The IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) recognizes the 4-stripe system but doesn’t mandate specific requirements for earning each stripe. Your instructor has complete discretion over when and how to award stripes.

What Each Stripe Represents

Stripes acknowledge incremental progress within your current belt level.

First Stripe: Shows you’re learning the fundamental techniques and showing up consistently. You understand basic positions and are starting to execute techniques during drilling.

Second Stripe: Indicates you’re applying techniques during live rolling. Your defensive skills are improving, and you’re starting to control other students at your level.

Third Stripe: Demonstrates consistent technical improvement and effectiveness during sparring. You’re refining your game and developing personal preferences for certain positions.

Fourth Stripe: Signals you’re approaching readiness for the next belt. Your technique is solid for your current level, and you’re starting to demonstrate skills expected at the next rank.

Having 4 stripes doesn’t guarantee promotion to the next belt. Some practitioners train at 4 stripes for months before receiving their next belt. Others get promoted to the next belt with fewer than 4 stripes if their instructor believes they’re ready.

Stripe Requirements by Belt Level

Requirements differ significantly between white belt and colored belts.

White Belt Stripes: These come more frequently to keep beginners motivated. Some academies award stripes every 2-3 months with consistent training. The focus is on learning fundamental techniques, showing up regularly, and demonstrating effort. For detailed guidance on the white belt journey, read our BJJ white belt guide.

Blue, Purple, and Brown Belt Stripes: These take longer to earn because you’re refining advanced skills. Expect 6-9 months or more between stripes at these levels. The emphasis shifts to technical refinement, teaching ability, and competitive performance. Learn more in our guides for blue belt and purple belt.

Black Belt Degrees: The system changes completely at black belt. Instead of stripes, black belts earn degrees represented by bars or stripes on the belt. The first degree can be awarded after 3 years as a black belt, with subsequent degrees requiring additional years of training and contribution to BJJ.

Black Belt Degrees and Coral Belts

After black belt, the ranking system continues for decades.

Black Belt Degrees (1st-6th): Black belts progress through degrees, each requiring years of training and teaching. The IBJJF sets minimum time requirements between degrees, typically 3 years for the first degree and increasing for each subsequent degree.

Red and Black Coral Belt (7th Degree): Requires a minimum of 7 years at 6th degree black belt. This alternating red-and-black belt is called a coral belt, and practitioners at this level are addressed as “Master”. These are highly experienced practitioners who have made significant contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Red and White Coral Belt (8th Degree): The IBJJF requires a minimum of 10 years at 7th degree before reaching 8th degree. This red-and-white belt represents extraordinary dedication and impact on the art.

Red Belt (9th-10th Degree): The highest honor in BJJ, typically reserved for pioneers and founders who have trained for 40-50+ years and profoundly influenced the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Do Stripes Really Matter?

Stripes serve as motivation and recognition, but they’re not the measure of your skill.

The Benefits: Stripes provide tangible acknowledgment of progress, especially during long periods between belt promotions. They help you see that your instructor notices your improvement and effort.

The Reality: Some schools award stripes generously, while others rarely give them. Two practitioners with the same number of stripes at different academies might have vastly different skill levels. What matters is actual technique and sparring ability, not the tape on your belt.

Focus on the Journey: Don’t obsess over collecting stripes. Focus on improving your technique, showing up consistently, and being a good training partner. Stripes and belts will come naturally as a result of dedicated training.

Stripe Promotion Practices by Academy

Different schools handle stripe promotions differently.

Formal Systems: Some academies have structured stripe testing with specific technical requirements, minimum class attendance, and scheduled promotion days.

Informal Systems: Other schools award stripes during regular classes based on the instructor’s observation. You might receive a stripe unexpectedly at the end of class without any formal announcement.

No Stripe Systems: Some academies don’t use stripes at all, promoting students directly from plain belt to plain belt. This approach emphasizes skill development over frequent recognition.

All approaches are valid. What matters is finding an academy where the promotion system aligns with your goals and keeps you motivated to train consistently. To understand the complete belt progression, read our comprehensive BJJ belt system guide.