Introduction to the BJJ Belt System
The belt ranking system in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) is more than just a colored strap—it represents your journey, discipline, and technical growth on the mat. While some martial arts hand out belts quickly, BJJ emphasizes skill, resilience, and live testing. Therefore, every promotion truly means something.
This system helps students stay motivated and provides coaches with a clear structure to reward progress. Moreover, understanding the path ahead makes the journey less intimidating for beginners and more inspiring for long-term practitioners.
Historical Origins of the BJJ Belt System
Interestingly, BJJ’s belt system traces back to Judo, which itself evolved from traditional Japanese Jujutsu. When Jigoro Kano introduced the modern belt ranking system in bjj, it heavily influenced how the Gracie family structured BJJ Belt Ranks.
To explore this legacy, check out the 7 powerful lessons from the Gracie family that shaped the art’s modern direction.
Moreover, BJJ’s evolution from self-defense to sport further influenced how belts are earned—prioritizing sparring ability and real-world efficiency.
📚 Learn more: BJJ Belt System Rules – IBJJF
The Adult Belt Levels in BJJ
Adult practitioners advance through five key belts: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Let’s break them down.
White Belt – The Beginning
The white belt is where it all starts. You’re learning to survive and developing foundational skills.White belt is the first belt within Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The rank is held by any practitioner new to the art and has no prerequisite. Some instructors and other high-level practitioners think that a white belt’s training should emphasize escapes and defensive positioning since a white belt will often fight from inferior positions, especially when training with more experienced practitioners. Most academies will additionally require that a white belt level practitioner works to obtain a well-rounded skills set, with a knowledge of basic offensive moves, such as common submissions and guard passes.
- Focus: Guard retention, escapes, and proper posture
- Time: 1–2 years on average
- Tip: Be consistent, and don’t worry about winning during rolls—just survive and absorb.
If you’re unsure how to prepare, our guide for starting BJJ will help you feel more confident stepping onto the mat.
Blue Belt – Building the Base
Once promoted to blue, students are expected to grasp the basics and apply them in live sparring.Blue belt is the second adult rank in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. At the blue belt level, students gain a wide breadth of technical knowledge and undertake hundreds of hours of mat-time to learn how to implement these moves efficiently. Blue belt is often the rank at which the student learns a large number of techniques. The IBJJF requires that a practitioner be at least 16 years old to receive a blue belt, thereby officially entering into the adult belt system.
- Focus: Sweeps, submissions, and positional control
- Challenges: Many practitioners experience “blue belt blues”—a drop in motivation
To stay on track, consider setting 5 clear goals as a BJJ blue belt.
Purple Belt – Developing Style
Now, you’re an intermediate grappler with enough knowledge to experiment and mentor others.The IBJJF requires a practitioner remain a purple belt for a minimum of 1.5 years. Purple belt is the intermediate adult ranking in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The purple belt level practitioner has gained a large amount of knowledge, and purple belts are generally considered qualified to instruct lower-ranked students. In other martial arts, students with a similar amount of experience are often ranked as a black (instructor) level belt. The IBJJF requires student to be at least 16 years old and recommends they have spent a minimum of two years ranked as a blue belt to be eligible for a purple belt, with slightly different requirements for those graduating directly from the youth belts.
- Focus: Creating transitions and understanding counters
- Opportunities: Start teaching techniques to lower belts
Brown Belt – Preparing for Mastery
This is the time to polish your game and fix minor errors. You may also take on leadership roles in your academy.The IBJJF requires a practitioner remain a brown belt for a minimum of 1 year. Aside from the exceptional belts awarded at the highest levels, brown belt is the highest ranking color belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Brown belt typically requires at least five years of dedicated training to achieve. It is often thought of as a time for refining techniques. The IBJJF requires that students be at least 18 years old and recommends they have spent a minimum of 18 months as a purple belt to be eligible for a brown belt.
- Focus: Precision, teaching, and efficiency
- Role: Helping others and sharpening your style
Black Belt – A New Beginning
After years of dedication, reaching black belt means you’ve mastered BJJ fundamentals and can now begin refining your philosophy and teaching style.The IBJJF requires a practitioner remain a black belt for a minimum of 3 years. As with many other martial arts, the black belt is the highest common belt within Brazilian jiu-jitsu, denoting an expert level of technical and practical skill.Estimates of the time required to achieve the rank vary, but all holders of this rank have thousands of hours of experience. Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts are often addressed within the art as professor, although some schools and organizations reserve this honorific for more senior black belts. The IBJJF requires that a student be at least 19 years old and recommends they have spent a minimum of 1 year ranked as a brown belt to be eligible for a black belt.
- Focus: Ongoing learning and leadership
- Symbolism: Some wear a red bar or red/black belt signifying instructor status
For those wondering how long it takes, the average is 8–12 years, but it can vary greatly depending on consistency and coaching.
Stripes and Belt Progression
Stripes help track progress between belts and typically follow this pattern:
| Stripes | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Technical improvement |
| 3–4 | Consistency, live performance |
| Belt Promotion | Coach’s evaluation based on time, technique, and attitude |
Check out our guide to BJJ stripe requirements for a deeper dive.
Black / Red belt (Coral belt)
The IBJJF requires a practitioner remain a black & red belt for a minimum of 7 years. When a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt reaches the seventh degree, he or she is awarded an alternating red-and-black belt similar to the one earned at the sixth degree in Judo. This belt is commonly known as the coral belt. Coral belts are very experienced practitioners, most of whom have made a large impact on Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and are often addressed within the art by the title master.
White / Red belt
The IBJJF requires a practitioner remain a white & red belt for a minimum of 10 years. The International Brazilian jiu-jitsu Federation recently amended the graduation guidelines with respect to the transition between seventh degree and eighth degree black belt. The transition is specifically noted on page 6 of the IBJJF General System of Graduation, Section 1.3.4. In short, a practitioner who has achieved the rank of 8th degree black belt will wear a red and white belt.
Red Belt
The 9th degree red belt is the highest rank awarded to any currently living practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. According to Renzo & Royler Gracie, in Brazilian jiu-jitsu the red belt is reserved “for those whose influence and fame takes them to the pinnacle of the art”. It is awarded in lieu of a ninth and tenth degree black belt. If a practitioner receives his or her black belt at 19 years old, the earliest they could expect to receive a ninth degree red belt would be at the age of 67. Brazilian jiu-jitsu red belt holders are often addressed within the art by the title grandmaster.
Timeframes and Expectations for Each Belt
Here’s a general guideline for belt progression, as recommended by the IBJJF:
| Belt | Time to Next Belt |
|---|---|
| White to Blue | 1–2 years |
| Blue to Purple | 2 years |
| Purple to Brown | 1.5–2 years |
| Brown to Black | 1–2 years |
Of course, each student’s pace is different. Some accelerate through competition, while others focus on consistent training.
Kids’ BJJ Belt System
Children under 16 follow a unique color progression that includes grey, yellow, orange, and green belts. This system keeps them engaged while teaching respect and discipline.
For more on transitioning from kids’ belts to adult ranks, visit our guide on choosing your first BJJ gi—a helpful resource for young grapplers moving up.
Tips for Earning Promotions Faster
If you’re aiming to earn stripes or belts faster, try these:
- Train consistently (3–4 times weekly)
- Compete regularly — even small tournaments help (see how competition impacts progress)
- Study at home — use BJJ instructionals
- Drill often with a partner or a BJJ dummy
Misconceptions About BJJ Belts
1. “Belts don’t matter.”
Belts represent growth, structure, and milestones. While they’re not everything, they do guide the journey.
2. “Promotions are based only on time.”
While time is a factor, coaches also consider attitude, improvement, and effectiveness in sparring.
3. “You can’t advance if you don’t compete.”
Competition helps—but you can still earn promotions through consistency and skill.
Role of Competition in Promotion
Competing isn’t required, but it accelerates learning. It also shows heart and courage, both of which instructors respect deeply. If you’re hesitant, read about whether BJJ is right for you.
Black Belt Degrees and Beyond
BJJ black belts continue to earn degrees (Dans) for time, contribution, and community involvement. Eventually, one may earn a coral or red belt—symbols of a lifetime devoted to the art.
Learn about the historical roots of these honors on BJJ Heroes.
Promotion Ceremonies and Traditions
Every academy has different customs. Some include:
- The Gauntlet: Running through a line of belt-wielding teammates
- In-class promotions: More subtle but equally meaningful
- Formal ceremonies: Often include speeches and celebration
Common Challenges at Each Belt Level
| Belt | Typical Challenge |
|---|---|
| White | Overwhelm and confusion |
| Blue | Plateau or loss of motivation |
| Purple | Overconfidence |
| Brown | Refining subtle details |
| Black | Imposter syndrome, maintaining growth |
Knowing these helps you stay mentally tough and focused.
FAQs on the BJJ Belt System
1. How long to get a black belt?
Usually 8–12 years of consistent training.
2. Can you skip belts?
Rarely. Some exceptions exist for high-level athletes.
3. How are stripes awarded?
Based on time, performance, and coach discretion.
4. Do No-Gi practitioners follow belts?
Yes. Even if you’re training No-Gi, belt rank still applies.
5. Are there women-specific ranks?
No. All belts and criteria apply equally across genders.
6. Can kids earn black belts?
No. They transition to adult ranks at age 16.
Conclusion: What the Belt Journey Really Teaches You
Ultimately, the belt ranking system in BJJ is about transformation—not just in skill, but in character. Every stripe earned represents hours of training, setbacks overcome, and lessons learned. Whether you’re a fresh white belt or a seasoned brown, what matters most is that you keep showing up.
So tie your belt, step on the mat, and embrace the journey—one roll at a time.
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