Whether you have seen a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match or just spotted a gi at practice, you most likely have picked up on the variety of belts these athletes wear as part of their uniform. The belt system has evolved over time, adding certain requirements and details along the way to ultimately create what is used today. 

Origins

There are a couple of different myths for the belt’s origins. Some say it came from everybody starting off with white belts and those who worked the hardest would have the dirtiest belt, which later became black. Others say it was adapted from swimming when the more advanced athletes would have a black ribbon tied to them. However you believe this came about, one thing is certain: the fact that these belts are as ingrained in BJJ as the sport itself. 

Below is the official International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation belt system. It breaks down by belt color and age. 

Youth Belts

The white belt transcends across all age groups. That is the first color you start as when you begin jiu-jitsu. From there, the route differs depending on your age. For children until the age of 16, you move onto grey, yellow, orange, and finally green. Within each of those colors, you have three phases. The first is a white stripe, the second is the solid color, and the third is a black stripe. 

Adult Belts

When you hit age 16, you are then qualified as an adult. If you start the sport after age 16, you begin like normal as a white belt. From there you are promoted to blue, purple, brown, and lastly black. The black belt has its own six degrees of expertise. 

While there are no official white and black stripe phases in the adult system, some academies might have bars or stripes in their own promotions. If you begin BJJ as a youth and turn 16 during training, the decision of what adult belt you move to is determined by your instructor.

After black belts, there are red belts (also known as coral belts) to complete the graduating system. This person has countless years of experience and is known as either “master” or "grandmaster."

Instructional

From the beginning, a valued part of jiu-jitsu is the instructional and teaching aspect behind the sport. This fundamental point focuses on if the person knows BJJ well enough to then teach it to fellow students. Bars on the end of the belt is a way that distinguishes such athletes from others. 

There is no “one size fits all” strict timeline for graduating throughout the belt system. Each person will move on at their own pace. Determining factors that contribute to when you get promoted include, but are not limited to, practice time, competitions, proper technique, execution, etc. Each gym might be different in what they prioritize as well. 

This Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt system is a driving force behind not only improving as an athlete but also gaining the skills that translate to civilian life. All of this represents the progress and hard work that goes behind studying this sport.