8 Levels of BJJ Ranking System (Complete Guide)
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), a belt is a way to show how skilled and experienced a person is. Beginners start with a white belt. As they get better, they earn belts in different colors, like blue, purple, brown black, and red. Each belt shows how much someone has learned and practiced, and each belt has its own criteria.
In the early days of BJJ (around the 1920s to 1970s), there were only 5 belt ranks: white, blue, purple, brown, and finally black, with no belts for children. In modern times, there is a separate belt system for children, and for adults, there are 8 BJJ belt ranks system, according to the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).
These start with a white belt and progress to blue, purple, brown, black, red/black, red/white, and finally red. Here is a quick overview in the table:
Before learning about the 8 BJJ ranking system, quickly learned about the Stripes/Degrees.
Stripes and Degrees on BJJ Belt:
Stripes
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, stripes are small pieces of tape added to the ends of white, blue, purple, and brown belts to show progress within each belt level. They help track your improvement before moving to the next belt.
Each belt have up to four stripes, awarded based on consistent training, skill improvement, the instructor’s assessment, and academy rules, but here’s a general idea:
- White Belt Stripes: About 3-6 months per stripe
- Blue Belt Stripes: About 6-12 months per stripe
- Purple Belt Stripes: About 6-12 months per stripe
- Brown Belt Stripes: About 6-12 months per stripe
Degrees
Degrees are used to mark advanced levels of experience and contribution within the black belt rank and beyond.
- Black belts can earn up to six degrees, typically awarded every three years.
- Red/Black Belt (7th degree) is awarded after 31 years as a black belt.
- Red/White Belt (8th degree) is awarded after 38 years as a black belt.
- Red Belt, representing the highest honors in BJJ, is awarded as the 9th and 10th degrees, signifying a lifetime of dedication to the art.
Check this video you can see that how belts are important for BJJ athletes (Especially on 2:00 time)
8 Levels of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Ranking System
1. White Belt: The Beginner’s Foundation
Average Training Period: 1-2 Years to Next Belt
At the beginning of the BJJ journey, students enter the white belt phase. This is the foundation of learning, where they learn the basic skills, simple attacks moves, and the right mindset. There are no requirements for this belt.
White belt training is all about mentally and physically understanding BJJ’s basics. They are like learners in the early stages of acquiring a new language. They are introduced to many techniques, from guard to mount, side control, passing, sweeping, and control.
In this belt, practitioners spend on average 300 hours on the mat, during this time the focus was on understanding basic ideas before moving on to specific techniques. It’s a period for building a strong foundation, and patience is key to advancing to higher belt levels.
Time Duration to the Next Belt:
Students who train two to three times a week can possibly graduate from white belt to blue belt within 1 to 2 years or maybe sometimes it takes 3 years.
Some students also achieve the blue belt within 1 year with very dedicated training (think 5-6 days a week), they will need to push forward yourself to step outside their comfort zone and accept the challenges of learning a new martial art.
However, the exact time can vary depending on how often and how hard the student trains, as well as the requirements of their specific academy.
One research study found that over 90% of people who start learning jiu jitsu never reach the blue belt level. And of those who do reach blue belt, about 99% never make it to the black belt.
2. Blue Belt: Transitioning from Knowledge to Practice
Average Training Period: 2-4 Years to Next Belt
The blue belt is the second adult rank in BJJ, showing the transition from theoretical knowledge to practical application. This phase of the BJJ journey is where true training begins. The athletes in this belt program practice these movements for an average of 360 hours to become confident in them.
According to the IBJJF, the practitioner must be 16 years old to get the blue belt. After earning their blue belt, students perfect the fundamentals and explore more advanced and large numbers of techniques. This is when they focus on offence and defence (In BJJ, offense is when you try to win by attacking your opponent, and defense is when you protect yourself and try to escape their attacks), refining their skills and developing more advanced movements and combos.
A blue belt in BJJ is someone who has practiced for a while and has a good understanding of the sport. They start to focus on certain moves and strategies to get better. Competing in tournaments is recommended because it helps them see how much they have improved.
Time Duration to the Next Belt:
The duration from blue belt to purple belt depends on the practitioner’s training frequency, dedication, hard work, and, most importantly, the academy’s rules and most important winning the adult world championship but on average, it takes 2 to 4 years.
3. Purple Belt: From Novice to Expert
Average Training Period: 1.5 Years to Next Belt
The purple belt phase marks a significant leap in a BJJ practitioner’s journey. It show that students are now at an advanced level and have mastered the skills, with a strong understanding of positions, sweeps, and submissions.
Purple belts are usually good enough to help teach white and blue belts in BJJ. They know how to connect different moves and techniques into useful patterns.
They have started developing their unique style and exploring creative aspects of BJJ. In grappling competitions, a skilled purple belt is considered an ‘advanced’ practitioner, demonstrating high technical knowledge.
Time Duration to the Next Belt:
According to the IBJJF, students must be at least 16 years old and they have spent a minimum of 1.5 years as a purple belt after that they will be promoted to the brown belt.
However, since 2022, the IBJJF has allowed coaches to ignore this minimum time requirement if the student has won an adult world championship at Purple Belt.
4. Brown Belt: Personalizing Your Jiu-Jitsu Style
Average Training Period: 5 Years to Next Belt
The brown belt signifies a point of confidence, specialization and high advancement in BJJ. Students develop their unique Jiu-Jitsu style and modify techniques to suit their preferences.
In the brown belt, students spend an average of 380 hours on the mat (similar to the previous belt). During this time, athletes develop significant skills and may even become champions in competitions. They are less dependent on instructors and can self-train, helping lower-level students and occasionally filling in for instructors.
High-level brown belt competitions can be as exciting as black belt events, showcasing impressive skill and tenacity.
Time Duration to the Next Belt:
According to the IBJJF, students should be at least 16 years old. The journey from white belt to brown belt typically takes around eight years, but if you are dedicated and consistent so it’s take around 4.5 years to achieve the black belt without winning an adult world championship. If you win these championships you can also grow more fast.
The IBJJF requires a practitioner to train at the brown belt level for at least one year before advancing to the black belt. However, since 2022, the IBJJF has allowed coaches to ignore this minimum time requirement if the student has won an adult world championship at Brown Belt.
5. Black Belt: The Ultimate Goal and New Beginning
Average Training Period: 48 Years to Red Belt
For many BJJ practitioners, achieving a black belt is the ultimate goal. It signifies over a decade of dedication, self-discipline, and skill development. Black belts are often viewed as leaders within the BJJ community, responsible for guiding and inspiring others. People called him “professor” or “coach”.
There is a common misconception that the black belt signifies the journey’s end, but for many practitioners, it’s a new beginning.
For the previous 4 explained belts (White, Blue, Purple, and Brown), you need to earn 4 stripes on each belt, which takes 3 to 12 months per stripe. But for these next 4 belts (Black, Red/Black, Red/White, and Red Belts), you need to earn degrees on your belt.
For the black belt, you need to achieve the 6th degree and to earn the first 3 degrees, you need to practice and teach for a minimum of 3 years. For the remaining 3 degrees (4th, 5th, and 6th degrees), you need to spend 5 years, according to IBJJF.
Please Note: Some people also say that the black belt in BJJ ranges from 1st to 8th degrees and that the red belt is the 9th and 10th degree. They often do not mention the two coral belts (Red/Black and Red/White). However, our in-depth research provides a detailed guide:
- Black Belt: 1st to 6th degree
- Coral Belt (Red/Black Belt): 7th degree
- Coral Belt (Red/White Belt): 8th degree
- Red Belt: 9th and 10th degree
Another way to say it is:
- Black Belt: 1st to 8th degree
- Red Belt: 9th and 10th degree
Maybe You Like: How Long Does it Take to Get a Black Belt in BJJ
6. Red / Black belt: (7th Degree, Coral Belt)
When a practitioner reaches the 7th degree in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they earn the red-and-black belt, this belt also known as the coral belt. To earn this belt, they need to be an active black belt for over 30 years.
It is a symbol of great respect within the BJJ community, as it represents technical mastery and contributions to the art form, like teaching and mentorship. These belt-holders are often referred to as “masters.”
Time Duration to Next Belt:
According to IBJJF, the athlete spent at least 7 years of training and teaching at the black-red belt level before progressing to the next rank.
7. Red / White belt: (8th Degree, Coral Belt)
When a practitioner reaches the 8th degree in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they earn the red-and-white belt, this belt also known as the coral belt. Achieving this belt requires many years of dedication to BJJ.
A red-and-white belt holder is not only very skilled but also significantly influences the sport through teaching, creating new techniques, or sharing its philosophy. Such a person is often called a “legend of BJJ.”
Time Duration to Next Belt:
According to IBJJF, the athlete spent at least 10 years training and teaching at the red-and-white belt level before progressing to the next rank.
Famous figures like Carlos Gracie Jr. are 8th-degree coral belt holders.
Why These Belts are Called Coral Belts:
The red-and-black or red-and-white belts in BJJ are called “coral belts” because they look like the colors of a coral snake, a brightly colored and poisonous snake found in South America, where BJJ started.
These belts are given to very skilled and experienced practitioners, and the name “coral belt” highlights their high level of achievement.
8. Red Belt: Highest Honor in BJJ (9th and 10th Degree)
When a practitioner reaches the 9th and 10th degrees in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they earn the highest belt, called the Red Belt. This is the final belt in BJJ, and achieving it requires many years of dedication and hard work.
Red belts take around 48 years to earn, typically reaching the 9th degree. For example, if someone starts practicing BJJ at age 19, they can expect to earn this belt around age 67.
It is awarded to those who have achieved the highest level of skill and have become famous and influential in the sport. They often establish their schools and continue to contribute to the growth of the BJJ community.
Receiving a red belt symbolizes dedication to advancing the Jiu-Jitsu community and is the most respected and honored rank a student can achieve. The holder of a red belt is called a Grandmaster, which is a highly respected title in martial arts.
Shocking Fact: Right now, there aren’t any people who are still alive and have reached the 10th degree red belt.
Rorion Gracie is the 9th degree and Hélio Gracie, the owner of BJJ (1913-2009) is the 10th degree Brazilian athlete.
Short Overview of the Article:
At the beginning of the article, we explain what is a belt in BJJ. Then, we discuss that in the early times how there were 5 belts (white, blue, purple, brown, and black), and in modern times, 3 more belts were added (2 coral belts and 1 red belt).
Next, we explain the degrees and stripes on the BJJ belt. We also add a video featuring a BJJ fighter (Rickson Gracie) earning his red belt. After that, we go into detail about the 8 belts with proper images.
Pro Tip: If you read this article completely and then check the table, you’ll be able to learn everything quickly within minutes.
We mentioned the table above, here it is again for your reference.
Quick Overview of BJJ Ranking System for Kids
In BJJ, kids have a special belt ranking system with 13 belts. The journey starts with the white belt, followed by four groups of colors: Grey, Yellow, Orange, and Green. Each color group has three belts as shown in the below table. For more details, check out our article on BJJ Kids Belts Explained.
FAQ
What is the Minimum Duration for Belt Progression in BJJ
If you’re new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or haven’t won an adult world championship, you need to spend at least 1 year as a white belt, 2 years as a blue belt, 1.5 years as a purple belt, 1 year as a brown belt, 3 years as a black belt, 7 years as a 1st coral belt, and 10 years as a 2nd coral belt. The 10th degree red belt is the final belt.
However, if you actively participate in competitions or dedicate significant time to learning and practicing (e.g., training 5-6 days a week), you may progress through these belts more quickly than the minimum durations. Additionally belt duration also depends on the academy some academies may promote you quickly, while others may take more time. Therefore, when you find a good BJJ gym, it’s recommended to ask the trainer about their promotion policies before joining.
We hope you enjoyed our article. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below, and don’t miss to follow us on social media
Check out our guide about the Gracie Family Tree, who created Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). In this post, we explain who is involved in this family, from the 1st generation to the 4th generation, covering almost all the fighters how involved in BJJ. Below is a quick table to help you understand, and if you want to learn more, click on Gracie Family Tree.
Also check the Most Important 10 Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ):
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