The BJJ belt system

The adult belt order is white, blue, purple, brown and black. Beyond black come the red-and-black and red belts over the following decades. Progress is deliberately slow: a black belt typically takes at least ten years of regular training, and often more.

Within each belt a practitioner can earn up to four stripes, colloquially tabs, marking progress. They are strips of narrow white tape on the black bar of the belt. Stripes are milestones: after the fourth, the next step is a new belt colour. Awarding stripes and belts is always the coach’s decision.

BJJ has no fixed timeline and no belt exam the way many other arts do. The coach weighs technique, understanding, consistency and attitude, and decides on a promotion. You can buy the physical belt online, but the rank itself cannot be bought and there is no shortcut, which is what makes every belt earned.

Practitioners under 16 have their own belt system with more colours (white, grey, yellow, orange and green, among others), so young people get milestones along the way. The adult blue belt only becomes possible as they approach adulthood.

A belt may say something about skill and experience, but it is not the point of the hobby. Most of the learning happens at white and blue belt. The best way to progress is to show up regularly and enjoy the learning, and the belts will come in time.