Gi Size Chart
If you’re anything like me trying to find out my correct gi size was a harder task than rolling with a high school wrestler hopped up on pre-work out – especially when buying my first gi.
Between me and my three brothers we must own close to two dozen gi’s. Most of which just stay hung in the closet stuffed behind the winter coats – due too improper sizing, fit, or just plain preference.
After much trial and error, I have created the most simple and accurate gi size chart that I have used without issue when purchasing my last several gi’s.
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Be aware that the manufacturer is king when it comes to sizing.
Its likely they don’t offer certain sizes or that they offer other sizes not listed on this chart.
This chart is to give you a general idea of gi sizes when it comes to the most common sizes, and the ones that are usually available by most gi producers.
Furthermore, its also possible that gi’s from one manufacturers are slightly larger or smaller than the same size from a different one.
Gi Sizes and Terms Explained
In the above chart you may see some terms or abbreviations which are not very common among other articles of clothing. You’ll see terms such as “A2L” or “A3S” and may be wondering what exactly they mean.
Below is a breakdown defining those terms and other common abbreviations you might see when buying a gi.
| Abbreviation | Means | Good for |
| A | Adult (Men’s) | |
| L | Long | someone who may be too tall for a certain size but too light for the next size up |
| S | Short | someone who is too heavy for a certain size up but too short for the next size up |
| H | Heavy | someone who is heavier and prefers a wider fit in both jacket and pants |
| XL | Extra Large | someone who is heavier and prefers a wider fit in both jacket and pants – this is larger than the “heavy” size |
How to choose the correct gi size
When considering how to choose the correct gi size, some of it comes down to personal preference, but there are some general guidelines to determine if a gi fits correctly in terms of length:
Top:
- Too short – if sleeve lies 2 inches before your wrist bone it is
- Too long – if sleeve lies 3 inches past wrist bone
Bottom
- Too short – if pants sit 2 inches above where ankle meets foot
- Too long – if pants sit 2 inches past where ankle meets foot
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Other Gi Size Considerations
It’s important to always check with the manufacturer since again their sizing may differ others.
Reviews are often helpful as well as they often mention if the gi size purchase was true to size.
Additionally, consider the washing recommendations by manufacturers as well. Even though some gi’s will say they are “pre-shrunk” you can still expect them to shrink a bit when drying especially when using high heat.
It is my strong recommendation to always wash your gi in cold water* immediately when getting in from class and then hanging it to dry. Not only will drying on high heat possibly shrink your gi, it may also damage the seams and any patches etc. Opting to hang dry just simply makes your gi last longer.
Other Common Gi Questions Answered
How do I shrink my gi?
While its not recommended, you can shrink your gi depending on material by washing it then drying it on high heat.
It is best to check with the manufacturer on washing instructions since they may recommend drying on low heat or avoid machine drying all together.
How much does a bjj gi weigh?
The average gi weighs 3-5lbs. This is something to keep in mind when preparing for competition since some events require you to weigh in with you gi on
Related: How to get ready for your first competition
Are there IBJJF gi requirements?
Yes, there are IBJJF gi requirements when competing in their organized events:
- Gi color must be white, royal blue, or black and gi tops and pants must be matching
- Gi material must be cotton or cotton-like fabric only
- Gi patches can only be placed on authorized locations on gi tops and bottoms
- Gi top must end at the top of competitor’s thigh
- Gi sleeves cannot be farther than 5cm from wrist bone
- Gi pants cannot be farther than 5cm from ankle bone
Here is a link the official IBJJF site the goes into further detail on gi requirements
Thanks for reading and hopefully this will help you find the perfect gi – zack
