The average time it takes to get a purple belt in bjj is around 3 to 5 years. Some may get their purple belt faster than others due to training consistency, prior grappling experience, or even athleticism.
Purple Belt in BJJ – Key Points
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- On average it takes 3-5 years to get a purple belt in bjj
- A purple belt is the 3rd belt of 5 total bjj belts and is considered the first advanced belt
- A bjj purple belt is considered quite dangerous against any untrained individual
- In fact, in a street fight, a purple belt should be able to take down, control, and submit any untrained opponent around the same size
- There is usually a longer gap between blue and purple belt
- It is actually quite hard to get a purple belt and generally, only ~13% of bjj students will make it to purple belt.
- In terms of how you get your purple belt in jiu jitsu, it is based on skill and techniques learned, consistent training, and the ability to consistently control and submit white and blue belts
A competitive purple belt may have part of their game that is close to black belt level but may also have weaknesses in their bjj (most frequently these are takedowns, leg locks, pinning, and overall control).
What Does It Take to Get a Purple Belt in Jiu Jitsu?
In our opinion, the below are some things to focus on in order to get a purple belt in jiu jitsu:
- Personal Development and Mindset:
- Don’t buckle under the pressure of chasing a new belt rank.
- Focus on addressing personal weaknesses and always strive to perform your best.
- Openness to Techniques:
- Remain receptive to learning new techniques and positions.
- Refrain from dismissing a technique just because you’re already proficient in it.
- Mastery and Timing:
- Learn and practice multiple techniques, ensuring you understand the correct timing for each.
- Maintain the inquisitiveness and receptiveness you had as a white belt.
- Consistent Training:
- Commit to spending more time on the mat, ideally training 3 to 4 days both on and off the mat.
- Aim to perfect each technique, emphasizing quality over quantity.
- Versatility in Opponents:
- Be willing to spar with partners of all sizes and abilities.
- Understand and leverage the principles of BJJ that allow smaller practitioners to handle larger opponents.
- Competition Experience:
- Participate in BJJ competitions at both national and international levels.
- Competing helps to solidify your skills and exposes you to a variety of opponents and styles.
- Patience and Persistence:
- Recognize that advancing to a purple belt demands patience and consistent effort.
- The journey from blue to purple belt can be lengthy and challenging, but perseverance is key.
- Technical Proficiency:
- Exhibit a robust ability to guard pass and retain their guard.
- Demonstrate consistent success in applying various submissions during live rolling, especially against white and blue belts.
- Teaching Ability:
- Be competent enough to instruct lower belts in foundational techniques.
- Factors Influencing Progression:
- Dedication to regular training.
- Maintaining good physical health and minimizing injuries.
- The inherent athletic potential of the practitioner.
- The philosophy and standards of one’s gym and instructor.
- Strategic Awareness for Purple Belts:
- At the purple belt level, there’s a shift from understanding basic techniques to implementing strategy.
- Purple belts should know how to adapt and apply techniques in various situations without needing detailed instructions.
- The focus becomes more about strategy, understanding match ups, and how to counter different styles and physical attributes.
When Are You Ready for a Purple Belt in BJJ?
The simplest sign that you are ready for your purple belt in BJJ is when you are consistently controlling and submitting blue belts as well as catching purple belts with submissions every now and then.
Not a scientific measurement by any means, but anecdotally, I usually am awarded a new belt by my coach ~6 months to 1 year after I think I’m ready.
Often times its hard to gauge your skill level in jiu jitsu since everyone you are training with is also getting better along with you. It’s only until you go to a new gym or your spar with beginners then you realize how much your skill has grown.
How Hard Is It to Get a Purple Belt in BJJ?
Earning your purple belt is hard. This will take a lot of sweat and dedication to achieve this.
From crushing your ego, and trying to understand different concepts at white belt. Then having moved up to blue belt where you start to finally become confident in applying your skills and techniques, to leveling up to a purple belt.
What I just mentioned may sound so smooth. But trust me, these purple belts are dedicated. They are continuously working hard to become better at what they do.
From mastering the fundamentals, to applying different variations of techniques and attacks. To actually identify what is wrong with certain movements they do and continuously training in order for them to excel.
But all this hard work pays off. These purple belts are people to look up to. They wouldn’t have achieved this rank if they did not put in a lot of effort every time they train.
Which BJJ Belt is hardest to get?
The hardest belt to get in the BJJ belt system is none other than the last belt, which is black. This will take hard work and dedication to the sport.
In addition, that black belt is the testament of how much one loves the sport. These people have spent thousands of hours on the mats, consistently learning about the art.
Do know that not all BJJ black belts have the natural talent to excel. These people were once inexperienced but they worked hard. This means, they did not quit despite the hardships experienced when they started and went along learning BJJ.
What Percentage of People Get a Purple Belt in BJJ?
| White Belt to Purple Belt | 20% |
| Blue Belt to Purple Belt | 35% |
As we all know, in BJJ, the third rank is purple belt. Therefore, there are two ranks to surpass in order to achieve this one.
The percentage of white belts making it to purple belt is only 5%. Like we said earlier, white belts have a lot of drop out rate. Now, around 20% of blue belts stay committed and move up to purple belt.
Why Do a Small Amount of People Achieve Their Purple Belt in BJJ?
Second to the highest dropout rate in BJJ is blue belt. Therefore, not a lot of athletes actually achieve their purple belt.
There is something called the blue belt blues. This is when a BJJ practitioner experiences this crisis of whether to continue the sport or not. Do note, that this can happen at any rank, but most commonly at blue.
These blue belts may have 4 stripes already but due to changes in life, they might not push through with BJJ to get that purple belt.
How Long Does it Take to go from Blue Belt to Purple Belt in BJJ?
The length will vary depending on the practitioner. But the average years usually spent to achieve a purple belt will take about 2-5 years.
This will depend on many different things. But if you want to achieve that faster, be consistent in training. Moreover, always strive to improve and get better each and every time you step on those mats.
How Long Do You Stay Purple Belt in BJJ?
he average year one stays at purple belt is around 3-4 years. However, this will depend on many different factors like:
- Consistency in training
- Skills and techniques
- Competitions skills
- Others
Some people can get it faster compared to others. But this does not mean one is not good. It just shows that we all have our own journey and things to learn along the way.
How to Improve Faster at BJJ:
Some tips to improve faster at bjj and make it to purple belt sooner are:
- Be Complete – Try to be acutely aware of your own weaknesses and have a plan to address and improve upon them
- Train – This one’s obvious but try to be consistent and keep showing up to class even when you don’t want to (without over traning)
- Compete – Win or lose, your coaches and professors will acknowledge your effort. In addition, when you join a competition, you will be able to identify your weaknesses that you have to improve on.
- Fundamentals – Make sure to learn the fundamentals of BJJ. While flashy moves may seem funner especially in the beginning putting time into learning the fundamentals and defense will pay huge dividends down the line.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purple Belt High in BJJ?
Purple belt is considered in between the beginner and advanced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. One can consider it as a high rank because at this stage the athlete has vast knowledge already. Moreover, they are capable of doing BJJ techniques confidently and able to see things that they need to improve on.
Moreover, these people are already confident on the mats. Therefore, they are expected to assist their coaches and professors in teaching lower ranks.
Can Purple Belts Teach a Jiu Jitsu Class?
Yes, a purple belt can teach a jiu jitsu class. In fact, it’s not uncommon that a purple belt will teach beginner’s jiu jitsu classes at many gyms.
A purple belt should be able to break down and explain simple techniques in jiu jitsu to others especially beginners.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Purple Belt in BJJ?
The average time it takes to get a purple belt in bjj is around 4 to 5 years. Some may get their purple belt faster than others due to training consistency, prior grappling experience, or even athleticism.
Is It Possible to Get a Purple Belt in Two Years?
Yes, it is possible to get a purple belt in two years, but it is extremely unlikely and very rare. This achievement is usually only for those who are extremely dedicated to bjj or have a very strong back ground in other grappling based martial arts.
What About in Three Years?
Yes, it is also possible to get a purple belt in 3 years, but still pretty unlikely. While the odds of this happening are definitely greater than getting a purple belt in two years, it would still likely require a high level of dedication, consistent training, and athleticism.
How Long to go from Purple to Brown Belt?
Generally it takes 2-3 years to go from purple to brown belt in bjj. In my own personal experience, I have been purple belt so far for 2 years and I feel that I am probably nearing brown belt in the next year.
However, this again can vary depending on individual factors.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Brown Belt in BJJ?
On average, it can take 5-8 years to get a brown belt in BJJ. This is no easy feat and requires consistent training with no major lay offs from training.
However, if you can get to brown you can definitely reach black belt!
Zack is an avid jiu jitsu practitioner and martial arts nerd. He currently holds a brown belt in BJJ. When not on the mats or in the gym, he can be found going for walks with his wife, attempting (and often failing) to train his dog, and frequently obsessing over a specific hobby only to forget about it a week later.
