Kids Jiu Jitsu Belt System Explained

Kids BJJ Belt Colors

Kids jiu jitsu belts are different than the adult belt system in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Below is a breakdown of the kids bjj belt colors as well as cumulative years it takes for a child to achieve them:

Quick Note: Not all gyms will follow the same jiu jitsu belts for kids however most follow the colored belts and their order shown below.

What Is the Order of Jiu-Jitsu Belts Junior?

The order for junior jiu jitsu belts (or kids bjj belts) is as follows:

White >
Gray (with white stripe) > Plain Gray > Gray (with black stripe) >
Yellow (with white stripe) > Plain Yellow > Yellow (with black stripe) >
Orange (with white stripe) > Plain Orange > Orange (with black stripe) >
Green (with white stripe) > Plain Green > Green (with black stripe)

Kids BJJ Belts Basics

White >
Gray (with white stripe) > Plain Gray > Gray (with black stripe) >
Yellow (with white stripe) > Plain Yellow > Yellow (with black stripe) >
Orange (with white stripe) > Plain Orange > Orange (with black stripe) >
Green (with white stripe) > Plain Green > Green (with black stripe)

Here’s a table describing the belt levels in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for kids and what they should try to learn at each level.
*Keep in mind that this will likely change depending on each gym, teacher, and student but should hopefully give you a general idea*:

Jiu Jitsu is a great way for kids to get active, learn self-defense, and have fun. But when you’re first starting out, the belt system can be confusing.

Most jiu-jitsu practitioners are familiar with the adult belt system, which goes from white to black. The kid’s jiu-jitsu belt system is a little different, however.

In this blog post, we’ll explain the kid’s Jiu-Jitsu belt system so you can be better prepared for your child’s journey.

How many belts does Jiu-Jitsu have for kids?

There are 5 belt colors for children (white, gray, yellow, orange, green). However for the gray, yellow, orange, and green belts there are three phases each. The three phases are belt with white stripe, plain belt, belt with a black stripe:

Here is that color breakdown once more:

White >
Gray (with white stripe) > Plain Gray > Gray (with black stripe) >
Yellow (with white stripe) > Plain Yellow > Yellow (with black stripe) >
Orange (with white stripe) > Plain Orange > Orange (with black stripe) >
Green (with white stripe) > Plain Green > Green (with black stripe)

After 3 phases at each colored belt they are promoted to their next junior jiu jitsu belt

How Long Does It Take for a Kid to Go through the Belt Ranks?

With kids bjj belts, there are requirements for them to be a certain age in order to reach the next belt.

This age breakdown requirements are shown below:

At age 16, if the child has enough experience they may be promoted directly to an adult blue belt and begin their climb through the adult bjj ranks which on average it will take ~10+ years of consistent training to achieve a black belt.

What Is the Minimum Amount of Time Required at Each Kids Jiu Jitsu Belt?

While the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) does not have a strict time requirement for kids’ belts, some organizations, like the North American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (NABJJF), require children to spend at least eight months at each rank.

On average, children can expect to be promoted every year with consistent training.

Again, this timeline will vary gym to gym and coach to coach, but one thing to keep in mind that as a child approaches the higher kids belts they can expect to spend more time at each belt.

How Are Kids Jiu Jitsu Belts Transitioned into Adult Belts?

When children turn 16, they transition to adult belts.

According to the IBJJF:

Athletes who turn 16 are integrated into the adult belt system:

• White Belt holders continue as White Belts.
• Grey, Yellow, and Orange Belt holders may be elevated to Blue Belt.
• Green Belt holders may be promoted to Blue or Purple Belt, at the instructor’s discretion.

However, even though your child may have been training for 5+ years generally you shouldn’t expect them to be promoted to higher than an adult blue belt. Remember jiu jitsu belts are based on experience and skill and not time spent at each belt.

Can Kids Get a Blue Belt in BJJ?

Yes, children can earn a blue belt in BJJ, but only after they transition to the adult ranking system at the age of 16.

When transitioning, children who hold grey, yellow, or orange belts can possibly be promoted to a blue belt, while those who have earned a green belt will likely be promoted to a belt, depending on their skills and experience.

How Long Should a Kids BJJ belt be?

In terms of how long should a kids bjj belt be – when kids bjj belt is tied should be around ~8 inches/ 20 cm on both sides of the knot.

Kids BJJ belt sizes typically range from M0 (for the youngest and smallest practitioners) to M4 (for larger and older children).

Depending on the size you buy, there are a variety of lengths you can purchase for kids belts.

Below is the breakdown in inches from KO Sports Gear based on their sizes:

M0 – 75
M1 – 80
M2 – 85
M3 – 90
M4 – 95
A0 – 98
A1 – 104
A2 – 110
A3 – 116
A4 – 122
A5 – 128
A6 – 136

How to Tie a BJJ Belt for Kids

Below are some basic steps for how to tie a bjj belt on your child – we’ve also included a video for reference:

To tie a BJJ belt for kids, follow these steps:

1. Start by folding the belt in half and finding its center.
2. Place the center of the belt on the child’s front waist, wrapping it around their waist twice.
3. Bring both ends to the front, making sure one end is on top of the other.
4. Tuck the top end under both layers of the belt and pull both ends to tighten.
5. Fold the bottom end over the top end and pull it through the loop created.
6. Pull both ends tightly to secure the knot.

How Often Do Kids Bet Promoted in Jiu-Jitsu?

The hierarchy mentioned provides lots and lots of motivation for kids and allows for promotions to be held way more often.

With consistent training, on average, you can expect your child to be promoted to the next belt color almost every year as long as the age requirements are met.

In this way, children are able to see how quickly they may advance in a given area through their own efforts. It’s all very logical once you know why there are so many belts and stripes.

In general, we can say that the belt color that a child would be wearing (white, grey, yellow, orange, and green) would depend on their age and how long they have been training.

From there, they would move to an adult belt system when they turn 16 years old.

Grey Belt – BJJ Grey Belt Requirements

Grey belts are ranked above white belts but are still considered beginners for their age group. They have learned more techniques and begun to develop a better understanding of Jiu-Jitsu. 

The requirements of bjj grey belts are based around your child becoming familiar with common positions in jiu jitsu, learning basic submissions, as well as working on basic sweeps and take downs.

This again will depend upon your gym and instructor.

Grey belts are usually obtained at the age of 4 and have three different variations in order: Grey/White, Solid Grey, and Grey/Black.

Yellow Belt

Yellow belts are ranked above gray belts. They are also considered intermediate students for their age group.

They have mastered the basics of Jiu-Jitsu and are starting to learn more advanced techniques. Yellow belts are usually obtained at the age of 7. Also, it has three different variations in order: Yellow/White, Solid Yellow, and Yellow/Black.

Orange Belt

Orange belts are ranked above yellow belts and are considered advanced students for their age group. They have mastered many advanced techniques and continue to refine their skills. 

Additionally, orange belts are usually obtained at the age of 10 and have three different variations in order: Orange/White, Solid Orange, and Orange/Black. 

Green Belt

Green belts are ranked above orange belts and are considered experts for their age group. They have mastered all aspects of Jiu-Jitsu and are considered to be very skilled.

Green belts are usually obtained at the age of 13 and have three different variations in order: Green/White, Solid Green, and Green/Black.

Who Can Promote BJJ Students to the Next Belt?

Following the guidelines set out by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation, only black belts can promote children to the next belt.

However, in many gyms you may see an adult purple belt in bjj teaching the children’s class and awarding stripes and belts to the kids who attend (usually with the approval of the head instructor or black belt).

A with many things in Brazilian jiu jitsu, there isn’t a strict rule set as to who can or cannot promote a child to a higher belt or aware degrees. In the case that a gym has no black belt instructor, belts as low as purple belts are able to promote students.

Does a Belt Promotion Cost Anything?

A bjj belt promotion should not cost anything.

At the start of jiu jitsu, there are of course expenses, such as the gi, no gi apparel, and other beneficial gear, however, usually, the gym will pay for the colored belts that are awarded to its students throughout the ranks. So no, a promotion should not cost anything.

What Is the Ideal Age for Kids to Start Jiu-Jitsu?

Children can start practicing BJJ as young as four years old.

While it may be possible for kids younger than four years old to start training, your child must be able to listen and follow basic instruction.

If they are not able to follow along with the instructor, it is quite unlikely that they will be able to start jiu jitsu training.

What Are Junior Black Belts?

In other martial arts you may have heard of “Junior Black belts”. However, don’t expect this to be the case in Brazilian jiu jitsu. There are no junior black belts in bjj.

This helps to keep jiu jitsu and the belt ranking legitimate and based purely on experience, knowledge, and skill.

BJJ Kids Belts – Conclusion

It is important to remember that the belt system in BJJ is not about winning and losing. The belts represent a student’s journey and progress in learning the art. The goal is to eventually reach the black belt, which symbolizes mastery of the art.

Moreover, the kid’s Jiu-Jitsu belt system is a great way to track a child’s progress and give them a sense of accomplishment as they move up the ranks. It is also a great motivator for kids to keep training and progressing in their skills.

Zack Nicholas

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.