Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn’t a martial art that hands out belts like participation trophies. BJJ belts are something entirely different from what you may be used to.
Many traditional martial arts even allow children to earn black belts, and it only takes 3-5 years. That is not possible in BJJ.
The BJJ community has, by and large, refused to water down standards, and it remains the most difficult martial art to gain rank in. That’s a fact that we’re proud of, and a fact that every practitioner should remember to feel pride in those belts and stripes.
Every belt in BJJ is earned with sweat, dedication, endurance, discipline, and occasionally blood. If you’re wondering how it works, here’s the breakdown.
How the BJJ Belt System For Adults Works
Unlike many other martial arts, BJJ has a relatively simple belt system for adults:
White Belt
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
Brown Belt
Black Belt
Each belt represents a major milestone in skill, understanding, and experience. There are no shortcuts, and time alone won’t get you promoted. Your progress is determined by mat time, technical ability, attitude, and consistency. Each belt brings with it new responsibilities as well.
BJJ promotions also take longer than in most martial arts. On average, it takes 10-12 years to earn a black belt, but this varies based on dedication, training frequency, and competition performance.
How Long Does Each BJJ Belt Rank Take?
There’s no universal timeline, but these are general estimates for each belt:
White to Blue: 1.5 to 3 years
Blue to Purple: 2 to 4 years
Purple to Brown: 1.5 to 3 years
Brown to Black: 1 to 3 years
Each gym has its own standards, but these timelines reflect the dedication required to reach each level. Some gyms may require a practitioner to put in a minimum amount of time regardless of skill level (IBJJF requirements typically), some may only do promotions once or twice a year, some may require testing beyond a subjective level of assessment as well (like we do). Check out IBJJF requirements here.
It’s interesting to note that the blue belt is typically the longest belt, as it typically represents the bulk of transformation from beginner to more advanced player.
What Each BJJ Belt Means
White Belt
This is where everyone starts. Expect to feel lost, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Your job at white belt is simple: survive. You’ll begin developing fundamental movements, escapes, and basic submissions. It’s completely normal to feel like you know nothing, and have no clue how to do anything. Just keep showing up, that’s all that is required of a new white belt.
Blue Belt
After putting in serious time and effort, you earn your blue belt. Minimum age for a blue belt is 16 years old. But now you’re in for an even longer journey, as blue belt is typically the longest belt. The new blue belt is essentially an advanced beginner – you understand a few things and have a solid foundation, but you don’t really understand anything in depth. This is the longest belt because practitioners have to shift to the mindset of controlling their own growth, rather than relying on the instructor as much. This shift is difficult, and requires a long time to begin to understand the nuances in movements necessary to accomplish it. Blue belts will frequently begin to assist the lead coach in beginners adult classes, and even lead children’s classes. Most people will reach blue belt by 1.5-3 years.
Purple Belt
The purple belt is where everything starts coming together. You’re no longer just reacting to your opponent’s movements. You’re dictating the pace of the fight. At this level, you refine your techniques, develop a game that suits your body type, and sharpen your ability to counter opponents effectively. Purple belt is often where practitioners begin to teach beginners. Time wise, it is similar to reaching black belt (first dan) in most traditional martial arts as it frequently takes 5-6 years to get there.
Brown Belt
At this stage, you’re refining the small details that separate good from great. It’s usually the shortest belt, because you really only need a little bit more mat time in order to reach the black belt level. You already have the techniques in your toolbox, it’s only about refinement. Many brown belts teach advanced and beginner classes.
Black Belt
Earning a black belt in BJJ is a lifetime achievement typically taking 10-12 years of dedicated training, requires the practitioner to be a minimum of 19 years old (although that’s very rare to receive it that young), and requires either a minimum 2nd degree black belt or two lower ranked black belts to award. It doesn’t mean you’ve mastered everything, Jiu Jitsu is simply too complex. There is always more learning to be done, and that learning never stops.
Journey Over Destination
Getting to blue belt is usually a huge goal for most newcomers to BJJ. As well it should be – it’s an important milestone. But the journey cannot be all about the milestones. They’re simply too far apart to provide that sort of motivation.
If someone is coming to BJJ simply to gain rank, then they will be disappointed. If they’re coming because they want to go on a journey of self-discovery and improvement – then they’re in the right place.
Always focus on the journey. The belts come in time. And at the end of the day, it’s just a piece of cloth that holds your gi closed.
See you on the mats. Acta Non Verba.
