- Middle on your belly button, wrap twice, tuck under both layers, tie a square knot, pull it tight.
- Ends that point up and down mean the knot is crossed the wrong way, and it will slip.
- Once tied, each end should hang 20 to 30 cm (about 8 to 12 inches), the IBJJF’s rule for tournaments.
- Ends that hang much longer mean the belt is a size too long.
- Kids tie it the same way. Parents: stand behind your child and it feels like tying your own.
How to tie a jiu jitsu belt, step by step
- Find the middle. Fold the belt in half, then place the middle just below your belly button with the ends hanging evenly.
- Wrap it around twice. Take both ends around your back, cross them, and bring them back to the front. Keep both layers flat, one on top of the other.
- Tuck one end under both layers. Take the end that sits on top, pass it up from below behind both layers, and pull it out at the top.
- Tie the knot. Lay the top end over the hanging end, bring it up through the loop you just formed, and pull. You now have a square knot in the middle of your belt.
- Tighten and even the ends. Pull both ends out to the sides until the knot is snug and the ends hang about the same length.
Steps 3 and 4 are the ones that matter most, and they’re easier to see than to read. A coach will show you at your first class.
How to check your knot
- The ends point out to the sides, not up and down. Up and down means the knot is crossed the wrong way and will slip: untie the last step and cross from the other side.
- Both layers lie flat around your waist, with no twist at the back.
- The knot sits in the middle, just below your belly button.
- The ends hang evenly, 20 to 30 cm (about 8 to 12 inches) each, the length the IBJJF asks for at tournaments.
- It stays put when you tug the ends and twist your hips.
The knot is a square knot (also called a reef knot), the one martial artists use to tie their belts. Tie its two halves in the same direction and you get its weak look-alike, the granny knot (Wikipedia).
Why your belt keeps coming undone
- The knot is crossed the wrong way. If the ends point up and down, redo the last step, crossing from the other side.
- Tucking under one layer only. The knot slips during rounds. Go under both layers in step 3.
- A twisted wrap. Smooth both layers flat before you tie the knot.
- A loose knot. Pull hard on both ends at the end. A loose belt comes undone in the first round.
- A stiff new belt. New belts hold a knot less well. Pull it extra tight; it softens as you train.
- The wrong size. Ends dangling near your knees mean the belt is too long. Here’s what size belt you need.
What size BJJ belt do you need?
BJJ belts come in sizes like gis: A0 to A6 for adults and M0 to M4 for kids at Kingz, for example, and sizes vary by brand (Kingz). Your gi size is a good place to start; then check the length on the brand’s chart.
The real test is the tie. Once it’s knotted, each end should hang 20 to 30 cm (about 8 to 12 inches). Much longer, and you need a size down; if you can barely tie the knot, a size up.
IBJJF tournaments have rules for the belt too (IBJJF Rules Book, rule 8.1.9):
| Item | IBJJF rule |
|---|---|
| Width | 4 to 5 cm (about 1.5 to 2 inches), and durable |
| Color | Your rank’s color, with a black tip (white or red on a black belt) |
| How it’s worn | Over the jacket, wrapped twice around the waist |
| Knot | A double knot, tight enough to keep the jacket closed |
| Ends | 20 to 30 cm each (about 8 to 12 inches), once tied |
For the gi itself, here’s the BJJ gi size chart and the IBJJF’s gi rules.
Tying a kid’s belt
Kids tie their belts the same way. Younger kids usually need a parent or coach to help until the steps stick. Here are the kids belts in order, and our kids jiu jitsu classes.
- Stand behind your child and reach around their waist. Your hands make the same moves as on your own belt, which is much easier than tying it face to face.
- Check the ends before class. Out to the sides and even means it will hold.
- Practice at home. Older kids can learn to tie it themselves after a few tries.
Which side does the stripe bar go on?
Your belt’s bar is the black section at one end, where stripes go (red or white on a black belt). It’s usually worn on your left side, but that’s a custom, not a rule: the IBJJF only asks for the tip. Ask your coach what the academy prefers.
Your coach adds stripes as you progress. Here’s what BJJ stripes mean.
Other ways to tie a BJJ belt
You’ll see other ties online, like the “super lock” and neater-looking wraps. They’re a matter of style: the IBJJF doesn’t name a knot, only a double knot that keeps the jacket closed, with 20 to 30 cm ends. Learn the standard tie first, then ask a coach to show you a variation.
Caring for your belt
Wash your belt with your gi, in cold water, and hang it to dry: belts pick up sweat and mat dirt too. Some people never wash theirs, out of tradition, but a clean belt is better for you and your partners. Here’s how to wash a BJJ gi.
How BJJ belts workBook a free class
Belt tying questions
How tight should a BJJ belt be?
Snug enough to keep your jacket closed when you move, which is the IBJJF’s test, but not so tight it digs in. You should be able to slide a hand between the belt and your gi.
Why does my belt keep coming undone?
Usually one of three things: the end went under only one layer, the knot is crossed the wrong way (the ends point up and down), or it wasn’t pulled tight. Check your knot to see which.
How do you tie a white belt?
The same way as any BJJ belt: middle on your belly button, wrap twice, tuck under both layers, square knot, pull tight. A brand-new white belt is stiff, so pull the knot extra tight for the first few weeks.
How long should the ends of a BJJ belt be?
20 to 30 cm (about 8 to 12 inches) each once it’s tied, by the IBJJF’s rule for tournaments. Much longer, and the belt is probably a size too long.
Is tying a kids belt different?
No, the steps are the same. Younger kids usually need a coach or parent to help until the steps stick, and standing behind your child makes it easier. More in tying a kid’s belt.
Is a BJJ belt tied like other martial arts belts?
Mostly. Martial arts belts are usually tied with a square knot. What BJJ adds is the IBJJF’s tournament rules on the belt’s width, knot and end length.
How do I tie my gi pants?
Most gi pants close with a drawstring or rope. Thread it through the loops at the front if your pants have them, pull it snug, tie a bow, and tuck the ends into the waistband so they don’t catch fingers or toes.
Where do stripes go on a BJJ belt?
On the bar at one end of the belt: black on colored belts, red or white on a black belt. Your coach adds them as you progress. Here’s what stripes mean.
Can a coach show me in person?
Yes. Ask at your first class, which is free, and a coach will walk you through it. Book a free class.
Sources: IBJJF, Rules Book 6.1 (June 2024), rule 8.1.9: the belt’s width, color and tip, two wraps, a double knot that keeps the jacket closed, ends of 20 to 30 cm. Wikipedia, Reef knot: the knot used for martial arts belts; two halves tied in the same direction make a weak granny knot. Kingz, How to Tie a BJJ Belt: belt sizes from A0 to A6 for adults and M0 to M4 for kids, varying by brand; other tie styles.