The first point to note in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that it's grading system differs to most martial arts in respect to the time periods it takes to obtain each belt. Usually each belt in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grading system requires 2 years of training to obtain it (with exception of the white belt, which is given to a beginner). Some of the higher belts can take up to 5 years depending on the ability of the student. This means it takes much longer than any other martial arts style to obtain a high ranked belt.
In the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Grading System, the belt rankings are split into children (under 16) and adult colors as follows:
BJJ Children grades: White, Yellow, Orange, Green.
There are age restrictions in BJJ, you will not see children wearing black belts.
Although the grading system shown above is common acorss many schools, some associations/federations of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu also account for a grey belt within children ranks. This is included within the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation grading rules.
Adult ranks are as follows - White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black, Red.
Notes on IBJJF periods.
To grade as a purple belt at 16 years of age it is required that the student has spent at least 2 years as a green belt.
To grade as a purple at 17 years of age it is required that the student has spent at least 1 year as a green belt and 1 year as a blue belt.
To grade directly from green to purple belt, the minimum time required before the student can be awarded the brown belt is 2 years.
in order to be graded black belt at 19 years of age it is required that the student has spent at least 1 year as a brown belt.
Grading from blue to purple has a minimum time period of 2 years
Grading from purple to brown as a minimum time period of 18 months
A minimum of 1 year is required to grade from brown to black and a student has to be over 19 years old.
Some schools may award stripes or tags for each belt (except for black). These are given based on performance on gradings and also at the instructors discretion of your performance and skills over the course of your training. Examples of this are showing dedication, being ale to carry techniques fluidity or even achievements in tournaments. It is a very common for a student to receive 4 stripes before obtaining the next belt.
