IBJJF Gi Rules: Uniform & Belt Requirements Checklist (2026)

Short answer: under IBJJF gi rules, a legal gi must be made of woven cotton or cotton-like fabric in white, royal blue or black, with the top and pants in the same colour. The collar can be no thicker than 1.3 cm and no wider than 5 cm, sleeves must reach within 2 cm of the wrist, and pants within 2 cm of the ankle bone. The belt must be 4–5 cm wide in your rank colour, tied with a double knot, with each end hanging 20–30 cm.

This checklist covers every IBJJF uniform rule that affects competitors, academy owners and gi brands. Rules can change, so always confirm the current rulebook on ibjjf.com/uniform before an event.

IBJJF Gi Rules at a Glance

Fabric Rules

The IBJJF requires a woven gi in cotton or a cotton-like fabric. It also bans fabric “so thick or hard” that it stops an opponent from gripping. In practice, that means:

• Pearl weave, gold weave and single weave jackets are all accepted
• Ripstop pants are accepted and are the most common pants fabric
• A heavy double weave is legal, but an unusually stiff or coated fabric may be challenged

There is no maximum GSM in the IBJJF rules. Most competitors choose a 450–550 gsm pearl weave to stay light for weigh-ins — compare weights in our lightweight vs heavyweight BJJ gi guide.

Colour Rules

Only white, royal blue and black are allowed, and the jacket and pants must match. A white jacket with blue pants is not legal. Navy, grey, camouflage and coloured panels are not IBJJF-legal, even though many academies use them for training.

If you are ordering academy gis that will also be used at tournaments, keep at least one IBJJF colour in the range.

Collar and Lapel Rules

The lapel must be no thicker than 1.3 cm and no wider than 5 cm. Thick, rubber-filled collars are popular because they are harder to grip, but a collar that is too thick will fail the gi check. When ordering custom gis, ask your manufacturer to confirm the finished collar measurement, not just the foam spec.

Sleeve and Pants Length

These are the measurements most often failed at the gi check:

• Sleeves must reach within 2 cm of the wrist with the arm held straight out in front, parallel to the ground
• Sleeve opening must be at least 7 cm at full extension, so tapered “competition cuts” must still leave room
• Pants must reach within 2 cm of the ankle bone
• Jacket must reach the thigh

Shrinkage is the main reason a legal gi becomes illegal. A non-pre-shrunk gi washed hot can lose several centimetres of sleeve. Wash cold and hang dry — see our BJJ gi care guide — and check sizing with our BJJ gi sizing chart.

Condition Rules

A gi will be rejected if it:

• Shows mending or tears
• Is wet or dirty, or smells unpleasant
• Is painted, unless the paint forms an academy or sponsor logo

Bring a spare gi to every tournament in case your first choice fails inspection.

Patch Rules

Patches must be cotton fabric, properly sewn, and placed only in the authorised areas shown in the IBJJF rulebook. Inspectors remove unsewn patches and patches in unauthorised areas. Brands should design patch layouts around these zones from the start — our custom BJJ patches and embroidery guide explains placement options.

What You Can Wear Under the Gi

IBJJF Belt Rules

The belt must be 4–5 cm wide, in the colour of your rank, with a black tip (bar) — except black belts, whose tip is white or red. It must wrap around the waist twice, be tied with a double knot, and each end must hang 20–30 cm.

Adult belt ranks

Kids belt ranks (under 16)

White, then grey, yellow, orange and green. Each colour except white is split into three steps: a white bar version, a solid version and a black bar version (for example grey-white, grey, grey-black).

Academies that want to celebrate promotions can add a custom belt display rack to the gym wall.

IBJJF Compliance Checklist for Custom Gi Orders

If you are a brand or academy ordering competition gis, put these points in your specification:

1. Woven cotton jacket — pearl or gold weave
2. White, royal blue or black, with matching pants
3. Finished lapel ≤ 1.3 cm thick and ≤ 5 cm wide
4. Sleeve opening ≥ 7 cm at the cuff
5. Pre-shrunk fabric, so sleeve and leg length survive washing
6. Patches in cotton, stitched, in authorised zones only
7. Size chart measured on finished garments, not patterns

Our competition-line OEM gis are produced to these rules, and we supply a compliance checklist with every order on request. The IBJJF does not certify manufacturers — compliance is checked at each event. See our compliance page for how we work.

Frequently Asked Questions — IBJJF Gi Rules

Q: What colours are allowed in IBJJF competition?
A: White, royal blue and black. The jacket and pants must be the same colour.

Q: How thick can a BJJ gi collar be for IBJJF?
A: The lapel can be no thicker than 1.3 cm and no wider than 5 cm.

Q: How long do gi sleeves need to be for IBJJF?
A: Sleeves must reach within 2 cm of the wrist when the arm is extended straight out, parallel to the ground, and the sleeve opening must be at least 7 cm.

Q: Can I wear a rash guard under my gi at IBJJF events?
A: Men cannot wear any shirt under the gi jacket. Women may wear a stretchy, body-hugging top, a one-piece swimsuit or a gymnastics top.

Q: Is there a maximum gi weight for IBJJF?
A: No. The IBJJF sets no GSM limit, but it bans fabric so thick or hard that it prevents gripping.

Q: Are patches allowed on IBJJF gis?
A: Yes, if they are cotton, properly sewn and placed in the authorised areas shown in the IBJJF rulebook.

Q: How wide must a BJJ belt be?
A: Between 4 and 5 cm, tied with a double knot, with each end hanging 20 to 30 cm.

Q: Does the IBJJF approve gi brands?
A: No. The IBJJF does not certify manufacturers or brands. Each gi is inspected at the event against the uniform rules.

Order IBJJF-Compliant Custom Gis

Onrox International makes competition-ready custom gis for academies and brands from our factory in Sialkot, Pakistan, from 25 pieces per colour.

Get a Competition Gi Quote → | OEM BJJ Gi Manufacturing → | Custom Gi Cost Guide →