Back to Tools

BJJ Belt Tracker

Track your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt progression, stripes, and time on the mats.

White Belt
0 stripes
Time Training
0m
Current Belt
1 of 5
Est. to Black
~8y 6m

Belt Progression

White Belt

CURRENT

The beginning of your jiu-jitsu journey. Focus on survival, basic positions, and fundamental escapes.

Average time: 18 months

Blue Belt

You understand the fundamentals and can hold your own against beginners. Time to develop your game.

Purple Belt

An advanced practitioner with a well-rounded game. You are now developing your personal style and A-game.

Brown Belt

Near mastery of the art. Your technique is refined, transitions are seamless, and you can teach effectively.

Black Belt

Mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A black belt represents roughly 10+ years of dedicated training. The real journey begins here.

Key Skills for White Belt

Closed guard basics
Mount escape (upa, elbow-knee)
Rear naked choke
Basic takedowns
Side control escapes
Arm bar from guard

BJJ Belt System Explained

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uses a belt ranking system to track a practitioner's progress. The five adult belts are White, Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black. Each belt (except Black) has up to 4 stripes that mark progress within that rank. Black belts can earn up to 6 degrees.

On average, it takes about 10 to 15 years of consistent training to earn a BJJ black belt. Many UFC fighters hold advanced belts in BJJ, including Demian Maia (5th degree black belt), Charles Oliveira (3rd degree black belt), and Brian Ortega (black belt under Rener Gracie).

How Long Does Each BJJ Belt Take?

  • White to Blue: 1 to 2 years (IBJJF minimum: 1 year for adults 16+)
  • Blue to Purple: 2 to 3 years (IBJJF minimum: 2 years)
  • Purple to Brown: 1.5 to 3 years (IBJJF minimum: 1.5 years)
  • Brown to Black: 1 to 2 years (IBJJF minimum: 1 year)

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the stripes on a BJJ belt mean?

Stripes are awarded by your instructor to mark progress within a belt. They show you are developing the skills needed for your next promotion. Most belts have 4 stripes before promotion.

Can I get promoted faster if I compete?

Competition results can influence promotions, but they are not required. Consistent training, technical knowledge, and mat time are the main factors. Some competitors earn promotions faster due to their accelerated development.