Every IBJJF weight division for adult, master, and juvenile competitors. Gi and no-gi limits, weigh-in rules, and the strategy of choosing your bracket.
IBJJF adult male divisions include the gi weight in the limit. The competitor weighs in fully kitted in their gi and belt right before competing.
| Division | Weight Limit (kg) | Weight Limit (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 57.5 | 126.5 |
| Light Feather | 64 | 141.0 |
| Feather | 70 | 154.5 |
| Light | 76 | 167.5 |
| Middle | 82.3 | 181.5 |
| Medium Heavy | 88.3 | 195.0 |
| Heavy | 94.3 | 207.5 |
| Super Heavy | 100.5 | 221.5 |
| Ultra Heavy | No limit | No limit |
| Open Class | Any weight | Any weight |
Female adult divisions follow the same gi-included weigh-in process.
| Division | Weight Limit (kg) | Weight Limit (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 48.5 | 107.0 |
| Light Feather | 53.5 | 118.0 |
| Feather | 58.5 | 129.0 |
| Light | 64 | 141.0 |
| Middle | 69 | 152.5 |
| Medium Heavy | 74 | 163.5 |
| Heavy | 79.3 | 175.0 |
| Super Heavy | No limit | No limit |
| Open Class | Any weight | Any weight |
No-gi limits are slightly lower because the gi adds 2 to 3 kg. Practitioners weigh in wearing only their no-gi competition uniform.
| Male Division | Limit (kg) | Female Division | Limit (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 55.5 | Rooster | 46.5 |
| Light Feather | 61.5 | Light Feather | 51.5 |
| Feather | 67.5 | Feather | 56.5 |
| Light | 73.5 | Light | 62 |
| Middle | 79.5 | Middle | 67 |
| Medium Heavy | 85.5 | Medium Heavy | 72 |
| Heavy | 91.5 | Heavy | 77.5 |
| Super Heavy | 97.5 | Super Heavy | No limit |
| Ultra Heavy | No limit | Open Class | Any |
Master divisions exist for ages 30 and up. The weight limits are the same as adult divisions. Age subdivisions are: Master 1 (30-35), Master 2 (36-40), Master 3 (41-45), Master 4 (46-50), Master 5 (51-55), Master 6 (56-60), and Master 7 (61+).
Master practitioners can choose to compete in their age bracket or move down to adult if they want stronger competition. They cannot move up to a higher master division.
Juvenile divisions cover ages 16 and 17. Weight limits are slightly different from adult.
| Male Juvenile | Limit (kg) | Female Juvenile | Limit (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 53.5 | Rooster | 44.3 |
| Light Feather | 58.5 | Light Feather | 48.3 |
| Feather | 64 | Feather | 52.5 |
| Light | 69 | Light | 56.5 |
| Middle | 74 | Middle | 60.5 |
| Medium Heavy | 79.3 | Medium Heavy | 65 |
| Heavy | 84.3 | Heavy | No limit |
| Super Heavy | 89.3 | ||
| Ultra Heavy | No limit |
Weigh-ins happen on the same day as your match, typically 30 to 60 minutes before your division starts. Once you make weight, you receive a wristband confirming your division.
You weigh in fully kitted in your competition gi and belt. The scale registration is final — there is no second chance and no margin of error. Practitioners who miss weight by even 0.1 kg are disqualified or moved to a higher division depending on rules at the specific event.
No-gi practitioners weigh in wearing only their rash guard, shorts, and any joint protection allowed by IBJJF (e.g., knee braces). Underwear is not weighed but cup or compression shorts are.
BJJ Belt Progress lets you log your weight alongside your sessions to dial in your competition division.
Open Training TrackerThere are 9 male and 8 female adult gi weight divisions, ranging from Rooster (57.5 kg male / 48.5 kg female) up to Ultra Heavy (no limit). No-gi divisions are slightly lower because the gi adds weight.
You weigh in 30 to 60 minutes before your division starts, fully kitted in your gi and belt. The scale is final and you receive a wristband confirming you made weight.
IBJJF uses certified competition scales. Practitioners report scale readings vary slightly between events. Most cut to 0.5 kg under the limit to account for variation.
Subtract your gi weight (typically 1.5 to 2 kg) from your scale weight. The result is your no-gi weight. Compare both to the IBJJF tables to find your divisions.
Yes. You can compete in any division above your weight, including Open Class which has no upper limit. You cannot compete down.
Light gis weigh 1.2 to 1.6 kg. Standard gis weigh 1.5 to 2 kg. Heavy gis can reach 2.5 kg. Most competitors use light gis to maximize weight margin.
Open Class is the absolute division — any weight competitor can enter. It is the most prestigious division at IBJJF events because the winner faces all weight categories.
Yes. Master 1 through Master 7 use the same weight limits as adult divisions, just sorted by age bracket.
Knowing the framework matters because BJJ progression is tracked, not assumed. Practitioners who understand the IBJJF system make better training decisions, communicate clearly with their professor about promotion, and recognize when they have actually met the minimum requirements versus when they are still building.
Most BJJ practitioners overestimate their training consistency. Tracking accurate session counts reveals the truth. A practitioner who feels they train four days a week often logs only 12 sessions per month — three days weekly when measured. The data discipline of logging sessions exposes the gap between perception and reality.
Whether you train at a Gracie Barra in São Paulo, a 10th Planet in Los Angeles, or a small independent academy in your hometown, the IBJJF standards remain the same. Belt rank is portable. Time-in-grade requirements are universal. The progression criteria do not vary by academy. This consistency is what makes BJJ ranks meaningful globally.
The BJJ Belt Progress app calculates your IBJJF eligibility based on the same algorithm professors use to evaluate progression. Free 14-day trial.
Download — App Store Google Play