BJJ Gi Colour Rules and Regulations

The IBJJF specifies royal blue — not navy, not light blue, and not teal. Royal blue is a vibrant, medium-to-bright blue that is easily distinguishable from white and black. Navy blue gis, which have a darker, muted tone, are not accepted at IBJJF competitions.

Most major gi manufacturers design their blue gis to meet the IBJJF royal blue standard, but if you are purchasing from a lesser-known brand or a non-BJJ-specific supplier, verify the shade before competing. When in doubt, compare the colour to images of IBJJF-approved gis or consult the manufacturer.

The IBJJF's restriction to three colours serves multiple purposes. First, it ensures standardisation for fairness — by limiting the colour palette, the federation prevents competitors from gaining psychological advantages or creating visual distractions. Second, it maintains tradition: white gis originate from judo, which inherited the practice from Japanese martial arts where white symbolises purity. Blue and black were added later to facilitate competitor differentiation.

Third, these three colours are easy to distinguish, which is essential for referees who must quickly identify which competitor is executing a technique or scoring points. This is particularly important in fast-paced matches where split-second decisions determine the outcome.

One of the most common mistakes competitors make is attempting to wear mismatched gi pieces. The IBJJF explicitly prohibits mixing colours: if your jacket is white, your trousers must also be white. This rule extends to the collar, which must match the colour of the jacket.

The only exception to the colour-matching rule is the belt, which must display your rank colour regardless of your gi colour. A white belt wears a white belt, a blue belt wears a blue belt, and so on, irrespective of whether the gi is white, blue, or black.

The United Arab Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) follows the same three-colour rule as the IBJJF: white, royal blue, and black. Competitors are required to bring two gi colours to finals, allowing officials to assign different colours to each athlete for clear identification. The UAEJJF also prohibits mixing jacket and trouser colours and requires the collar to match the rest of the gi.

Grappling Industries is notably more relaxed when it comes to gi colour. Competitors may wear a gi of any colour, and uniform tops and bottoms may even be of mismatched colours. This liberal policy makes Grappling Industries events particularly popular among practitioners who enjoy expressing their personal style through coloured or patterned gis.

However, referees retain the right to ask a competitor to change their gi if it is deemed inappropriate, excessively long or short, or if it hinders gripping. Whilst the colour rules are lenient, all other gi specifications — such as sleeve and trouser length — still apply.

Most UK-based competitions follow IBJJF colour standards. The United Kingdom Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association (UKBJJA), which sanctions many UK tournaments including the prestigious English Open BJJ Championships, typically adheres to IBJJF rules, including the three-colour gi requirement.

Smaller local competitions may be more lenient, but it is always safest to assume IBJJF rules apply unless the event explicitly states otherwise. If you are competing in the UK and unsure about gi colour requirements, contact the event organiser or check the competition's official rules page before the event.

Submission-only tournaments — which emphasise finishing submissions rather than points — often adopt more relaxed uniform policies. Many of these events permit any gi colour, and some even allow no-gi attire in gi divisions. Always verify the specific rules for the event you are entering, as submission-only competitions vary widely in their policies.

Many traditional or Gracie-affiliated academies require white gis only, honouring the roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and maintaining a uniform appearance during training. This policy is particularly common in schools that emphasise discipline, respect, and adherence to tradition.

Most modern gyms allow white, blue, and black gis — the three IBJJF-legal colours. This approach ensures that all students can train in gis they can also wear in competition, reducing the need to purchase separate training and competition gis.

Some progressive or competition-focused gyms permit any colour for training, including grey, pink, green, camouflage, and other non-competition colours. This policy appeals to practitioners who enjoy self-expression and those who do not plan to compete.

A common compromise is requiring beginners to wear white gis whilst allowing more experienced students to wear any colour. This policy helps new students fit in and signals rank progression visually.

If you plan to visit another academy — whether during travel, for an open mat, or as a prospective member — always ask about their gi colour policy in advance. When in doubt, bring a white gi. White is universally accepted across all BJJ gyms, making it the safest choice for visitors.

Showing up to a traditional academy in a bright pink or camouflage gi can create an awkward situation and may result in being asked to change or train in a loaner gi. Respecting the host gym's policies demonstrates good etiquette and ensures a welcoming experience.

Some gyms require students to wear academy-branded gis or to display specific team patches on their gis. This is particularly common in large, established teams such as Gracie Barra, which has a standardised gi design for all members. These academies may specify not only the colour but also the brand and patch placement.

If you train at an academy with branded gi requirements, you will typically be informed during your induction or trial period. Check with your instructor if you are unsure whether a particular gi is acceptable for training at your gym.

White is the most traditional gi colour, inherited from judo and other Japanese martial arts where it symbolises purity and a beginner's mind. The Gracie family, who developed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, predominantly wore white gis, cementing the colour's association with authenticity and tradition.

White gis are universally accepted and are the safest choice for any gym or competition. However, they require more maintenance, as they show stains, dirt, and discolouration more readily than darker colours. Many practitioners appreciate the discipline required to keep a white gi pristine, viewing it as part of their training.

Royal blue became popular as a practical alternative to white. Blue gis hide stains, sweat marks, and general wear better than white, making them a favourite for frequent training. The colour was introduced in judo in the 1980s to help referees distinguish between competitors, and BJJ adopted the practice soon after.

Blue gis are often seen as versatile — formal enough for competition but practical enough for daily training. They strike a balance between tradition and functionality.

Black is the most practical gi colour for concealing wear, stains, and fading. Black gis are perceived as sleek and modern, and some practitioners associate them with experienced competitors, though there is no official restriction on beginners wearing black.

Black gis can show lint, dust, and gi fibres from training partners' white or blue gis, but they remain cleaner-looking for longer than white gis. They are particularly popular among no-gi practitioners who occasionally train in the gi and prefer low-maintenance gear.

Beyond the competition-legal trio, coloured gis — including grey, green, pink, red, camouflage, and custom designs — have become increasingly popular for training. These gis allow practitioners to express their personality, support their team with custom colours, or simply stand out on the mats.

Historically, Reylson Gracie created the first coloured gi in the 1970s, experimenting with black, yellow, and turquoise designs. Since then, the market for coloured and patterned gis has exploded, with limited-edition collaborations, artist-designed gis, and custom team gis becoming collector's items.

Coloured gis are exclusively for training — they cannot be worn in IBJJF or most other competitions. If you enjoy the aesthetic of a coloured gi, consider owning one for training alongside a competition-legal gi for tournaments.