IBJJF BJJ Gi Requirements: Everything You Need to Know

When you stand upright with your arms by your sides, the bottom hem of the jacket must reach your thighs. More specifically, the jacket should cover at minimum the upper thighs, ensuring sufficient material for your opponent to grip during techniques.

Jackets that are excessively short — ending above the hip bone, for example — will fail inspection. Conversely, jackets that extend past mid-thigh are acceptable, though they may be less practical during competition due to excess fabric.

Critical Update: In late 2024, the IBJJF reduced the sleeve length tolerance from 5cm to 2cm. This stricter measurement has increased the rate of gi check failures at major events.

To measure sleeve length, stand upright and extend your arm straight forward, parallel to the ground. The distance from the edge of the sleeve cuff to your wrist bone must be no more than 2cm (approximately 0.8 inches). If your sleeve is shorter than this — meaning there is a gap greater than 2cm between the cuff and your wrist — your gi will fail inspection.

Shrinkage is the most common cause of sleeve length failures. Gis that initially pass the 2cm test may shrink after washing, pushing them out of spec. Always re-measure your sleeves after washing, particularly in the weeks leading up to competition.

When your arm is extended, the sleeve opening must be wide enough to accommodate a 7cm measurement tool. Inspectors physically insert a 7cm block into the sleeve opening near the cuff to verify compliance. If the block does not pass through, your gi fails.

This rule exists to ensure your opponent can grip your sleeve during techniques. Sleeves that are too narrow create an unfair advantage by restricting grip accessibility. Most reputable gi manufacturers design their sleeves to meet this specification, but cheaper or non-BJJ-specific gis may have overly tapered sleeves that fail inspection.

The gi collar must not exceed 1.3cm in thickness when compressed. Inspectors use a caliper or similar measuring device to check the collar at its thickest point, typically near the base of the neck.

Collars that are too thick provide an advantage by making it harder for opponents to secure collar chokes such as the cross choke or bow-and-arrow choke. Conversely, collars that are too thin or floppy may fail on the grounds of being insufficiently rigid, though this is less common.

It is permitted to use EVA foam or similar materials inside the collar, provided the overall thickness remains within the 1.3cm limit and the collar maintains appropriate rigidity as specified in the IBJJF rulebook.

Jacket colour must be white, royal blue, or black. No other colours are permitted. The jacket and trousers must match, and the collar must be the same colour as the rest of the jacket. For a detailed breakdown of colour requirements, see our BJJ gi colour rules guide.

The jacket must be free of rips, tears, excessive wear, and unpleasant odours. Inspectors have discretion to reject gis that appear unsafe, unhygienic, or excessively worn. Thinning fabric, frayed lapels, or torn seams can all result in disqualification.

Ensure your competition gi is in excellent condition. If your training gi is showing signs of wear, retire it from competition use and reserve it for training only.

Critical Update: In late 2024, the IBJJF reduced the pants length tolerance from 5cm to 2cm, matching the sleeve requirement. When you stand upright, the bottom hem of the trousers must reach no more than 2cm above the ankle bone (tibial malleolus).

Pants that are too short — extending more than 2cm above the ankle — will fail inspection. Pants that touch the ankle or extend slightly below are acceptable, though excessively long pants that drag on the floor are impractical and may be rejected at the inspector's discretion.

As with sleeves, shrinkage is a major factor. Pants that initially comply with the 2cm rule may shrink after washing. Always measure your pants after each wash during the weeks before competition.

Pants must be wide enough to allow your opponent to grip the fabric. Whilst the IBJJF does not specify an exact gap measurement for pants as it does for sleeves, inspectors will reject pants that are excessively tight or tapered, as these provide an unfair advantage by limiting grip opportunities.

Traditional-cut gi pants with a straight or slightly tapered leg are universally acceptable. Skinny or athletic-cut pants may be scrutinised more closely and could be rejected if deemed too restrictive.

Pants must match the colour of the jacket — white, royal blue, or black only. Mixing colours (such as a white jacket with blue pants) is strictly prohibited. However, pants may be made from a different material than the jacket, provided the colour matches. For example, ripstop pants with a pearl weave jacket are acceptable as long as both are the same colour.

The pants must feature a drawstring inside the waistband. The drawstring should be a cord or flat tie, and it must be secured properly to keep the pants in place during competition.

External drawstring loops (if present) must be reinforced to prevent tearing. The IBJJF does not specify colour restrictions for drawstrings in its current uniform guide, though some sources suggest avoiding red or black drawstrings. When in doubt, white or colour-matched drawstrings are the safest choice.

The reinforcement at the bottom hem of the pants must be no more than 2.5cm, whilst the waistband reinforcement must not exceed 5cm. These measurements prevent competitors from using excessive reinforcement to create grip advantages or alter the fit of the gi.

The belt must be 4-5cm wide. Belts that are narrower than 4cm or wider than 5cm do not comply with IBJJF standards. Most BJJ belts sold by reputable brands meet this specification, but always verify before competing.

Once tied in a double knot, each end of the belt should hang 20-30cm (8-12 inches). The belt must be wrapped around your waist twice and secured with a double knot tight enough to keep the gi jacket closed.

Belts that are too short may not provide sufficient length for a secure knot, whilst excessively long belts create unnecessary fabric that can be gripped during competition. However, belt length is rarely scrutinised as strictly as gi measurements.

The belt must correspond to your registered rank: white, blue, purple, brown, or black. Black belts must wear a belt with a white tip (for 1st to 6th degree) or a red tip (for 7th degree and above, though red belts compete in the black belt division).

Some belts feature a black rank bar along one edge. This bar should be positioned correctly per your belt's design, typically on the end that hangs to your left when the belt is tied.

Tape used to mark stripes (degree levels within a belt colour) must be black or match the belt colour. For example, a blue belt may use black tape or blue tape for stripes, but red or white tape would be inappropriate.

The belt must be free of tears and must be tied securely. A frayed or damaged belt may be rejected by inspectors. Always bring a backup belt to competition in case your primary belt is damaged or deemed non-compliant.

Patches and embroidery are permitted on the jacket shoulders, upper arms, chest, and upper back (below the collar). On the pants, patches may be placed along the sides, above the knee, and on the upper thighs.

In 2024, the IBJJF updated its rules to permit patches on the back of the pants that exceed 10cm in width, providing more flexibility for team logos and sponsor patches.

Patches are strictly prohibited on the collar, inside of the gi, sleeves below the shoulder, lower back, and within 15cm of the pant leg openings (front and back). These restrictions prevent patches from affecting grip fighting or creating unfair advantages.

Whilst the IBJJF does not specify strict maximum dimensions for all zones, recommended sizes based on common practice include:

• Chest: 4" x 4" (approximately 10cm x 10cm)
• Shoulders: 6" x 2.5" (approximately 15cm x 6cm)
• Upper back: 12" x 4" (approximately 30cm x 10cm)
• Thighs: 6" x 6" front, 12" x 3" side (approximately 15cm x 15cm front, 30cm x 8cm side)

Patches that are excessively large or placed in non-compliant zones will result in gi inspection failure. When in doubt, consult the official IBJJF uniform diagram at ibjjf.com/uniform.

Patches must be made of cotton or similar fabric and must be securely sewn onto the gi. Iron-on or glued patches are not recommended for competition, as they may peel or fail during matches. Sewn patches are more secure and are universally accepted.

Patches must not contain offensive, political, or inappropriate imagery. Academy logos, sponsor logos, country flags, and team affiliations are all acceptable. If you are unsure whether a particular patch is appropriate, consult the IBJJF rulebook or contact the tournament organiser.

The gi must be clean, freshly washed, and free of unpleasant odours. Inspectors have the authority to disqualify competitors for hygiene violations, including foul-smelling gis, visible dirt, or damp fabric.

Wash your gi thoroughly before competition and allow it to dry completely. Never compete in a gi that smells of mildew, sweat, or detergent residue. If possible, wash your gi the night before the competition and air-dry it to ensure it is fresh and odour-free.

Any damage that could cause injury or provide an unfair advantage is prohibited. This includes torn lapels (which are harder to grip), ripped seams, frayed cuffs, and holes in the fabric. Gis with excessive wear — such as thinning fabric or discoloured areas — may also be rejected at the inspector's discretion.

Reserve a competition-specific gi that is in excellent condition. Do not use your daily training gi for competition if it shows signs of wear.

At IBJJF competitions, athletes present their gi to a designated inspector during the check-in process, typically before their first match. The inspector verifies all measurements and requirements, including sleeve length, pants length, collar thickness, sleeve width, belt specifications, and overall condition.

Competitors are allowed up to three inspection attempts. If your gi fails on the first attempt, you may request a second and third inspection. However, if you change gis, you must re-weigh to ensure you remain within your weight division.

The inspection process is thorough but efficient. Most competitors pass on the first attempt if they have measured their gi at home and ensured compliance.

If your gi fails inspection, you have several options depending on the number of attempts remaining:

• Request a re-inspection: If the failure was marginal or due to measurement error, ask for a second inspection. Ensure the gi is measured correctly.
• Change gis: If you have a backup gi, change into it and re-weigh. You must remain within your weight division after changing gis.
• Borrow a gi: Some competitions allow competitors to borrow gis from teammates or vendors on-site. Verify this is permitted before relying on it.
• Purchase a gi: Major IBJJF events often have vendors selling gis on-site. This is an expensive last-resort option.

If you exhaust your three inspection attempts or cannot produce a compliant gi, you may be disqualified. This is why bringing a backup gi is essential.

Stand upright and extend your arm straight forward, parallel to the ground. Have a training partner or friend measure the distance from your wrist bone to the sleeve cuff. The gap must be 2cm or less.

If the measurement is borderline (1.8-2cm), consider that the gi may stretch slightly when wet during competition. A measurement of 1.5cm or less provides a safe margin.

Stand upright with bare feet. Locate the most prominent bone on the inside of your ankle (tibial malleolus). Measure the distance from this bone to the bottom hem of the pants. The gap must be 2cm or less.

As with sleeves, leave a margin for stretching and shrinkage. A measurement of 1.5cm or less is ideal.

Use a caliper or firm ruler to compress the collar at its thickest point, typically near the base of the neck. The compressed thickness must be 1.3cm or less.

If you do not have a caliper, use a ruler and press down firmly on the collar to simulate the inspector's measurement technique.

Extend your arm and have a training partner attempt to insert a 7cm-wide object (such as a block of wood or a ruler held at 7cm width) into the sleeve opening near the cuff. If the object passes through easily, your sleeve complies.

Stand upright with your arms by your sides. The bottom hem of the jacket should cover your upper thighs. This is a visual check rather than a precise measurement — if the jacket reaches mid-thigh or lower, it complies.

Gis shrink with washing, particularly if exposed to hot water or high-heat drying. Measure your gi again 1-2 weeks before competition and once more 1-2 days before the event to account for any shrinkage.

Avoid washing your gi in hot water or drying it on high heat in the weeks leading up to competition. Use cold water and air-dry to minimise shrinkage.

This is the most common gi check failure, particularly since the IBJJF reduced the tolerance from 5cm to 2cm. Shrinkage from washing is the primary culprit. Always measure sleeves after washing and avoid hot water and high-heat drying.

The second most common failure. Like sleeves, pants shrink with washing. Measure pants after every wash in the weeks before competition.

Some gis — particularly budget models or older gis with compressed, hardened collars — exceed the 1.3cm limit. Test your collar with a caliper before competing.

Patches on the collar, inside the gi, or within 15cm of pant leg openings will result in failure. Verify patch placement against the official IBJJF diagram.

Mixing a white jacket with blue pants, or wearing a navy gi instead of royal blue, will result in disqualification. Ensure your gi is one of the three legal colours and that jacket and pants match.

Rips, tears, excessive wear, stains, or foul odours can all result in rejection. Reserve a clean, well-maintained gi exclusively for competition.

Competitors who fail inspection and have no backup gi are often disqualified. Always bring a second gi.