Brazilian jiu-jitsu has an excellent belt ranking, with eight belt levels for adults. Otherwise, students might earn stripes based on time, knowledge, conduct, and competition performance, among other things.
It typically takes around two years of training to earn each belt in BJJ. Unlike other martial arts, students of Brazilian jiu-jitsu must demonstrate a certain level of skill and knowledge to reach a new rank.
As we progress through this post, we’ll talk about how long it will take you to get each BJJ belt from white to red, according to our experience. Stay tuned!
How Long Does It Take to Earn Belts in Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become increasingly popular worldwide, attracting practitioners from all walks of life. This beautiful martial art uses a belt system to indicate a student’s skill level and mastery of techniques.
So, if you’re new to this dynamic grappling training, you may wonder how long it takes to progress through the different belt levels.
Typically, it takes about two years of training to earn each belt in BJJ. However, unlike other martial arts, students of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu must demonstrate a certain level of skill and knowledge to advance to a new rank.
As a dedicated practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you will advance through different levels of expertise, starting from the basic white and blue belts to the intermediate purple belt and eventually to the advanced brown and black belts. After years of rigorous training and coaching, you may even reach the highest levels of coral and red belts.
Here is the average timeline to progress through belts in BJJ.
| BJJ Belt | Belts’ Average Promotion Timeline |
|---|---|
| White Belt | – |
| Blue Belt | 2 years |
| Purple belt | 5 – 6 years |
| Brown Belt | 6 – 7 years |
| Black Belt | 7 – 10 years |
| Red/black belt | +35 years |
| Red/white belt | +42 years |
| Red belt | +52 years |
N.B: The above promotion timeline shows the average years to get a BJJ belt. However, it may differ from student to student based on various factors, such as their martial arts experience.
Related: A Jiu Jitsu Belt Display is a decorative item that serves as a visual representation of a practitioner’s progression and achievements. Click here to learn about the best jiu-jitsu belt display to show your progress!
Getting the BJJ White Belt
A white belt is awarded to those who place their feet on the BJJ mat. It is the first rank in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the most crucial since you will know about this magnificent martial art for the first time.
As a knowledgeable white belt, you must be conversant with a wide range of jiu-jitsu movements and techniques to improve your overall performance, among other things.
This advancement takes time and determines your readiness to advance to the following rank level: blue belt.
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Reaching the Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Moving from white to blue belts in jiu-jitsu usually takes two years of serious training. However, the amount of time may vary based on the criteria of each institution. Meanwhile, students must demonstrate to their coaches that they deserve the blue belt.
Aside from that, The blue belt is second in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It represents practitioners who have trained in BJJ for at least two years. Moreover, A blue belt is a rugged individual, especially psychologically, who did not give up at the white belt level.
At this level, a practitioner understands the major ground stances and can perform the fundamental techniques quickly.
In addition, because they are well-versed in a few techniques and submissions for each situation, they can roll productively without relying on sheer force or returning to instinct.
Thus, blue belts have an excellent jiu-jitsu game. Indeed, they are working on making it more complex by incorporating more advanced techniques. So, you will see blue belt students try new advanced positions such as Dela Riva and spider guards, etc.
It takes time to progress toward mastering advanced BJJ positions. Yet, it determines a blue belt practitioner’s readiness to advance to the next rank level, the purple belt.
Related: What Rank Is Blue Belt in Jiu Jitsu? (Solved & Explained)
Getting the Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
It can take up to six years of jiu-jitsu training to earn the purple belt rank. Despite this, you can advance the level of the purple belt in less or more than that period since the requirement may vary from school to school.
Aside from that, the purple belt is the third colored belt in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu system. It is the stage at which a student begins to dig deep to sharpen the efficiency of his BJJ positioning.
Otherwise, using his expertise as a model, the purple belt can instruct lower-ranked practitioners on progress in jiu-jitsu. Indeed, he must cultivate strong connections with their blue belt teammates.
Related: What Rank Is Purple Belt in Jiu Jitsu? (Solved & Explained)
Obtaining the BJJ Brown Belt
It can take around seven to eight years of BJJ training to earn a purple belt since your early mat days. However, a consistent practitioner can achieve the brown belt in less than six years.
Aside from that, the brown belt is the fourth colored belt in the BJJ ranking system, following the black belt in the hierarchy. Indeed, students with this rank are improving their techniques list for competition.
Related: What Rank Is Brown Belt in Jiu Jitsu? (Solved & Explained)
Reaching the Coveted Black Belt in BJJ
Achieving a black belt rank can take up to ten years of BJJ training. Otherwise, several practitioners think the black belt level is the official start of their jiu-jitsu journey.
The black belt is the fifth colored belt in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu, following the brown belt and preceding the coral and red belts. It is the most sought-after rank in BJJ and other martial arts disciplines due to its significance.
Otherwise, as a black belt, you may earn up to ten degrees after years of practice.
Related: how many degrees of black belt are there in jiu-jitsu?; Click here.
Getting a Red/Black Coral Belt
The red and black coral belt is a 7th-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This belt rank can take up to +35 years of BJJ coaching and practice.
The IBJJF, on the other hand, requires red and black belts to be at their present level for at least seven years before moving up to the next rank.
Obtaining a Red/White Coral Belt
The red and white coral belt is an 8th-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This belt rank can take up to +42 years of BJJ coaching and practice.
Furthermore, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation requires red and white belts to have spent at least ten years at this level before being eligible for advancement to the following rank (red belt).
Achieving the Red Belt in BJJ
Getting a red belt can take up to +52 years of BJJ practice. It is the highest belt rank in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and denotes a Grand Master with the 9th or 10th-degree black belt in martial arts.
Related: Does Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Have Belts? (A Closer Look)
Why Does Earning a Belt in Jiu-Jitsu Take So Long?
If you have ever been interested in martial arts, particularly Jiu-Jitsu, you may have wondered why it takes so long to earn a belt.
In contrast to other martial arts, where the journey to a black belt seems relatively straightforward, getting a Jiu-Jitsu belt is more complex and time-consuming.
Let’s take a closer look at the factors contributing to the extended duration needed to progress through the ranks in this discipline.
The Complexity of Technique Mastery
Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art widely known for its intricate and complex techniques. Unlike other forms of martial arts that primarily focus on striking or blocking, Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes grappling and ground fighting, making it a skill that is highly nuanced and multifaceted.
Progressing through the different belt levels requires proficiency in various techniques, including chokes, joint locks, sweeps, and escapes. This focus on mastering a comprehensive range of styles necessitates a more extended learning period.
Emphasis on Practical Application
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practical application is highly valued for belt progression, unlike other martial arts where theoretical knowledge suffices.
To advance, students must not only comprehend the techniques theoretically but also demonstrate their proficiency through practical application during sparring sessions or competitions.
This emphasis on practical application increases the time students need to truly internalize and master each technique before moving on to the next level.
Focus on Skill Refinement
Jiu-Jitsu is not just about learning new techniques. It involves honing and refining your existing skills. The art requires a profound understanding of the human body, leverage, and weight distribution.
This means that practitioners must continuously refine their techniques to achieve maximum efficiency.
Focusing on skill refinement at each belt level ensures practitioners develop a deep-rooted understanding of the art rather than merely acquiring superficial knowledge.
Development of Mental and Emotional Resilience
Jiu-Jitsu is not only about the physical aspects but also places a significant emphasis on mental and emotional resilience.
The journey to earning a belt requires facing and overcoming various challenges, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt. Practitioners must leave their comfort zones and develop mental fortitude, discipline, and perseverance.
This holistic approach ensures that individuals not only acquire technical expertise but also develop a resilient mindset that extends beyond the confines of the dojo.
Importance of Consistent Training and Dedication
Getting ranks in Brazilian jiu-jitsu requires consistent training and dedication. Mastery isn’t achieved through sporadic practice but through a commitment to regular and disciplined training.
The art demands dedication not just in terms of physical exercise but also in terms of understanding the philosophy and principles underlying each technique.
Consistent training allows practitioners to internalize these principles, fostering a deeper connection with the art and facilitating their progression through the belt ranks.
Rigorous Testing and Evaluation
Evaluating a student’s qualification for belt promotion in Jiu-Jitsu is a thorough one. Instructors carefully assess the technical proficiency, practical application, and overall understanding of the art of each student before considering them for a belt promotion.
This ensures that every practitioner meets the high standards set by the Jiu-Jitsu community and emphasizes the quality and expertise associated with each belt rank.
Final Thoughts
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a compelling grappling style concentrating on ground fighting. Otherwise, this fantastic martial art awards numerous colored belts to its practitioners to represent their degrees and gained expertise. So, how long does it take to get belts in BJJ?
A consistent practitioner will advance in BJJ rank within two years of training. Otherwise, he will add new belt stripes after three to six months of consistent time commitment to Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
I hope you found this post helpful in learning how long it takes to obtain a Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt. Consequently, you’ll create a strategy to develop your jiu-jitsu while establishing achievable targets.
Related: Discover the most economical and low-cost Jiu-Jitsu gis for budget-conscious practitioners. Whether you’re just starting out or have been training for a while, this article will help you pick a comfortable, durable, and superb cheap gi.
