Complete Guide to IBJJF Weight Classes (Gi and No-Gi!)

Last updated on 07.01.2022 by

Many regular people and even BJJ fighters are confused by IBJJF weight classes. There are differences between gi and no-gi competitions. While masters and adults use the same weight classes, the juvenile divisions use the same number of weight classes but different weight limits. To muddle the waters even more, there are a total of 22 age divisions!

But have no fear, we’ve laid out all of the weight classes and age divisions below!

Note: The IBJJF weight classes you’ll see below are approved by IBJJF Federation for 2022 and may be subject to change for 2023.

IBJJF Male Adults and Masters Weight Classes

There are nine weight classes plus an open weight class for men’s divisions. Gi and no-gi are separate – reflecting the IBJJF’s policy of weighing-in while wearing your competition attire.

Males Adults and Masters Gi Weight Classes

Nine weight classes plus an open weight class are available for male adults and masters. Here are the weight classes for competing in the gi:

  • Rooster – under 57.5 kg (under 127 lbs);
  • Light feather – above 57.5 kg and under 64 kg (127 – 141.6 lbs);
  • Feather – above 64kg and under 70 kg (141.6 – 154.6 lbs);
  • Light – above 70kg and under 76 kg (154.6 – 168 lbs);
  • Middle – above 76 kg and under 82.3 kg (168 – 181.6 lbs);
  • Medium heavy – above 82.3 kg and under 88.3 kg (181.6 – 195 lbs);
  • Heavy – above 88.3 kg and under 94.3 kg (195 – 208 lbs);
  • Super heavy – above 94.3 kg and under 100.5 kg (208 – 222 lbs);
  • Ultra heavy – above 100.5 kg, no upper limit (222 lbs and up);
  • Open class – open to all weight classes

*There are small weight discrepancies between IBJJF metric (kg) weight classes and IBJJF imperial (lbs) weight classes. While we have not heard of any problems arising from this, be sure to take into consideration whether or not you will be weighed in kilograms or pounds.

Males Adults and Masters No-gi Weight Classes

Just like in the gi, there are nine no-gi weight classes plus an open weight division. At the lighter end of the weight classes no-gi divisions are about 1.8 kg (4 lbs) lighter than their gi equivalent. This scales as the weight classes go up with the no-gi ultra heavy division starting 2.7 kg (6 lbs) lighter than the gi ultra heavy division.

IBJJ No Gi Weight List
IBJJF No-Gi Weight Classes Chart
  • Rooster – under 55.6 kg (under 122.6 lbs);
  • Light feather – above 55.6 kg and under 61.7 kg (122.6 – 136 lbs);
  • Feather – above 61.7kg and under 67.5 kg (136 – 149 lbs);
  • Light – above 67.5 kg and under 73.5 kg (149 – 162.6 lbs);
  • Middle – above 73.5 kg and under 79.6 kg (162.6 – 175.6 lbs);
  • Medium heavy – above 79.6 kg and under 85.5 kg (175.6 – 188.6 lbs);
  • Heavy – above 85.5 kg and under 91.6 kg (188.6 – 202 lbs);
  • Super heavy – above 91.6 kg and under 97.5 kg (202 – 215 lbs);
  • Ultra heavy – above 97.5 kg, no upper limit (215 lbs and up);
  • Open class – open to all weight classes

IBJJF Female Adults and Masters Weight Classes

In the past there used to be only six weight classes available for women, however the IBJJF recently expanded the women’s division. Currently there are eight IBJJF weight classes plus an open weight class available for women:

Female Gi Weight Classes

  • Rooster – under 48.5kg (under 107 lbs)
  • Light feather – above 48.5kg and under 53.5 kg (107 – 118 lbs);
  • Feather – above 53.5 and under 58.5 kg (118 – 129 lbs);
  • Light – above 58.5 kg and under 64 kg (129 – 141.6 lbs);
  • Middle – above 64kg and under 69 kg (141.6 – 152.6 lbs);
  • Medium heavy – above 69 and under 74 kg (152.6 – 163.6 lbs);
  • Heavy – above 74 kg and under 79.3 kg (163.6 – 175 lbs);
  • Super Heavy – above 79.3 kg
  • Open class – open to all weight classes

Female No-gi Weight Classes

  • Rooster – under 46.7kg (under 103 lbs);
  • Light feather – above 46.7kg and under 51.7 kg (103 – 114 lbs);
  • Feather – above 51.7 and under 56.7 kg (114 – 125 lbs);
  • Light – above 56.7 kg and under 61.6 kg (125 – 136 lbs);
  • Middle – above 61.6kg and under 66.7 kg (136 – 147 lbs);
  • Medium heavy – above 66.7 and under 71.6 kg (147 – 158 lbs);
  • Heavy – above 71.6 kg and under 76.6 kg (158 – 169 lbs);
  • Super Heavy – above 76.6kg;
  • Open class – open to all weight classes

IBJJF Age Divisions

There are 22 age divisions, ranging from 4 years old to 61 years and older. For everyone 18 years and older the primary difference between age divisions is who you will compete against; the rules are generally the same. The exception to this is in time limits for matches, which will be spelled out below. For younger children many submissions are prohibited, with more leniency being granted as they grow older.

The way that age divisions are calculated can be confusing at first glance. Rather than rely on your age, the IBJJF takes the current year and subtracts your birth year from it.

An example is the easiest way to demonstrate this. In order to compete in Masters I, the current year must be greater than or equal to 30 years after a competitors birth year.

This means if you were born on January 1st, 1992 and wanted to compete on July 1st, 2022 you would be eligible to do so as a Masters I competitors (2021-1991=30). However, your teammate who was born on December 31st, 1992 may also compete in Masters I on July 1st, 2022 (2022-1992=30!).

While we commonly say masters is age 30 and up, a 29 year old competitor may participate in masters if their 30th birthday falls within the same year as the competition.

Note: Even if you are eligible to compete in the masters division, you may still choose to compete in the adults division. This is not uncommon as the adults division is regarded as more prestigious and offers longer match times for advanced belts.

Adults and Masters Age Divisions and Match Length

Complete Guide to IBJJF Weight Classes (Gi and No-Gi!) 1 Complete Guide to IBJJF Weight Classes (Gi and No-Gi!) IBJJF Weight Classes
IBJJF Rule Book version 5.2, page 41
  • Adults – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 18
  • Masters 1 – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 30
  • Masters 2 – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 36
  • Masters 3 – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 41
  • Masters 4 – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 46
  • Masters 5 – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 51
  • Masters 6 – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 56
  • Masters 7 – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 61

For the most part, matches are 5 minutes long, although as the chart above illustrates, this does not hold true for advanced belts in adults and masters 1 divisions.

  • Adult blue belts and Masters 1 purple, brown, and black belts have 6 minute matches
  • Adult purple belts have 7 minute matches
  • Adult brown belts have 8 minute matches
  • Adult black belts have 10 minute matches

Youth Age Divisions and Match Length

There are 14 age divisions, ensuring that young competitors are not facing older peers. This is important because physical development can occur rapidly in children, a 12 year old may be at a radical disadvantage versus a 14 year old.

The age divisions and match lengths are as follows:

Complete Guide to IBJJF Weight Classes (Gi and No-Gi!) 2 Complete Guide to IBJJF Weight Classes (Gi and No-Gi!) IBJJF Weight Classes
  • Might Mite I – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 4
  • Mighty Mite II – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 5
  • Mighty Mite III – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 6
  • Pee Wee I – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 7
  • Pee Wee II – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 8
  • Pee Wee III – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 9
  • Junior I – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 10
  • Junior II – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 11
  • Junior III – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 12
  • Teen I – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 13
  • Teen II – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 14
  • Teen III – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 15
  • Juvenile I – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 16
  • Juvenile II – (Current Year) – (Birth Year) = 17

Juvenile I and Juvenile II are further subdivided to include weight classes. These weight classes may be viewed in the charts provided above.

Weighing In Before A Tournament

IBJJF weigh-ins typically happen shortly before your first match. While some competitions give enough time before weigh-in and competition for participants to rehydrate, IBJJF’s time limits mean that it is unlikely you will be able to recover from a weight cut based on water weight.

If you miss weight at weigh-in, you cannot participate in the tournament. There is only one opportunity with no second chances given, so do not fail! Division changes are prohibited, so if you miss weight you will not be competing that day! There are no refunds given if you miss weight.

Weighing in for Gi Tournaments

The gi competition requires you to weigh in wearing your gi, and your total weight counts. You are not
allowed to take the gi off. Be sure to consider the weight of what you will be competing in. If you are right on the edge of your weight class it may not be the best time to wear your double-weave judo gi.

Weighing in for No-Gi Tournaments

If you take part in a no-gi tournament, you will be required to weigh-in wearing what you are going to compete in. You will not be weighing-in in your gi and the no-gi weight classes are skewed lower to reflect that.

If you have a super-light weight gi and typically fight right on the limit of your weight class you may need to compete in a different weight class in no-gi.

IBJJF and Covid-19 Restrictions

The IBJJF follows local guidelines and as such Covid-19 requirements vary from venue to venue. In some cases athletes may only be allowed to enter the competition venue on the day they are scheduled to compete, and may only bring one coach or companion with them. As of January 2022 there are no vaccine or testing requirements to compete in any scheduled IBJJF tournament. Some tournaments have zero Covid-19 restrictions and will proceed as normal with spectators allowed. Be sure to check your tournament’s restrictions as the date approaches as they may change.

The IBJJF is offering automatic full refunds for all registration fees in the event that a tournament is forced to cancel.

Summary

If you’re planning on competing its vital that you know your target weight class!

The weight classes are the same for both adults and master classes. While the juvenile divisions share the same names as the adults classes, they use their own limits.

The IBJJF’s strict weight class policies mean that you may want to err on the heavier side rather than risk missing weight and not being able to compete!