Even relatively experienced BJJ competitors can get lost in the sea of weight classes under various organizations and rule sets. The IBJJF especially has different weight divisions based on gender, age, belt rank, and then even more for gi and no-go competition.
So if you plan on competing, you can quickly get confused about what weight class you should register and prepare for. This comprehensive guide to BJJ weight classes should clear up any confusion.
IBJJF Weight Classes For Gi & No-Gi Competitions
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation is the largest BJJ organization, and most BJJ competitors will compete on its mats at some point in their careers. The IBJJF also has the most divisions based on several factors.
Adults (over 18 years of age) and masters have the same weight divisions, while kids under 18 fall into many different categories. Here are all the weight classes, each with its upper weight limit.
Adults and Masters Age Divisions
Male Gi
- Rooster – 126.5 lbs (57.5 kg)
- Light Feather – 141 lbs (64 kg)
- Feather – 154 lbs (70 kg)
- Light – 167.5 lbs (76 kg)
- Middle – 181 lbs (82.3 kg)
- Medium Heavy – 194.5 lbs (88.3 kg )
- Heavy – 207.5 lbs (94.3 kg )
- Super-Heavy – 221.0 lbs (100.5 kg)
- Ultra Heavy – No Maximum Weight
Male No-Gi
No-gi divisions bear the same names as the gi divisions but are around 4 lbs. lighter than the gi equivalents to amount to the weight of the uniform. Going up the weight classes, the difference reaches 6 lbs.
- Rooster – 122.4 lbs (55.5 kg)
- Light Feather – 135.6 lbs (61.5 kg)
- Feather – 148.8 lbs (67.5 kg)
- Light – 162 lbs (73.5 kg)
- Middle – 175.3 lbs (79.5 kg)
- Medium Heavy – 188.5 lbs (85.5 kg )
- Heavy – 201.7 lbs (91.5 kg )
- Super-Heavy – 215.0 lbs (97.5 kg)
- Ultra Heavy – No Maximum Weight
Female Gi Weight Classes
- Rooster –107 lbs (48.5 kg)
- Light feather –118 lbs (53.5 kg)
- Feather –129 lbs (58.5 kg)
- Light –141.6 lbs (64 kg.)
- Middle –152.6 lbs g (69 kg)
- Medium-heavy –163.6 lbs (74 kg)
- Heavy – above 175 lbs (79.3 kg)
- Super Heavy –above 175 lbs
- Open class – open to all weight classes
Female No-Gi Weight Classes
- Rooster –103 lbs (46.7 kg)
- Light feather –114 lbs (51.7 kg)
- Feather –125 lbs (56.7 kg)
- Light –136 lbs (61.6 kg.)
- Middle –152.6 lbs g (66.7 kg)
- Medium-heavy –158 lbs (71.6 kg)
- Heavy – above 169 lbs (76.6 kg)
- Super Heavy –above 175 lbs.
- Open class – open to all weight classes
While the weight limits and division names are the same for adults and masters, they compete in different divisions based on age. Adults are older than 18 and younger than 30 when the Master’s divisions begin.
The rules for adults and masters are generally the same. The only difference is that match times for adults range from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the competitors’ rank.
There is a formula that shows if you are eligible to compete in a certain age group. This is not determined by age but rather by subtracting your birth year from the current year.
This means a 29-year-old may compete in Masters 1 if the result of the subtraction is 30 (for example, if you were born on October 17, 1993, you can still compete in Masters 1 in February of 2023 because 2023-1993 = 30, even though you are still 29 at the time.)
It’s worth noting that the adult division is the most prestigious and competitive, with the longest matches above purple belt, so you can fight in adults even if you’re old enough to fight in the masters.
Here is a full breakdown of the age groups:
- 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
Youth Age Divisions
The 14 youth age divisions work with the same subtraction formula as the adult divisions. These are in place to ensure children face only their peers because 2 years age difference can be enormous in development at this age.
- 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
Kids up to the Juvenile divisions are separated just by age. But once you reach the final two youth divisions, weight classes are also implemented.
Belt Rank
Aside from weight and age, all competitors are divided based on their belt color. Weight classes are generally implemented across combat sports to guarantee a fair fight for all competitors, and division by colored belts in BJJ competitions serves the same purposes.
After all, white or blue belts won’t ever have the chance to win a medal if they roll against brown and black belts. So, each division is separated not only by weight and age but also by belt rank.
Here are a few examples of divisions contested in IBJJF tournaments to better illustrate all of the information.
- Adult/Male/Black belt/Middleweight
- Adult/Female/Purple belt/Open Class
- Juvenile 2/Male/Blue belt/Rooster weight
- Master 3/Male/Brown belt/Lightweight
ADCC Weight Classes
The ADCC is a prestigious grappling tournament series not strictly reserved for BJJ but for grapplers from different backgrounds and offers solid purses to the participants. The more straightforward rules compared to the IBJJF also feature much fewer weight classes for the ADCC World Championship and its qualifiers.
ADCC Male Division Weight Classes
- under 145.2 lbs (-65.9 kg)
- under 169.5 lbs (-76.9 kg)
- under 193.7 lbs (-87.9 lbs)
- under 218 lbs (-98.9 kg.)
- over 220.5 lbs (+ 99 kg.)
- Absolute (No weight limits)
ADCC Female Division Weight Classes
- under 132.2 lbs (- 60 kg)
- over 132 lbs (+ 60 kg.)
Weighing In For BJJ Tournaments
Weigh-ins in BJJ are almost always done the same day as the competition, which makes weight-cutting by dehydration useless because even if you manage to go to the lower division, you will be drained and not in a condition to grapple.
Some organizations give more time between weigh-ins and the match, with even a full day difference, but this is usually reserved only for professional events and shows.
The IBJJF has the weigh-in shortly before the first match, leaving no time for water-based weight cuts to recover. Missing weight on the scale means you are immediately disqualified. There is just one chance to make weight.
Gi
In gi competition, you are required to weigh in with the gi and belt, hence the difference in weight classes for gi and no gi. Basically, you must step on the scale with everything you will wear during the matches.
A standard GI is around 4.2 lbs. However, this can vary depending on brand and model. Some lightweight models may help those too close to the weight limit, and there are heavier gis that are usually not the best choice for competition.
No-Gi
Weigh-ins in no-gi competitions also require you to wear your full uniform, but this time only a BJJ rash guard and shorts, which weigh much less than a gi.
Summary
BJJ weight classes divide competitors based on several factors to ensure fair and competitive fights. The IBJJF has the most weight classes, dividing competitors by weight, age, and belt rank. If you plan on competing, you should always do good research and be sure of which division you fall into.