Guide to BJJ Weight Classes
Author: XMartial Editorial | Published Date:
BJJ weight classes are used in competitions to make the matches more fair. It also makes the matches more exciting for both the competitors and the audience. However, because there are a lot of different organizations holding BJJ and grappling tournaments, there can be some confusion on their weight classes. In this article, we will feature a BJJ weight classes guide including IBJJF weight classes and ADCC weight classes.
Keep in mind that this information should only be used as a guide. It’s important to always double check the weight divisions directly from the organizations. Do this before you sign up for any competition.
Check out the different BJJ weight classes for each tournament.
IBJJF Weight Classes
To this day, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation is one of the most well-known organizations in the world of BJJ. They host some of the largest tournaments. We have listed the regular weight brackets for adults and juveniles below. These are for both gi and no gi competitions.
Gi Competition - Male
|
Weight Class |
Adult (18+) |
Juvenile |
|
Rooster |
127lbs or 57.5kg |
118lbs or 53.5kg |
|
Light Feather |
141.5lbs or 64kg |
129lbs or 58.5kg |
|
Feather |
154.5lbs or 70kg |
141.5lbs or 64kg |
|
Light |
168lbs or 76kg |
152.5lbs or 69kg |
|
Middle |
181.5lbs or 82.3kg |
163.5lbs or 74kg |
|
Middle Heavy |
195lbs or 88.3kg |
175lbs or 79.3kg |
|
Heavy |
208lbs or 94.3kg |
186lbs or 84.3kg |
|
Super Heavy |
222lbs or 100.5kg |
197lbs or 89.3kg |
|
Ultra Heavy |
No maximum |
No maximum |
No Gi Competition - Male
|
Weight Class
|
Adult (18+)
|
Juvenile
|
|
Rooster
|
122.5lbs or 55.5kg
|
114lbs or 51.5kg
|
|
Light Feather
|
136lbs or 61.5kg
|
125lbs 56.5kg
|
|
Feather
|
149lbs or 67.5kg
|
136lbs or 61.5kg
|
|
Light
|
162.5lbs or 73.5kg
|
147lbs or 66.5kg
|
|
Middle
|
175.5lbs or 79.5kg
|
158lbs or 71.5kg
|
|
Middle Heavy
|
188.5lbs or 85.5kg
|
169lbs or 76.5kg
|
|
Heavy
|
202lbs or 91.5kg
|
180lbs or 81.5kg
|
|
Super Heavy
|
215lbs or 97.5kg
|
191lbs or 86.5kg
|
|
Ultra Heavy
|
No Maximum
|
No Maximum
|
Gi Competition - Female
|
Weight Class |
Adult (18+) |
Juvenile |
|
Rooster |
107lbs or 48.5kg |
98bs or 44.3kg |
|
Light Feather |
118lbs or 53.5kg |
106.5lbs or 48.3kg |
|
Feather |
129lbs or 58.5kg |
116lbs or 52.5kg |
|
Light |
141.5lbs or 64kg |
125lbs or 56.5kg |
|
Middle |
152.5lbs or 69kg |
133.5lbs or 60.5kg |
|
Middle Heavy |
163.5 or 74kg |
143.5lbs or 65kg |
|
Heavy |
175lbs or 79.3kg |
152lbs or 69kg |
|
Super Heavy |
No Maximum |
No Maximum |
No Gi - Female
|
Weight Class |
Adult (18+) |
Juvenile |
|
Rooster |
103lbs or 46.5kg |
94lbs or 42.5kg |
|
Light Feather |
114lbs or 51.5kg |
103lbs or 46.5kg |
|
Feather |
125lbs or 56.5kg |
111.5lbs or 50.5kg |
|
Light |
136lbs or 61.5kg |
120.5lbs or 54.5kg |
|
Middle |
147lbs or 66.5kg |
129lbs or 58.5kg |
|
Middle Heavy |
158lbs or 71.5kg |
138lbs or 62.5kg |
|
Heavy |
169lbs or 76.6kg |
147lbs or 66.5kg |
|
Super Heavy |
No Maximum |
No Maximum |
Generally, the IBJJF weight classes are the same no matter the location or competition. To find out more about IBJJF weight classes, rules and guides, check it out here.
Abu Dhabi Combat Club Weight Classes (ADCC Weight Classes)
Moving on to the Abu Dhabi Combat Club, they host a number of annual no gi submission grappling tournaments. These tournaments all started in 1998 by Sheik Tahnoon. Year after year, the ADCC hosts qualifiers and open tournaments all over the world. All these tournaments culminate in a prestigious world championship event.
ADCC BJJ Weight Classes for World Championships
|
Male |
Female |
|
-65.9kg (145.2lbs) |
-60kg (132.2lbs) |
|
-76.9kg (169.5lbs) |
+60kg (132.2lbs) |
|
-87.9kg (193.7lbs) |
|
|
-98.9kg (218lbs) |
|
|
+99kg (220.5lbs) |
|
|
Absolute |
ADCC Teams Weight Classes
|
Male |
Female |
|
-83kg |
-60kg |
|
+83kg |
+60kg |
ADCC National (Open & Other ADCC Championship Weight Classes)
|
Male Weight Classes |
Boys 7 yrs - 10 yrs |
Boys 11 yrs - 14 yrs |
Boys 15 yrs - 18 yrs |
Adults +18yrs |
Masters +35yrs |
|
Beginners* |
-24.0 kg -28.0 kg -32.0 kg -36.0 kg -40.0 kg +40.0 kg |
-36.0 kg -40.0 kg -45.0 kg -50.0 kg -55.0 kg +55.0 kg |
-50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -75.0 kg -80.0 kg +80.0 kg |
-60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -76.0 kg -83.0 kg -91.0 kg -100.0 kg +100.0 kg |
-60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -76.0 kg -83.0 kg -91.0 kg -100.0 kg +100.0 kg |
|
Intermediate* |
NOT ALLOWED FOR BOYS 7 - 10 YEARS |
-36.0 kg -40.0 kg -45.0 kg -50.0 kg -55.0 kg +55.0 kg |
-50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -75.0 kg -80.0 kg +80.0 kg |
-60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -76.0 kg -83.0 kg -91.0 kg -100.0 kg +100.0 kg |
-60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -76.0 kg -83.0 kg -91.0 kg -100.0 kg +100.0 kg |
|
Professional* |
NOT ALLOWED FOR BOYS 7 - 10 YEARS |
NOT ALLOWED FOR BOYS 11 - 14 YEARS |
-50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -75.0 kg -80.0 kg +80.0 kg |
-60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -76.0 kg -83.0 kg -91.0 kg -100.0 kg +100.0 kg |
-60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg -76.0 kg -83.0 kg -91.0 kg -100.0 kg +100.0 kg |
|
Female Weight Classes |
Girls 7 yrs - 10 yrs |
Girls 11 yrs - 14 yrs |
Girls 15 yrs - 18 yrs |
Girls Advanced +18 yrs |
|
Beginner |
-24.0 kg -28.0 kg -32.0 kg -36.0 kg -40.0 kg +40.0 kg |
-36.0 kg -40.0 kg -45.0 kg -50.0 kg -55.0 kg +55.0 kg |
-40.0 kg -45.0 kg -50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg +60.0 kg |
-50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg +70.0 kg |
|
Intermediate |
NOT ALLOWED FOR GIRLS 7 TO 10 YEARS |
-36.0 kg -40.0 kg -45.0 kg -50.0 kg -55.0 kg +55.0 kg |
-40.0 kg -45.0 kg -50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg +60.0 kg |
-50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg +70.0 kg |
|
Professional |
NOT ALLOWED FOR GIRLS 7 TO 10 YEARS |
NOT ALLOWED FOR GIRLS 11 TO 14 YEARS |
-40.0 kg -45.0 kg -50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg +60.0 kg |
-50.0 kg -55.0 kg -60.0 kg -65.0 kg -70.0 kg +70.0 kg |
Guide
- Beginners - Less than 2 years experience and no medals in BJJ, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling (etc.)
- Intermediate - From 2 to 4 years experience.
- Professional - More than 5 years of experience.
For more information on ADCC weight classes, check out their website here.
Grappling Industries Weight Classes (BJJ Weight Classes)
Another one of the most well-known competitions all over the globe is the Grappling Industries. They are an international gi and no gi BJJ Competition. They host events all over the world.
So, how does the Grappling Industries differ from the IBJJF? Grappling Industries uses a round robin system where all competitors in a division compete against each other. Even if a competitor loses, they still have the chance to get more matches.
Gi & No Gi - Kids
|
Age Division |
Weight Division |
|
4 – 5 year olds |
-45 lbs (-20 kg) |
|
6 – 7 years olds |
-55 lbs (-25 kg) |
|
8 – 9 year olds |
-65 lbs (-29 kg) |
|
10 – 11 year olds |
-75 lbs (-34 kg) |
|
12 – 13 year olds |
-85 lbs (-39 kg) |
|
14 – 15 year olds (Boys & Girls split) |
-95 lbs (-43 kg) |
|
16 – 17 year olds (Boys & Girls split) |
-105 lbs (-48 kg) |
|
-115 lbs (-52 kg) |
|
|
-125 lbs (-57 kg) |
|
|
-135 lbs (-61 kg) |
|
|
-145 lbs (-66 kg) |
|
|
-155 lbs (-70 kg) |
|
|
-170 lbs (-77 kg) |
|
|
-185 lbs (-84 kg) |
|
|
-210 lbs (-95 kg) |
|
|
+210 lbs (+95 kg) |
- Gi - Novice (No subs) – White – Grey – Yellow/Green – Green/Blue
- No Gi - Novice (White, no subs) – Beginner (White) – Intermediate (Grey) – Advanced (Yellow/Orange) – Expert (Green/Blue) *
Gi & NoGi Women Division
|
Age Division |
Weight Division |
|
Adults 18 + |
-105 lbs (-48 kg) |
|
Master 30 + |
-120 lbs (-54 kg) |
|
-135 lbs (-61 kg) |
|
|
-150 lbs (-68 kg) |
|
|
-165 lbs (-75 kg) |
|
|
Over 165 lbs (over 75 kg) |
- GI - White – Blue – Purple – Brown – Black
- NOGI - Beginner – Intermediate – Advanced *
Gi & NoGi Men Division
|
Age Division |
Weight Division |
|
Adults 18 + |
-135 lbs (-61 kg) |
|
Master 30 + |
-145 lbs (-66 kg) |
|
Senior 40 + |
-155 lbs (-70 kg) |
|
-170 lbs (-77 kg) |
|
|
-185 lbs (-84 kg) |
|
|
-210 lbs (-95 kg) |
|
|
-230 lbs (-104 kg) |
|
|
Over 230 lbs (over 104 kg) |
- GI - White – Blue – Purple – Brown – Black
- NOGI - Beginner – Intermediate – Advanced *
Gi Absolutes
|
Male |
Female |
|
|
Weight |
Combined |
Combined |
|
Age |
Adult (18+), Masters (30+) |
Adult (18+), Masters (30+) |
|
Belt |
White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black |
White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black |
NoGi Absolutes
|
Male |
Female |
|
|
Weight |
Combined |
Combined |
|
Age |
Adult (18+), Masters (30+) |
Adult (18+), Masters (30+) |
|
Rank |
Combined |
Combined |
NoGi
- Beginner - Less than 1 year of BJJ or Grappling experience
- Intermediate - 1 to 3 years of BJJ or Grappling experience
- Advanced - More than 3 years of BJJ or Grappling experience
For more information about the Grappling Industries’ weight classes, check their website out here.
International Submission Only Federation Weight Classes (ISOF Weight Classes)
Another BJJ weight classes you need to know is for the ISOF. It’s a