The Jiu-Jitsu Belt System Explained: Kids and Adult Belts

If you’re new to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the belt system can be confusing. There are fewer belt colors than in many other martial arts, kids and adults follow different paths, and there are stripes in between. Promotions also tend to take longer than people expect.

This guide walks through how the jiu-jitsu belt system generally works for kids and adults, what stripes mean, and how promotions are decided at Checkmat Murrieta.

Key takeaways

• Adults progress through five main belts: white, blue, purple, brown and black.
• Kids have their own belt path: white, grey, yellow, orange and green, with sub-levels within each color.
• Stripes on a belt mark progress between belt promotions.
• Timelines vary widely from person to person. Consistency matters more than speed.
• At Checkmat Murrieta, promotions are based on mat time, technique, consistency, attitude and coach evaluation, and they’re never rushed.

Why jiu-jitsu belts take time

In jiu-jitsu, a belt is supposed to reflect what you can actually do against a resisting partner, not just what you’ve memorized. Because students test their skills in live training nearly every class, coaches get a very clear picture of where each person is.

That’s one reason jiu-jitsu belts are respected, and one reason they aren’t handed out on a fixed calendar. Everyone learns at a different pace, trains on a different schedule and brings different strengths to the mat.

The adult belt system

Most academies, including those that follow the widely used IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) guidelines, use five main belts for adults. Adult belts generally begin at age 16.

White belt

Everyone starts here. White belt is about learning the basics: how to move, how to escape bad positions, how to stay safe and how to train well with partners. It can feel humbling at first, and that’s normal.

Blue belt

Blue belt usually means a student has a solid grasp of the fundamentals and can apply them in live training. It’s often the first big milestone. A commonly cited range for reaching blue belt is somewhere around one to three years of consistent training, though it varies widely.

Purple belt

Purple belt students have a broader, deeper game and are starting to develop their own style. Many are also able to help newer students. Purple is where jiu-jitsu tends to shift from learning techniques to understanding how they connect.

Brown belt

Brown belt is the stage of refining. Students polish their game, close gaps and prepare for black belt. Technique at this level is usually precise and efficient.

Black belt

Black belt represents a deep, well-rounded understanding of jiu-jitsu. It’s often described as the beginning of a new stage of learning rather than the end. People commonly say it takes around a decade of dedicated training to reach black belt, but that figure is a loose rule of thumb, and every journey looks different.

Black belts can continue to earn degrees over many years. For example, Professor Ricardo Feliciano, our head instructor, is a 4th-degree black belt in the Checkmat lineage, and Coach Phillip is a 2nd-degree black belt under Professor Ricardo Feliciano.

The kids belt system

Children follow their own belt path, designed to reward progress at a pace that fits growing kids. Under IBJJF-style guidelines, the kids belt colors are:

1. White
2. Grey
3. Yellow
4. Orange
5. Green

Within grey, yellow, orange and green, there are commonly three sub-levels. For example, a grey belt is often divided into grey-and-white, solid grey, and grey-and-black. The same pattern usually applies to yellow, orange and green. Academies may also add stripes on each belt to mark smaller steps.

This structure gives kids regular, meaningful goals to work toward, which helps keep them motivated over the years.

What happens when kids turn 16?

Under IBJJF-style guidelines, when young students reach age 16 they move into the adult belt system. Depending on their experience and skill, a teenager may transition to an adult belt such as white, blue or, in some cases, purple. The coaching team makes that call based on the individual student.

What do stripes mean?

Stripes are small strips of tape or fabric added to the black bar on a belt. Many academies award up to four stripes on a belt before the next promotion.

Stripes are a way to recognize progress along the way. Since belt promotions can take a long time, especially for adults, stripes help students see that they’re moving forward. They’re not a checklist that automatically leads to the next belt, but they are a good sign that you’re on track.

How promotions work at Checkmat Murrieta

At Checkmat Murrieta, promotions are based on:

• Mat time. How much you’ve trained, and for how long.
• Technique. Your understanding and execution of the skills expected at your level.
• Consistency. Showing up regularly over time.
• Attitude. How you train, how you treat partners and how you carry yourself in the academy.
• Coach evaluation. The coaching team’s overall assessment of your readiness.

Promotions are never rushed. We want every belt to mean something and to reflect real skill. That’s true for kids and adults.

For parents, that means your child’s belt reflects genuine growth, not just attendance. For adults, it means your blue belt will feel earned when it comes.

You can find more answers about training and progression on our FAQ page.

Tips for enjoying the journey

A few things help students of every age progress well:

• Show up consistently. Regular training beats occasional bursts of effort.
• Focus on learning, not the belt. The belt follows the skill.
• Ask questions. Coaches are happy to help you understand what to work on.
• Be a good training partner. Helping others improve helps you improve too.
• Be patient. Plateaus are normal and usually come before breakthroughs.

Start your jiu-jitsu journey in Murrieta

Every black belt started as a white belt on their first day. Checkmat Murrieta offers classes for kids and adults, taught by Professor Ricardo Feliciano and the Checkmat Murrieta coaching team, in a family-friendly, no-ego, beginner-friendly environment.

Learn more about our kids jiu-jitsu program or our Teens & Adults classes. We’re on California Oaks Road near the I-15, so Temecula families are about 15 minutes away.

Book your free class

Your first class is free, a loaner gi is available, and there are no long-term contracts required. Contact us about current memberships and family discounts.

Check the class schedule and book your free class, or call (951) 704-3312.