Size difference can be a big factor in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other combat sports. As a means of maintaining fairness and entertainment, competitions use various weight classes. Furthermore, a BJJ weight class represents a certain weight limit for competitors. All competitors must weigh under the limit of a weight class; this is called “making weight.” Additionally, weigh-ins can be done on the day of the tournament or the day before, depending on the organization. Furthermore, some organizations may give you additional time if you miss weight, but some, like the IBJJF, can give you an immediate disqualification for not making weight.
In Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling, a couple of federations organize tournaments worldwide. Additionally, depending on the organization, the rules and weight classes may differ. This is why some people can easily get confused. In this article, we will go over the diverse weight classes of the most important federations, such as the ADCC and IBJJF. Additionally, we will also give tips for your weigh-in and some valuable information for your competition. Stay tuned, and enjoy the article!
IBJJF Weight Classes
The International Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is one of the main governing bodies of BJJ. It organizes the most prestigious tournaments, both gi and no-gi. Furthermore, the IBJJF arranges events such as the Pan American Championship, European Championship, Brazilian Nationals, and World Championship. Additionally, there are many weight classes spread across different age and belt divisions. For instance, competitors over the age of 18 are considered adults, while those over 30 are considered masters, and competitors that are 16 and 17 years old are considered juveniles. To further understand the IBJJF’s weight classes, let’s take a closer look at the different categories for male and female competitors.
Male Gi Categories
There are ten BJJ weight classes for adult, master, and juvenile competitors, including the absolute category, which is regarded as the most prestigious. All competitors must weigh with their gi.
| Weight class | Adult & Master | Juvenile |
| Rooster | 57.5 kg (127 lbs) | 53.5 kg (118 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 64 kg (141.5 lbs) | 58.5 kg (129 lbs) |
| Feather | 70 kg (154.5 lbs) | 64 kg (141.5 lbs) |
| Light | 76 kg (168 lbs) | 69 kg (152.5 lbs) |
| Middle | 82.3 kg (181.5 lbs) | 74 kg (163.5 lbs) |
| Middle-Heavy | 88.3 kg (195 lbs) | 79.3 kg (175 lbs) |
| Heavy | 94.3 kg (208 lbs) | 84.3 kg (186 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy | 100.5 kg (222 lbs) | 89.3 kg (197 lbs) |
| Ultra-Heavy | No limit | No limit |
| Open Class | No limit | No limit |
Male No-Gi Categories
The IBJJF no-gi categories are different than gi categories. There are ten different categories. Let’s look at them. Competitors must weigh wearing their no-gi gear.
| Weight class | Adult & Master | Juvenile |
| Rooster | 55.5 kg (122.5 lbs) | 51.5 kg (114 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 61.5 kg (136 lbs) | 56.5 kg (125 lbs) |
| Feather | 67.5 kg (149 lbs) | 61.5 kg (136 lbs) |
| Light | 73.5 kg (162.5 lbs) | 66.5 kg (147 lbs) |
| Middle | 79.5 kg (175.5 lbs) | 71.5 kg (158 lbs) |
| Middle-Heavy | 85.5 kg (188.5 lbs) | 76.5 kg (169 lbs) |
| Heavy | 91.5 kg (202 lbs) | 81.5 kg (180 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy | 97.5 kg (215 lbs) | 86.5 kg (191 lbs) |
| Ultra-Heavy | No limit | No limit |
| Open Class | No limit | No limit |
Female Gi Categories
There are a total of nine BJJ weight classes for females, including the open class. The difference between male and female weight competitions is that weight classes are lower, and the weight jumps are smaller.
| Weight class | Adult & Master | Juvenile |
| Rooster | 48.5 kg (107 lbs) | 44.3 kg (98 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 53.5 kg (118 lbs) | 48.3 kg (106.5 lbs) |
| Feather | 58.5 kg (129 lbs) | 52.5 kg (116 lbs) |
| Light | 64 kg (141.5 lbs) | 56.5 kg (125 lbs) |
| Middle | 69 kg (152.5 lbs) | 60.5 kg (133.5 lbs) |
| Middle-Heavy | 74 kg (163.5 lbs) | 65 kg (143.5 lbs) |
| Heavy | 79.3 kg (179 lbs) | 69 kg (152 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy | No limit | No limit |
| Open Class | No limit | No limit |
Female No-Gi Categories
There are nine no-gi categories for females, including the open class.
| Weight class | Adult & Master | Juvenile |
| Rooster | 46.5 kg (103 lbs) | 42.5 kg (94 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 51.5 kg (114 lbs) | 46.5 kg (103 lbs) |
| Feather | 56.5 kg (125 lbs) | 50.5 kg (111.5 lbs) |
| Light | 61.5 kg (136 lbs) | 54.5 kg (120.5 lbs) |
| Middle | 66.5 kg (147 lbs) | 58.5 kg (129 lbs) |
| Middle-Heavy | 71.5 kg (158 lbs) | 62.5 kg (138 lbs) |
| Heavy | 76.5 kg (169 lbs) | 66.5 kg (147 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy | No limit | No limit |
| Open Class | No limit | No limit |
Kids Categories
The IBJJF kids categories often cause the most confusion. There are a lot of different weight classes for each age. Kids are divided into 14 different age categories, including juveniles. This is here to ensure that the kids are not competing against older peers because they can develop rapidly in a short period. There can be a big difference when a 12-year-old faces a 14-year-old. Keep in mind that kids’ divisions can be combined if there are not enough competitors.
The age divisions for kids are as follows:
- 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
Here are the BJJ weight categories for kids (lbs):
| Weight division | 4 yrs | 5 yrs | 6 yrs | 7 yrs | 8 yrs | 9 yrs | 10 yrs | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | 13 yrs | 14 yrs | 15 yrs |
| Rooster | 25 | 33 | 35 | 39 | 46 | 53 | 60 | 67 | 71 | 80 | 89 | 98 |
| LightFeather | 32.5 | 39.5 | 42 | 46.5 | 53 | 60 | 67 | 73.5 | 80 | 89 | 98 | 106.5 |
| Feather | 40 | 44.5 | 48.5 | 53 | 60 | 67 | 73.5 | 80 | 89 | 98 | 106.5 | 116 |
| Light | 46.5 | 53 | 55.5 | 60 | 67 | 73.5 | 80 | 87 | 98 | 106.5 | 116 | 125 |
| Middle | 53 | 57.5 | 62 | 67 | 73.5 | 80 | 87 | 93.5 | 106.5 | 116 | 125 | 133.5 |
| MediumHeavy | 60 | 64 | 69 | 73.5 | 80 | 87 | 93.5 | 100 | 116 | 125 | 133.5 | 143.5 |
| Heavy | 66.5 | 71 | 75.5 | 80 | 87 | 93.5 | 100 | 106.5 | 125 | 133.5 | 143.5 | 152.5 |
| Super Heavy | 73 | 77.5 | 82.5 | 87 | 93.5 | 100 | 106.5 | 114 | 133.5 | 143.5 | 152.5 | 161 |
| Ultra Heavy | 73+ | 77.5+ | 82.5+ | 87+ | 93.5+ | 100+ | 106.5+ | 114+ | 133.5+ | 143.5+ | 152.5+ | 161+ |
ADCC Weight Classes
The Abu Dhabi Combat Club, simply called ADCC, is the biggest grappling event organizer in the world. Like IBJJF, ADCC also hosts a world championship. The ADCC World Championship is held once every two years. There are a few weight classes, and the only way to participate is to get an invitation or win the ADCC Trials. Trials are held four times per year and are spread across all continents. Additionally, the ADCC also hosts National competitions, which have different weight categories.
ADCC World Championship and Trials BJJ Weight Classes
ADCC World Championship is the most prestigious tournament any grappler can win. It is difficult to get an invite, and winning the trials is very challenging. The ADCC is well-known for its small number of weight classes. There are six male categories, including the absolute. Additionally, the ADCC has only two women categories available. The ADCC Trials have the same number of weight classes as the world championship.
| Male | Female |
| -65.9 kg (145.2 lbs) | -60 kg (132.2 lbs) |
| -76.9 kg (169.5 lbs) | +60 kg (132.2 lbs) |
| -87.9 kg (193.7 lbs) | |
| -98.9 kg (218 lbs) | |
| +99 kg (220.5 lbs) | |
| Open class |
ADCC National and Other ADCC Championships BJJ Weight Classes
In addition to the world championship and trials, the ADCC hosts various tournaments all over the world. These tournaments have different weight classes. Let’s take a look.
| Males (18+) | Juniors (15-18) | Females (18+) | Females (15-18) |
| -60 kg | -50 kg | -50 kg | -40 kg |
| -65 kg | -55 kg | -55 kg | -45 kg |
| -70 kg | -60 kg | -60 kg | -50 kg |
| -76 kg | -65 kg | -65 kg | -55 kg |
| -83 kg | -70 kg | -70 kg | -60 kg |
| -91 kg | -75 kg | +70 kg | +60 kg |
| -100 kg | -80 kg | ||
| +100 kg | +80 kg |
What Weight Should I Compete at BJJ?
This question is frequently asked by beginners when they decide to compete. As we have seen before, there are many weight classes in BJJ. The most important factor when choosing a weight class is your natural weight. This is the weight you walk around. The closer your natural weight is to your weight class, the better. It is also important to consider whether you can cut weight for competition.
Weight cutting is an important part of combat sports, and many athletes lose weight to get into a lower weight class. If you are inexperienced and this is your first competition, you should compete at your natural weight or lose 1 to 2 kg (4 lbs) at maximum. You don’t want to go to a competition and focus on losing weight. This can make you feel nervous, and your performance may suffer. Here is a video about BJJ weight cuts.
There are times when you can find yourself between two categories. For example, you can have 73kg and fall between 70kg and 76kg categories. In this case, you should go to the upper weight class. You don’t have to think about losing weight, and you can eat the day before the competition and drink fluids. If you want to read some valuable tips for your first BJJ competition, be sure to check our article!
Do BJJ Athletes Cut Weight?
The short answer is – Yes, they do. Weight cutting is a normal thing at the highest level of combat sports. Every competitor wants to have some kind of an advantage, and one of the biggest advantages you can have is size and strength. Some federations, such as the IBJJF, have tried to battle this problem by making weigh-ins same day as competition. Because of this, athletes can not lose too much weight and try to regain it.
However, there are still people cutting weight. A regular competitor can cut anywhere from 3 to 5 kg in a couple of days. High-level competitors can even go further and cut 5 to 7 kg. Remember that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is all about technique, and most of the time, the winner is the more technical competitor. Going to a lower BJJ weight class can give you a small advantage, but it is not essential for success.
What to Know Before a BJJ Weigh-In
If you have trained properly and are in good shape, the weigh-in before your competition will merely be a formality. However, there are still some things you should know and be aware of. Let’s look at them:
Be on time
Don’t be late for your weigh-in. You never know what can go wrong, and you don’t want to weigh and see that you are over the weight class limit. You should always weigh in as soon as possible; if something is wrong, you will have time to lose extra weight.
Don’t drink too much water
The night before the weigh-in, you should avoid drinking too much water. You want to weigh without the extra weight. This means you should not go fully hydrated as this can increase your weight.
Check the weight of your gi
You should always know what the weight of your gi is. If you are going to a gi competition, there is a chance that you must weigh in with your gi on. An average BJJ competition gi can weigh from 1.4 kg to 2 kg. Add this to your weight, and be sure you are under the limit.
Be prepared in case you don’t make weight
I can not even count how many times I have seen this. People come to the weigh-in thinking that they are on weight, and suddenly they are over the limit. This can be because of the difference in scales or something else. Whatever the case, if this happens to you, make sure you have a jump rope that can help you lose the extra weight. You can consider buying a sweat suit just in case this happens to you or some of your teammates.
Skip dinner
If your weigh-in is in the morning, avoid eating dinner the night before. It can help you lose a couple of pounds and make the weight more easily.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have covered what a BJJ weight class is and what different categories we have in competitions. Also, we gave some tips for your weigh-in and how to make weight easily. Thank you for reading the article, and good luck with your weigh-in!
My name is Milos; I am a brown belt and the owner of Fort Jiu-Jitsu! Be sure to check us out!