Most BJJ academies tie the belt the same way: two wraps around the waist, one end tucked under both layers, then a square knot. The five diagrams below show each step. The knot that matters is the last one. Tie it the wrong way round and you get a granny knot, which is the usual reason a belt comes undone mid-roll.
Step 1
Find the middle
Close your jacket first. Fold the belt in half to find the middle, then hold the middle flat against your belly, just below the navel, with one end going out to each side.
Step 2
Wrap it around twice
Take both ends around your back, cross them behind you and bring them back to the front. You now have two layers across your belly. Keep both layers flat and untwisted.
Step 3
Cross and tuck under both layers
Cross the right end over the left end. Push it up under both layers and pull it out at the top. Pull the two ends away from each other until the wraps are snug.
Step 4
Tie the square knot
Cross the top end over the hanging end, then take it behind and up through the loop between them. This second cross must go the other way from the first: right over left, then left over right.
Step 5
Tighten and check
Pull both ends out to the sides at the same time. The knot should sit flat and square, with one end on each side and both ends about the same length.
Square knot or granny knot: the check that matters
Both knots are two crosses. Only the order of the crosses differs.
- A square knot (also called a reef knot) is right over left, then left over right. It is the knot commonly used to tie a martial arts belt.
- A granny knot is two crosses the same way: right over left, then right over left again. It looks similar but holds badly.
- How to tell on your own belt: a square knot sits flat, with one end coming out on each side. If the knot twists and the ends point up and down, you crossed the same way twice. Untie only the last step and cross the other way.
- If your first cross was left over right, the second must be right over left. Which way you start does not matter. Changing direction does.
How to keep your belt from coming undone
A belt that is tied correctly can still loosen. These fixes cover most cases.
- Close the jacket before you tie. A belt tied over an open jacket loosens as the jacket shifts.
- Keep both wraps flat and tight before the tuck. A twisted or loose wrap lets the knot slide around the waist.
- Start with the middle of the belt exactly in front. If one end comes out much shorter, the last step has too little belt to grip.
- Tighten by pulling both ends out to the sides at the same time, not by yanking one end.
- Check the knot between rounds and retie it if it has slipped.
Belt size and end length
For training, even ends are enough. For IBJJF competition the belt is checked with the gi.
| Check | IBJJF rule |
|---|---|
| Belt width | 4 to 5 cm |
| Belt ends | 20 to 30 cm each, after a double knot |
| Color | Your rank color, with a black bar. Black belts use a white or red bar. |
Common mistakes
- Tying a granny knot. See the check above.
- Wrapping only once. The standard tie uses two wraps, and the tuck goes under both.
- Tucking under only the outer layer. Push the end up under both layers.
- Tying it too tight. Snug is enough; you still need to breathe and bend at the hips.
- Tying it high on the stomach. The belt sits on the hips, just below the navel.
- Twisted wraps. Each layer should lie flat against the jacket.
What the belt color means
The belt you tie shows your rank. Stripes go on the black bar near one end.
- Adults go white, blue, purple, brown and black. The BJJ belt order lists the IBJJF minimum age and time for each.
- Kids under 16 have their own grey, yellow, orange and green belts, and senior black belts move to coral and red belts. See coral, red and kids belts.
- How you get the next belt is up to your instructor. How belt promotions work explains what coaches usually look for.
Key Takeaways
- Middle of the belt on your belly, wrap twice, tuck one end up under both layers, then tie a square knot.
- Square knot: right over left, then left over right. Two crosses the same way make a granny knot that slips.
- A correct knot sits flat with one end on each side.
- IBJJF competition: belt 4 to 5 cm wide, each end 20 to 30 cm after the knot.
Further Study
IBJJF gi and uniform rules
Gi colors, sleeve and pant checks, patches and the belt rules in full.
What to wear to your first BJJ class
If you do not have a gi or belt yet.
Reef knot (Wikipedia)
How the square knot is tied, how it differs from the granny knot, and its use for martial arts belts.
IBJJF Books and Videos
The official Rule Book, including the uniform and belt rules.
