When it comes to Jiu Jitsu competitions, you're generally going to be competing against athletes that are a similar weight. The only exception is the "absolute" or "open" division that pits athletes of any weight against each other.
IBJJF, NAGA, ADCC, and other tournament organizations all have their own unique weight classes (they couldn't just use the same ones, that would be way too easy for everyone 🤣) and rules.
For example in an IBJJF tournament you'll need to weigh in with your gear just before your match. But for a NAGA event, you can wear in the day before in your underwear. This makes a huge difference!
IBJJF Weight Classes
The IBJJF has different weight classes for Gi and No-Gi competition. You MUST weigh in with your gi on as you enter the bullpen (approximately 30 minutes before your match).
Here are the IBJJF Gi weight classes:
| Weight divisions[a] | Adults/Masters Gi – male | Juvenile Gi – male | Adults/Masters Gi – female | Juvenile Gi – female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 57.5kg (126.8lb) | 53.50kg (117.9lb) | 48.5kg (106.9lb) | 44.30kg (97.7lb) |
| Light or Super Feather | 64kg (141.1lb) | 58.50kg (129.0lb) | 53.5kg (117.9lb) | 48.30kg (106.5lb) |
| Feather | 70kg (154.3lb) | 64kg (141.1lb) | 58.5kg (129.0lb) | 52.50kg (115.7lb) |
| Light | 76kg (167.6lb) | 69kg (152.1lb) | 64kg (141.1lb) | 56.50kg (124.6lb) |
| Middle | 82.3kg (181.4lb) | 74kg (163.1lb) | 69kg (152.1lb) | 60.50kg (133.4lb) |
| Medium Heavy | 88.3kg (194.7lb) | 79.30kg (174.8lb) | 74kg (163.1lb) | 65kg (143.3lb) |
| Heavy | 94.3kg (207.9lb) | 84.30kg (185.8lb) | 79.3kg (174.8lb) | 69kg (152.1lb) |
| Super Heavy | 100.5kg (221.6lb) | 89.30kg (196.9lb) | No weight limit | No weight limit |
| Ultra Heavy | No weight limit | No weight limit | n/a | n/a |
| Open Class | open to all weight divisions | depends on tournament rules | open to all weight divisions | depends on tournament rules |
and here are the IBJJF No-Gi weight classes:
| Weight divisions | Adults/Masters No Gi – male | Juvenile No Gi – male | Adults/Masters No Gi – female | Juvenile No Gi – female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 55.5kg (122.4lb) | 51.50kg (113.5lb) | 46.5kg (102.5lb) | 42.50kg (93.7lb) |
| Light or Super Feather | 61.5kg (135.6lb) | 56.50kg (124.6lb) | 51.5kg (113.5lb) | 46.50kg (102.5lb) |
| Feather | 67.5kg (148.8lb) | 61.50kg (135.6lb) | 56.5kg (124.6lb) | 50.50kg (111.3lb) |
| Light | 73.5kg (162.0lb) | 66.50kg (146.6lb) | 61.5kg (135.6lb) | 54.50kg (120.2lb) |
| Middle | 79.5kg (175.3lb) | 71.50kg (157.6lb) | 66.5kg (146.6lb) | 58.50kg (129.0lb) |
| Medium Heavy | 85.5kg (188.5lb) | 76.50kg (168.7lb) | 71.5kg (157.6lb) | 62.50kg (137.8lb) |
| Heavy | 91.5kg (201.7lb) | 81.50kg (179.7lb) | 76.5kg (168.7lb) | 66.50kg (146.6lb) |
| Super Heavy | 97.5kg (215.0lb) | 86.50kg (190.7lb) | No weight limit | No weight limit |
| Ultra Heavy | No weight limit | No weight limit | n/a | n/a |
| Open Class | open to all weight divisions | depends on tournament rules | open to all weight divisions | depends on tournament rules |
We made a whole video about what to expect at an IBJJF tournament, if you're competing at one you'll definitely want to check this out:
ADCC Weight Classes
ADCC, commonly referred to as "the Olympics of grappling" (at least before the launch of the Craig Jones Invitational), uses the following weight classes with all belt ranks combined:
| Weight class name | Adults/Masters Male (18+) | Adults/Masters Female (18+) |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | 66kg (145.5lb) | Below 60kg (132.3lb) |
| Welterweight | 77kg (169.8lb) | |
| Middleweight | 88kg (194.0lb) | |
| Light Heavyweight | 99kg (218.3lb) | |
| Heavyweight | Above 99kg (218.3lb) | Above 60kg (132.3lb) |
| Absolute | No weight restriction |
Prior to 2024, ADCC competitors had to weigh in the day of their matches (including weighing in on day 2, if they made it to the semifinals).
ADCC recently changed their rules so now athletes only need to weigh in a single time, the day before competition starts. This will allow athletes to compete at significantly lower weight classes, since they'll have more time to rehydrate after cutting weight.
IBJJF and ADCC are not the only games in town! Here are the weight classes for a few other tournament organizations we like:
NAGA Weight Classes
Male Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes
- Flyweight – 129.9 lbs. & under
- Bantamweight – 130-139.9 lbs.
- Featherweight – 140-149.9 lbs.
- Lightweight – 150-159.9 lbs.
- Welterweight – 160-169.9 lbs.
- Middleweight – 170-179.9 lbs.
- Light-Heavyweight – 180-189.9 lbs.
- Cruiserweight – 190-199.9 lbs.
- Heavyweight – 200-224.9 lbs.
- Super-Heavyweight – 225-149.9 lbs.
- Ultra-Heavyweight – 250 lbs. & over
Female Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes
- Sub-atomic Weight – 99.9 lbs. & under
- Atomweight – 100-109.9 lbs.
- Strawweight – 110-119.9 lbs.
- Flyweight – 120-129.9 lbs.
- Bantamweight – 130-139.9 lbs.
- Featherweight – 140-149.9 lbs.
- Lightweight – 150-159.9 lbs.
- Welterweight – 160-169.9 lbs.
- Middleweight – 170-179.9 lbs.
- Light-Heavyweight – 180-189.9 lbs.
- Cruiserweight – 190-199.9 lbs.
- Heavyweight – 200 lbs. & over
Teen (14 - 17 years old) Weight Classes
- 99.9 lbs. & under
- 100-114.9 lbs.
- 115-129.9 lbs.
- 130-144.9 lbs.
- 145-159.9 lbs.
- 160-179.9 lbs.
- 180-199.9 lbs.
- 200 lbs. & over
Children (13 & under) Weight Classes
- 39.9 lbs. & under
- 40-49.9 lbs.
- 50-59.9 lbs.
- 60-69.9 lbs.
- 70-79.9 lbs.
- 80-89.9 lbs.
- 90-99.9 lbs.
- 100-109.9 lbs.
- 110-124.9 lbs.
- 125-139.9 lbs.
- 140-154.9 lbs.
- 155-169.9 lbs.
- 170 lbs. & over (may need to compete with teens)
Grappling X Weight Classes
Pre K (3-4 Years Old)
- 35 Lbs & Under
- 35.1- 40 Lbs
- 40.1-45 Lbs
- 45.1-50 Lbs
- 50.1 & Above
Kinder (5-6 Years Old)
- 40 Lbs & Under
- 40.1-50 Lbs
- 50.1-60 Lbs
- 60.1-70 Lbs
- 70.1-80 Lbs
- 80.1 Lbs & Above
Youth 1 (7-8 Years Old)
- 50 Lbs & Under
- 50.1-60 Lbs
- 60.1-70 Lbs
- 70.1-80 Lbs
- 80.1-90 Lbs
- 90.1-100 Lbs
- 110.1-120 Lbs
- 120.1 Lbs & Above
Youth 2 (9-10 Years Old)
- 60 Lbs & Under
- 60.1-70 Lbs
- 70.1-80 Lbs
- 80.1-90 Lbs
- 90.1-100 Lbs
- 100.1-110 Lbs
- 110.1-120 Lbs
- 120.1 Lbs & Above
Pre-Teen (11-12 Years Old)
- 70 Lbs & Under
- 70.1-80 Lbs
- 80.1-90 Lbs
- 90.1-100 Lbs
- 100.1-110 Lbs
- 110.1-120 Lbs
- 120.1-130 Lbs
- 130.1-145 Lbs
- 145.1 Lbs & Above
Teen (13-14 Years Old)
- 90 Lbs & Under
- 90.1-100 Lbs
- 100.1-115 Lbs
- 115.1-130 Lbs
- 130.1-145 Lbs
- 145.1-160 Lbs
- 160.1 Lbs & Above
Juvenile (15-17 Years Old)
- 100 Lbs & Under
- 100.1-115 Lbs
- 115.1-130 Lbs
- 130.1-145 Lbs
- 145.1-160 Lbs
- 160.1-175 Lbs
- 175.1-190 Lbs
- 190.1 Lbs & Above
Adult Male Weight Classes (18+ Years old)
- Featherweight: 135 Lbs & Under
- Flyweight: 135.1-145 Lbs
- Lightweight: 145.1-155 Lbs
- Junior Welterweight: 155.1-165 Lbs
- Welterweight: 165.1-175 Lbs
- Middleweight: 175.1-185 Lbs
- Light Heavyweight: 185.1-200 Lbs
- Heavyweight: 200.1-220 Lbs
- Super Heavyweight: 220.1Lbs & Above
Masters Male Weight Classes (30+ Years old)
- Lightweight: 160 Lbs & Under
- Middleweight: 160.1-180 Lbs
- Light Heavyweight: 180.1-200 Lbs
- Heavyweight: 200.1+ Lbs & Above
Women's Weight Classes (18+ Years old)
- Featherweight: 115 Lbs & Under
- Lightweight: 115.1-130 Lbs
- Welterweight: 130.1-145 Lbs
- Middleweight: 145.1-160 Lbs
- Heavyweight: 160.1 Lbs & Above
Grappling Industries Weight Classes
Mens:
- -135 lbs (-61 kg)
- -145 lbs (-66 kg)
- -155 lbs (-70 kg)
- -170 lbs (-77 kg)
- -185 lbs (-84 kg)
- -200 lbs (-91 kg)
- -215 lbs (-97.5 kg)
- -230 lbs (-104 kg)
- Over 230 lbs (over 104 kg)
Womens:
- -105 lbs (-48 kg)
- -115 lbs (-52kg)
- -125 lbs (-57 kg
- -135 lbs (-61 kg)
- -145 lbs (-66 kg)
- -155 lbs (-70 kg)
- -170 lbs (-77 kg)
- -185 lbs (-84 kg)
- -200 lbs (-91 kg)
- Over 200 lbs (over 91 kg)
