BJJ Gi Sizing Guide: How to Measure and Read the A0-A5 Chart

BJJ gi sizing guide uses the A0 to A5 system, based on your height and weight rather than a standard clothing size. Most adults land in A1 to A3. Sizing varies by brand, so always check the specific chart. A correctly fitted gi meets IBJJF rules, with sleeves ending within 2 cm of the wrist when the arm is extended.

How does BJJ gi sizing work?

BJJ gi sizing works on the A0 to A5 scale, a jiu-jitsu standard that maps to your height and weight together, not to a shirt or trouser size. A0 is the smallest adult size and A5 the largest, with most practitioners sitting in A1, A2, or A3. The number reflects the overall frame the gi is cut for, so two people of the same weight can need different sizes if their heights differ.

Height usually drives the choice more than weight. A gi that fits your torso and limb length but feels slightly loose in the body is far more comfortable than one that is the right width but too short in the sleeves and pants. Jiu-jitsu gis are cut for movement on the mat, so the sizing prioritizes reach and length over a tailored fit.

How do you read the A0-A5 size chart?

You read an A0 to A5 chart by finding the row where your height and weight overlap, then checking the fit notes for your build. Each size lists a height range and a weight range, and the right size is the one that covers both. When your height and weight point to different rows, height wins for length and you adjust for build, since a gi that is too short cannot be fixed.

The ranges below are typical across the industry, but they are a starting point, not a rule. Brands cut differently, and a true A2 in one brand can fit like an A1 or A3 in another. Always confirm against the maker's own BJJ gi size chart before ordering.

The overlap between sizes is normal and intentional. It exists so practitioners can choose a tighter or looser fit within the same height band, which is where your own measurements and fit preference decide the call.

How do you measure yourself for a BJJ gi at home?

Measure yourself for a BJJ gi using four numbers: height, weight, arm length, and inseam. Stand against a wall for height, weigh yourself without shoes, then measure arm length from the shoulder seam to the wrist bone with the arm straight. Inseam runs from the crotch to the ankle bone. These four figures, checked against the chart, beat guessing from a clothing size every time.

Build matters as much as the raw numbers. A slim, tall practitioner and a stocky, shorter one can share a weight yet need different sizes, because the jacket and pant length are fixed to the size. Note whether you prefer a snug competition fit or a relaxed training fit, since that preference shifts the decision when you sit between two sizes.

What size should you choose between two sizes?

When you fall between two sizes, choose based on build, fit preference, and whether the gi is pre-shrunk. A leaner practitioner who wants a competition fit sizes down, while a stockier build or a relaxed-fit preference sizes up. If the gi is not pre-shrunk, sizing up slightly allows for shrinkage in the first few washes, which is covered in the shrink section below.

Gi weight also affects how a size feels on the mat. A heavier 550 GSM jacket sits tighter and stiffer than a 350 GSM one in the same size, and it runs hot in summer training. For a single all-round gi, a mid-weight cut in your true size is the safest pick. You can compare cuts across the ready-to-wear BJJ gi collection to see how weights change the feel.

How should a BJJ gi fit for IBJJF competition?

For IBJJF competition, a gi must meet specific length rules measured with the arm extended. The jacket should reach the thigh, the sleeves must come no more than 2 cm from the wrist when the arm is held straight out parallel to the ground, and the pants must reach no more than 2 cm above the ankle bone. The gi must also be a single color: white, royal blue, or black.

A gi that fits your training needs can still fail inspection if the sleeves ride up. Referees check sleeve and pant length at the table, so competitors should size for reach, not just comfort. The full measurement and color rules are published in the IBJJF uniform regulations, which is the standard worth checking before any tournament.

Sizing for competition is mostly about length compliance. If your sleeves or pants are borderline, size up or choose a brand cut with longer limbs rather than risk a disqualification on the day.

Do BJJ gis shrink after washing?

Cotton BJJ gis shrink after washing unless they are labeled pre-shrunk, and even pre-shrunk gis can lose a little length in hot water. A standard cotton gi can shrink up to one size if washed warm and tumble dried, which is why washing in cold water and hang drying is the safe routine. Pre-shrunk gis hold their size far better and are the simpler choice for most buyers.

Shrinkage affects the pants as much as the jacket. If your gi runs long in the leg out of the bag, a controlled warm wash can bring the pants into IBJJF range, but it is a one-way change. For a predictable fit, start with a pre-shrunk gi in your true size and match it with correctly sized BJJ gi pants rather than relying on shrinkage to dial in the length.

How do women's and kids' gi sizes differ?

Women's gis use F sizes and kids' gis use C sizes, both cut to different proportions than the adult A scale. Female sizing, typically F0 to F4, accounts for a shorter torso and a different hip-to-shoulder ratio, so an F-size gi fits better than a small A-size for most women. Kids' sizing, often C0000 up to C3, scales by the child's height and age rather than weight alone.

Fit still comes down to length and comfort. A child should have room to grow without the sleeves swallowing the hands, and a woman's gi should clear the IBJJF sleeve and pant rules the same way an adult gi does. When a junior or female practitioner sits between sizes, the same height-first logic applies, adjusted for build.

BJJ gi sizing at Shapes Fightwear

Shapes Fightwear offers a comprehensive BJJ Gi Size Chart in both inches and centimeters (cm), along with a detailed Gi Fit Guide to help you choose the right size. Our adult range includes A0 to A5 along F sizes for women,, A1 Husky through A3 Husky for broader builds and A1 Long through A3 Long for taller athletes who need additional sleeve and pant length Husky to A3 Husky, and children's sizes from C0000 to C3.

Every Shapes Fightwear BJJ gi is pre-shrunk, anti-bacterial treated, triple-stitched at key stress points, and manufactured to IBJJF-aligned dimensions for a consistent fit and reliable performance. Since sizing can vary between brands, we recommend using our Size Chart and Fit Guide before ordering.

For academies and teams, our custom BJJ gis are available in 350, 400, 425, 450, and 550 GSM pearl weave fabrics with a choice of 10 oz cotton twill or 8 oz ripstop pants, in standard or fully custom colors. We also manufacture larger, special-size, and made-to-measure BJJ gis, ensuring every athlete receives the perfect fit.

Manufactured in Sialkot, Pakistan, every Shapes Fightwear gi is patterned, cut, and finished to the same high standards, delivering consistent sizing and quality whether you order a single custom gi or a complete academy uniform.

Frequently Asked Questions

1- What size BJJ gi am I if I'm 5'10" and 175 lb?

At 5'10" and 175 lb you are on the A2 to A3 border in most brands. A lean build with a competition-fit preference points to A2, while a stockier build or a relaxed-fit preference points to A3. Check the brand chart and prioritize sleeve and pant length, since those are harder to adjust than width.

2- Should I size up or down for a BJJ gi?

Size down for a snug competition fit if your gi is pre-shrunk and your build is lean. Size up for a relaxed training fit, a stockier build, or a gi that is not pre-shrunk and will lose length in the wash. Length compliance for IBJJF should guide a close call.

3- How much does a cotton BJJ gi shrink?

A standard cotton gi can shrink up to one full size if washed in warm or hot water and tumble dried. Pre-shrunk gis lose much less, usually a fraction of a size. Washing cold and hang drying keeps shrinkage minimal and protects the fit you bought.

4- Is A2 bigger than A1?

Yes, A2 is larger than A1 in both height and weight range. The A scale runs from A0 as the smallest adult size up to A5 as the largest, so each step up adds length and width. Most adult practitioners fall within A1 to A3.

5- Do women need a female-cut BJJ gi?

Most women fit better in an F-size female-cut gi than in a small A-size, because the F cut accounts for a shorter torso and different proportions. A small A-size can work for some builds, but an F-size usually meets the IBJJF length rules and feels right with less adjustment.

6- How do I know if my gi is IBJJF legal in size?

Your gi is IBJJF legal when the jacket reaches the thigh, the sleeves end within 2 cm of the wrist with the arm extended, the pants stop within 2 cm of the ankle, and the gi is a single approved color. Measure with your arm straight out, since that is how referees check at the table.

Final Thoughts

BJJ gi sizing comes down to matching your height and weight to the A0 to A5 chart, then adjusting for build, fit preference, and shrinkage. Height drives length, length drives IBJJF compliance, and the brand chart settles the final call because no two makers cut identically. Get those three right and the gi will fit on the mat and pass inspection at a tournament.

When you know your size, the next step is choosing the weave and weight that suit your training. Browse our BJJ gi range and use the size chart to lock in the right fit before you order.