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Martial Arts Belt Size Guide and Rank Colours
To size a martial arts belt, measure around your waist, double it and add about 50 to 60 cm for the knot and the two ends. Belt sizes run from 000, about 160 cm long, for small children to 7, about 340 cm, for tall adults. Ends of about 20 to 30 cm after the knot look right.
How to measure for a belt
- Wrap a tape measure around the waist where the belt will sit, over the uniform.
- Double that number, because the belt goes around twice.
- Add about 50 to 60 cm for the knot and the two hanging ends.
- Pick the belt size whose length is closest to that total.
Belt sizes usually match uniform sizes, so a size 3 gi often takes a size 3 belt. Check the maker’s chart, because lengths vary by brand.
What a good belt is made of
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Shell | Cotton canvas or poly-cotton |
| Core | Layered filler, so the belt stays flat |
| Stitching | 8 to 10 parallel rows along the length |
| Width | 4 to 5 cm |
| Thickness | 4 to 5 mm |
More rows of stitching make a firmer belt that holds its knot. A soft, thin belt loosens during training.
Rank colours
Most styles start at white and end at black, but the order in between changes from art to art and even club to club. A common order is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, then black.
- Stripe belts have a coloured stripe down the centre and mark a step between two ranks.
- Split belts are half one colour and half another along their length, used in many kids programmes.
- Black belts with a coloured stripe are used by some clubs for junior black belts or instructor ranks.
Follow your style or federation’s grading syllabus for the exact order.
Embroidery and branding
Belts can carry a student’s name, a rank, a club logo or kanji, embroidered near one end in gold, silver or any thread colour. Clubs often add a woven end label with the club name.
See QST’s martial arts belts for rank colours, stripes and split belts.
Who makes these belts
QST International makes martial arts uniforms, belts and protective gear to order in Sialkot, Pakistan. The facility is WRAP certified and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, and it shares its ethical audit data with buyers through Sedex. The minimum order is 30 to 50 sets, pairs or pieces per design, a sample takes 7 to 10 days, and bulk production takes 4 to 6 weeks after approval. Ask for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a martial arts belt be?
Measure your waist, double it and add about 50 to 60 cm. Sizes run from 000, about 160 cm, to 7, about 340 cm.
How wide is a martial arts belt?
Most belts are 4 to 5 cm wide and 4 to 5 mm thick.
What is the order of belt colours?
It changes by style, but a common order is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown and black.
Can a name be embroidered on a belt?
Yes. Names, ranks, club logos or kanji can be embroidered near one end of the belt.
