Buying your first BJJ gi is confusing. Every brand sizes differently. An A2 in Fuji fits nothing like an A2 in Sanabul. Order wrong and you are stuck with a gi that fits like a tent or cuts off circulation to your legs.
This guide breaks down exactly what size BJJ gi to buy based on your height, weight, and brand. No more guessing. No more returns.
One extra wrinkle: if you’re buying a lightweight gi specifically for hot weather, don’t assume it sizes identically to your usual heavyweight gi from the same brand — I cover that in my guide to summer-weight gis.
BJJ Gi Sizing Basics
BJJ gi sizes use a letter-number system:
- A = Adult (most common)
- M = Youth/Minor
- Number = Size within category (A0 smallest, A6 largest)
General BJJ Gi Size Chart
Start here for a baseline. Then adjust by brand below.
| Size | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 5’0″ – 5’4″ | 110-140 lbs |
| A1 | 5’4″ – 5’7″ | 140-165 lbs |
| A2 | 5’8″ – 5’11” | 165-190 lbs |
| A3 | 6’0″ – 6’2″ | 190-220 lbs |
| A4 | 6’2″ – 6’4″ | 220-250 lbs |
| A5 | 6’4″+ | 250-280 lbs |
| A6 | 6’4″+ | 280+ lbs |
Important: These are general guidelines. Brands vary significantly. Always check brand-specific charts below.
Brand-Specific BJJ Gi Sizing
Fuji Gi Sizing Chart
Fuji gis run about a size small compared with the rest of the market, and this is the single most common sizing mistake in the sport. A Fuji A2 covers 140 to 170 lb, where a Kingz A2 covers 170 to 190 lb. Size from Fuji’s own chart rather than from the size you wear in another brand. The figures below are Fuji’s published men’s BJJ gi chart, checked in August 2026.
| Size | Height | Weight | Fit Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A00 | 4’10”-5’1″ | 95-110 | Smallest adult cut |
| A0 | 4’10”-5’1″ | 110-120 | Short and light |
| A1 | 5’2″-5’5″ | 110-140 | Standard |
| A1L | 5’5″-5’9″ | 110-140 | Long cut, same width as A1 |
| A2 | 5’5″-5’9″ | 140-170 | Standard. Note the ceiling is 170 lb, not 190 |
| A2L | 5’10”-6’0″ | 140-170 | Long cut for taller, lighter frames |
| A2H | 5’5″-5’9″ | 170-190 | Husky cut, extra width not length |
| A3 | 5’9″-6’1″ | 170-200 | Standard |
| A3L | 6’2″-6’4″ | 170-200 | Long cut |
| A3H | 5’9″-6’1″ | 200-220 | Husky cut |
| A4 | 6’0″-6’4″ | 200-250 | Standard |
| A5 | 6’0″-6’4″ | 225-275 | Standard |
| A6 | 6’2″-6’6″ | 250-300 | Fuji continues to A7, A8 and A9 |
Fuji Fit Tip: Fuji’s own advice is the opposite of sizing down. When your height and weight land in different rows, they tell you to take the larger of the two. Fuji also cuts L (long) and H (husky) variants across most of the range, and those solve a fit problem far better than jumping a whole size does. Their care instructions say a cold wash and hang dry holds total shrinkage to about one inch.
Sanabul Gi Sizing Chart
Sanabul gis run slightly large and shrink more than average. Consider ordering down if between sizes.
| Size | Height | Weight | Fit Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 5’0″-5’4″ | 110-140 | Pre-shrunk |
| A1 | 5’4″-5’7″ | 140-170 | Shrinks slightly |
| A2 | 5’8″-5’11” | 170-200 | Shrinks slightly |
| A3 | 6’0″-6’2″ | 200-230 | Shrinks to fit |
Sanabul Fit Tip: These shrink 5-10% after first wash. Order your size if you want a competition fit after shrinking. Size up if you want a looser training fit.
Gold BJJ Gi Sizing Chart
Gold BJJ gis have an athletic cut – more tapered, less baggy. Popular with competitors. Their weight bands overlap generously, and they publish H (husky) and L (long) cuts that matter more than the base size for a lot of builds. The figures below are Gold BJJ’s published chart, checked in August 2026.
| Size | Weight | Height | Fit Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 140 lb and under | 5’5″ and under | Slim fit |
| A0H | 120-175 | 5’5″ and under | Husky cut for short, heavier builds |
| A1 | 120-165 | 5’5″-5’9″ | Slim fit |
| A1H | 160-200 | 5’5″-5’9″ | Husky cut |
| A1L | 120-165 | 5’8″-5’11” | Long cut |
| A2 | 150-190 | 5’8″-6’0″ | Athletic fit |
| A2H | 185-260 | 5’8″-6’0″ | Husky cut, wide weight range |
| A2L | 150-190 | 6’0″-6’2″ | Long cut |
| A3 | 185-240 | 5’11”-6’3″ | Athletic fit |
| A3H | 220-300+ | 5’11”-6’3″ | Husky cut, the widest Gold offers |
| A3L | 190-230 | 6’2″-6’6″ | Long cut |
| A4 | 220-280 | 6’3″-6’6″ | Athletic fit |
| A5 | 240 and up | 6’5″ and up | Largest standard cut |
Gold Fit Tip: If you are muscular or broad-shouldered, do not size up. Buy the H (husky) cut in your normal size instead. Gold sells A0H through A3H, and those add width through the chest, shoulders and lapel without the longer sleeves and pant legs you inherit by jumping a full size. Gold uses pre-shrunk fabric throughout and notes that their heavier gis shrink more than their ultralights.
Venum Gi Sizing Chart
Venum gis run small. Most people need to size up, especially for competition.
| Size | Height | Weight | Fit Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 4’11”-5’3″ | 110-135 | Tight |
| A1 | 5’3″-5’6″ | 135-160 | Slim |
| A2 | 5’7″-5’10” | 160-185 | Slim |
| A3 | 5’11”-6’1″ | 185-215 | Competition fit |
| A4 | 6’2″-6’4″ | 215-245 | Competition fit |
Venum Fit Tip: Always size up with Venum. An A2 fits more like an A1.5 from other brands.
Elite Sports Gi Sizing Chart
Elite Sports gis are pre-shrunk with a relaxed fit. Good for beginners who want comfort over competition cut.
| Size | Height | Weight | Fit Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 5’0″-5’3″ | 110-140 | Pre-shrunk |
| A1 | 5’4″-5’7″ | 140-170 | Relaxed fit |
| A2 | 5’8″-5’11” | 170-200 | Relaxed fit |
| A3 | 6’0″-6’2″ | 200-230 | Relaxed fit |
Elite Fit Tip: These run slightly large. If you are between sizes, go down for a better fit.
Special Body Type Sizing
Tall and Skinny (Lanky Build)
If you are tall with a slim build, standard gi sizes leave you with baggy jackets or high-water pants.
Solution: Look for gi brands offering tall sizes or slim cuts:
- Fuji: Size up (A3 if you are usually A2), then shrink jacket only
- Gold BJJ: Athletic cut fits lanky builds well
- Inverted Gear: Offers tall sizes (A2L, A3L)
- Tatami: Some models come in long versions
Pro tip: Buy pants separately if needed. Many brands sell jacket-only or pants-only options.
Short and Stocky (Muscular Build)
Big shoulders and chest make standard gis tight across the back with sleeves that are too long.
- Fuji: Roomy cut accommodates broader builds
- Elite Sports: Relaxed fit with pre-shrinking
- Tatami: Comp SRS models have more room in shoulders
- Sanabul: Size up and let it shrink to fit
Plus Size BJJ Gi Options
Most brands stop at A5, which lands anywhere between 240 and 300 lb depending on whose chart you read. For larger practitioners:
- Fuji: Publishes the widest range in the sport. A6 covers 250-300 lb, A7 275-325 lb, A8 290-350 lb and A9 300-375 lb
- Gold BJJ: A5 covers 240 lb and up, and the A3H husky cut is rated to 300 lb and beyond
- Elite Sports: Extended sizes available
- Origin: Custom sizing available
Women’s BJJ Gi Sizing
Women’s gis use the F (Female) sizing system or standard A sizes:
| Size | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / A0 | 4’10”-5’2″ | 95-115 lbs |
| F1 / A1 | 5’2″-5’5″ | 115-140 lbs |
| F2 / A2 | 5’5″-5’8″ | 140-165 lbs |
| F3 / A3 | 5’8″-5’11” | 165-190 lbs |
| F4 / A4 | 5’11″+ | 190+ lbs |
Women-Specific Brands: Fuji, Sanabul, and Tatami all offer women’s cuts with tapered waists and adjusted proportions.
Youth BJJ Gi Sizing (Kids)
Kids gis use the M (Minor) sizing system:
| Size | Age | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| M000 | 3-4 | 3’0″-3’4″ | 30-40 lbs |
| M00 | 4-5 | 3’4″-3’8″ | 40-50 lbs |
| M0 | 5-6 | 3’8″-4’0″ | 50-65 lbs |
| M1 | 6-8 | 4’0″-4’4″ | 65-85 lbs |
| M2 | 8-10 | 4’4″-4’8″ | 85-105 lbs |
| M3 | 10-12 | 4’8″-5’0″ | 105-125 lbs |
| M4 | 12-14 | 5’0″-5’4″ | 125-145 lbs |
Kids Gi Tip: Size up if your child is between sizes. Kids grow fast, and you cannot shrink a gi larger.
What If My Gi Does not Fit?
Gi Too Big
Wash in hot water and tumble dry on medium heat. Check fit after each cycle. Repeat until desired fit. Be careful not to over-shrink.
Gi Too Small
Unfortunately, you cannot unshrink a gi. Return it if possible, or sell it used and buy a size up. Some stretching can help slightly, but it is minimal.
Jacket Fits, Pants Do not (or Vice Versa)
This is common. Many brands sell jackets and pants separately. Buy each piece in the correct size for your body.
Quick Reference: BJJ Gi Size by Brand
| Brand | Sizing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fuji | Runs about a size small | Widest size range, A00 to A9 |
| Sanabul | Slightly large | Budget buyers |
| Gold BJJ | Athletic, plus husky and long cuts | Competitors, and broad builds via the H cut |
| Venum | Runs small | Competition fit |
| Elite Sports | Relaxed/roomy | Beginners |
| Tatami | Broadly true to size | Quality seekers |
Rather than working through the tables by hand, put your height and weight into the BJJ gi size calculator. It returns your size in Fuji, Kingz and Gold BJJ side by side from those brands’ own published charts, picks the Long or Husky cut when one fits you better, and estimates how much the gi will shrink given how you actually wash it.
A note on the numbers above. The Fuji and Gold BJJ tables come straight from those brands’ current published charts. The Sanabul, Venum and Elite Sports figures are approximate and could not be checked against a current published chart, so treat them as a starting point and confirm on the product page before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a gi that fits perfectly or slightly big?
Buy slightly big if the gi is not pre-shrunk. All gis shrink to some degree. A gi that fits perfectly new will be too tight after washing.
Do BJJ gis shrink?
Yes, and heat matters far more than the wash itself. Fully pre-shrunk gis lose 1 to 2 percent. Partially pre-shrunk gis, which is most of the market, lose 3 to 5 percent once exposed to heat. Untreated cotton can lose 5 to 10 percent. Kingz publishes those figures per model, and Fuji says a cold wash with hang drying holds total shrinkage to about an inch. Cold water and air drying keep any gi close to the size you ordered.
What size gi for IBJJF competition?
Tighter than most people train in, and the rule got stricter recently. Under the current IBJJF uniform rules the jacket must reach your thigh, the sleeves must come to no more than 2 cm from your wrist with the arm extended straight, and the pants must reach no more than 2 cm above the ankle bone. Inspectors also check lapel thickness at 1.3 cm, collar width at 5 cm and a 7 cm sleeve opening at full extension. That 2 cm tolerance replaced a 5 cm one after the 2024 Gi World Championships, so a gi that passed inspection a couple of years ago may not pass now. Check your competition gi after it has been washed, not straight out of the bag.
Can I wear an A2 jacket with A3 pants?
Absolutely. Many people mix sizes to fit their proportions. As long as both pieces are the same brand/color, it looks fine.
Bottom Line
Getting the right BJJ gi size comes down to:
- Know your height and weight
- Check the brand-specific chart (not just the general one)
- Consider your body type
- Account for shrinkage
- When in doubt, size up
Still unsure? Start with a Fuji gi in your general size. They are the most forgiving for beginners and fit most body types well.
Next Steps
Gi weight: lightweight versus heavyweight
Size is only half the decision. Gi weight — measured in GSM, grams per square metre — changes how the gi feels, how long it lasts, and whether you make weight on competition day.
- Lightweight: roughly 350–400 GSM
- Mid-weight: roughly 450–550 GSM
- Heavyweight: 550 GSM and above
Lightweight gis are cooler, dry faster, travel better and make weight easier — at the cost of durability and being easier for opponents to grip. Heavyweight gis last longer, are harder to grip and feel more traditional, but they are hot, slow to dry and add meaningful weight at the scale.
Since IBJJF weigh-ins are done wearing the gi, a heavy gi can genuinely be the difference between making your division and being eliminated. If you compete near a limit, that alone decides it.
Most people who train regularly end up owning both: something light for summer and competition, something heavier for winter and daily training.