Earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a major milestone but it’s not the end of your progression. Once someone reaches black belt, a completely new ranking system begins. These are called degrees, and they recognize continued time, teaching, and contribution to the art.
This guide breaks down exactly how BJJ black belt degrees work, how long each one takes, the difference between white-bar and red-bar black belts, and what each stage means.
What Are BJJ Black Belt Degrees?
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, degrees (or stripes) represent time-in-rank after you achieve your black belt. These degrees acknowledge long-term commitment, technical growth, teaching, and continuous activity in the sport.
The IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) recognizes 10 total degrees, with promotions spaced between 3 and 15 years apart depending on the level.
Below is the full breakdown.
BJJ Black Belt Degree Timeline (Full Table)
| Degree | Minimum Time at Previous Rank | Typical Minimum Age | Belt Appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Belt (0º) | 6–10+ years to earn | 19+ | Solid black | Beginning of black belt journey |
| 1st Degree | +3 years | 22+ | 1 red stripe | Must remain active |
| 2nd Degree | +3 years | 25+ | 2 red stripes | Time-based promotion |
| 3rd Degree | +3 years | 28+ | 3 red stripes | “Professor” title often begins |
| 4th Degree | +5 years | 33+ | 4 red stripes | Advanced instructor |
| 5th Degree | +5 years | 38+ | 5 red stripes | Senior black belt |
| 6th Degree | +5 years | 43+ | 6 red stripes | Final degree before coral belt |
| 7th Degree | +7 years | 50+ | Coral belt (red/black) | Considered “Master” |
| 8th Degree | +7 years | 57+ | Coral belt (red/white or red/black depending on ruleset) | Senior master |
| 9th Degree | +10 years | 67+ | Red belt | Grandmaster |
| 10th Degree | +15 years | 82+ | Red belt | Reserved for founders & pioneers |
This table is the exact structure the IBJJF uses for time progression in the black belt ranks.
Black Belt Is the Beginning, Not the End
Reaching black belt is an enormous achievement, but it’s not a finish line. It represents a new chapter — one where your focus often shifts from accumulating knowledge to refining it, teaching it, and passing the art to others.
Most black belts continue training just like before. Some go on to teach, open academies, compete, or become mentors inside their gym.
Whether you compete or teach, once you earn your black belt, you automatically become a leader within your academy. Newer students will naturally look to you for guidance, technique help, and attitude on the mats.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Black Belt in BJJ?
Most practitioners earn their black belt somewhere between 7 to 15 years.
This really does depend on a handful of factors though. Here are some to name a few:
- Training frequency
- Injuries
- Availability
- Coaching standards
- Competition involvement
- Consistency over long periods
The majority of people never reach black belt not because they lack talent, but because staying committed for a decade is rare.
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White-Bar vs. Red-Bar Black Belts
Once you reach black belt, your belt looks a little different depending on your role in the academy.
White-Bar Black Belt
- Typically competitors or practitioners who do not teach
- Do not receive degree stripes
- Belt is purely black with a white label section
- Represents mastery but not instruction
Red-Bar Black Belt
- Worn by instructors
- Only red-bar black belts earn stripes/degrees
- Teaching and activity are strongly considered
- This is the path toward coral belts and beyond
If you see stripes on a black belt, that is automatically a red bar belt.
How to Earn Each Degree
Degrees 1–3
- Based purely on time-in-rank (3 years per degree)
- Must remain active and involved in BJJ
- Typically recognized as a “Professor” by 3rd degree
Degrees 4–6
- Require 5 years between promotions
- Represent long-term teaching or contribution
- These are considered “Senior Black Belts”
Degrees 7 & 8 (Coral Belt)
After 6th degree black belt (about 24 years at black belt) you become eligible for the coral belt (or the red belt), one of the rarest belts in the entire martial art.
Degree 9 (Red Belt)
Reserved for Grandmasters (usually age 67+)
Degree 10 (Red Belt)
Only awarded to BJJ’s original pioneers. There are fewer than a dozen in history.
Philosophy Behind the Black Belt Degrees
While the degree system shows time and contribution, the real meaning goes deeper. By the time someone reaches black belt — let alone the higher degrees — they’ve demonstrated:
- Discipline
- Patience
- Resilience
- Leadership
- Mastery of fundamentals
- Humility
- Service to others
The advanced degrees symbolize a lifetime dedicated not just to training, but to helping others grow through the art.
Most coral belts and red belts no longer care about rank. They care about legacy — passing down timeless principles to their students and communities.
Qualities That True Black Belts Share
Most high-level black belts share core traits that set them apart:
- Technical mastery
- Flow, timing, and strategy
- High levels of problem-solving
- Strong defensive understanding
- Leadership and character
- Consistency across decades
- Ability to teach complex ideas clearly
These qualities are earned through years of showing up when others quit
Reaching the Top 1% in Jiu-Jitsu
Very few people will ever experience what it feels like to reach black belt degrees. This isn’t because they aren’t capable — it’s because the journey demands:
- Long-term commitment
- Self-discipline
- Continuous learning
- Humility
- Patience
- Perseverance through injuries, plateaus, and setbacks
If you stay on the path long enough, you will become part of the top 1% — not just in jiu-jitsu, but in life. The habits you build on the mats transfer to everything else you do.
Final Thoughts
The secret to progressing through the black belt degrees is the same secret that gets you to black belt in the first place:
Keep showing up.
If you train consistently, stay curious, help others, and focus on improving by even 1% each day, you’ll continue climbing the ranks naturally. Most of the highest-level practitioners didn’t chase degrees — they simply never stopped training.
