ADCC & IBJJF Weight Classes (Gi and No-Gi) 2023

Weight categories don’t just make BJJ competitions safer, but they increase their overall competitiveness as well. The numbers on the scale can make quite a difference in the performance of BJJ competitors, which is why organizations take them so seriously.

The following gives you a comprehensive overview of the weight classes in BJJ’s biggest bodies:

Males Adults and Masters Gi Weight Classes (IBJJF)

Out of all the IBJJF weight classes for adult males, the lightest weight class is the Rooster which has a limit of 57.5 kilograms or 126.5 pounds. The weight divisions are the following:

Rooster – (anyone under 57.5 kg or 127 lbs)
Light Feather – (between 127.5lbs and 64 kg or 141.6 lbs)

Feather – (between 142lbs and 70 kg or 154 lbs)
Light – (between 155 lbs and 76 kg or 167 lbs)
Middle – (between 168.1 lbs and 82.3 kg or 181 lbs)

Medium Heavy – (between 181.7 lbs and 88.3 kg or 195 lbs)
Heavy – (between 195.1 lbs and 94.3 kg or 208 lbs)
Super Heavy – (between 208.1 lbs and 97.5 kg or 222 lbs)

Ultra Heavy – (anything over 222 lbs)

There’s also the Open Class in which competitors of all weights can compete against one another without any weight restrictions.

Female or Juvenile Gi IBJJF Weight Classes

There’s a separate list of Gi weight classes for female and juvenile (under 18) athletes. As you can tell, they use similar naming conventions as the male classes, but the weight limits are different. Again, the athletes are supposed to wear their Gis during weigh-ins.

Female Adults Gi Weight Classes (IBJJF Weight Classes Gi)

The lightest weight division for female Gi competitors is the Rooster with an upwards weight limit of 47.5 kilograms or 107 pounds. You also have an open weight class where anything goes.

Rooster – (anything up to 107 lbs or 47.5 kg)
Light Feather – (between 107.1 lbs and 118 lbs or 53.5 kg)

Feather – (between 118.1 lbs and 129.0 lbs or 58.5 kg)
Light – (between 129.1 and 141.6 lbs or 64.2 kg)
Middle – (between 141.7 lbs and 152.6 lbs or 69.2 kg)

Medium Heavy – (between 152.7 lbs and 163.6 lbs or 74.2 kg)
Heavy – (between 163.7 lbs and 175 lbs or 79.3)
Super Heavy – (anything over 175 lbs with no maximum limit)

Juvenile

There are juvenile categories for boys and girls at the IBJJF as well. These are the athletes who are under 18 years of age.

Juvenile Male IBJJF Weight classes Gi

Someone who competes in the juvenile weight classes is considered to be under the age of 16 and has a belt going with the kid’s system in place. The Juvenile Gi weight classes for boys are the following:

Rooster – (anything below the weight of 118 lbs or 53.5 kg)
Light Feather – (between 118.1 lbs and 129 lbs or 58.5 kg)

Feather – (between 129.1 lbs and 141.6 lbs or 64 kg)
Light – (between 141.7 lbs and 152.6 lbs or 69.2 kg)
Middle – (between 152.7 lbs and 163.6 lbs or 74 kg)

Medium Heavy – (between 163.7 lbs and 175 lbs or 79.3 kg)
Heavy – (between 175.1 lbs and 186 lbs or 84.3 kg)
Super Heavy – (between 186.1 lbs and 197 lbs or 89.3 kg)

Ultra Heavy – ( anything above 197lbs with no maximum limit)

Juvenile Male IBJJF Weight classes N0-Gi

Someone who competes in the juvenile weight classes is considered to be under the age of 16 and has a belt going with the kid’s system in place. The juvenile male division has two separate categories probably based on age so please refer to the table below for an accurate representation of where you will be placed in this upcoming tournament! The Juvenile Gi weight classes for boys are the following (see the most left column):

Juvenile Female IBJJF Weight Classes

The juvenile females’ Gi weight classes are shown below; there’s an open weight class as well:

Rooster – (anyone below 98 lbs)

Light Feather – (between 98.1 lbs and 106.6 lbs)
Feather – (between 106.7 and 116 lbs)
Light – (between 116.1lbs and 125 lbs)

Middle – (between 125.1 lbs and 133.6 lbs)
Medium Heavy – (between 133.7 lbs and 143.6 lbs)
Heavy – (between 143.7 lbs and 152 lbs)

Super Heavy – (anyone above 152.1 lbs with no maximum limit)

Juvenile Female IBJJF Weight classes N0-Gi

Someone who competes in the juvenile weight classes is considered to be under the age of 16 and has a belt going with the kid’s system in place. Just like the juvenile boys division, the juvenile female’s division is broken down in two categories most likely in relation to age but the weight classes stay the same. The juvenile females’ Gi weight classes are shown below; there’s an open weight class as well:

Rooster – (anyone below 94 lbs)

Light Feather – (between 94.1 lbs and 103 lbs)

Feather – (between 103.1 and 111.6 lbs)

Light – (between 111.7 lbs and 120.6 lbs)

Middle – (between 120.7 lbs and 129 lbs)

Medium Heavy – (between 129.1 lbs and 138 lbs)

Heavy – (between 138.1 lbs and 147 lbs)

Super Heavy – (anyone above 147.1 lbs with no maximum limit)

IBJJF Male Adults and Masters Weight Classes (No Gi)

We start the No Gi weight classes with the adult males and masters categories. The lightest of the weight divisions allows athletes to weigh up to 51.5 kilograms or 114 lbs. The classes are the following:

Rooster – (anything below the weight of 122.6 lbs)
Light Feather – (between 122.7 lbs and 136 lbs)
Feather – (between 136.1 lbs and 149 lbs)

Light – (between 149.1 lbs and 162.6 lbs)
Middle – (between 162.7 lbs and 175.6 lbs)
Medium Heavy – (between 175.7 lbs and 188.6 lbs)

Heavy – (between 188.7lbs and 202 lbs)
Super-Heavy – (between 202.1 lbs and 215 lbs)
Ultra Heavy – (anyone over 215.1 lbs with no maximum limit)

IBJJF Female Adults and Masters Weight Classes (No GI)

The adult female No Gi weight classes are as shown below. The lightest weight division allows up to 42.5 kilograms or 94 pounds.

- - - Rooster – (anything below the weight of 103 lbs)
  - - Light Feather – (between 103.1 lbs and 114 lbs)
  - - Feather – (between 114.1 lbs and 125 lbs)
  - - Light – (between 125.1 lbs and 136 lbs)
  - - Middle – (between 136.1 lbs and 147 lbs)
  - - Medium Heavy – (between 147.1 lbs and 158 lbs)
  - - Heavy – (between 158.1 lbs and 169 lbs)
  - Super-Heavy – (anyone over 169.1 lbs with no maximum limit)

What Are the Different IBJJF Weight Classes?

The various IBJJF weight classes are the Rooster, Light Feather, Feather, Light, Middle, Medium Heavy, Heavy, Super Heavy, and Ultra Heavy. The contests for adult female Gi and No Gi athletes don’t have Ultra Heavy. The juvenile female contests also ditch the Rooster class.

Difference Between Weight Classes of IBJJF and ADCC

The IBJJF and the ADCC are two of the biggest organizations as far as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions are concerned. There are several differences in their weight categories though. The most notable one is that the ADCC’s weight classes have bigger gaps between them.

There are different weight classes for the ADCC teams, the world championship, and their national and open categories. The organization also has different weight classes based on the level of experience of the competitors.

There are also fewer weight classes for female athletes competing in the championship. This makes the official IBJJF weight classes safer.

Are IBJJF weight classes the same for all the different IBJJF tournaments?

Yes, the rules regarding the IBJJF weight classes remain the same no matter which of its tournaments and special events one takes part in. The location of the contest also doesn’t make a difference in this regard.

Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Weight Classes

The weight classes in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club or ADCC Championships are Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight, and Absolute. As you can tell, they are fewer in number than the IBFF weight categories.

Another way in which ADCC has a different weight class system is that its categories are named similarly to the ones in boxing and MMA.

There are separate weight classes and rules for the other ADCC tournaments.

Adults and Masters Age Divisions and Match Length (ADCC)

Outside the ADCC Championship, the organization likes to divide its competitors in terms of experience, age, and gender. As far as experience is concerned, the different categories are Professional, Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner.

These are further divided into age and gender, as you can see here.

Weight Divisions for ADCC

The following are the weight classes for the ADCC Championship for male adults, starting with Lightweight that goes up to 66 kilograms or 145.4 pounds:

- Lightweight – Below 65.9 kg (below 145 lbs)

- Welterweight – Below 76.9 kg (below 169.5 lbs)

- Middleweight – Below 87.9 kg (below 193.7 lbs)

- Light Heavyweight – Below 98.9 kg (below 218 lbs)

- Heavyweight – Above 99 kg (Above 220.5)

There’s also the Absolute class which is open to all weight classes.

The ADCC’s Teams competition for male adults narrows down these weight classes to just the following:

- Lightweight – (83 kg or 183.0 lbs)

- Heavyweight – (Above 83 kg or 183.0 lbs)

Are Adults and Masters IBJJF Divisions the Same?

The divisions are the same for the adults and masters competing in the IBJJF. Note that there are more weight categories for male adults and masters as compared to their female counterparts.

Weight Divisions for Females ADCC

For female adults competing in the ADCC Championships, and the Teams competition, the classes are the following:

- Lightweight – (below 132.3 lbs)

- Heavyweight – (Above 132.3 lbs)

Weighing In Before A Tournament (IBJJF)

There are a couple of IBJJF rules that must be followed during a weigh-in. Whether it is a No Gi or Gi competition, the athlete must be in proper uniform while on the scale. If they fail to make the required weight, they’ll be disqualified.

There are no second chances offered and the competitor won’t be able to switch weight classes. They won’t be given a refund either.

Jiu Jitsu World League (JJWL) weight classes

The Jiu-Jitsu World League or the JJWL is a body that organizes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, produces global competitor rankings, and aims to make the sport more professional. So, it too has a weight class system, named similar to the IBJJF weight divisions. Most tournaments outside of the ADCC will fall under the same weight class set up and ruleset.

Men Adults & Masters

The JJWL weight classes for male adults are the same for Gi and No Gi competitions. They both begin with the Rooster class which allows up to 56 kilograms or 130 pounds. There’s no open weight class.

The categories are shown below:

- Rooster – (56 kg or 130 lbs)

- Light Feather – (64 kg or 141 lbs)

- Feather – (70 kg or 154 lbs)

- Light – (76 kg or 168 lbs)

- Middle – (82.5 kg or 182 lbs)

- Medium Heavy – (88.4 kg or 195 lbs)

- Heavy – (94.3 kg or 208 lbs)

- Super Heavy – (100.6 kg or 222 lbs)

- Ultra Heavy – (No maximum limit)

Female Adults & Masters

There are slight differences in the Gi and No Gi weight categories for female adults and masters. The Gi-based weight divisions are the following:

- Rooster – (45 kg or 108 lbs)

- Light Feather – (54.4 kg or 120 lbs)

- Feather – (59 kg or 130 lbs)

- Light – (64.4 kg or 142 lbs)

- Middle – (69.8 kg or 154 lbs)

- Medium Heavy – (74.8 kg or 165 lbs)

- Heavy – (80.2 kg or 177 lbs)

- Heavy Plus – (No maximum limit)

Below are the No Gi weight categories for females:

- Light Feather – (54.4 kg or 120 lbs)

- Feather – (59 kg or 130 lbs)

- Light – (64.4 kg or 142 lbs)

- Middle – (69.8 kg or 154 lbs)

- Heavy Plus – (No maximum limit)

Kids

Unlike the IBJJF and ADCC, the JJWL doesn’t have a fixed set of weight classes for its juvenile athletes. It states that the classes (Gi and No Gi), “are usually separated by 10 lbs increments and some cases by 15 lbs in the older age groups.”

Weighing in for Gi Tournaments

A Gi competition should be pretty strict when it comes to weigh-ins. Cutting weight is not recommended due to hydration issues and one is recommended to compete at their natural body weight. Reading the contest’s rulebook should prove helpful in meeting the requirements.

How Do Weigh-Ins Work for IBJJF Gi Tournaments?

The athlete is supposed to weigh in while wearing their Gi on the very same day of the competition. If they aren’t able to make weight, they’ll be disqualified without a refund.

How can I see the weight classes for my specific competition?

You can simply visit the website of the organization and find the weight divisions there. If it is a big organization, you can easily find weight classes on a blog like this one.

Will I get a refund if I don’t make weight?

The norm is that you won’t get a refund if you miss weight. Likely, they won’t allow you to compete at a higher-weight class either. But then again, checking your competition’s rulebook should give you the exact answer.

How much does a Gi weigh?

A Gi can weigh as much as 0.9 kg or 5 lbs and as low as 2.26 kg or 2 lbs. This is why Gi competitions have slightly higher weight limits as compared to No Gi contests – to compensate for the added weight.