IBJJF splits competitors by age as well as belt and weight. Your age division decides who you face, how long your matches are and, at brown and black belt, which leg locks are legal. Here's every division from the official IBJJF Rule Book (version 6.1, 2024).
How your IBJJF age is worked out
Current year minus your birth year. It's the age you are, or will be, during the year of the event. So someone born in 1996 is in Master 1 for every IBJJF event in 2026, even before their 30th birthday.
Every IBJJF age division
| Division | Age | Match time |
|---|---|---|
| Mighty Mite 1, 2, 3 | 4, 5, 6 | 2 minutes |
| Pee Wee 1, 2, 3 | 7, 8, 9 | 3 minutes |
| Junior 1, 2, 3 | 10, 11, 12 | 4 minutes |
| Teen 1, 2, 3 | 13, 14, 15 | 4 minutes |
| Juvenile 1, 2 | 16, 17 | 5 minutes |
| Adult | 18 and over | 5 to 10 minutes by belt |
| Master 1 | 30 and over | 5 or 6 minutes by belt |
| Master 2 | 36 and over | 5 minutes |
| Master 3 | 41 and over | 5 minutes |
| Master 4 | 46 and over | 5 minutes |
| Master 5 | 51 and over | 5 minutes |
| Master 6 | 56 and over | 5 minutes |
| Master 7 | 61 and over | 5 minutes |
Adult and Master 1 match times by belt
| Belt | Adult | Master 1 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Blue | 6 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Purple | 7 minutes | 6 minutes |
| Brown | 8 minutes | 6 minutes |
| Black | 10 minutes | 6 minutes |
Masters: adult or master division?
There's no maximum age for the adult division, so a master can enter it. It's a real choice: adult brackets are often bigger, and matches are longer at purple belt and above. And at brown and black belt in no-gi, heel hooks and knee reaping are legal in the adult division but not in master divisions. See IBJJF rules by belt.
Kids and juveniles
Kids divisions run from age 4 to 15, with shorter matches and many more banned techniques. Juveniles (16 and 17) follow the white belt list of illegal techniques whatever their belt. If you coach kids, read the full rule book table before an event.
Next: find your weight class with the BJJ weight class finder, or read how the IBJJF belt system works.
Questions
How does IBJJF work out my age?
Current year minus birth year. It's the age you are or will be at some point in the year of the event, so your birthday doesn't change your division mid-year.
When do I become a master in BJJ?
Master 1 starts in the year you turn 30. Then Master 2 from 36, Master 3 from 41, Master 4 from 46, Master 5 from 51, Master 6 from 56 and Master 7 from 61.
Can a master compete in the adult division?
Yes. There's no maximum age for the adult division, so masters can choose to enter it. The adult rules then apply, including adult match times and, for brown and black belts in no-gi, heel hooks.