Short answer: Put the middle of the belt just below your belly button, wrap it around your hips twice, cross the ends in front, pull the top end up under both layers, then finish with a flat knot. The key is going under both layers – that’s what keeps the belt from coming loose mid-roll.
By Rodrigo Fernandes, Brazilian 3rd-degree black belt, training BJJ since 2001 – Head Coach at BJJ DOJO Berlin (Checkmat).
You know the feeling: two rounds of sparring and your belt is hanging around your knees again. It’s almost never the belt’s fault – it’s the knot. The method below (we call it the “superlock” or double knot) sits flat and stays put.
How to tie a BJJ belt in 11 steps
1. Hold both ends. Hold the belt in front of you. The end with the black bar (where the stripes go) is in your right hand.
2. Close your gi. Left lapel over right – that’s how the gi is worn in BJJ and judo.
3. Place the belt. Put the middle of the belt about four fingers below your belly button and wrap it once around your hips.
4. Second wrap. Wrap it around a second time. Both ends are back in front – the striped end is now on your left.
5. Cross the ends. Cross them in front of your stomach, striped end on top.
6. Under both layers. Pull the striped end up from below, under both layers of the belt. This is the step that matters most.
7. Tighten. Pull the end straight up so everything sits snug.
8. Make a loop. Bring the striped end diagonally down between the first and second layer. Don’t pull the loop closed yet.
9. Second end through the loop. Now feed the other (white) end down through that loop.
10. Lock it. Pass the white end diagonally under both layers.
11. Pull it tight. Pull both ends outward at the same time. Done – flat, tight and it stays that way.
The 3 most common mistakes
- Going under only one layer: the belt will slide apart after a few minutes. Always go under both layers (step 6).
- Tying it too high: the belt sits on your hips, not your stomach. Too high and it rides up as you move.
- Uneven ends: if one end is much longer, you didn’t start from the middle. Just start again.
One more thing: a brand-new belt is stiff and slippery. After a few weeks of training it softens and the knot holds even better. Curious what comes after white? Read BJJ belts: order, colours and meaning.
Frequently asked questions
How long should the ends of a BJJ belt be?
About 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) after tying. Much longer means the belt is too big; too short and you need the next size up. Belts come in sizes like A1 to A4, usually matching your gi size.
Why does my BJJ belt keep coming undone?
Usually because the end went under only one layer instead of both, or because the belt sits too high on your stomach. The double knot in this guide holds even in hard sparring.
Is a judo belt tied the same way?
Many judoka use a simpler single-layer knot. The BJJ double knot holds better because there is a lot more pulling on the belt during groundwork.
Can you wash a BJJ belt?
Yes. The myth that you should never wash your belt so you “don’t lose the knowledge” is just unhygienic. Wash it cold now and then and let it air-dry so it doesn’t shrink.
Do I need a belt for my first class?
No. For a trial class, sportswear with long trousers and a T-shirt is enough. Buy a gi and white belt once you know you want to keep training.
Learn it on the mat
The fastest way to learn the knot is to have someone watch you tie it once. At BJJ DOJO Berlin in Kreuzberg we’re happy to show you before or after class – and our classes are taught in English and German. New to BJJ? Start with our beginners course. Book a free trial class →
