How to Tie a Jiu‐Jitsu Belt

Co-authored by Frank Blaney

Last Updated: March 21, 2023

In Jiu-Jitsu, a belt symbolizes your rank, knowledge about your practice, and progress towards future athletic goals.^{[1]
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Research source} More than a symbol though, it also performs the practical job of holding your “gi” (or Jiu-Jitsu uniform) together while training and performing. There are lots of different ways to tie your Jiu-Jitsu belt, but a traditional Jiu-Jitsu tie and Karate (or Taekwondo) tie are two of the most basic. A Jiu-Jitsu tie is a quick everyday tie, whereas a Karate (or Taekwondo) tie is a little more tidy for competition.^{[2]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Traditional Jiu-Jitsu Tie

1
Hold your belt in both hands and place it flat against your belly. Check that the label of the belt is facing outward away from you. Space the belt evenly between your hipbones and your belly button.^{[3]
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- Adjust the belt as necessary such that both ends of are a similar length.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Frank Blaney
  Certified Tai Chi & Qigong Instructor
  Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.}
2
Pull the belt tight around your body as you cross the sides in the back.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Frank Blaney
Certified Tai Chi & Qigong Instructor
Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.} With one side of the belt in each hand, create tension as you pull each side of the belt back. Feed each side into the opposite hand so the belt crosses once in the back.^{[6]
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3
Pull both ends of the belt back in front of you.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Frank Blaney
Certified Tai Chi & Qigong Instructor
Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.} Extend your arms in front of you creating a snug fit in the back. Adjust the belt as needed so that both ends are of equal length.^{[8]
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4
Cross the right-hand belt over the left-hand belt. Readjust your grip so that each hand is holding the side of the belt now in front of it.^{[9]
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- The side of the belt that was the right side should now be in your left hand. Similarly, what was the left side will now be in your right hand.
5
Feed the side of the belt on top underneath all the layers. Tuck the top overlapping strap of the belt (in your left hand) underneath all the layers of the belt around your waist. Do this so it comes in from the bottom and out of the top.^{[10]
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- It will now be the closest strap to your body of all the wraps around your waist.
6
Loop the bottom belt in your right hand around the other belt. As you loop, thread the bottom belt through the gap created by the two belts crossing. Take one end in each hand, and pull the sides away from one another tightly to form a knot. You’re ready for action!^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Karate or Taekwondo Tie

1
Hold your belt in front of you. Line one end of your belt up with the right-hand side of your Jiu-Jitsu lapel. This will make it so your right hand is at the end of the belt by the lapel, and your left hand is holding a side with much more slack. Face the label side of your belt away from your body.^{[12]
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- Your Jiu-Jitsu lapel is the bottom corner of your Jiu-Jitsu shirt. It is different than a suit lapel.
2
Loop the long, left-hand side of the belt around your waist twice. Take the free length of the belt, and wrap it around your body two times. Bring the wrapped end back in front of your body.^{[13]
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- After wrapping, you should be holding the side that wrapped around your body in your left hand and the side that remained at your lapel in your right hand.
3
Tuck the left side underneath all layers of your belt. Coming from the bottom through the top, thread the left side of your belt under the belted layers around your waist.^{[14]
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- Adjust the belt as necessary so the two loose ends of the belt are roughly around the same length after tucking. You may need to loosen and tweak things.
4
Cross the left side of the belt over the right side of the belt. Double check that you are crossing the higher side of the belt over the lower side of the belt. The left should be highest.^{[15]
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- Doing this will create a small gap between the two belts.
5
Feed the right side of the belt under and through the gap you’ve created. Taking a side in each hand, pull both ends of the belt tight to create a knot. You’re ready to go!^{[16]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I tie a karate belt the Jiu-Jitsu way?

Community Answer

It really depends on your waist size. If you have (quite) a small waist, then it should be fine.