A2 or A3? It’s the question that freezes every new grappler at the size chart. Pick wrong and your gi either chokes your shoulders or hangs off you like a bedsheet — and you usually find out the hard way, mid-roll. Here’s the thing: getting it right takes two quick checks, not a lucky guess.
An A2 fits most grapplers standing 170–178 cm (5’7″–5’10″) and weighing 77–86 kg (170–190 lb). An A3 suits those at 178–188 cm (5’10″–6’2″) and 86–102 kg (190–225 lb). If you’re right on the border, the jacket span measurement in the table below is the tie-breaker — it’s the number most charts leave out.
- Height and weight together pick your size — neither alone is enough.
- A2 or A3 covers most adult men between 170–188 cm; know which range you fall in.
- Between sizes? Size up for mobility; size down only for a tight competition cut.
What Your Gi Size Actually Measures
Gi sizes aren’t like T-shirt sizes. The letter-number — A2, A3 — describes the whole frame the gi is built for: jacket span, sleeve length, jacket body, trouser inseam. Buy for weight alone and you’ll often end up too tight across the shoulders or too short in the sleeves.
The reliable method is a two-check. First match your height to the size range. Then cross-check your weight. If both point to the same size, that’s your gi. If they split — say, height says A2 but weight says A3 — run the Stylso Fit Check below to break the tie with a single measurement.
A2 vs A3 — Side by Side
All measurements below are from the official Stylso A-series size chart (centimetres). A = jacket span · B = jacket length · D = trouser length · E = trouser waist.
| Size | Height (cm) | Height (in) | Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | Jacket Span (A) | Jacket Length (B) | Trouser Length (D) | Waist (E) | Best For | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | 170–178 | 5’7″–5’10″ | 77–86 | 170–190 | 169 cm | 76 cm | 99 cm | 51 cm | Average-height grapplers, lighter middleweights, most beginners | Shop on Amazon |
| A3 | 178–188 | 5’10″–6’2″ | 86–102 | 190–225 | 178 cm | 80 cm | 104 cm | 54 cm | Taller grapplers, heavier middleweights, wider builds | Shop on Amazon |
The 9 cm span difference between A2 and A3 is the most important number here. Wide shoulders push you up a size even when your weight sits in the lower bracket.
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The Stylso Fit Check — 3 Steps to Pick Right
Run this before you order. It takes two minutes and saves you a return.
- Match your height. Stand barefoot. Find your height in the table above. For most grapplers this gives the answer on its own.
- Cross-check your weight. Use your normal training weight — not a goal weight, not your competition cut. If height and weight agree, that’s your size. Done.
- Measure your jacket span. Arms relaxed at your sides, measure from shoulder tip to shoulder tip across your upper back. Compare to the Jacket Span (A) column above. This is the tie-breaker when height and weight point different ways.
Full Stylso A-Series at a Glance
| Size | Height (cm) | Height (in) | Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 162–168 | 5’4″–5’6″ | 64–70 | 141–154 |
| A1 | 168–170 | 5’6″–5’7″ | 70–77 | 154–170 |
| A2 | 170–178 | 5’7″–5’10″ | 77–86 | 170–190 |
| A3 | 178–188 | 5’10″–6’2″ | 86–102 | 190–225 |
| A4 | 185–193 | 6’1″–6’4″ | 104–118 | 229–260 |
| A5 | 190–200 | 6’3″–6’7″ | 118–136 | 260–300 |
If You’re Right on the Border
Height and weight aren’t the whole story. These four situations push you up — or let you stay down:
- Long arms or a tall torso? Size up. Sleeve length on the mat matters more than a waist that’s half an inch loose.
- Wide shoulders? Go A3 even if your weight is mid-A2. The span measurement tells you — if your shoulder span is close to 178 cm, the A2 jacket will pull across the back under pressure.
- Competition cut? Some competitors drop one size for a tighter gi that’s harder to grip. Only do this if you can confirm the smaller size still meets IBJJF sleeve requirements — sleeve must reach the wrist with arm extended.
- Pre-shrunk gi? The Stylso pearl-weave gi is pre-shrunk. Buy the size the chart says — you don’t need to go up “for shrinkage.” A normal cold wash won’t move the size meaningfully.
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Free: Stylso BJJ Gi Sizing Cheat Sheet (PDF)
The full A-series + kids K-series size chart in one printable page — jacket span, trouser length, waist, and fit notes for A2 vs A3 and every size in between. Enter your email and get it instantly.
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FAQ — A2 vs A3 BJJ Gi
Is A2 or A3 bigger?
A3 is bigger. It’s designed for grapplers standing 178–188 cm (5’10″–6’2″) and weighing 86–102 kg (190–225 lb). The A2 fits those in the 170–178 cm and 77–86 kg range. Every dimension — jacket span, sleeve length, trouser inseam, and waist — is larger on the A3.
What is the exact cm difference between A2 and A3?
On the Stylso A-series: the jacket span (A) is 169 cm for A2 vs 178 cm for A3, a 9 cm difference. Jacket length (B) is 76 cm vs 80 cm (+4 cm). Trouser length (D) is 99 cm vs 104 cm (+5 cm). Waist (E) is 51 cm vs 54 cm (+3 cm).
I’m 180 cm and 88 kg — should I get A2 or A3?
At 180 cm and 88 kg, both your height (178–188 cm range) and weight (86–102 kg range) point to A3. Go A3. If you’ve a particularly narrow build, check your shoulder span — if it’s under 174 cm, an A2 could work, but most grapplers at this size find A3 gives the right room to move.
Will a gi shrink from an A2 to an A3 after washing?
Not a full size, no. Standard cotton gis may shrink 3–7% on a hot wash — that’s not enough to jump a full size under normal washing. The Stylso pearl-weave gi is pre-shrunk; a cold or warm wash won’t change the fit meaningfully. Never wash a gi in hot water if you’re already on the small end of your size range.
What gi size does a 6-foot grappler need?
Six feet is 183 cm, which falls in the A3 range (178–188 cm). Most grapplers at 183 cm with normal training weight need an A3. If you’re very lean (under 86 kg at 183 cm), check the jacket span — some narrow-build grapplers at this height fit an A2, but A3 is the safe starting point.
Do women use the same A2 / A3 sizing?
Stylso uses the unisex A-series for adults. Women follow the same height and weight chart. If you’re between sizes or want a slimmer fit, size down one. There’s no separate women’s cut in the current Stylso A-series line.
More Stylso Guides:
- Complete BJJ Gi Size Guide — How to Measure and Pick the Right Fit
- How a BJJ Gi Should Fit (Sleeve, Trouser and Jacket Rules)
- Best Budget BJJ Gi — Honest Picks for Every Size
- Best Rashguard for BJJ — What to Wear Under Your Gi
