How to Measure for a BJJ Gi: 5 Steps to the Right Size

Stylso — BJJ gis and combat-sports apparel, built for athletes who train. To measure for a BJJ gi, you need four numbers: your height, weight, jacket span (wrist to wrist across your shoulders), and sleeve length. Cross-check all four against the brand’s garment chart — not just the height-weight range. The 5-step method below includes the real Stylso A-series and K-series numbers so you can order once and train immediately.

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Stylso BJJ gi size chart showing A-series measurements — A0 through A5 with height, weight, and garment dimensions

Quick Takeaways

  • Jacket span (A dimension) is the real fit check — height alone isn’t enough
  • Between sizes? Go one up — gis settle after the first few washes
  • Kids’ K-series runs by height, not age — re-measure every season

Why Height and Weight Aren’t the Whole Picture

Most size guides hand you a height-weight range and call it done. That’s a bracket, not a fit.

Two grapplers at 180 cm and 86 kg can have very different shoulder widths. One fits snug in an A2; the other needs an A3 in the jacket even if the trousers work. The measurement that settles this is the jacket span — labeled A in the size chart, measured wrist to wrist across your upper back.

In judo and wrestling, the width of your jacket directly affects how your opponent can grip you — and how you grip them. A gi that pulls tight across the back limits collar work. One that’s loose gives grips away. Getting the jacket span right isn’t just about looking sharp at the academy; it determines what moves you can run.

Five minutes of measuring beats two returns and a month of wearing the wrong gi.

The 5 Steps: How to Measure for a BJJ Gi

MEASURE FOR YOUR SIZEHeight + weight, then match the chart MEASURE FOR YOUR SIZE Height + weight, then match the chart 1 Height, barefoot 2 Weight, training shape 3 Match the A-chart
Measure barefoot, weigh in honestly, then read the real A-series chart.

  1. Measure your height barefoot. Stand against a wall, feet flat, chin level. Have someone mark the wall at the top of your head and measure from that mark to the floor. Write it down in centimetres. Don’t round up; use the actual number.
  2. Step on the scale in your normal training state. Not first thing in the morning. Not after a hard cut or a big meal. Normal training-day weight. Note it in kilograms. This combined with your height puts you in the right size bracket.
  3. Measure your jacket span — the A dimension. This is the one most people skip, and it’s the most important. Stand with both arms straight out at shoulder height, like a T. Have a training partner measure from wrist bone to wrist bone across your upper back. That number is your jacket span. If you’re measuring solo, a chest-circumference tape under your armpits works as a secondary check, but the T-pose arm measurement is more accurate for gi jacket fit.
  4. Measure your torso and pant length. For the jacket: measure from the base of your neck to where you’d like the gi to end — typically mid-hip. That’s the B dimension. For the trousers: measure from your waist to your ankle. That’s the D dimension. These confirm you’re in the right bracket and flag any odd proportions (long legs, short torso, etc.).
  5. Cross-check all four against the size chart. Height and weight place you in a bracket. Jacket span (A) confirms it. If your height says A2 but your jacket span is closer to A3, go A3. Jacket span is the tie-breaker — the size chart below has the real Stylso numbers so you can compare directly.

The Stylso Fit Check — A-Series Size Chart (Real Measurements)

All dimensions in centimetres. A = jacket span · B = jacket length · C = lower jacket · D = pant length · E = pant waist · F = cuff. Source: STYLSO official size chart, verified 2026-06-19.

Size Height (cm) Weight (kg) A — Jacket Span B — Jacket Length D — Pant Length Who It’s For
A0 162–168 64–70 151 cm 70 cm 90 cm Lighter / shorter build
A1 168–170 70–77 160 cm 73 cm 94 cm Lean, average height
A2 170–178 77–86 169 cm 76 cm 99 cm Most common first-buy size
A3 178–188 86–102 178 cm 80 cm 104 cm Taller or broader frame
A4 185–193 104–118 191 cm 85 cm 109 cm Big guys
A5 190–200 118–136 197 cm 89 cm 114 cm Large / heavy builds

Fit note: if you’re between sizes or want extra collar and sleeve mobility for guard work, size up one. The Stylso pearl-weave gi is pre-shrunk — it won’t noticeably shrink down on you after washing.

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Stylso Fit Check diagram — 5 measurement steps for BJJ gi sizing, with jacket span (A dimension) as the tie-breaker
The Stylso Fit Check: 5 steps, jacket span is the tie-breaker, size up when in doubt.

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What If You’re Between Sizes?

Go one size up. Here’s the real reason: gis settle slightly after the first few washes. Not dramatically — a pre-shrunk gi like the Stylso pearl-weave is treated specifically so the size you order is close to the size you keep — but a snug A2 will get snugger over the first few sessions and washes.

More important: extra room in the collar and sleeves matters on the mat. Guard players need to straighten their arms fully for triangle setups. A gi that binds under the arm or rides up past the wrist ruins the position. A little extra room there isn’t baggy — it’s functional.

The one time sizing down might work: if your jacket span clearly matches the smaller size AND you’re at the very bottom of both the height and weight range for that bracket. But if you’re in doubt, up beats down every time.

For more on the A2 vs A3 choice specifically, see our A2 vs A3 Gi guide — it covers the exact jacket-span difference and which frame works in each.

Ready to shop? Check current Stylso Gi sizes and availability on Amazon.

Buying a Gi for Your Child — K-Series Measurements

Kids’ K-series sizes run by height, not age. K1 doesn’t mean “age 1” — it’s a height band. A 10-year-old who’s grown fast might be in a K3; a tall 12-year-old might need a K4. Measure every season — kids grow fast enough that a gi bought in January can be tight by May.

Size Height (cm) Weight (kg) A — Jacket Span D — Pant Length Notes
K000 114–120 18–23 114 cm 72 cm Youngest beginners
K00 120–127 23–27 120 cm 76 cm Early primary
K0 127–135 27–32 126 cm 79 cm Mid-primary
K1 135–142 32–36 132 cm 81 cm Late primary
K2 142–147 36–41 138 cm 85 cm Pre-teen
K3 147–155 41–45 144 cm 86 cm Teen — transitioning
K4 155–160 45–50 159 cm 91 cm Older teen / small adult

Same rule applies: if your child is between K sizes, go one up. They’ll train for longer before the gi gets tight — and kids grow fast enough that a bit of room is always the smarter call.

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You Measured — Now Get the Right Gi

You have your numbers. You know your A-series size. The Stylso pearl-weave gi — IBJJF-approved and pre-shrunk — comes in the full A0–A5 range. The size you measured today is the size you’ll still be wearing a year of training later. Check the current sizing options and availability on Amazon.

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Free: BJJ Gi Measurement Cheat Sheet

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Also see: BJJ Gi Size Guide · How to Wash a BJJ Gi · Best Budget BJJ Gi

Frequently Asked Questions

What measurements do I need to buy a BJJ gi?
Four: height (barefoot, in cm), training-day weight (in kg), jacket span (wrist to wrist across your upper back — the A dimension), and an approximate jacket and pant length. Cross-check all four against the brand’s garment size chart — not just the height-weight range. Jacket span is your most important number.
Should I size up or down if I’m between gi sizes?
Size up. Gis settle slightly after the first few washes, so a snug fit will get snugger. Extra room in the collar and sleeves also gives you more functional range for guard work and collar grips. The only case for sizing down is if your jacket span clearly matches the smaller size and you’re at the very bottom of both its height and weight range.
What is the jacket span (A dimension) in a BJJ gi size chart?
Jacket span (labeled A in size charts) is the total width of the gi jacket measured from sleeve end to sleeve end across the upper back. It’s not the same as chest circumference — it’s wider. It’s the most important garment measurement for gi fit because it determines how the jacket sits across your shoulders and whether you have full range of arm movement on the mat.
How much do BJJ gis shrink after washing?
Untreated cotton gis can shrink noticeably in the first few washes, especially in hot water or a tumble dryer. Pre-shrunk gis (like the Stylso pearl-weave) shrink far less — they’re treated so the size you order is close to the size you’ll keep. Always wash cold and hang-dry to protect the fit; even pre-shrunk gis benefit from cold wash care.
Can women use the same A-series sizing chart?
Yes — the Stylso A-series is unisex. Women typically size by height and weight, the same as men. If you’re between sizes or prefer a closer cut, size down one. The key check is still jacket span: measure wrist to wrist and match that A-dimension number to the size chart. Check on Amazon for current availability in your size.
How often should I re-measure my child for a BJJ gi?
Every 4–6 months during primary school years and at the start of each season in the teen years. Kids’ K-series sizes run by height — a child can move one or two K-sizes in a single year of growth. Measure fresh height and weight each time rather than relying on last season’s size or the age label on the chart.


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