What 1,948 Grapplers Taught Us About Belt Progression
Most of us have heard it said: “It takes about 10 years to get your black belt in BJJ.”
That number’s been floating around the mats for as long as most of us can remember. And sure, in some cases, it might hold true. However, a recent survey of 1,948 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners suggests otherwise.
According to the data, the average time it takes to earn a black belt is actually 13.3 years.
That’s not a typo. Thirteen-point-three.
A Timeline That Reflects Reality
The survey—carried out by Gold BJJ and published on BJJDoc.com—gathered responses from practitioners across all belt levels. And while the averages obviously vary from person to person, a pretty clear pattern emerged:
- Blue Belt: ~2.3 years total
- Purple Belt: ~5.6 years total
- Brown Belt: ~9.0 years total
- Black Belt: ~13.3 years total
By the time someone earns that final belt, they’ve usually weathered over a decade of training, setbacks, breakthroughs, injuries, life changes, and long plateaus. It’s not just time on the mat—it’s everything else that happens off the mat too.
Why Does It Take So Long?
Let’s be honest: this timeline doesn’t surprise most of us who’ve been doing this for a while. But it does offer a chance to reflect on what makes BJJ so unique—and, frankly, so demanding.
1. There’s No Universal Curriculum
Jiu Jitsu isn’t like school. There’s no global syllabus, no fixed timeline, and no standardised test that earns you the next rank. Every academy is different. Every instructor has their own benchmarks. What earns a purple belt in one gym might barely get you stripes elsewhere.
That’s frustrating at times—but it also keeps things real.
2. Rolling Slows Progress (But Builds Grit)
Live sparring is BJJ’s superpower. It’s what makes the art functional and honest. But it’s also what makes it hard. You don’t just learn a move—you have to make it work against someone trying to shut you down.
That kind of pressure testing doesn’t just refine technique. It humbles you. Again. And again. And again.
3. Life Happens
Injuries. Burnout. Kids. Work. Relationships. Moving cities. Getting stuck at a job that wrecks your energy.
Even the most dedicated grappler hits pauses along the way. Sometimes for months. Occasionally, for years. And unlike some martial arts, you don’t just get credit for time served—you need to earn your progress back on the mats.
4. A BJJ Black Belt Is a Whole Different Thing
In some systems, a black belt might mean “you’ve got the basics down.” In BJJ, it usually means:
- You can handle yourself from top or bottom
- You understand escapes, control, and pressure
- You’ve got some kind of gameplan (and maybe a backup)
- You can teach or at least help others learn
- You’ve lasted long enough to know when to shut up and listen
It’s not just skill. It’s presence. Maturity. Patience. Perspective.
What the 13.3 Years Really Means
Thirteen years sounds like a long time because—it is a long time. However, it also explains something deeper about the BJJ community:
This art filters people.
Most white belts don’t make it to blue. Fewer still to purple. Brown belt is rare. And black belt? That is a tiny group—made up of people who stuck around not because they were chasing rank but because they liked who they were becoming through the process.
If that sounds dramatic, good. It should. BJJ isn’t a hobby you dabble in once a month. If you let it, it’s a practice that can shape your entire approach to challenge, failure, and growth.
So, What Should You Take from This?
If you’re reading this as a white belt, wondering why progress feels slow—breathe. It’s supposed to feel slow. If you’re a purple belt stuck in a rut, this is your reminder that you’re not behind. You’re just in the middle of something big.
And if you’re already a black belt… well, you already know none of this is really about belts anyway.
What matters?
- Train when you can.
- Be honest with yourself.
- Help others when they need it.
- And keep showing up—even when it’s hard.
Final Thought
Next time someone asks you how long it takes to get a black belt in BJJ, feel free to answer:
“About 13.3 years… give or take a few heartbreaks.”
This article was written by Tom Renshaw. Tom is a purple belt and sometime competitor with a background in education, who writes about Jiu Jitsu, mindset, and learning – always with a coffee in hand and curiosity to spare.
1 comment
Good article!