IBJJF Legal Gi Guide for Academies and BJJ Brands
An IBJJF legal gi is a woven cotton or cotton-like kimono in one solid colour, white, royal blue or black, with jacket, trousers and collar all matching. Patches must be cotton, sewn down and placed only in authorised areas.
By the Oversky International team
An IBJJF legal gi is a woven cotton or cotton-like kimono in one solid colour, white, royal blue or black, with jacket, trousers and collar all matching. Patches must be cotton, sewn down and placed only in authorised areas. Inspectors also check the lapel, collar and sleeve opening against official measurements, so academies and brands should design to the current rules.
What makes a gi IBJJF legal?
A gi is IBJJF legal when its colour, material, construction, measurements and decoration all meet the federation's uniform rules. Failing any one of them can stop an athlete at the inspection table.
The IBJJF uniform page sets out the core requirements. In summary:
| Requirement | What the rules ask for |
|---|---|
| Colour | White, royal blue or black only |
| Colour match | Jacket and trousers the same colour; collar the same colour as the jacket |
| Material | Cotton or cotton-like, woven fabric |
| Patches | Cotton, properly sewn, only in authorised regions |
| Paint | Not allowed, except academy or sponsor logos in patch-authorised areas |
| Inspection measurements | Lapel thickness, collar width and sleeve opening checked by inspectors |
Rules change, so treat this table as a starting point and check the current IBJJF Rules Book before you finalise a design.
Which gi colours are allowed?
Only white, royal blue and black are permitted. The jacket and trousers must be the same colour, and the collar cannot be a different colour from the rest of the jacket.
That rules out two-tone jackets, contrast collars and mixed tops and trousers. It also rules out shades close to the permitted colours: retailers report that navy is not accepted as royal blue at IBJJF events. For an academy, the practical choice is usually one competition colour, often white, plus a second colour for training or a team look.
Colour accents can still appear in legal places, such as contrast stitching on patches or a coloured inner lining, but check each detail against the rule book before you approve the sample.
What are the IBJJF gi measurements?
Inspectors check three official measurements on the jacket. According to the IBJJF uniform page, they verify a lapel thickness of 1.3 cm, a collar width of 5 cm and a sleeve opening of 7 cm when the arm is fully extended.
For a manufacturer, those numbers translate into pattern and construction decisions:
- Lapel: the collar filling and stitching must hold a thickness that passes inspection without being so stiff it gives an unfair grip advantage.
- Collar width: the finished collar must match the specified width across the whole run, not just on the sample.
- Sleeve opening: sleeves need enough width at the wrist that a slim cut still leaves the required room.
The rules also cover sleeve and trouser length. Different guides quote different figures, so take the current numbers from the rule book and build them into the size chart with tolerances.
How should patches be applied?
Patches must be cotton, sewn down properly and placed only in the regions the rule book authorises. Iron-on patches that are not stitched, or patches outside authorised areas, can be removed by inspectors.
For academies and brands, that means:
- Choose cotton patches, embroidered or printed, rather than vinyl or rubber.
- Sew every edge flat, so no corner lifts during a match.
- Map the positions on the flat drawing against the authorised regions, typically on the back, shoulders, sleeves and trouser legs.
- Keep paint off the gi, except logos in patch-authorised areas.
Embroidery directly onto the gi is common for academy names and logos. Put the position and size of each embroidery or patch in your tech pack so every gi in the run matches.
What fabric should a competition gi use?
The rules require woven cotton or cotton-like fabric for every age division. Within that, academies choose a weave and weight that suits their members and budget.
Pearl weave is the most common choice for jackets, because it balances durability and weight. Heavier weaves feel more substantial but take longer to dry; lighter weaves pack smaller for travel. Trousers are usually a cotton twill or ripstop. Because gis shrink, the pattern should allow for the fabric's shrinkage after washing, so wash the approved sample and re-measure it before you sign off.
Our BJJ range covers gis and no-gi wear, and the fabric guide explains the weaves and trims we work with.
How do academies order custom IBJJF legal gis?
Academies order custom gis the same way as any other garment: brief, sample, approve, then produce. The difference is that the brief should include the uniform rules you need to meet.
At Oversky, the steps run like this:
- Brief: colours, sizes (including kids' sizes), logo files and patch positions.
- Specification: we confirm fabric, measurements and decoration in 2-3 days.
- Sample: usually leaves in 7-10 working days once details are confirmed.
- Approval: check the sample against the rule book and your size chart.
- Bulk: typically 4-6 weeks after sample approval and deposit.
Most designs start at 50 pieces per style and colour. Send the current IBJJF uniform rules with your brief so the sample is built to them from the start.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gi have coloured stitching or a coloured lining?
Details such as contrast stitching or an inner lining may be acceptable, but the visible jacket, trousers and collar must stay one permitted colour. Because interpretations and rules change, check the current IBJJF Rules Book and confirm each colour detail before you approve the sample.
Are iron-on patches allowed at IBJJF events?
Patches must be cotton and properly sewn in authorised regions. An iron-on patch that is only heat-applied can be removed by inspectors, so stitch every patch down around its edges. Embroidering the logo directly onto the gi avoids the problem altogether.
Can kids' gis use the same design as adults'?
Yes. The same colour, patch and logo rules apply across age divisions, and woven fabric is required for all of them. Grade the pattern for children's sizes and check that collar width and sleeve opening still meet the rules on the smallest sizes.
What is the minimum order for custom academy gis?
Most designs start at 50 pieces per style and colour, and sizes can be mixed within that count. Smaller trial runs can be quoted for repeat customers or simple constructions. A white gi and a blue gi in the same design count as two colourways.
What to do next
Send your colours, size breakdown, logo files and patch positions through the quote form on our homepage. We reply within one business day and will build your sample to the current IBJJF uniform rules.