Buying a BJJ gi is straightforward until you try to figure out what size to order. The A-sizing system looks simple on paper — A0 through A5 or A6, increasing in height and weight — but the reality is that sizing isn’t standardized across brands. An A2 from Fuji fits differently than an A2 from Sanabul, and ordering your standard size from a new brand without checking their specific chart is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes in BJJ.
This guide covers how to measure yourself correctly, how to read a size chart, what to do when your height and weight fall in different size categories, and how four popular brands covered on this site — Fuji, Sanabul, Tatami, and Gold BJJ — compare against each other.
Step 1: Take Your Measurements
Height and weight get you in the ballpark. Measurements get you the right size. Before looking at any size chart, take three measurements:
Wingspan (sleeve length reference) Stand with your arms hanging naturally at your sides. Place a tape measure at the center of the back of your neck and run it along your arm to the center of your wrist. Double this number — that’s your wingspan. This tells you how much sleeve length you need and is the most useful measurement for avoiding gis that are too short in the sleeves.
Outseam (pant length reference) Measure from your natural waist down to your ankle bone. This is your outseam and tells you whether a gi’s pants will fit at the correct length without needing to be hemmed.
Chest circumference Measure around the widest part of your chest, keeping the tape level under your arms. This determines how well a gi jacket will fit across the torso — the measurement where heavier or wider athletes most often run into problems with standard sizing.
Write all three down before looking at any size chart. Once you have your measurements, you can compare directly against a brand’s chart rather than relying on the height/weight ranges alone.
Step 2: How to Read a BJJ Size Chart
Standard BJJ gi sizes for adult men use the letter A followed by a number. The A stands for Adult (some brands use it specifically for men’s sizing). The number scales upward with height and weight together.
Standard sizes:
| Size | Approximate Height | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 4’10″–5’2″ | 95–120 lbs |
| A1 | 5’2″–5’5″ | 110–145 lbs |
| A2 | 5’5″–5’9″ | 140–175 lbs |
| A3 | 5’9″–6’1″ | 170–210 lbs |
| A4 | 6’0″–6’4″ | 200–250 lbs |
| A5 | 6’2″–6’5″ | 245–285 lbs |
These are general ranges — every brand interprets them differently. Treat this table as a starting point, not a definitive guide.
Modified sizes:
As brands have expanded their lines, two additional size modifiers have become common:
- L (Long) — Same body width as the standard size, but extended sleeve and pant length. An A2L has the same chest and shoulder dimensions as an A2 but the sleeve and leg length of a larger size. Designed for tall athletes who are the right weight for their size but need extra length.
- H (Husky) — Same height range as the standard size, but wider through the chest, shoulders, and waist. An A2H fits someone with A2 height but a heavier or wider frame than a standard A2 accommodates. Designed for stocky or muscular athletes who run out of room in the torso before they run out of length.
Not every brand offers L and H sizes, and among brands that do, not every model comes in them. Check the specific model’s size options rather than assuming a brand’s modified sizes apply across their whole line.
Step 3: What to Do When Height and Weight Don’t Match
The most common sizing problem is when your height puts you in one size and your weight puts you in another. A 5’10” practitioner who weighs 215 lbs is in A2 territory by height and A3 territory by weight.
The general rule: size for weight, not height.
A gi that’s tight across the chest or shoulders will restrict your movement and is more likely to tear under stress. A gi with slightly long sleeves or pants is a much smaller functional problem — long pants can be hemmed or rolled up, and slightly long sleeves are manageable. A jacket that binds across the back when you reach for a grip is not.
The exception to this rule is if the weight difference is extreme. If you’re 5’10” and 225 lbs and ordering an A3, the sleeves may be long enough to create a compliance issue at IBJJF events. In that case, an A2H — which adds width without adding length — is the better solution if the brand offers it.
When in doubt, size up.
A gi that’s slightly large can be managed. A gi that’s slightly small will feel restrictive from the first session and is harder to address.
Brand-by-Brand Comparison: How These Four Brands Size
BJJ gi sizing is not standardized. The same size number from different brands will fit differently. Here’s how the four brands covered on this site compare:
Fuji
Sizing tendency: Runs true to size, slightly generous
Fuji’s size chart is one of the most detailed available, with the most size variants of any mainstream brand. Their standard A0–A6 range is accompanied by A1L, A2L, A2H, A3L, A3H, and more — making Fuji the best option for athletes who don’t fit neatly into standard sizing.
All Fuji gis are listed as preshrunk, though Fuji notes that up to one inch of shrinkage can still occur with standard washing. Cold wash and hang dry is their recommended care method.
Sizing tip: Fuji tends to run slightly generous compared to other brands. If you’re between sizes, sizing down from your Fuji size to other brands is common. Always compare your actual measurements against Fuji’s chart rather than assuming your standard size transfers directly.
Sanabul
Sizing tendency: Runs large — size down
Sanabul explicitly states on their sizing page that their gis run larger than most other brands. This is intentional — they build in extra room to allow for different washing preferences, since washing in hot water or machine drying will shrink the gi toward a more fitted size.
The practical result: if you’re an A2 in Fuji, you may be an A1 or a small A2 in Sanabul. Their recommendation is to check the fit at the wrist — if the cuff is more than three inches past your wrist bone, the gi is too large and you should size down without washing it first.
Sanabul offers standard sizes A0–A5 on their main lines. No H or L variants are available.
Sizing tip: Do not order your standard BJJ size from Sanabul without checking their specific chart. Most practitioners size down at least half a size compared to their Fuji or Tatami size.
Tatami
Sizing tendency: Runs true to size, competition cut runs fitted
Tatami’s sizing is broadly comparable to Fuji’s standard sizing, but their competition-cut models (including the Nova Absolute) run more fitted through the torso than Fuji’s traditional cut. This means a Tatami A3 will feel roomier or more restrictive depending on which model you’re buying.
Tatami gis are not preshrunk and will shrink with washing. Tatami estimates up to 5% shrinkage even when washed at low temperatures and hung to dry. Account for this when choosing your size — order slightly larger than your target fit and manage shrinkage through cold washing.
Tatami offers L sizes (A1L through A4L on some models) but not H sizes. Their L sizing is among the most extensive available for tall athletes.
Sizing tip: Check which specific Tatami model you’re buying — the cut varies significantly between their lines. For non-preshrunk Tatami gis, size up slightly from your target fit to account for shrinkage.
Gold BJJ
Sizing tendency: Runs true to size, preshrunk
Gold BJJ’s sizing is accurate and consistent. Their size chart covers A0–A5 for their standard unisex sizing, plus L variants (A1L through A3L) on the Aeroweave line. All Gold BJJ gis use preshrunk fabric, which makes sizing more predictable — what you order is close to what you’ll get after washing.
Gold BJJ notes that some shrinkage can still occur, particularly in heavier-weight models like the Valiant. The Aeroweave (their ultra-lightweight model) shrinks less than their heavier options.
Sizing tip: Gold BJJ sizing is the most predictable of the four brands here. Order your standard size with confidence, accounting for the fact that their Aeroweave runs slightly slimmer through the torso than their heavier gis.
Sizing Summary: Brand Comparison at a Glance
| Brand | Runs | Preshrunk | H Sizes | L Sizes | Size Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuji | Slightly generous | Yes (up to 1″ shrinkage) | Yes (A2H, A3H) | Yes (A1L–A3L) | A00–A6 |
| Sanabul | Large — size down | No (shrink to fit) | No | No | A0–A5 |
| Tatami | True, fitted cut | No (up to 5% shrinkage) | No | Yes (A1L–A4L) | A0–A6 |
| Gold BJJ | True | Yes (minimal shrinkage) | No | Yes (A1L–A3L) | A0–A5 |
IBJJF Fit Requirements
If you compete under IBJJF rules, your gi needs to pass an inspection that includes sleeve and pant length. Here are the key measurements:
- Jacket sleeves: Must reach within 2 inches (5 cm) of the wrist when the arm is extended
- Pants: Must reach within 2 inches (5 cm) of the ankle
- Jacket length: Must cover the hips and reach the top of the thigh
A gi that fits you correctly for training will generally pass IBJJF inspection. The most common compliance issue is sleeves that are too short — which typically happens when a practitioner sizes down too aggressively or buys a gi that’s too small for their height.
If you’re close to the minimum sleeve length in your standard size, check the specific measurements from the brand’s chart rather than relying on the size range alone.
Common Sizing Mistakes
Ordering by weight alone without checking height. Weight tells you how much room you need in the torso, but height determines sleeve and pant length. Both matter.
Not accounting for shrinkage before ordering. A non-preshrunk gi ordered at your exact size will shrink to smaller than your exact size after washing. For Tatami and other non-preshrunk brands, ordering at your target fit and washing in cold water is the correct approach — not ordering a size down and hoping it stays there.
Assuming your size transfers directly between brands. The most common sizing error, especially when buying from a brand for the first time. An A2 from one brand is not an A2 from every brand. Always check the specific brand’s chart.
Not trying a gi before a competition. New gis shrink unpredictably in the first few washes. Order your competition gi early, wash it at least twice before the event, and confirm it still passes inspection.
When Standard Sizing Doesn’t Work
If your height and weight consistently put you in different size categories, or if standard sizes don’t fit your proportions, see the Best BJJ Gi for Big & Tall guide for H sizes, L sizes, and options for athletes at the edges of the size range. That guide also covers custom tailoring as a legitimate solution for practitioners with proportions that standard sizing doesn’t serve well.
This guide reflects size charts and brand information current as of 2026. Size charts are brand-specific and subject to change — always verify against the brand’s current chart before ordering.