BJJ gi sizes for academy orders: how to plan a size run for adults, women and kids

Every academy owner who has ordered gis knows the problem. You guess the sizes, the box arrives, and you have a pile of A2s nobody wants while your new students wait for A1s and A3s. Kids outgrow their gis in a term, tall students complain about short sleeves, and a few gis sit on the shelf for months. Getting the size run right is one of the simplest ways to save money on an academy gi order.

This guide explains how BJJ gi sizes work, what the letters after a size mean, how to plan sizes for adults, women and kids, and how to check the fit before you commit to bulk production.

How do BJJ gi sizes work?

Adult BJJ gis are sized with an A followed by a number, usually from A0 to A5 or A6. Each size covers a range of height and weight, so a student's size depends on both. A short, heavy student and a tall, slim student can end up between two sizes, which is why gi sizing feels less simple than t-shirt sizing.

The most important thing to know is that size charts are not standard across the industry. An A2 from one maker can be longer or wider than an A2 from another. When you order academy gis, plan your sizes from the chart of the company actually making them, and do not copy the sizes your students wear in a different brand.

What do the letters L, H and F mean?

• L (long): extra length in the sleeves and pants for tall, slim students who would otherwise need a size that is too wide.
• H (heavy): extra width in the jacket and pants for broader students who would otherwise need a size that is too long.
• F (female): a women's cut, usually shaped differently through the shoulders, waist and hips.

Not every maker offers all of these. If your academy has a lot of tall or broad students, ask early which in-between sizes are available, or whether the sleeve and pant lengths can be adjusted for your order.

How do I work out which sizes my academy needs?

The most reliable size run comes from your own members, not from a generic split. It takes an evening to put together and saves a lot of unsold stock.

1. 1.List your active students with their height and weight. A simple form at the front desk or a message to members is enough.
2. 2.Ask your gi maker for their size chart and match each student to a size. Mark anyone who sits between two sizes.
3. 3.Count the totals for each size, then add a few spares in your two or three most common sizes for new members and trial students.
4. 4.Keep the smallest and largest sizes tight. They sell more slowly, so order only what you know you need.
5. 5.Keep the list. After the gis arrive, note which sizes sold out and which were left over, and adjust for the next order.

Because UZAS Sports has no minimum order, you do not need to buy dozens of a size just to reach a quantity. You can order exactly the spread your academy needs and top up later.

What about women's gis?

Women in your academy will often be more comfortable in a women's cut than in a small men's size. A men's gi that fits the shoulders can be too long in the jacket and sleeves, and a size that fits the length can be tight across the hips. If you have a growing women's class, it is worth including a women's cut in your order rather than asking female students to make do with unisex sizes.

Ask your maker whether women's gis use their own size chart. In many ranges they do, so a women's size does not line up exactly with the men's size of the same name.

How should I size kids' gis?

Kids' gis use their own sizes, often marked with an M or a K and a number, and again the labels differ between makers. Children change size quickly, so most academies plan their kids' order a little differently from their adult order.

• Size by height first, then check weight. Children's length changes faster than their build.
• Allow a little room to grow, but avoid sleeves and pants so long that they bunch up or need rolling. That gets in the way in training.
• Order kids' gis in a lighter fabric if your junior classes are mainly beginners. They are cooler and easier for parents to wash.
• Expect to reorder more often for your kids' programme than for adults, and plan smaller, more frequent orders.

Matching belts are part of the same order. Our guide to custom BJJ belts for academies covers belt sizing alongside the gi.

Does shrinkage change which size I should order?

It can. Cotton gis may shrink after the first few washes, especially in hot water or a dryer. Before you finalise sizes, ask whether the fabric has been pre-shrunk and how the maker recommends washing it. If a student is right on the edge between two sizes, shrinkage is often the deciding factor. Our article on why BJJ gis shrink goes into more detail.

How can I check the fit before bulk production?

The safest way to avoid sizing mistakes is to try the gi on real students before you order in bulk. A prototype shows you how the sleeve length, pant length and jacket width compare with the size chart, and how the fabric feels after a wash.

• Try the prototype on two or three students who sit in your most common size.
• Check sleeve length with arms extended, and pant length when the student is standing and in a low stance.
• Wash the prototype the way your students will, then measure it again.
• Confirm the logo and patch positions look right on that size before they are repeated across the whole run.

How UZAS Sports makes academy gis

UZAS Sports has made martial arts uniforms in our own factory in Sialkot, Pakistan since 2005, with a showroom in Sialkot and a booking office in Melbourne. Our standard BJJ gi is a 450 gsm pearl weave, and we make custom BJJ gis for academies and fightwear brands with your logo, colours and patches. Brands can add their own neck labels, swing tags and packaging through private label.

There is no minimum order, so you can order the exact size spread your academy needs. We make a complimentary customised prototype with your logo for you to approve before bulk production, which usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Our team offers free design help, and orders of 25 pieces or more ship free. Prototypes and urgent orders travel by air freight, while bulk orders can go by sea. Our buyer FAQ answers common questions about ordering and shipping.

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