Gi vs No-Gi BJJ: Clothing, Grips, and Rules
Gi BJJ uses a woven jacket, trousers, and belt, with clothing grips permitted under the rules. No-gi BJJ uses fitted athletic clothing; IBJJF prohibits gripping either athlete’s uniform in its no-gi divisions.IBJJF Uniform Requirements [1]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]
The comparison below uses IBJJF competition rules. For your first class, ask the academy what clothing it accepts before buying equipment.
Gi and no-gi side by side
IBJJF publishes separate uniform requirements for the two formats and a specific ban on no-gi clothing grips.IBJJF Uniform Requirements [1]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]
| What changes | Gi | No-gi |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Woven jacket and trousers, secured with a rank belt.[1][2] | Fitted elastic top, with shorts or permitted compression garments; the lower-body requirements differ by division.[1] |
| Clothing grips | Grips on the gi are allowed, with restrictions: fingers may not go inside sleeve or trouser openings.[1][2] | Grabbing your own or your opponent’s clothing is a serious foul.[2] |
| Competition colors | A matching white, royal-blue, or black gi, with the required rank belt.[1][2] | Black, white, or black-and-white top with at least 10% rank color, or a top entirely in the rank color.[1] |
How the grip difference affects control
In gi, the jacket and trousers provide fabric to hold. In IBJJF no-gi, control must come from permitted contact with the body because clothing grips are prohibited.IBJJF Uniform Requirements [1]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]
When comparing the same position in both formats, look at what the hands hold. That is a useful way to see which controls rely on the gi.
Check the organizer’s rules
ADCC’s championship rules make the gi optional and publish their own scoring, match phases, and technique rules. IBJJF has its own uniform and grip requirements. The format name alone does not give you the full rules.IBJJF Uniform Requirements [1]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [3]
Before competing, check your division’s legal techniques, match length, scoring, and equipment. Major BJJ competitions compares the IBJJF and ADCC formats.
Learning across both formats
Use the same questions to follow either format: who is on top, who controls the distance, and what could allow an escape or submission? Then look at how each athlete uses the available grips.
Read BJJ positions explained for the position map and BJJ submissions explained for the main types of finish.
Which format should a beginner start with?
Start with a well-taught class you can attend regularly. If the academy offers both formats, try each and compare the instruction, schedule, and training partners.
Ask about loan equipment and beginner clothing rules before buying a gi or rash guard. See BJJ for beginners for the first-class checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between gi and no-gi BJJ?
The clothing and grips. Gi uses a woven jacket, trousers, and belt. IBJJF no-gi uses fitted clothing and prohibits grabbing either athlete’s uniform.IBJJF Uniform Requirements [1]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]
Can you grab clothing in no-gi?
Under IBJJF rules, grabbing your own or your opponent’s uniform in no-gi is a serious foul.IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]
Can you wear a gi in ADCC?
The ADCC championship rules state that a gi is optional. Check the specific event’s rules before entering.ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [3]
Which is better for beginners?
Start with accessible, well-coached classes. If both formats are available, try each before choosing your regular schedule.
Sources
- [1]IBJJF Uniform Requirements — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. GI Material; GI Color and Patches; No-GI Jiu-Jitsu Uniform Requirements. Accessed .
- Relevant section: GI Material; GI Color and Patches; GI Measurements.
- Relevant section: No-GI Jiu-Jitsu Uniform Requirements.
- Relevant section: GI and No-GI requirements.
- [2]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Linked 2024JUN rule-book asset; claim locators below identify the relevant articles. Accessed .
Version note: The landing page labels the rule book “v6.0”; the linked 2024JUN asset displays “VERSION 6.1” in its footer. This citation preserves that publisher-side conflict.
- Relevant section: Article 6.2.2(H-I), p. 27.
- Relevant section: Article 6.2.2(N), p. 27.
- [3]ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations — ADCC Submission Fighting World Federation. Overview; How You Can Win; Points (Positive Points). Accessed .
- Relevant section: Overview.
- Relevant section: Overview; Time Limits; Legal Techniques; Points.