BJJ Belt System
Youth belts (under 16): White → Grey → Yellow → Orange → Green. Kids cannot receive blue belt until age 16.
Adult belts: White → Blue → Purple → Brown → Black. BJJ black belt typically takes 8-12 years — the slowest progression of any major martial art. There are no formal testing requirements at most schools; promotion is based on the instructor’s assessment of skill, competition results, mat time, and character.
BJJ's slow progression is intentional. Every belt is earned through thousands of hours of live sparring. There is no way to "buy" or shortcut a BJJ belt — which is why it is so respected.