In karate, is your belt size the same size as your uniform size?

Question

I have a size 3 karate gi. I need a new belt, but my current one doesnt have the size on it. Is the belt size the same size as the karate gi? Should i get a size 3 belt?

Answer 1

In general terms it tends to be that your belt size will be the same as your uniform size, or that your belt size will be one size larger than your uniform size.

Some people like to obtain larger belts for personal reasons, and when you get to the black belt ranks and begin adding stitching then it's often a good idea to go up one size to allow space for the name (so that it doesn't disappear into the belt knot.).

Also, in general a slightly bigger belt (one size larger than the uniform size) is less of a problem tha a belt that is too short. You just have to be careful that a longer belt does not get flicked up and whack you in the eye :)


Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 2

Calm down Noobie. First if you are 5' tall but slender like you say your are then that is part of the problem. To get one that is not so lose means getting one that will be to short and maybe uncomfortable in through the crotch. Gather the top in on each side below your arms and then put you belt around it so that the excess in hidden under itself under your arms; that will help some. As for the belt maybe he ordered it the wrong size and you don't want the tip flipping up and hitting you in the eye or face when you do something like a front kick. See if he has a smaller one and if not then maybe consider cutting one end or getting a shorter one the next time you are at a tournament or maybe call a few of the other schools and see if they have an extra one that is shorter that they will sell you. Hang in there as when you get older you will still probably be slim and trim while many of your class mates will not be so happy with their weight and size of clothes they are forced to wear because they have put on weight.

Answer 3

Generally yes-although JimR is right. Some people, including children are a little less slender due to their diets or they may be carrying a little of that baby fat still. I have a seven year old female student that is like that and so I had to give her a belt one size up from her uniform size. So if you are slender then a size 3 should be fine. If you are carrying a few extra pounds in the area of your waist line and your belt is really short after you tie it then a size four may be better. One other thing is that you don't want your belt to long either as it can flip up and hit you in the eye when doing front kicks so you don't want it to hang lower than your upper thigh when tied.

Answer 4

I wear a size 2 gi and wear a size 4 belt, and it works really well for me. Your instructor probably has belts you could try on if you're concerned, but I would say you'd probably be happy with a size 4 judging by your gi size. You don't want it to be too short...

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

Why are you buying your own belt? If you're getting a new belt because you are testing, your instructor has your size, or at least should have. If you are not testing, what's wrong with the belt you have?

Yes, generally they are the same size, but I wear a 4 uniform and a 5 belt. This is because my name is embriodered on it and if I were to get a size 4 belt, my name would end up in my knot. :)

Answer 6

ya same size unless u r totally disfiguired and your waist is 2 inches.Jk I am in tae kwon do and i am a size 3 gi and have a size 3 waist belt

Answer 7

For the most part ......Yes.

For the last few years people are packing larger waist lines.
(junk foods,fried foods,drive thru foods,much more sugar,mom does not cook,pizza,etc)
Most Martial Artist used to be "lean as a hound dog"
(Typical "Karate Body")
Today they come in all sizes.

Answer 8

it depends your belt size if ur a white belt its probly same size as ur gi if ur other rank different