Choosing the right martial arts belt is crucial for comfort, performance, and proper fit. The following information provides technical details, measurements, and guidance to help you select the perfect belt.
When one buys their first white belt, one chooses whatever is available. Unlike for Judo or Karate, in Aikido, white belt is kept for very long, up to 3, 4, or 5 years. It is therefore more crucial for an Aikidoka to purchase a quality belt that can last for several years.
Finding the perfect martial arts belt length is easier than ever with the Kataaro Karate Belt Size Calculator. Whether you practice karate, judo, or tae kwon do, choosing the right belt size is crucial for comfort, performance, and proper fit.This interactive tool allows you to quickly calculate the ideal belt length based on your waist measurement, wrap style, and belt width. Once you input your measurements, the calculator provides a recommended belt length instantly, helping you select a belt that will fit comfortably around your waist with the correct tail length.
For more detailed guidance, Kataaro’s comprehensive Belt Information Page offers insights on belt materials, sizing standards, and care instructions. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist, this calculator ensures you get the right fit every time, saving you the guesswork and giving you confidence in your purchase.
Belt Size Chart: Chart based on a 12" tail. Note: If you purchase our heavy core black belt or a 2" wide belt, it will form a bigger knot and probably need to be longer. So we suggest you go up a size. Approx. Chart is for a standard 1.76" wide belt with approximate 12" ends after tying. Some martial artists perfer up to 18" ends or more.
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Kataaro martial arts belt sizes are in 5 inch increments, from Size 0000 (75 inch) to Size 24 (210 inch). Our tolerance for length variation is up to 2 inches short and up to 3 inches long. A custom length (123 inch, for example) may be requested in the Special Instructions box, but this custom length will also be subject to the standard tolerance.
When choosing a belt size, consider that the wider the belt you choose, the more length is utilized in the knot area. Our martial arts Belt Size Calculator can help with making size choices. Also, keep in mind that there are other dimension tolerances for martial arts belts such as belt width, thickness, rank sleeve length, etc., up to approximately 3/16 inch.
Belt Widths Available:
- 1.50 inch (narrow)
- 1.75 inch (standard rank belts)
- 2.00 inch (rank belts, black belts, and master belts)
- 2.50 inch (large black belts and large master belts)
- 3.00 inch (XL black belts and master belts)
The thickness of Kataaro belts varies for each belt style. Rank belts are approximately 3.0mm thick, while "soft" firmness belts are approximately 4.0mm thick, and "stiff" firmness belts are approximately 5.0mm thick. Please note that the "stiff" firmness option means stiff, and will need some breaking in. Also, a larger size may be needed for stiff firmness. Our Grappling Weave BJJ belts are approximately 5.0mm thick, but are pliable, similar to our "soft" firmness belts.
Belt Styles:
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At Kataaro, we offer an extensive collection of martial arts belts designed to honor and reflect the traditions of a wide range of disciplines. Our catalog includes high-quality custom black belts, master belts, and rank belts for styles such as Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Jujitsu, and more. Each belt is meticulously hand-crafted to order, allowing for a high level of customization and precision, from deluxe belts to rank and youth rank belts.
If you don’t see the specific style or belt design you're looking for, we welcome custom requests-our team is happy to work with you to create a belt that meets your exact needs. Whether you’re looking to modify fabric type, adjust color options, or personalize design details, we make it possible to tailor your belt to your vision.
How to Size / Tie a Martial Arts Belt
Custom Belt Embroidery:
Kataaro will personalize your belt with embroidered school logo and artwork, or with English, Korean, and Japanese text. To add embroidery to any martial arts belt, select YES, add embroidery at the embroidery option. Additional embroidery options, for text, rank stripes, and logos, will appear once text is entered into the text box. Belt construction will begin when the order is placed, but embroidery will not begin until a visual proof is approved. We want to make sure that your martial arts belt masterpiece is just how you want it.
Care Instructions:
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To preserve the quality and longevity of your Kataaro martial arts belt, we recommend avoiding washing whenever possible, as shrinkage and discoloration may occur. Keep your belt dry and away from prolonged sun exposure to prevent fading. Embroidery will not be affected by washing.
Gift Wrapping Option:
Make your gift truly unforgettable with Kataaro’s elegant gift-wrapping option, inspired by the traditional Japanese art of furoshiki fabric wrapping. Choose this option at checkout to have your custom martial arts belt carefully wrapped in a luxurious black satin scarf with red trim, adding a refined and authentic touch. A hand-written note to the recipient adds a layer of personal connection.
Need to know how to tie a karate belt or obi the correct way? Kataaro offers a step-by-step method for tying your belt that will eliminate the cross-over on the backside of the belt. View our How To Tie A Karate Belt page or click the image below.
Seido Belts:
As an expert in the manufacture of Aikido equipment, Seido is able to provide you with the technical details and measurements of all its models. These measurements correspond to the measurements out of the workshop, not including shrinkage. *Length of workshop output. Handmade: 1% margin of error.
We recommend to measure your belt and make your choice as you like it, but here are some guidance based on what we see the most on the mats. For this, Seido offers two white belt models. The first is a super soft white belt model, easy to tight, made in Japan. The second model is the "Slim White Belt" entirely made in Japan as well.
Seido black belts are all made in Japan. Our range presents 5 original belts. The soft and slim black belts are made with the same specifications as the corresponding white belts, especially designed to be worn under a Hakama (Aikido). We also offer a reinforced version of the slim white/black belt, a shiny "shushi" cotton black belt and a silk belt, very popular for gift purpose.
All our belts are composed of a core of 100% cotton, thick or thin, depending on the model. This kind of obi is typically worn for Iaido practise. As it is tied 3 times around the waste and because of its width it sits very firmly in order to carry a sword.
Some Aikido practitioners prefer this type of belt because the knot being flatly tight (or the ends just folded inside the belt) avoids the bulge in front of the centre and allows the Hakama to fall straight. It might also keep the Hakama better in place than an ordinary obi and helps stabilizing the hips.
However, this type of belt is not typically used in Aikido and will not hold if it is worn without Hakama. As all the belts offered by Seido, this belt is also 100% made in Japan. This model is manufactured in Japan. Outer fabric is 100% bleached cotton.
With only 9 lines of stitching and a very soft core, this model is very soft and therefore very comfortable when taking ukemi. High quality white belt made in Japan. Outer fabric is made of 100% bleached Japanese cotton. Stiffer than the soft white belt, it has also more lines of stitching. It may be compared to usual black belts in terms of thickness.
Made from the exact same specs as the white version, this model is very soft and very comfortable. Over time and washes, the belt tends to whiten. With a thickness similar to the Reinforced Slim model, this models presents only 10 lines of stitching allowing to keep extensive softness which result on a tiny knot, useful under the Hakama.
The fabric used for the outer part is identical to the Slim version, however, this model presents 13 lines of stitching, making it stiffer, very close to what's most people consider a "standard thickness" for black belts. Shushi is the Japanese term for a cotton with satin-like shiny finish. A little thicker than other models, this model will tend to whiten over time and washings.
Japanese silk is one of the best in the world. With a thickness similar to model C, this belt is made specially to order. A great gift idea!
White belts are manufactured and stored in a roll, it is not possible to achieve integrated embroidery (embroidery is done before sewing the belt). Only non-integrated embroideries are possible. Our black belts are manufactured piece by piece, it is possible to embroider integrated or non-integrated (except for the Soft black belt).
In the case of integrated embroidery, manufacturing time is approximately 3 weeks (made to order and embroidered directly at the workshop during manufacture).
MARTIAL ARTS BELT CONSTRUCTION
All Kataaro martial arts belts are hand-made in the USA by skilled craftsmen. We use the best materials available such as 100% cotton strapping core, heavy-weight 7.5 oz. outer material, and super-strong polyester trilobal thread. All belts have sewn ends and matching thread colors.
Kataaro belts with a single seam edge will have the seam edge on the "o" side of the Kataaro label by default.
What makes a Kataaro martial arts belt better? The diagram below shows a belt construction comparison between Kataaro and some imported belts.