How to Choose the Right Size for Your Gi? | Budo-Fight | Bud... ![](https://www.budo-fight.com/favicons/android-chrome-512x512.png) Budo Fight How to Choose the Right Size for Your Gi? | Budo-Fight Budo-Fight helps you determine which gi size to choose. Height, width, Japanese size equivalents... We explain... Découvrir → budo-fight.com Published on **June 18, 2018** # Size Guide – Gis Are you starting karate or judo but not sure **what size gi to choose**? Don’t worry: Budo-Fight, your expert in martial arts and combat sports, explains **how to choose the right size gi**! ## The golden rule: think big ![Taille kimono](https://www.budo-fight.com/upload/images/guide-kimono%281%29.jpg)When choosing your gi size, remember that whether it’s a [judo gi](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/catalog/judo), a **[BJJ gi](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/catalog/other-disciplines/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-bjj/bjj-gis)**, or a **[karate gi](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/catalog/karate)**, it will **tend to shrink** after the first few washes, especially if it’s made from 100% cotton. Our advice: don’t hesitate to **choose a slightly larger size**, so your gi fits perfectly after it shrinks. Good to know: all Budo-Fight gis are pre-shrunk and should not lose much size. In general, for a lightweight 100% cotton gi, you should pick a gi that is **about 5 centimeters longer** than your height, while keeping in mind that some are already pre-shrunk. For the width, add between 25 and 40 cm to your waist measurement for the best fit—ideally, 40 cm. Note that depending on your body type and build (if your weight is higher than average for your height), you may need to go up to 10 cm above your height. If your judo or karate gi turns out to be **too large**, you can machine wash it at **40°C** to shrink it. Never put your gi in the **dryer**, as this may damage it. ## How will you wear your gi? To choose the right gi size, you also need to consider **how you want to wear it**. - For a **fitted cut**, the size should match your height. - For a **loose fit**, choose half a size above your height. - For a **very loose fit** (for example, if you compete in **kata competitions**), choose at least one size above your height. Your gi will then give you greater **freedom of movement**, which is absolutely essential given your **level of practice**. For example, if you are 177 cm tall, choose a 180 cm gi for a fitted cut, 185 cm for a loose or very loose fit. **It’s as simple as that**! If you compete: be careful, as the International Judo Federation (IJF), among others, **sets specific standards** regarding gi sizes. Don’t hesitate to **[use a sokuteiki](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/catalog/judo)** to make sure you meet the requirements! ## European & Japanese size conversion chart While European gi sizes are fairly easy to choose once you understand the 5 to 10 cm rule, it’s a different story for [Japanese gis](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/product/mizuno-hayato-blue-judo-gi). Don’t worry: Budo-Fight has you covered with this handy chart! **Japan** T2 T2.5 T3 T3.5 T4 T4.5 T5 T5.5 T6 T6.5 T7 T7.5 **Europe** 150 cm 155 cm 160 cm 165 cm 170 cm 175 cm 180 cm 185 cm 190 cm 195 cm 200 cm 205 cm Still unsure about which gi size to choose? Feel free to contact our **customer service at 02 32 86 05 40** (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm) or via **[our contact form](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/contact-us)**. Our advisors will be happy to answer all your questions and help you choose the right gi size! If you’d like, we also offer size guides for: - **[BJJ gis](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/bjj-gi-size-guide),** - **[Mizuno gis](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/size-guide-mizuno-gis),** - **[Boxing gloves](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/boxing-gloves-size-guide),** - **[Hakama](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/size-guide-hakama),** - **[Belts](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/size-guide-belts),** - **[And many more](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides).** Share this page Share this page Share this page [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/size-guide-gis "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&url=https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/size-guide-gis "Share on X") [ ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/size-guide-gis "Share on LinkedIn") [ ](mailto:?subject=Budo%20Fight&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.budo-fight.com%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fsize-guide-gis "Share by Email") Our other guides [ Size Guide - Rivat Shoes Not sure about your RIVAT shoe size ? 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