Martial Arts Belt Information

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. A variety of belt widths are 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. More information on martial arts belt firmness.

BELT SIZE

Kataaro 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. Compare Kataaro belt sizing to some other jujitsu belt and karate belt brands, such as Century Martial Arts, AWMA, and Fuji:

BELT STYLES

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. 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. Every Kataaro belt is a symbol of dedication, achievement, and tradition—crafted with care to match the commitment you've made to your martial art.

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. For a more in-depth look, explore our Embroidery Information page.

MARTIAL ARTS BELT CARE INSTRUCTIONS

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. Use a lint roller to remove surface debris instead of washing.

If washing is absolutely necessary:

• Wash separately in warm water on a gentle cycle using mild detergent (fabric softener is optional; do not use bleach).
• Immediately after washing, gently stretch the belt back to its original length.
• To maintain this length during drying, clamp the stretched belt to a rigid object (e.g., the back of a metal chair) and air dry only.
• Avoid using a dryer, as heat will cause significant shrinkage.

Embroidery will not be affected by washing. However, please note:

• Brushed cotton belts are more prone to fading and shrinkage than poly/cotton or satin belts.
• Deep or rich colors may bleed or crock when in contact with lighter fabrics.

For maximum shrinkage details by belt type, refer to the Details tab on the product page.

GIFT WRAP YOUR MARTIAL ARTS BELT

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. Rooted in Japanese culture since the 8th century, furoshiki transforms your gift into a meaningful and visually striking presentation—perfect for celebrating achievement with intention and style.

HOW TO TIE A KARATE BELT

Need to know how to tie a karate belt or obi? Here is a method with step-by-step diagram that will eliminate the cross-over on the backside of the belt. This method can be used for for tying a karate belt, taekwondo belt, BJJ/jiujutsu belt, or most any other martial arts belt.

 

	Start by holding the label end of the belt across your abdomen, in front of you with your right hand. It should hang a couple of inches longer than the length you want the belt to be when it is tied. Wrap the other end of the belt behind you and around your waist with your left hand.
	Wrap the belt around your waist a second time while maintaining the position of the label end of the belt.
	Tuck the non-label end of the belt under both layers and up. Pull both ends to tighten the knot. The label end of the belt should still be on your left side.
	Fold down the non-label end of the belt.
	Tuck the label end of the belt under the other end and over to your right side.
	Loop the label end of the belt around the other end and through the knot.
	Pull to tighten the knot. If the belt ends are not the same length, untie the knot and adjust the length. The final length from the knot should be about 12 inches for karate and taekwondo styles but shorter for grappling styles such as BJJ/Jujitsu and Judo.

Tying your martial arts belt to a display? Click the link for a video showing how to tie a karate belt to a martial arts belt display.