The Karate Shop
Martial arts sizing is not standardised. The same “size 4” means different things from different manufacturers, and uniforms are cut for a martial art, not for a body shape. Measure, then compare to the table for the item you are buying — do not assume your clothing size carries across.
If you are between sizes, or buying for a child who is growing, read Growing room below before you choose.
Still unsure? Send us your height and weight and what you train, and we will tell you what to order. One question now beats a return later.
How to measure
Wear light clothing. Have someone else measure if you can — self-measuring around the chest and hips is unreliable.
| Measurement | How |
|---|---|
| Height | Against a wall, no shoes, heels together, looking straight ahead |
| Chest | Around the fullest part, under the armpits, tape level, arms relaxed at your sides |
| Waist | At the natural waist — the narrowest point, roughly level with the navel — not on the hip bone |
| Hips | Around the widest part of the seat |
| Inside leg | From the crotch to the ankle bone, standing straight |
| Sleeve | From the shoulder point to the wrist bone, arm relaxed |
| Head | Around the forehead, just above the eyebrows and ears |
| Hand | Around the knuckles, excluding the thumb, hand open flat |
| Foot | Heel to longest toe, standing on paper with weight on the foot |
Keep the tape snug but not tight — you should be able to slide a finger under it.
Uniform sizing — the four systems
You will see the same uniform advertised four different ways. They describe the same garment:
- Height in centimetres —
150,160,170. The clearest system and the one we lead with. The number is the wearer’s height, not the garment length. - Numeric —
0000,000,00,0,1…8. The Japanese convention, still used by most karate brands. - Alpha —
XXStoXXL. Used mainly by kickboxing and MMA brands. - Age —
4–5 yrs,6–7 yrs. Only ever a rough guide, and the least reliable of the four. Children of the same age vary by 20 cm.
Buy on height first, then check the chest measurement. Height gets you the right size in almost every case.
Conversion — uniforms
| Height (cm) | Numeric | Alpha | Rough age | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100–110 | 0000 | — | 4–5 | 55–60 |
| 110–120 | 000 | — | 5–6 | 60–65 |
| 120–130 | 00 | XXS | 7–8 | 65–70 |
| 130–140 | 0 | XS | 9–10 | 70–75 |
| 140–150 | 1 | XS | 10–11 | 75–80 |
| 150–160 | 2 | S | 12–13 | 80–86 |
| 160–170 | 3 | M | 14–15 | 86–92 |
| 170–180 | 4 | L | Adult | 92–100 |
| 180–190 | 5 | XL | Adult | 100–108 |
| 190–200 | 6 | XXL | Adult | 108–116 |
| 200+ | 7–8 | 3XL | Adult | 116+ |
Indicative. Always check the specific product page — cuts differ between brands and between ranges within a brand.
Choosing a uniform weight
| Weight | Best for |
|---|---|
| 6–8 oz — lightweight | Beginners, children, hot training halls, general classes. Cool and inexpensive. |
| 10–12 oz — medium | Regular training, club competition. The sensible all-rounder for most students. |
| 12–14 oz — heavyweight kata | Kata competition. Stiff, snaps audibly, holds its shape. Hot and heavy for general training. |
| Kumite cut | Sparring. Lighter, shorter jacket, more freedom of movement. Often federation-approved. |
Discipline matters more than weight. A karate gi, a judo gi and a taekwondo dobok are not interchangeable — the collar, sleeve length, jacket length and reinforcement differ because each art stresses the garment differently. Judo and BJJ gis must withstand gripping and are reinforced accordingly; a karate gi will fail under it.
Shrinkage
Most cotton uniforms shrink 3–5% on the first few washes. Bleached-cotton and heavyweight kata uniforms shrink most; polycotton blends barely at all.
- If the product page says pre-shrunk, buy your measured size.
- If it does not, and it is 100% cotton, size up — or buy your size and wash cold only, never tumble dry.
- Wash cold, hang to dry, never bleach, never tumble dry. Heat is what shrinks cotton uniforms, and no return policy covers a uniform cooked in a tumble dryer.
Sleeves and trousers should sit slightly long when new on an unshrunk cotton uniform. Correct length after shrinking: jacket sleeves between the wrist and mid-forearm, trousers between the ankle and mid-calf. Federation rules often specify this — check yours before shortening anything.
Belts
Belt length is by number, and it should wrap twice around your waist and leave 20–30 cm on each end after tying.
| Belt size | Length (cm) | Suits waist (cm) | Typical wearer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000 | 200 | up to 55 | Small child |
| 00 | 220 | 55–60 | Child |
| 0 | 240 | 60–65 | Child |
| 1 | 260 | 65–70 | Older child |
| 2 | 280 | 70–75 | Teen |
| 3 | 300 | 75–80 | Small adult |
| 4 | 320 | 80–90 | Adult |
| 5 | 340 | 90–100 | Adult |
| 6 | 360 | 100–110 | Adult |
| 7 | 380 | 110+ | Adult |
Rule of thumb: belt length ≈ (waist × 2) + 55 cm. When in doubt go longer — a long belt can be worn; a short one cannot be tied properly.
Cotton belts shrink slightly and soften with use. Satin and embroidered belts run stiffer and hold their shape longer.
Gloves and hand protection
| Size | Hand circumference (cm) | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| XS | up to 17 | Child |
| S | 17–19 | Older child / small adult |
| M | 19–21 | Most women, smaller men |
| L | 21–23 | Most men |
| XL | 23–25 | Larger hands |
Mitts, gloves and bag gloves are different things. Karate sparring mitts are thin, foam and open-palm — for controlled contact, not power. Boxing gloves are measured in ounces (oz) and sized by weight rather than hand size:
| Glove weight | Use |
|---|---|
| 8–10 oz | Competition, lighter fighters |
| 12 oz | Pad work, smaller adults |
| 14–16 oz | Sparring — the standard. Heavier gloves protect your partner |
| 16–18 oz | Heavier fighters, heavy-bag work |
Hand wraps are one-size and come by length: 2.5 m for children, 3.5 m for most adults, 4.5 m for larger hands or a preference for more layers.
If your federation specifies approved mitts for competition, confirm the exact approval with your instructor before ordering. Approval lists change season to season.
Shin and foot protection
Sized on the length of the shin — from just under the kneecap to the top of the foot.
| Size | Shin length (cm) | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| XS | up to 26 | Child |
| S | 26–31 | Older child / small adult |
| M | 31–36 | Most adults |
| L | 36–41 | Taller adults |
| XL | 41+ | Tall adults |
Foot protectors (booties) run to shoe size:
| Size | SA / UK shoe |
|---|---|
| XS | 10–13 (child) |
| S | 1–3 |
| M | 4–6 |
| L | 7–9 |
| XL | 10–12 |
| XXL | 13+ |
Foot protectors should be snug — a loose one rolls under the foot and becomes the injury it was meant to prevent. Combined shin-and-instep guards are one piece and sized on shin length.
Head guards
Measure around the forehead, just above the eyebrows and ears.
| Size | Head circumference (cm) |
|---|---|
| XS | up to 51 |
| S | 51–54 |
| M | 54–57 |
| L | 57–60 |
| XL | 60+ |
A head guard must not move when you shake your head, and must not obstruct your peripheral vision. Adjust the chin and rear straps every session — they loosen.
Body, chest and groin protection
Groin guards — sized on waist:
| Size | Waist (cm) |
|---|---|
| S | 60–70 |
| M | 70–85 |
| L | 85–100 |
| XL | 100+ |
Chest protectors (women’s) — usually S/M/L on bust measurement; check the product page.
Chest guards / hogus (taekwondo, WT) — numbered 1 to 5 by height:
| Size | Height (cm) |
|---|---|
| 1 | up to 140 |
| 2 | 140–160 |
| 3 | 160–175 |
| 4 | 175–190 |
| 5 | 190+ |
Body protectors (karate, kumite) — S/M/L on chest measurement.
Note: opened hygiene items cannot be returned. Get the size right first time — ask us if you are unsure.
Mouthguards
- Boil-and-bite fits most people and is the standard choice. Junior and senior sizes.
- Junior — up to roughly 11 years, or a smaller jaw.
- Senior — 11 and up.
- Braces-compatible guards exist and are essential if you wear braces. Do not boil-and-bite a standard guard over braces.
Follow the fitting instructions exactly — you get one good attempt at a boil-and-bite. Read them before you boil the kettle.
A mouthguard should stay in place with your mouth open and let you breathe and speak. Replace it every season, or immediately if it splits, thins or no longer holds.
Growing room
Children outgrow uniforms faster than they wear them out.
- Uniforms: one size up is sensible. Roll the sleeves and trouser cuffs — most have generous hems that can be let down. Two sizes up is not sensible: a uniform that swims on a child is a trip hazard and looks wrong at grading.
- Belts: buy to fit now. A belt two sizes long cannot be tied correctly, and correct tying is part of what is being assessed.
- Protective equipment: buy to fit now, always. Loose gear does not protect — a head guard that shifts on impact or a shin guard that slides down is worse than none, because it is trusted. This is the one place not to economise on growing room.
Federation and competition requirements
If the equipment is for competition, confirm the requirement with your instructor or federation before ordering. Requirements vary between federations and change between seasons — approved brands, permitted colours, mandatory items, logo and marking rules.
Colour conventions in particular differ: some federations require red/blue pairs, others white only. We are happy to advise, but the federation’s current rules are the authority, not us.
Still not sure?
Send us your height, weight, waist, and what you train — office@thekarateshop.co.za or 072 392 7306, Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 13:00 — and we will recommend a size. We have fitted thousands of students and we would much rather spend two minutes on a message than process a return.
