A belt buckle has a buckle body having an interior region for receiving a belt and a pivoting member that is pivotally attached to the buckle body. The pivoting member can pivot in a first direction to a first position and in a second, opposite direction to a second position. When the pivoting member is in the first position, the pivoting member contacts a section of belt within the buckle. When there is tension on the belt, the tension pulls the pivoting member downward so as to create firm and frictional contact between the pivoting member and the section of belt thereby preventing the belt from becoming loose. When the pivoting member is in the second position, the section of belt can be moved freely through the buckle in one direction to tighten the belt around the waist of a wearer or in an opposite direction to loosen the belt around the wearer's waist or withdraw the section of belt from the buckle.