USA Karate Belt Ranking Structure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone without any prior martial arts training will start off with a White Belt. If you have prior training, you might start at a higher level with your Sensei's approval. With continued and consistent training, a student will move up in the ranks. A student must be selected for advancement to the Black Belt ranks.

 

The belt ranking structure differs slightly between the Adult and Children's Programs. This is due largely to the attention span and learning ability between children and adults. Most adult students can grasp the inherent concepts of the martial arts more quickly than a child. The children's belt structure was designed to allow children to reach the goal of Black Belt by setting and accomplishing a series of smaller goals. In this manner, children do not get complacent in any one rank for an extended period of time.

 

Adult Program

 

White
Yellow
Orange
Purple
Blue
Blue Stripe
Green
Green Stripe
3rd Degree Brown (Sankyu)
2nd Degree Brown (Nikyu)
1st Degree Brown (Ikkyu)
1st Degree Black (Shodan)
2nd Degree Black (Nidan)
3rd Degree Black (Sandan)
4th Degree Black (Yondan)
5th Degree Black (Godan)
6th Degree Black (Rokudan)
7th Degree Black (Shichidan)

8th Degree Black (Hachidan)

9th Degree Black (Kudan)

10th Degree Black (Judan)

 

Children's Program

 

White

Yellow
Orange
Orange Stripe
Purple
Purple Stripe
Blue
Blue Stripe
Green
Green Stripe
3rd Degree Brown (Sankyu)
2nd Degree Brown (Nikyu)
1st Degree Brown (Ikkyu)
Black Belt