Judo belts and ranks explained

The coloured belt began in judo — founder Jigoro Kano introduced it at the Kodokan, and the martial-arts world followed. The colours are simple to list, but what they represent, how promotion works, and how quickly you can reach black belt is the interesting part. Here is the whole system explained plainly: the adult kyu grades, the black-belt dan degrees, the rare red belts, the kids’ colours, and an honest look at how long each rank really takes.

The quick version: adults climb the kyu grades white → yellow → orange → green → blue → brown, then earn black belt (shodan), which opens the dan degrees. Black belt in judo is genuinely attainable — often three to five years for a dedicated adult — and promotions blend a technical grading with, at many clubs, points won in contest. Far beyond black lie the red-and-white and solid-red belts of the sport’s most senior masters. Kids progress through the same colours with extra steps. Colours vary a little by federation, so treat this as the general map.

The kyu grades (white to brown)

Adult students climb the kyu grades, which count down as you improve — you begin at 6th kyu and work toward 1st kyu, each grade marked by a belt colour. A common progression is:

• White belt (6th kyu) — where everyone starts. The focus is safety and fundamentals: breakfalls (ukemi), basic grips, a first throw or two, and simple pins.
• Yellow belt (5th kyu) — your first promotion, and a real milestone. You have a handful of throws and pins and can move on the mat with control.
• Orange belt (4th kyu) — a broadening base: more throws from different directions, escapes, and cleaner newaza.
• Green belt (3rd kyu) — the intermediate rank. Your technique is becoming reliable under resistance, and combinations start to click.
• Blue belt (2nd kyu) — an advanced student with a growing personal game and a solid grasp of throwing and groundwork.
• Brown belt (1st kyu) — the last stop before black. Timing sharpens, your favourite throws mature, and you are polishing the details.

Some clubs and countries use slightly different colours or add intermediate steps, but the shape — from white up through brown — is universal. Along the way you are learning the throw families we cover in the judo throws guide.

Black belt and the dan degrees

Earning your black belt means reaching 1st dan (shodan) — “first degree.” It is a beginning as much as a summit: a shodan has a dependable command of the fundamentals, but the black belt is where the deeper study starts. From there, the dan degrees continue upward over years of training, teaching, and contribution to the art:

• 1st to 5th dan (shodan–godan) — worn as a black belt. Each degree reflects years more experience, refined technique, and often coaching or competition achievement.
• Set waiting periods apply between degrees, so the higher grades naturally take much of a lifetime to reach.

Unlike some arts, a judo black belt is a realistic goal for a committed adult rather than a decade-long wait — which makes it a motivating target without cheapening what it represents.

The red-and-white and red belts

The rarest belts in judo come after decades at black:

• 6th to 8th dan — the red-and-white panelled belt (kohaku obi). Awarded to masters with a lifetime in the art; holders may wear this striking belt on formal occasions.
• 9th and 10th dan — the solid red belt. The highest honour in judo, reached only after a lifetime of dedication. The 10th dan (judan) is extraordinarily rare — a mere handful of people in judo’s history have held it.

You will seldom meet a red-belt holder; reaching those grades means being decades into a black belt and among the sport’s most senior figures. They are a reminder that in judo, rank is a lifelong journey.

The kids’ belt system

Children progress through the same colour family — white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown — but usually with extra intermediate steps, such as additional belts or coloured tabs and stripes, so young judoka are rewarded for steady progress over many years. The precise junior system varies by country and club, and grading for kids leans on technique, effort, and etiquette rather than hard competition.

When a young student is old enough and skilled enough, they transition onto the standard adult grades. If you have a child starting out, our judo for kids age guide covers what to expect at each stage, and you can browse kids judo programs near you.

How long each belt takes

Timelines vary with how often you train, your athleticism, and whether you compete, and each federation sets its own minimum times and requirements — so treat these as rough averages, not promises:

There is nothing wrong with progressing slower than average — many people train for fitness and fun and never rush the belts, and that is completely fine. Consistency, not speed, is the whole game.

How promotions actually work

Judo grading is more structured than many newcomers expect. To be promoted you typically need to satisfy a mix of requirements set by your national body — USA Judo, the USJA, or the USJF — which usually includes:

• Time in grade and a minimum number of practice sessions.
• A technical grading where you demonstrate throws, pins, escapes, and, at higher grades, formal kata.
• Contest points at many clubs — points earned for winning shiai (competition) matches, especially toward the higher kyu grades and black belt.

The blend varies by federation and grade, and children and older beginners usually have non-competitive routes, so the best move is simply to ask your sensei how grading works at your dojo. Then do the thing that matters most: keep showing up, train with respect, and the rank takes care of itself. New to it all? Start with our welcoming intro to judo, browse the best-rated dojos near you, or find a free trial and take the first step.

Common questions

What are the judo belts in order?

For adults, the common order is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, and brown — these are the kyu (student) grades, counting down from 6th kyu at white to 1st kyu at brown. Black belt then begins the dan (master) grades: 1st dan (shodan) up through 5th dan wear black, 6th to 8th dan may wear a red-and-white panelled belt, and 9th and 10th dan may wear a solid red belt. Belt colours can vary slightly by country and federation.

How long does it take to get a judo black belt?

For a dedicated adult, a judo black belt (shodan) commonly takes around three to five years of consistent training — noticeably faster than some other grappling arts. It is not just time served: most federations require you to pass a grading that tests your throws, groundwork, and often kata, and many award promotion points for winning shiai (contest) matches. Progress varies a lot by person, club, and how often you train.

What is shodan in judo?

Shodan means “first degree” and is the first-level black belt — the start of the dan grades, not the end of the road. It marks a judoka who has a solid, well-rounded command of the fundamentals: a reliable set of throws, competent newaza, and a good grasp of etiquette and safety. Higher dan grades (nidan, sandan, and beyond) come over the years that follow.

Does judo grading involve competition?

Often, yes — this is a distinctive part of judo. Many national bodies award promotion points for winning matches in shiai (contest) alongside a technical grading where you demonstrate throws, pins, and sometimes kata. The exact mix varies by federation and by grade, and children and older beginners usually have non-competitive routes, so ask your dojo how promotions work there.

What are the kids’ judo belts?

Young judoka progress through the same colours but usually with extra intermediate steps — additional belts or coloured tabs and stripes — so children are rewarded for steady progress over many years. The exact junior system varies by country and club. When a young student is old enough and skilled enough, they move onto the standard adult grades.