Ranking System

Traditional American Karate follows the KYU-DAN system of belt ranking.  This system includes ten Kyu (pre-black belt) and ten Dan (black belts)

 KYU Grade

• 10 Kyu - Yellow Belt*
• 9 Kyu - Orange Belt*
• 8 Kyu - Purple Belt*
• 7 Kyu - Blue Belt
• 6 Kyu - Adv. Blue Belt
• 5 Kyu - Green Belt
• 4 Kyu - Adv. Green Belt
• 3 Kyu - 1st Degree Brown Belt
• 2 Kyu - 2nd Degree Brown Belt
• 1 Kyu - 3rd Degree Brown Belt

* Kyu grade levels 10, 9, and 8 are "Split-Kyu" levels.  They are often split with students advancing to 10A, 9A, or 8A Kyu levels.

DAN Grade

• Sho-Dan - 1st Degree Black Belt
• Ni-Dan - 2nd Degree Black Belt
• San-Dan - 3rd Degree Black Belt
• Yon-Dan - 4th Degree Black Belt
• Go-Dan - 5th Degree Black Belt
• Roku-Dan - 6th Degree Black Belt
• Shi-Shi-Dan - 7th Degree Black Belt
• Hachi-Dan - 8th Degree Black Belt
• Ku-Dan - 9th Degree Black Belt
• Ju-Dan - 10th Degree Black Belt