Belts in Taekwondo
Taekwondo Belts, Schools and Events, Explained Plainly
Belt order for WT, ITF and ATA, what classes and tests really cost, how to check a school before you sign, and the 2026 event dates. Sources are linked. Nothing here is paid placement.
Quick answers
The short version
Most people land here with one question. Here are the answers first, with the detail below.
How many belts are there?
It depends on the style and school. Many WT-style schools run 10 gup ranks (10 to 1, counting down), then dan ranks for black belt (1st to 9th, counting up).
How long to a black belt?
Typically 3 to 5 years in a WT-style school, about 2.5 to 3 in ATA. Kukkiwon also sets minimum waiting times between dan ranks.
What does it cost?
Many US schools charge $100 to $200 a month. Color belt tests run about $30 to $100. Black belt tests run $150 to $500 or more.
WT, ITF or ATA?
WT/Kukkiwon is the Olympic style with full-contact sparring. ITF uses Chang Hon patterns and allows head punches. ATA uses the Songahm forms.
Costs are directory and school-published estimates, not a survey. Prices vary by city and school.
Belt order
What are the taekwondo belts in order?
Colors are not standardized worldwide. Each school or federation sets its own, so check yours. Gup ranks count down toward black. Dan ranks count up.
| Style | Colored ranks (lowest to highest) | Black belt |
|---|---|---|
| WT / Kukkiwon (typical) | White, yellow, green, blue, red. Many schools add orange, purple or brown, and stripes. | 1st to 9th dan. 10th dan is honorary. |
| ITF | White, yellow, green, blue, red, with tip stripes between colors. 10 gup down to 1 gup. | 1st to 9th dan. |
| ATA (Songahm) | White, orange, yellow, camouflage, green, purple, blue, brown, red. Nine grades before black. | Black belt, 1st to 9th degree. |
| Poom (usually under 15) | Half red, half black. | Converts to a dan belt from age 15. Rules vary by rank and federation. |
Last verified October 19, 2026. Always confirm rank names with your own school or federation. Full belt order guide or try the belt finder.
Styles
Which style is right: WT, ITF or ATA?
The belts look alike. The training does not. Pick by what you want to do: compete at the Olympic level, learn traditional patterns, or train in a structured program with fixed curriculum.
| WT / Kukkiwon | ITF | ATA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forms | Taegeuk 1 to 8; Koryo at 1st dan | Chang Hon tul | Songahm forms |
| Sparring | Full contact, electronic scoring | Point or continuous; head punches allowed | Point sparring |
| Olympic sport | Yes (since 2000) | No | No |
| Founded | Kukkiwon 1972; WT 1973 (as WTF), renamed 2017 | 1966 | 1969 |
| Best if you want | Olympic pathway, WT competition | Traditional patterns and hand technique | Fixed curriculum, structured ranks |
Belt-tying also differs: ITF wraps the belt once and ties a square knot. Read the full WT vs ITF vs ATA comparison.
Black belt
How long to a black belt, and what comes after
Plan on 3 to 5 years of steady training at a WT-style school. After 1st dan, Kukkiwon sets minimum waits before you can test for the next dan. Students under 15 usually hold a poom belt (half red, half black) and convert to dan from age 15. Rules vary by rank and federation.
- Train 2 to 3 times a week. Missing months adds months.
- Ask the school for its written promotion criteria.
- Typical Kukkiwon waits: 1 year from 1st to 2nd dan, 2 years to 3rd, 3 years to 4th. Ask whether the black belt is Kukkiwon-registered. This matters for international events.
- Check Kukkiwon’s own regulations for exact waiting times and fees.
- Black belt ranks and waiting times, in full
Find a school
How do I choose a taekwondo school near me?
Visit two or three schools and take a trial class at each. The best school for you is the one where the instructor can explain how a student moves up, and what it costs, in plain words.
- Ask for the full price list, including testing and uniform fees.
- Ask the instructor’s rank, federation and how long they have taught.
- Watch a class. Look for supervised sparring and proper safety gear.
- Be careful with long contracts signed on the first visit.
- Red flag: no one will say what a belt test costs.
The school directory is being built. Listings will be labeled Listed, Claimed or Verified.
Belt tests
What happens at a belt test, and what does it cost?
Most tests cover forms, basics, one-step or self-defense drills, sparring and board breaking, scored by your instructor or a panel. Color belt tests commonly run $30 to $100. Black belt tests commonly run $150 to $500 or more, and some schools charge $1,000 or more when Kukkiwon registration is included. Kukkiwon certificate fees vary by country, so ask your school for the exact amount.
Estimates from school and directory pages. We are collecting our own price survey. See the full cost guide.
Who it is for
Kids, teens and adults
Ages 4 to 12
Look for short classes, patient instructors and a clear focus on respect and basics before sparring.
Ages 13 to 17
Good age to start competing if the student wants to. Ask about a youth competition team.
18 and up
Beginners are welcome at any age. Ask about adult-only classes and low-contact options.
Safety
Is taekwondo safe?
Taekwondo is a contact sport, so injuries happen. A 2016 study of 512 athletes found injuries most often in the foot, knee, ankle, thigh and head, mostly contusions, strains and sprains. Good instruction, padding and supervised sparring lower the risk.
Events
2026-27 events and the Olympic pathway
| Event | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Dakar Youth Olympic Games (11 taekwondo medal events) | Games run Oct 31 to Nov 13, 2026. Check the official schedule for taekwondo days. | Dakar Expo Centre, Senegal |
| Grand Prix Final | Nov 28-29, 2026 | Astana |
| Grand Prix series 2027 | 2027 (dates not yet confirmed) | Rome, Paris, Manchester; final in Taian |
| Cadet World Championships | 2027 (dates not yet confirmed) | Athens |
Sources: World Taekwondo, Dakar 2026. Last verified October 19, 2026. A new Olympic ranking period began in July 2026 for LA 2028, with 8 Olympic weight classes.
Gear
Gear, and what WT-approved means
For WT events, protective gear and scoring equipment must come from WT-approved brands (list effective February 3, 2026). For class, a good uniform (dobok), belt and basic sparring gear is enough.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you. It does not change our picks.
Free tools
Tools you can use now
Time-to-black-belt estimator
Enter your age and weekly classes.
Belt size calculator
Match your height to a belt length.
The belt finder is live. The other tools are coming in the next few weeks.
How we check facts
Where this information comes from
We use federation sources first: World Taekwondo, Kukkiwon, ITF and ATA. Every page shows a last-verified date. When sources disagree, we say so. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.
- Primary sources linked on each page
- Reviewer name and credentials shown
- Corrections policy and update dates
- No paid placement in school listings
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the taekwondo belts in order?
Most schools go white, yellow, green, blue, red, then black. Many add orange, purple or brown. See the chart above for WT, ITF and ATA.
Is a poom belt a black belt?
It is the black-belt level for students under 15. The belt is half red and half black and converts to a dan belt at 15.
What is the difference between gup and dan?
Gup are the colored ranks and count down from 10 to 1. Dan are black belt degrees and count up.
Which belt is highest?
10th dan is the highest rank and is honorary. 9th dan is the highest active rank.
How much do taekwondo classes cost?
Many US schools charge $100 to $200 a month. The range is about $50 to $250. Treat these as estimates.
Is ITF or WT better?
Neither is better. WT is the Olympic style. ITF teaches Chang Hon patterns and allows punches to the head.
Can adults start taekwondo?
Yes. Many schools run adult classes for beginners.
Ready to start?
Check the belt order, compare schools, and book a trial class.