Belts and ranks
ATA Belt Order: Songahm Taekwondo Colors
The belt order used in ATA (American Taekwondo Association) schools, how it differs from WT and ITF, and what to ask your school.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 20, 2026ATA schools use nine color grades before black belt. The order is white, orange, yellow, camouflage, green, purple, blue, brown, red, then black. It is a different system from WT or ITF, so you cannot compare an ATA belt to a WT belt one to one.
The ATA belt order
| Grade | Belt |
|---|---|
| 9th | White |
| 8th | Orange |
| 7th | Yellow |
| 6th | Camouflage |
| 5th | Green |
| 4th | Purple |
| 3rd | Blue |
| 2nd | Brown |
| 1st | Red |
| Next | Black belt |
What makes ATA different
- The ATA teaches its own style, called Songahm Taekwondo, with its own forms. Your school gives you the list for each belt.
- Nine color grades is fewer than the ten gups in WT and ITF,.
- Test dates and fees are set by each school, so ask your local school for its own fee list.
Moving between ATA and other schools
No federation forces one school to accept another school’s belt. If you move from an ATA school to a WT or ITF school, expect the new instructor to assess you and set your starting belt. Bring any certificates. If you plan to compete under WT rules or register with Kukkiwon, ask the new school how they handle transfers before you pay.
Questions to ask an ATA school
- How often are belt tests held, and what do they cost?
- Is there a minimum time or class count between belts?
- What is the written path to black belt, and the total cost?
- Does the school also offer WT-style sparring for tournaments?
Our guide to choosing a taekwondo school has a full checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How many belts are in ATA taekwondo?
The order has nine color belts before black belt.
What is the camouflage belt in ATA?
It is the sixth-grade belt in the ATA order, placed between yellow and green.
Is ATA the same as WT?
No. ATA teaches Songahm Taekwondo with its own forms and belt order, and WT is the international sport federation.
Does an ATA black belt count at a Kukkiwon school?
Not automatically. Ask the school you want to join how it recognizes belts from other organizations.