Belts and ranks
What Is a Poom Belt in Taekwondo?
A poom belt is the black belt rank for students below the minimum age for dan. Here is how it works, how long it lasts and how it converts.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 20, 2026A poom belt is the junior version of a black belt. Students who pass a black belt test before the minimum age for dan receive poom rank first. In the Singapore Taekwondo Federation, 1st poom holders can apply to convert to 1st dan at age 15, and they must keep training to qualify. Rules differ by federation, so ask your school.
What poom means
Poom is the rank for young black belt candidates in Kukkiwon-style taekwondo. The student has met the black belt skill level but has not reached the age needed for the adult dan certificate. Dan is the adult black belt degree.
Poom belts are commonly half red and half black. Some schools use a different look, so check with yours.
Age and conversion
The STF states that 1st poom holders may apply to convert to 1st dan on reaching age 15. The same page says conversion is not automatic: holders must keep training, a holder who stopped must rejoin and train for at least six months before applying, and coaches may ask for longer. Next-grade waiting times start from the date of the conversion.
The UK Kukkiwon Office dan guide also lists age minimums for later dan ranks, with lower minimums for poom holders. Our black belt ranks page shows the waiting times.
Poom belt vs black belt
| Poom | Dan (black belt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who earns it | Students below the age minimum for dan | Students at or above the age minimum |
| Same skill test? | Usually the same standard for the grade, set by the school | Yes |
| Converts? | Yes, to dan at the conversion age | Not applicable |
| Certificate | Poom certificate | Dan certificate |
For parents
Your child does not lose rank at conversion. They keep their grade and move from poom to the matching dan once they meet the age and training rules. Ask the school three things: the cost of the poom test, the cost of the later conversion, and whether the certificate is registered with Kukkiwon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a poom belt a real black belt?
It is the black belt level for students below the dan minimum age. It converts to the matching dan rank later.
What age do you convert from poom to dan?
The STF says age 15 for 1st poom. Other federations may set a different age.
What color is a poom belt?
Commonly half red and half black, though schools vary.
Do you have to retest to convert?
Conversion is an application with training requirements, per the STF, not an automatic change. Fees and any new test depend on the school.