Belts and ranks
ITF Belt Order: 10 Gup Colors and Patterns
The ITF belt colors from white to red with black tip, what each color stands for, and the pattern (tul) you learn on the way.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 20, 2026ITF taekwondo has 10 gup ranks. The order is white, white with yellow tip, yellow, yellow with green tip, green, green with blue tip, blue, blue with red tip, red, then red with black tip, before 1st degree black belt. The ITF belt is wrapped around the waist once and tied with a square knot.
The ITF belt order
| Gup | Belt | What the ITF says it stands for |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | White | Innocence: a beginner with no prior knowledge |
| 9th | White with yellow tip | Not explained by the ITF |
| 8th | Yellow | The earth where a plant starts, the foundation of training |
| 7th | Yellow with green tip | Not explained by the ITF |
| 6th | Green | The plant growing as skills develop |
| 5th | Green with blue tip | Not explained by the ITF |
| 4th | Blue | The sky a growing tree reaches toward |
| 3rd | Blue with red tip | Not explained by the ITF |
| 2nd | Red | Danger: the wearer learns control and warns opponents to keep away |
| 1st | Red with black tip | Not explained by the ITF |
Patterns (tul) you learn
ITF students learn patterns, called tul, in a fixed order. Each pattern has a set number of movements. The ITF pattern page lists these for the nine patterns taught before black belt:
| Pattern | Movements | Usual grade band |
|---|---|---|
| Chon-Ji | 19 | 10th to 7th gup |
| Dan-Gun | 21 | 10th to 7th gup |
| Do-San | 24 | 10th to 7th gup |
| Won-Hyo | 28 | 6th to 4th gup |
| Yul-Gok | 38 | 6th to 4th gup |
| Joong-Gun | 32 | 6th to 4th gup |
| Toi-Gye | 37 | 3rd to 1st gup |
| Hwa-Rang | 29 | 3rd to 1st gup |
| Choong-Moo | 30 | 3rd to 1st gup |
Black belt patterns start with Kwang-Gae (39 movements), Po-Eun (36), Ge-Baek (44), Eui-Am (45), Choong-Jang (52), Ko-Dang (39) and Juche (45) for 1st and 2nd degree. The grade bands above come from how the ITF site groups its pattern pages. Which pattern goes with which exact belt varies by school, so ask yours.
How the ITF says to wear the belt
The ITF belt goes around the waist once, which the ITF says stands for one goal, one master and one decisive blow. Tie a square knot by crossing the right end over the left, then the left over the right. Keep both ends the same length, with the knot opening facing your left side. Step-by-step photos are in our belt tying guide.
How this differs from WT schools
ITF belts use a colored tip at the end of the belt between solid colors. WT and Kukkiwon schools use different forms and often different colors. The WT vs ITF vs ATA comparison covers sparring and rules too.
Frequently asked questions
How many belts are in ITF taekwondo?
There are 10 gup belts before black belt, then 1st to 9th degree black belt.
What is the highest color belt in ITF?
Red with black tip, which is 1st gup, is the last rank before 1st degree black belt.
What are tul?
Tul is the ITF word for patterns, the set sequences of movements students learn for each grade.
Is an ITF belt tied differently?
Yes. The ITF says to wrap the belt once and tie a square knot with equal ends.