Eleven belts. Four years. No shortcuts.
A belt is a receipt, not a trophy. It records the hours you have already put in — which is why we will never sell you one, and why nobody here is graded before they are ready.
Every rank, and what it costs.
The Kukkiwon syllabus, taught in order. Minimum times assume two sessions a week — most students take longer, and that is the point.
- 10th Gup
White
From day one
Innocence. The seed in winter soil, unaware of the summer ahead of it.
Grading syllabus
- Dojang etiquette and the bow
- Ready stance, walking stance
- Low block, middle punch
- Front kick
- 9th Gup
Yellow Stripe
3 mo minimum
The first light reaching the seed. Foundations are being laid.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Il Jang (first half)
- Inside block, knife-hand block
- Roundhouse kick
- Three-step sparring, set one
- 8th Gup
Yellow
6 mo minimum
The earth from which the plant takes root. Basics are set.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Il Jang, complete
- Front stance, back stance
- Side kick
- Free sparring introduction
- 7th Gup
Green Stripe
9 mo minimum
The plant breaks the surface. Technique becomes visible.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Ee Jang
- Double kick combinations
- Back kick
- One-step sparring, set one
- 6th Gup
Green
1 yr minimum
Growth. The student's skill begins to take a recognisable shape.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Sam Jang
- Spinning hook kick
- Board break: side kick
- Two-round continuous sparring
- 5th Gup
Blue Stripe
1 yr 4 mo minimum
Reaching upward toward the sky. Ambition arrives.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Sa Jang
- Jump front kick
- Self-defense: wrist releases
- Three-round sparring
- 4th Gup
Blue
1 yr 9 mo minimum
The sky itself. The student trains with a clear, wide horizon.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Oh Jang
- Jump spinning back kick
- Board break: turning kick
- Assist in a beginner class
- 3rd Gup
Red Stripe
2 yrs 3 mo minimum
The first warning. Skill now outpaces control — and must not.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Yuk Jang
- Advanced kick combinations
- Self-defense: escapes from holds
- Terminology examination
- 2nd Gup
Red
2 yrs 9 mo minimum
Danger. Power is real now, and restraint becomes the discipline.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Chil Jang
- Double board break
- Four-round continuous sparring
- Teach a technique to a colour belt
- 1st Gup
Red / Black
3 yrs 4 mo minimum
The final threshold. Everything is present except the years that prove it.
Grading syllabus
- Taegeuk Pal Jang
- All eight Taegeuk forms, from memory
- Five-round sparring, mixed partners
- Written essay on the tenets
- 1st Dan
Black
4 yrs minimum
Not mastery. The end of the beginning — and permission to start learning.
Grading syllabus
- Koryo (first Dan poomsae)
- Three-board speed break
- Full curriculum re-examination
- One year of documented assistant teaching
Everyone starts at white.
Including every instructor whose name is on this website. Book a free trial and put on the first belt.