Black belt degrees are dan grades or stripes that mark rank and time-in-grade across arts like karate, judo, taekwondo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
If you’ve heard coaches talk about “first degree,” “third dan,” or a black belt with tiny bars stitched near the tip, you’re hearing two ideas that often overlap. In many Japanese and Korean systems, degrees are dan ranks: first degree (1st dan), second degree (2nd dan), and so on. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, degrees on a black belt are stripes earned for time and activity after reaching black belt.
Quick Definition And Why It Matters
In plain terms, degrees show the level of a black belt holder inside a style’s official ladder. They signal teaching eligibility, seniority at events, judging rights, and—most of all—years of training. If someone asks “what are degrees in black belts?” they’re asking how skill and time are tracked once the belt turns black.
Black Belt Degrees At A Glance (Major Styles)
The chart below shows how four widely trained arts map degrees on a black belt. It’s broad by design, so you can compare systems side by side.
| Style | Typical Degree Range | Notes On Who Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Karate (Shotokan/JKA, JKF) | 1st–10th dan | Testing up to mid dans; high dans by recommendation through national bodies |
| Judo (Kodokan/IJF) | 1st–10th dan | Exams and service; 6th–8th often red-white panels; 9th–10th solid red in formal use |
| Taekwondo (Kukkiwon) | 1st–9th dan | Certification via Kukkiwon process; master/examiner status requires minimum dans |
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (IBJJF) | Black belt + 1st–6th degree, then coral/red ranks | Degrees awarded on time-in-grade and activity tracked with IBJJF |
| Kyokushin/Other Karate | 1st–10th dan (varies by organization) | Testing + recommendation based on teaching and contribution |
| Aikido (Aikikai) | 1st–8th dan (common) | Honbu and national federations set standards; promotion based on time, skill, service |
| Kendo/Iaidō | 1st–8th dan | Dan ranks exist, though no belt is worn; titles (renshi, kyoshi, hanshi) sit above |
How The Word “Degree” Works Across Arts
Dan Ranks: The Core Idea
Karate, judo, aikido, and taekwondo use dan ranks to label black belt degrees. Shodan is first degree, nidan is second, sandan is third, and so on. Early degrees are usually earned by testing, while late degrees weigh teaching record, technical level, and service to the art. Judo popularized this dan/kyu ladder.
Stripes On The Belt: Sub-Steps
Many schools add thin stripes on a small black bar near the belt end to mark sub-steps or time on a rank. In BJJ those stripes are formalized by the sport’s main federation, which sets fixed timelines for black belt degrees.
Karate: Dan Degrees And Who Confers Them
Karate groups grant dan ranks through national or world bodies. Shotokan’s JKA uses a 10-dan scale with panel-run gradings for lower dans and recommendation for seniors. Japan’s national federation (JKF) publishes formal dan application routes and recognizes public dan certificates.
You can read an official snapshot of how a leading karate group structures dan ranks on the JKA Dan ranking page. It explains testing panels, the 10-dan ladder, and who signs off on promotions.
Common Karate Degree Milestones
- 1st–3rd dan: Skills exams with kata and kumite; teaching assistance starts.
- 4th–5th dan: Senior instructor eligibility and judging duties at events.
- 6th–8th dan: Awarded for long service, teaching record, and technical depth.
- 9th–10th dan: Rare, by special recommendation from top bodies.
Judo: Degrees, Belt Colors, And History
Judo helped standardize dan degrees across budo. Black belt is used for 1st–5th dan in daily training. Senior ranks have distinct colors in formal settings: 6th–8th dan often wear a red-white paneled belt, and 9th–10th dan may wear solid red. The International Judo Federation notes when these belts appeared in official use.
Kodokan and national bodies manage promotions and registration. Requirements mix exams, competition results, technical demonstrations, and contribution to the art. Many judoka still wear a plain black belt in training regardless of degree, reserving red-white or red belts for ceremonies and photos.
Taekwondo: Degrees Through Kukkiwon
In Olympic-style taekwondo, the headquarters that records dan degrees is Kukkiwon. Poom grades cover under-15 practitioners; they convert to dan at 15 and older. Instructor, master, and examiner pathways require minimum dans, which confirms how degrees tie directly to teaching roles.
For an official look at credentialing, check the Kukkiwon course and membership portals that handle dan certification and records. These outline eligibility, application steps, and verification.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: What A Black Belt Degree Means
BJJ treats degrees as time-in-grade stripes after black belt. IBJJF recognizes six degrees on a black belt before coral and red ranks. The first three degrees come at three-year intervals of proven activity, then longer gaps apply for senior degrees.
IBJJF Degree Timeline (Black Belt)
| Degree | Minimum Time Since Last | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 years | Active black belt registered with IBJJF |
| 2nd | 3 years | Or 6 years total at black belt |
| 3rd | 3 years | Or 9 years total at black belt |
| 4th | 5 years | Or 14 years total at black belt |
| 5th | 5 years | Or 19 years total at black belt |
| 6th | 5 years | Or 24 years total at black belt |
| 7th (Red/Black) | 7 years | Or 31 years total at black belt |
| 8th (Red/White) | 7 years | Or 38 years total at black belt |
| 9th (Red) | 10 years | Or 48 years total at black belt |
Those intervals come directly from the federation’s graduation document, which also lists belt specs and degree divisions. The 10th degree is legacy only and reserved for the art’s founders.
What Are Degrees In Black Belts?
The Two Meanings You’ll Hear
Short answers sit below.
Meaning One: Formal Dan Grade
In karate, judo, aikido, and taekwondo, a “degree” usually means your dan level. It’s written as 1st dan, 2nd dan, and so on. Testing standards and the ceiling vary by organization. JKA lists ten dans in Shotokan karate. The JKF sets national pathways and handles dan paperwork across styles in Japan.
Meaning Two: Stripes On The Belt Tip
Clubs often add one-to-four thin stripes to show steps inside a color. In BJJ, the stripes on a black belt are formal “degrees” with fixed timelines and registration through IBJJF. That’s why you’ll hear a coach say “third-degree black belt” based on earned stripes and years, not a new belt color.
Degrees In Black Belts: Practical Guide
This section restates the core idea in simple terms so newer students can share it with parents or friends. Use the wording your federation prefers. Ask your coach which pathway your school follows and how promotions are recorded. Keep records for future tests.
What Are Degrees In Black Belts?
How Many Degrees Can A Black Belt Have?
Karate and judo often describe up to 10 dan degrees, though few reach the top. Taekwondo lists up to 9th dan in Kukkiwon systems. BJJ black belts have six degrees before moving to coral and red belts at senior levels.
Who Approves A New Degree?
Karate: national or style bodies such as JKA or JKF. Judo: Kodokan or national federations and IJF-aligned bodies. Taekwondo: Kukkiwon certification via its membership and examiner framework. BJJ: IBJJF grants recognition based on time, activity, and paperwork from a qualified professor.
Do Belt Colors Change At Higher Degrees?
In judo, senior degrees can wear red-white or solid red belts for ceremonies. BJJ shifts from a black belt with degree stripes to red-black (7th), red-white (8th), then red (9th+). Karate and taekwondo stay with a black belt across dan levels, with any visual changes set by each group.
Where To Verify Or Learn Official Rules
If you want to cite or double-check details, go to the primary pages. The IBJJF posts its graduation system with degree timelines and belt rules. For a karate baseline, see JKA’s public dan ranking explanation.
Degree Landmarks By Style
| Style | When Degrees Shift | What Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Karate | After 4th–5th dan | Recommendation and service weigh more than test scores |
| Judo | At 6th dan | Red-white belt appears in ceremonies; senior roles expand |
| Taekwondo | At 4th dan | Eligibility for master/examiner courses; wider teaching scope |
| BJJ | Every 3–10 years at black | New degree stripes; coral/red belts at 7th–9th |
How To Talk About Degrees The Right Way
When someone shares a rank, mirror their organization’s wording. If a karate instructor says “sandan,” use “third-degree black belt (sandan)” the first time, then “third-degree” later. If a BJJ coach uses “fourth-degree black belt,” that’s a stripe-based degree, not a new belt color.
Etiquette Notes That Help
- Say the person’s title and last name in the dojo until told otherwise.
- Avoid comparing degrees across styles; they aren’t interchangeable.
Bottom Line On Degrees And Black Belts
Degrees show rank, responsibility, and time in service. In dan-based arts, a degree is your place on the ladder. In BJJ, a degree is a stripe earned after black belt. If a friend asks, “what are degrees in black belts?” you can say they’re formal steps that mark progress inside a recognized system—and the details always depend on the style and the governing body.