Judo Belt Levels: Understanding the Ranking System

Judo belt levels signify a student's progress and technical proficiency. Learn the order of colors and the requirements for advancing through the ranks to a black belt.

Karate practitioners on competition floor

Belt Levels in Judo

Published Jul,08 2011 | By Lance Fuller

In many Asian martial arts, the color of the martial artist's belt denotes the wearer's experience and rank. In judo, a Japanese martial art that focuses on throwing and grappling, there are a combined 16 belt levels. There are six colored-belt levels called grades, and 10 levels of degrees for black belts.

Specializing in health and fitness writing, Lance Fuller is currently interning for the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. Fuller was the first student to write about health and fitness for "The Independent Florida Alligator," America's largest student-run college newspaper. Fuller holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism, focusing on health and fitness writing, from the University of Florida.