GOJU KARATE DO

 Karate Grading Requirements :
The use of ranks and belts is a fairly new phenomenon. They weren’t used during the feudal period when warriors studied various fighting methods for battlefield purposes, nor were they used in Okinawa as karate was developing. The kyu/dan system associated with colored belts is really a late 19th century invention pioneered by Jigoro Kano, the father of judo. He created the kyu/dan system in 1883 and awarded his two top students with a dan (rank) rating. Three years later he began to award black sashes to be worn with a practice top kimono or Japanese robe. Pants were then not in use, instead many wore loin cloths, or more commonly shorts cut off above the knee. Kano’s organization, the Kodokan, later adopted the full uniform with pants (keikogi) we know today. In approximately 1907 the sash was replaced by the kuri obi (black belt).

Adults
8th Kyu – White Belt
7th Kyu – Yellow Belt
6th Kyu – Orange Belt
5th Kyu – Blue Belt
4th Kyu – Green Belt
3rd Kyu – Green – 1 Brown Tip
3rd Kyu – Green – 2 Brown Tip
2nd Kyu – Brown Belt
1st Kyu – Brown – 1 Black Tip
1st Kyu – Brown – 2 Black Tips
Shodan Ho – Black Belt Probationary
Shodan – First Dan – 1 Red Tip
Nidan Ho – 1 Red Tip – Probationary Second Dan – 1 White Tips (NEW)
Nidan – Second Dan (Red writing on belt with style and your surname in kanji) 2 Red Tips
San Dan Ho – 2 Red Tips – Probationary Third Dan – 1 White Tip
San Dan Ho – 2 Red Tips – Probationary Third Dan – 2 White Tip
San Dan – Third Dan 3 Red Tips
Yon Dan Ho – 3 Red Tips – Probationary Fourth Dan – 1 White Tip
Yon Dan – Fourth Dan (Belt has 1cm white & red stripe thru middle of belt white is on top) 4 Red Tips
Go Dan Ho – Probationary Fifth Dan 1 White Tip
Go Dan – Fifth Dan (Belt has 1cm red & white stripe thru middle with red stripe on top)
Roku Dan Ho – Probationary Sixth Dan (No Change to Belt) – 1 White Tip
Roku Dan – Sixth Dan (Belt has 1cm red stripe thru middle)
Sichi Dan Ho – Probationary Seventh Dan (No Change to Belt) – 1 White Tip
Sichi Dan – Seventh Dan (Belt 2cm red stripes thru middlet)
Hachi Dan Ho – Probationary Eighth Dan (No Change to Belt) – 1 White Tip
Hachi Dan – Eighth Dan (Belt 3cm red stripe thru middle)
Ku Dan Ho – Probationary nineth Dan (No Change to Belt) – 1 White Tip
Ku Dan – Nineth Dan (Red belt 2cm black stripe thru middle)
Ju Dan Ho – Probationary Tenth Dan (No Change to Belt) – 1 White Tip
Ju Dan – Tenth Dan (Solid red belt)

Teens Grading Matrix 2023 V3 draft Adults Grading Matrix 2023 V4 draft

Children / Peewees 
White – Yellow Belt
Yellow – Orange Belt
Orange – Blue Belt
Blue – 1 Green Tip
Blue – 2 Green Tips
Blue – 3 Green Tips (Peewees only)
Green Belt
Green – 1 Brown Tip
Green – 2 Brown Tips
Green – 3 Brown Tips
Brown Belt
Brown – 1 Black Tip
Brown – 2 Black Tips
Brown – 3 Black Tips
Black Belt with White Stripe Through Middle (Probationary) (Min age 10 yrs old to attempt)
Black – Black Belt 1 Red Tip
1st Dan – Black 1 Red Tip Probationary 2nd Dan – 1 White Tips
2nd Dan – Black Belt 2 Red Tips (Min age 15 yrs old to attempt)
all grades after 2nd Dan are with Adults 

Peewee Kids 3-6 Year Old Grading Matrix Draft 2022 V2
Karate Kids 7-12 Yrs Grading Matrix 2023 V1.