Achievements in judo are recognized by the series of ranks one earns. Student ranks are called kyu, and are differentiated with the help of colored belts called obi. After one passes through the 'kyu' level or below black belt level 'grades', they move on to the black belt level 'degrees'. These degrees are known as dan. The system of varyingly-colored belts signifying the wearer's grade was invented by an early judo exponent Mikonosuke Kawaishi. Kawaishi was proficient in jujitsu and judo, and taught judo in England and France. He felt that, since judo was based upon the Oriental Japanese culture, it needed some tweaks to attract more Westerners. The grade system caught on in France, and helped spread judo in the West. The Westernized style promoted by Kawaishi, came to be known after him as the Kawaishi Ryu Jujitsu. Judogi A judo uniform can be white or blue in color, and is made from cotton fabric. It is called the Judogi, and includes white cotton drawstring pants and a white quilted cotton jacket that is fastened by a colored judo belt. The colors are indicative of the kyu or dan rank. In Europe, Canada, Australia

• White
• Yellow
• Orange
• Green
• Blue
• Brown
• Black
• White and Red
• Red

In Australia, the 6th, 7th, and 8th dan have alternating red and white panels called the dandara. The 9th and 10th dan are solid red in color. Those who have grades over the 5th dan (godan) wear plain black belts. A few countries use colored tips on the belts for the junior levels, and belts for women have a white stripe along the center In Brazil

• White
• Blue
• Orange
• Green
• Purple
• Brown
• Black
• White and Red
• Red

Those who have achieved the 6th, 7th, and 8th dan wear alternating red and white panels. The 9th and 10th dan holders wear solid red belts. Children under the age of 11 or 13 years may be given a gray belt before the blue. According to United States Judo Federation (USJF)

Japanese Kyū Names	USJF Senior	USJF Junior	USJA Junior Level Names
Jūnikyū			Junior 12th Class
Jūichikyū	White		Junior 11th Class
Jūkyū	White-yellow		Junior 10th Class
Kūkyū	Yellow		Junior 9th Class
Hachikyū	Yellow-orange		Junior 8th Class
Nanakyū or USJA Senior "Beginner"	Orange		Junior 7th Class
Rokkyū	White	Orange-green	Junior 6th Class
Gokyū	Green	Green	Junior 5th Class
Yonkyū	Blue	Green-blue	Junior 4th Class
Sankyū	Brown	Blue	Junior 3rd Class
Nikyū	Brown	Blue-purple	Junior 2nd Class
Ikkyū	Brown	Purple	Junior 1st Class

According to United States Judo Association (USJA)

Japanese Kyū Names	USJA Senior	USJA Junior	USJA Junior Level Names
Jūnikyū	White		Junior 12th Class
Jūichikyū	Yellow		Junior 11th Class
Jūkyū	Orange		Junior 10th Class
Kūkyū	Orange		Junior 9th Class
Hachikyū	Green		Junior 8th Class
Nanakyūo USJA Senior "Beginner"	White	Green	Junior 7th Class
Rokkyū	Yellow	Blue	Junior 6th Class
Gokyū	Orange	Blue	Junior 5th Class
Yonkyū	Green	Purple	Junior 4th Class
Sankyū	Brown	Purple	Junior 3rd Class
Nikyū	Brown	Brown	Junior 2nd Class
Ikkyū	Brown	Brown	Junior 1st Class

Order and Ranking

Rank	Kyu	Belt
Beginner		White
6th grade	Rokyu	Yellow
5th grade	Gokyu	Orange
4th grade	Yonkyu	Green
3rd grade	Sankyu	Brown
2nd grade	Nikyu	Brown
1st grade	Ikkyu	Brown
1st degree	Shodan	Black
2nd degree	Nidan	Black
3rd degree	Sandan	Black
4th degree	Yodan	Black
5th degree	Godan	Black
6th degree	Rokudan	Nlack or red/white
7th degree	Shichidan	Nlack or red/white
8th degree	Hachidan	Black or Red/white
9th degree	Kudan	Black or red
10th degree	Judan	Black or red

You will find that there is no standardized belt color and ranking. A person reaches the level of black belt after years of practice, and can perform either nage no kata, gokyo no waza, and the newaza techniques.