Skip to main content

Free tool

Judo belt calculator

Estimate how long your next judo grade and your 1st dan black belt will take, based on your current kyu and how often you are on the tatami.

No sign-up. Your numbers stay in your browser.

Applies minimum ages where they exist.

Your estimate

Next belt4 monthsYellow (5th kyu)
Black belt4 years 4 months

Timeline

  1. Yellow (5th kyu)4 months
  2. Orange (4th kyu)10 months
  3. Green (3rd kyu)1 year 4 months
  4. Blue (2nd kyu)2 years 1 month
  5. Brown (1st kyu)3 years 1 month
  6. Black (1st dan)4 years 4 months

Results are planning estimates, not professional, financial or federation advice.

How to use it

  1. 01

    Choose your current grade

    Pick your kyu grade and how many months you have held it.

  2. 02

    Set your training frequency

    Choose how many sessions you train each week.

  3. 03

    Read your timeline

    See the estimated time to each kyu grade and to shodan.

The kyu ladder used here

Most clubs outside Japan use six adult kyu grades: white (6th kyu), yellow, orange, green, blue and brown (1st kyu), followed by black belt at 1st dan. Colours and the number of grades vary by country — some federations add red or half-grade belts.

How the estimate works

Each grade has a typical duration at three sessions a week, totalling a little over four years from white to black. More training shortens that with diminishing returns. National federations set their own minimum times, competition points and kata requirements, so check your federation’s grading rules.

What examiners look for

  • Ukemi (breakfalls) that are safe at speed.
  • Throws (nage-waza) and holds (katame-waza) from the syllabus for your grade.
  • Kata knowledge, required for dan grades.
  • Randori and, in some federations, competition results.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a black belt in judo?

Commonly 4–6 years for adults training two to three times a week. Minimum ages and competition requirements set by national federations can lengthen it.

What is the order of judo belts?

A common adult order is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and then black. Some countries use different colours or extra grades.

Is 1st kyu higher than 6th kyu?

Yes. Kyu grades count down towards black belt, so 1st kyu (brown) is the highest coloured belt. Dan grades then count up from 1st dan.

More free tools

Belt promotion certificate makerDesign a printable belt promotion certificate with your club logo, student name, rank and signature line. Download as PDF or PNG.BJJ belt calculatorEstimate the time to your next Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt and to black belt, using IBJJF minimum times and ages.
MatSync for Judo clubs

Run the academy, not the spreadsheet.

MatSync handles schedules, bookings, attendance, belt progress and payments in one place, with a member app for iOS and Android.

Start free See pricing