Taekwondo awards levels and belts according to the level of mastery demonstrated by the student. Low levels are from Level 8 to Level 1, and high levels are from the lowest 1 ‘dan’ or 1 ‘pum’ to the highest 4 ‘dan’ or 4 ’pum’. ‘Dan’ and ‘pum’ signifies the same thing, but the term ‘pum’ is used for those 15 or under while the term ‘dan’ applies to anyone 16 or older. Each level has its own ‘Poomsae’, a predetermined set of movements that one can use to gain practice against an imaginary opponent. Different colored belts are awarded according to the level attained.
Click here to see how to tie your belt.
| Level | Belt Color: | Poomsae |
| Low Level | White | basic form #1 (10 kup) |
| Yellow | basic form #2 (9th kup) | |
| Orange | tae guek 1 jang (8th kup) | |
| Green | tae guek 2 jang (7th kup) | |
| Blue | tae guek 3 jang (6th kup) | |
| Purple | tae guek 4 jang (5th kup) | |
| Brown | tae guek 5 jang (4th kup) | |
| High Level | High-Brown | tae guek 6 jang (3rd kup) |
| Red | tae guek 7 jang (2nd kup) | |
| High-Red | tae guek 8 jang (1st kup) | |
| Rec-Black | review all forms (10th-7th kup) | |
| Temp-Black | review all forms (6th-1st kup) |
* The belt colors outlined above are the basics, but depending on the discretion of a Taekwondo master, belt colors offered at a specific place of learning can increase or decrease.
