Judo Belt System

Judo uses the original belt ranking system (it invented the colored belt concept). Typical progression: White → Yellow → Orange → Green → Blue → Brown → Black. Black belt (shodan) typically takes 4-6 years in Judo — longer than most martial arts. There are 10 dan levels. The training hall is called a dojo and the uniform is a judogi (heavier than a karate gi, designed to withstand gripping and throwing).