Belt Auction

how long does it take to get the belts in karate?

im just starting karate im going to be training 2-3 times a week and im 13 and a quick learner how long will it take me to get each belt

Public Comments

1. It only takes a week is you buy it online, maybe faster if you order it with expedited shipping. Seriously though, it's not about how fast you get your belts. You just keep going and learning. Belts will come whenever your instructor thinks you're ready for them. Everyone has their own system so no one (other than someone at your school) can give you an accurate answer.
2. It depends on your instructor, and the regulations of your dojo or of the organization your dojo belongs to. There is usually a required number of training sessions and/or a minimum amount of time between belt tests/exams. But belts only denote your formal rank and, supposedly, your level of maturity within the art. So don't focus on belts, but on your training.
3. In my organisation, kyu grades are eligible to grade every 3 months. Someone in my dojo was a 10th kyu for a year. Dan grades are several years (depending on which dan grade you are) and there are about 2 dan gradings a year. I think 1st kyu to shodan is a year. You wont always pass a grading and your sensei wont always let you grade after 3 months if they think you wont pass it. Forget the belts and just train hard.
4. however long your sensei chooses. he could show you a website if he wanted to.
5. Belt tests usually occur four times per year, but your teacher has to approve you for testing. You will not test unless you have made acceptable progress. Testing varies widely from school to school and from group to group. Some organizations go by hours trained rather than time.
6. We cannot answer you for sure. It will depend on your class, your teacher, your association and you. Typically (but there are soooo many different groups and schools), teens will average one belt/kyu every 6 months to a year. If your group only uses the belt colours, you will likely move between the belts each year. But always add one year because either: a) you will get stuck on something..some kata, some part of sparring, some attitude thingy or b) as a teen, you will have periods where your focus will waiver. You will spend several months worrying about problems with friends or your tests or getting your driver's license, etc. And even if you are super keen, you might get grounded by your parents and the only way they can "punish you" is to limit your time at the dojo... (IMO stupid idea but I have heard of it happening). Everyone is different. There is no real answer. And there shouldn't be. The belts are just like the sign posts on the maps in the shopping mall. You are not at the mall to find those silly arrows. You are at the mall for other reasons. The little "You are here" arrows are just a reference. That is all.