What is karate's ranking system?

Answer 1

There are two major levels in Karate and most Japanese based Martial Arts.

The first are the beginners, the Kyu (Japanese) or Gup (Korean) students. Typically these are indicated by different colored belts and in general run from lighter to darker colors as one gets more knowledge and skill.

Then there are the Dan levels, or the black belts. There are 10 levels of these from First Degree Black Belt to Tenth Degree. In most styles the first 6 levels of black belt are really black. Seven and Eighth wear a red and white striped belt and Ninth and Tenth wear a solid red belt.