A beginner starts out at White Belt 10th Gup, progressing to 9th Gup, then 8th, and so on until Black Tip 1st Gup. From White Belt 10th Gup to Red Belt 2nd Gup, grading is usually carried out every 3 months. A Black Tip 1st Gup has to train for at least 6 months before he is eligible to grade for 1st Dan. A person usually attains Black Belt 1st Dan in two and a half years to four years, depending on ability, and frequency of training and grading.
For Black Belts, the minimum time requirement for testing are:
To be an Examiner, one must be at least a 4th Dan Black Belt.
| Colour | Meaning | Rank |
| White | Signifies innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do. | 10th Gup, 9th Gup |
| Yellow | Signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundation is being laid. | 8th Gup, 7th Gup |
| Green | Signifies the plant's growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop. | 6th Gup, 5th Gup |
| Blue | Signifies the Heaven, towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses. | 4th Gup, 3rd Gup |
| Red | Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away. | 2nd Gup, 1st Gup |
| Black | Opposite of White, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear. | 1st Dan to 9th Dan |