Poom Belt in Taekwondo: What It Means
The junior black belt for taekwondo students under 15 — everything you need to know about poom ranks, age requirements and how poom converts to dan.
The junior black belt for taekwondo students under 15 — everything you need to know about poom ranks, age requirements and how poom converts to dan.
A poom belt is a junior black belt in taekwondo, awarded to students who are under 15 years old and have passed a dan-level grading examination. The word “poom” (품) means “dignity” or “grace” in Korean.
Instead of the solid black belt that adults receive, poom holders wear a distinctive belt that is half red and half black — divided horizontally. This design signifies that the student has achieved black belt level skill but has not yet reached the full maturity required for a dan rank.
The poom system is governed by Kukkiwon (the World Taekwondo headquarters in Seoul, South Korea), which issues official poom certificates. Only Kukkiwon-certified poom and dan holders are eligible to compete in international competitions sanctioned by World Taekwondo (WT). At Athletic United Taekwondo, all our poom and dan certifications are Kukkiwon-registered.
The poom belt and the dan black belt represent the same level of technical skill. The key difference is age. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | Poom Belt (Junior) | Dan Belt (Senior) |
|---|---|---|
| Age requirement | Under 15 years old | 15 years old and above |
| Belt colour | Half red, half black | Solid black |
| Levels available | 1st to 4th Poom | 1st to 10th Dan |
| Grading standard | Same technical requirements | Same technical requirements |
| Certification body | Kukkiwon | Kukkiwon |
| Conversion | Converts to dan at age 15 | N/A |
In short, a 1st poom holder has the same technical ability as a 1st dan holder — the only difference is their age.
There are four poom levels in taekwondo. Each poom level corresponds to a dan rank and requires the same poomsae (forms) and technical examinations.
Equivalent to: 1st Dan black belt
The first poom is the most common level achieved by young taekwondo students. To earn a 1st poom, the student must pass the same grading as an adult 1st dan candidate, demonstrating poomsae (Koryo), sparring, board breaking and theory. Students must have completed all 10 colour belt (geup) ranks first.
Equivalent to: 2nd Dan black belt
To be eligible for 2nd poom, a student must hold 1st poom for a minimum of one year. The grading requires poomsae Keumgang, advanced sparring and higher-level breaking techniques. Students at this level often assist instructors in teaching younger classes.
Equivalent to: 3rd Dan black belt
Achieving 3rd poom requires at least two years at 2nd poom. The grading includes poomsae Taebaek, advanced competition-level sparring and complex breaking. A 3rd poom holder demonstrates a deep understanding of taekwondo technique and philosophy.
Equivalent to: 4th Dan black belt
The highest poom level achievable. A minimum of three years at 3rd poom is required. Very few junior students reach this level as it demands exceptional skill, dedication and maturity. The grading includes poomsae Pyongwon and expert-level sparring and breaking.
Note: Poom ranks beyond 4th are not available. Students who wish to progress further must wait until they turn 15 and convert to dan before testing for 5th dan and above.
Kukkiwon has specific age rules for poom belt eligibility:
Any student who passes a dan-level grading examination before their 15th birthday receives a poom rank instead of a dan rank. This is a Kukkiwon rule that applies worldwide.
While there is no strict minimum age set by Kukkiwon, students typically need at least 3–5 years of training to reach poom level. Most students earn their 1st poom between the ages of 8 and 14.
When a poom holder turns 15, they are eligible to convert their poom rank to the equivalent dan rank. This conversion is processed through Kukkiwon and results in a new dan certificate being issued.
The same waiting periods apply for poom as for dan: 1 year between 1st and 2nd, 2 years between 2nd and 3rd, and 3 years between 3rd and 4th poom.
Is your child ready for poom grading?
Ask About Poom GradingConverting a poom rank to a dan rank is a straightforward process once the student reaches the required age. Here is how it works:
After conversion, students can continue progressing through the dan ranks in our adult taekwondo classes. For example, a student who held 2nd poom would convert to 2nd dan and could then work towards 3rd dan.
Each poom level has a required poomsae that must be performed during the grading examination. These are the same poomsae required for the equivalent dan levels:
| Poom Level | Required Poomsae | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Poom | Koryo | Named after the Koryo dynasty — symbolises the strength and spirit of the Korean people |
| 2nd Poom | Keumgang | Named after the Keumgang mountains — symbolises solidity and immovability |
| 3rd Poom | Taebaek | Named after Mount Taebaek — symbolises the sacred and bright |
| 4th Poom | Pyongwon | Means “vast plain” — symbolises peace and open-mindedness |
In addition to the required poomsae, students may be asked to perform any previous poomsae from the Taegeuk series during their grading.
The poom system was established by Kukkiwon to recognise the technical achievements of young practitioners while acknowledging that they are still developing mentally and physically. There are several reasons for this distinction:
A poom belt is a junior black belt awarded to taekwondo students under 15 years old who pass a dan-level grading. It is half red and half black, signifying black belt skill at a junior level. Poom ranks are certified by Kukkiwon and are recognised worldwide.
Students must be under 15 years old to receive a poom belt. There is no strict minimum age, but most students earn their 1st poom between 8 and 14 years old, after 3–5 years of training. Once a poom holder turns 15, they can convert to the equivalent dan rank.
For 1st poom, you need to perform Koryo. For 2nd poom, Keumgang. For 3rd poom, Taebaek. For 4th poom, Pyongwon. You may also be asked to perform any Taegeuk poomsae from previous belt levels during the grading.
A poom belt represents the same technical skill level as a dan black belt. The only difference is age — poom is for students under 15, dan is for those 15 and over. Poom holders take the same grading examination and meet the same requirements as dan candidates.
When a poom holder turns 15, they can apply through their school to convert their poom rank to the equivalent dan rank. No additional grading is required — Kukkiwon issues a new dan certificate, and the student transitions to a solid black belt.
There are four poom levels: 1st poom through 4th poom. These correspond to 1st dan through 4th dan. Students cannot progress beyond 4th poom — they must convert to dan and reach age 15 before testing for 5th dan and above.
Yes. We offer Kukkiwon-certified poom gradings for our students. Our experienced instructors, including Master Yu (5th Dan), will guide your child through the preparation process. Contact us on WhatsApp to learn more.
Our Kukkiwon-certified instructors will guide your child from white belt to poom belt and beyond. Explore our kids taekwondo classes or book a free trial class and see what taekwondo can do for your child.