United World Muay Thai Association Ranking Systems 

Suggested Ranking Systems for USA / Europe schools

Welcome, all Muay Thai Instructors

Most of you already know there is no official ranking system for Muay Thai other than your Amateur/Pro fight status.

This works well in Thailand; however, in the States, most martial arts students are used to belt-ranking systems or other forms of progression and recognition, such as certificates and colored belts.

You, as instructors and gym owners, must decide how you will incorporate the many forms of ranking systems into your schools and find the method that works best for you.

Below are some of the top Grading and ranking systems used today by instructors and Muay Thai institutions everywhere.

Listed below are the top 3 Ranking systems in use today

Khan level ranking system

Many schools have adopted the Khan level progression system, including the Muay Thai federation and other Muay Thai schools. This system of student progression is outlined here.

1. 1st Khan – White – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
2. 2nd Khan – Yellow – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
3. 3rd Khan – Yellow and White – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
4. 4th Khan – Green – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
5. 5th Khan – Green and White – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
6. 6th Khan – Blue – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
7. 7th Khan – Blue and White – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
8. 8th Khan – Brown – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
9. 9th Khan – Brown and White – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
10. 10th Khan – Red – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
11. 11th Khan – Red and White – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat ( Jr instructor ) Instructor trainee
12. 12th Khan – Red and Yellow – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat ( Kru / instructor )
13. 13th Khan – Red and White – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat ( Senior Kru / instructor ) Kru Yai
14. 14th Khan – Silver – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat ( Master Instructor ) Ajarn / Ajahn / Arjarn
15. 15th Khan – Gold – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat ( Grand Master )
16. Other Muay Thai Schools like – JD Muay Thai K1 – have the same as above, except for a level 15 Khan that is Silver and Gold – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat
17. 16th Khan is Gold – Druang Rang / Prajioud / Prajeat – Grand Master

Tassels only Ranking system

Many Schools use an armband Tassel system only for ranking students; the Tassels are called Druang Rang, Prajeat, or Prajioud.

1. White – Beginner Student
2. Yellow – Basic Knowledge
3. Green – intermediate
4. Blue – Advanced knowledge of Muay Thai techniques
5. Black – All basic and Advanced knowledge of Muay Thai techniques and theory
6. Red – Jr Instructor
7. Red and Black – Instructor / Kru

Certificate only Level Grading and Rank:

Other schools use the Level system with Certificate-only ranking; listed below are the most popular Certificate-only systems.

This system is very popular among gyms and instructors who have prior martial arts experience before teaching Muay Thai.

1. level 0 – ( white belt equivalent ) – 6 months
2. Level 1 – ( Yellow Belt Equivalent ) – 6 months
3. Level 2 – ( Orange Belt Equivalent ) – 6 Months
4. Level 3 – ( Purple belt Equivalent ) – 6 months
5. Level 4 – ( Blue Belt Equivalent ) – 6 months
6. Level 5 – ( Green Belt Equivalent ) – 6 months
7. Level 6 – ( Brown Belt Equivalent ) – 6 months
8. Level 7 – ( Black Belt Equivalent ) – 6 months ( 4 years of training )
9. Level 8 – ( Jr instructor – 2nd Dan/Degree Black Equivalent ) 5 – 6 years of training
10. Level 9 – ( Instructor / Kru – 3rd Dan/Degree Black Equivalent ) – 8 years of training
11. Level 10 – ( Senior Instructor / Kru – 5th Dan/Degree Black ) – ( 5 years of teaching )
12. Level 11 – ( Master Instructor / Kru – 8th/Dan/Degree Black ) – ( 10 + years as instructor )
13. Level 12 – ( Grand Master Instructor / Kru – 10th Dan/Degree Black ) – ( 20 years as instructor )

Please Note:

All Black Belt Dan/Degree shown above represents Equivalents only for Western and United States Martial Arts Students.

For the Art of Muay Thai, kickboxing, or Muay Boran Martial Arts, there are no official ranking systems.

Some Final thoughts on Ranking systems :

Many Variations of these Ranking systems are in effect today; they are easy to incorporate into most gyms and schools. Many schools use levels between these 12 to rank the students every three months instead of every six months, like giving the student a white with a yellow stripe after three months.

You must find the right system for your school or gym; these top 3 systems are just example guidelines to help you get started.

Our Mission:

The United World Muay Thai Association was formed in 1993 by Vut Kamnark, who saw the need for a better governing body over Muay Thai fighting regulations in the United States.

Last modified: June 2, 2026