Kendo ranks are from 6-kyu to 1-kyu and then from 1-dan to 8-dan. 9-dan and 10-dan ranks are no longer recognized by official federations, though 9-dan still practice in Japan. Since kendo is considered a way of life, it is impossible to reach 8-dan before the age of 45. All new students begin without a rank. Kyu ranks are typically for children, so adult practitioners do not test until they are ready for 3-kyu.

RANK	REQUIREMENTS
3-kyu (sankyu)	Two ji-geiko
2-kyu (nikyu)	Two ji-geiko
1-kyu (ikkyu)	Two ji-geiko
1-dan (shodan)	3 months or more after receipt of 1-kyu Matches, Kata 1-5 Written examination
2-dan (nidan)	1 year or more after receipt of 1-dan Matches, Kata 1-7 Written examination
3-dan (sandan)	2 years or more after receipt of 2-dan Matches, Kata 1-10 Written examination
4-dan (yondan)	3 years or more after receipt of 3-dan Matches, Kata 1-10 Written examination
5-dan (godan)	4 years or more after receipt of 4-dan Matches, Kata 1-10 Written examination
6-dan (rokudan)	5 years or more after receipt of 5-dan Matches, Kata 1-10 Written examination and refereeing
7-dan (shichidan)	6 years or more after receipt of 6-dan Matches, Kata 1-10 Written examination and refereeing
8-dan (hachidan)	10 years or more after receipt of 7-dan Matches, Kata 1-10 Written examination and thesis