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 |
| 6-kyu (rokkyu) | TBA |
| 5-kyu (gokyu) | TBA |
| 4-kyu (yonkyu) | TBA |
| 3-kyu (sankyu) | TBA |
| 2-kyu (nikyu) | TBA |
| 1-kyu (ikkyu) | Matches, Kata 1-3 Written examination |
| 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 |