How to Tie Your Karate Belt Correctly

The first step in your karate training is learning how to tie your belt.

Here are step-by-step instructions for tying your karate belt. I’ve included a video version of these instructions at the end of this article.

(If you need help tying your uniform, watch this video. If you prefer the written version with photos, click here.)

To start, fold the belt in half, making sure that the ends are lined up.

Next, you’re going to take the halfway point of the belt and place it against your belly button, pulling the belt across your front.

Then you’re going to pull both ends of the belt around to your back. At the back, you’re going to cross one end of the belt over the other, making an “X” shape.

Before continuing, make sure both sides are flat and not twisted, and pull them tight to keep them snug.

Next, you’re going to pull both ends of the belt around to the front. Here you’re going to cross one end of the belt over the other, making another “X” shape.

This next part involves the end of the belt that is crossed over top. Take this end of the belt and feed it up and under EVERYTHING (under both layers of belt) and pull it through the top.

Pull both ends snug before continuing with the next step.

The end of the belt that is on the bottom: fold this back on itself so that it is pointing the other way.

The end of the belt that you pulled through the top: fold this down so that it crosses over the other half of the belt.

There should now be a “hole” between the two ends of the belt. Reach your hand through this hole and grab the end of the belt that you folded down from the top.

Pull the end of the belt all the way through the hole. Then hold onto one end of the belt in each hand and pull to tighten the knot.

To make it nice and tight, grab both ends of the belt further away from the knot and give it a couple of sharp tugs.

And that’s it! That’s how to tie your karate belt correctly. You now look awesome. 😉

Here’s a video version of these instructions:

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How do you tie your karate belt? Is it different than this method? Please share below.

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