How to Tie a Tae Kwon Do Belt

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Did you know there are many ways to tie a Taekwondo belt? Whether you just started taking Tae kwon do or you want to figure out how to tie your belt evenly, these two methods can get you on the right track!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Starting with Both Sides at Equal Length

This method is easier. Especially for tying the belt on someone else.

1
Fold the belt exactly in half to find the center.
2
Place the center of the belt at the front just your navel. The two sides should be equal.^{[1]
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3
Wrap the two ends around your waist, and back to the front. Make sure that the left side (new right) is crossed over the right in the back. You will need to switch hands behind your back.^{[2]
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4
Hold both sides of the belt in front of you and make sure that they are the same length.^{[3]
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5
Cross the right over the left.
6
Tuck the right side under both layers of belt and pull. Make sure this tie is snug, but you are still able to breathe comfortably.
7
Cross the left over the right.
8
Reach through and pull the left through. Pull both sides to secure the knot.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Starting with a Longer Left Side

This method uses the same kind of knot, but has a different way of wrapping it around your body.

1
Hold the belt across the back of your body just under where your navel would be. The right side visible from your back (ignoring the portion behind your back) should be 2/3rds of the total length and the left side should be the remaining 1/3rd.
2
Cross the right side over the left.^{[4]
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3
Wrap the right end (top side) of the belt once around your body. The belt should be sitting at your waist, right above the hip bones. Be sure to continue holding the shorter left end in place just below the navel.^{[5]
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4
Adjust the belt so that the sides are equal length at a 45 degree angle. If the belt has moved to your belly button or above, adjust the placement of the belt below your navel again and tighten the belt so that it comfortably fits.
5
Cross the current right side of the belt over the left at the center of your belly. The left side should now be under both the first loop and this current cross over.
6
Tuck the right side of the belt underneath both the left belt and the existing loop. Draw the right side out and pull both ends to tighten the belt. Make sure that you are tightening it enough so that it stays on, but not so that you can’t breathe comfortably. This is similar to the first tie before tying a bow in your shoe.
7
Check that the lengths of both sides are still even. Adjust if it is not.
8
Cross the left over the right
9
Pull the left side through to secure the knot.

Community Q&A

Question

Does this tell me how to tie a white belt?

Community Answer

Yes, it is the same steps regardless of what color the belt is.
Question

I'm interested in resuming Taekwondo after a three year gap. What practice should I do before joining my academy?

Community Answer

Work to become more flexible, do some yoga, and eat a healthy diet.
Question

My belt is too short to be wrapped by two ends. What should I do?

Community Answer

It would be best to get a longer belt that fits you. There isn't really a fix if your belt is just short. Try to improvise and make it look good however you can.

Warnings

There are multiple ways to tie a tae kwon do belt!

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Don't get frustrated at first when you try to tie your belt - it becomes a habit over time!

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