The Standard Karate Belt Knot
Tying your belt (obi) correctly is one of the first things every karate student learns. A properly tied belt stays flat, sits at waist height, and holds through the most vigorous training.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Fold the belt in half to find the centre point. Place this centre point at your navel against the front of your gi jacket.
Step 2: Wrap both ends around your waist, crossing them at the back and bringing both ends back to the front.
Step 3: At the front, you should have two ends of equal length crossing over each other. The right end should be on top.
Step 4: Take the top end (right) and tuck it underneath both layers of the belt from bottom to top, pulling it up and through. This creates the first half of the knot.
Step 5: Create the square knot: take the end now pointing upward and fold it to the right to form a loop. Take the other end and wrap it around and through the loop from left to right.
Step 6: Pull both ends firmly and simultaneously to tighten the knot. Both ends should hang at equal length.
Tips for a Good Belt Tie
The knot should sit flat against your gi — not twisted or bunched. Both ends should hang to equal length, typically reaching the mid-thigh.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is tying a granny knot (both ends going the same direction) instead of a square knot (ends going opposite directions). A granny knot will come undone under movement.
Belt Sizing
The correct size allows two full wraps around your waist with ends hanging to approximately mid-thigh. Standard karate belts are 4cm wide in 100% cotton double-stitching, available in all rank colors from white through black.
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