Types of martial arts: the major styles compared

The main types of martial arts fall into four groups: striking arts such as karate, taekwondo, boxing and Muay Thai; grappling arts such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and wrestling; weapons arts such as kendo and fencing; and hybrid systems such as MMA and Krav Maga. Many styles cross the lines, and the right one depends on what you want from it: fitness, self-defense, competition, discipline for a child, or a lifelong practice.

The four groups at a glance: Striking, Grappling, Weapons, Hybrid and self-defense.

This guide compares the major styles: where each comes from, what a class is actually like, who it suits, and whether it uses belts. Each belt-ranked style links to its own belt order guide.

The major styles compared

Style	Group	Origin	Belts or ranks
Karate	Striking	Okinawa, Japan	Yes, kyu and dan
Taekwondo	Striking (kicks)	Korea	Yes, gup and dan
Kung fu	Striking, some grappling, weapons	China	Sashes in many kung fu schools
Boxing	Striking (hands)	England, modern rules	No
Muay Thai	Striking	Thailand	Usually no
Kickboxing	Striking	Japan and the US	Some gyms
Brazilian jiu-jitsu	Grappling	Brazil, from Japanese jujutsu	Yes, colored belts
Judo	Grappling (throws)	Japan	Yes, kyu and dan
Wrestling	Grappling	Worldwide	No
Aikido	Grappling (joint locks, throws)	Japan	Yes, kyu and dan
Kendo	Weapons (bamboo sword)	Japan	Kyu and dan, no colored belts
Fencing	Weapons	Europe	No belts
Filipino martial arts	Weapons and empty hand	Philippines	Varies by system
MMA	Hybrid	Modern, worldwide	Usually no
Krav Maga	Self-defense	Israel	Some systems use levels or belts
Tai chi	Internal, health	China	Usually no

Striking arts

Striking arts teach punches, kicks, knees and elbows, usually from a stance at a distance. They are often the first thing people picture when they hear “martial arts.”

Karate

Karate developed in Okinawa and spread through mainland Japan in the early 20th century. A class usually mixes basics (kihon), forms (kata) and partner work or sparring (kumite). Styles such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu and Kyokushin differ in emphasis, from long stances to hard full-contact sparring. Karate suits children and adults who like structure and visible goals, and it uses colored belts. See the karate belt order.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean art known for its high, fast and spinning kicks, and it has been an Olympic sport since 2000. Classes cover forms (poomsae or tul), kicking drills, sparring and often board breaking. It is one of the most popular kids martial arts in the US. There are two main traditions, Kukkiwon/World Taekwondo and ITF. See the taekwondo belt order.

Kung fu

Kung fu is an umbrella term for hundreds of Chinese styles, from Shaolin and Wing Chun to Hung Gar and Northern Long Fist. Classes usually include stances, forms, partner drills and, in many styles, traditional weapons. Some kung fu schools rank with colored sashes and some use no ranks at all. See the kung fu sash order.

Boxing

Boxing uses only punches, with footwork and head movement doing the defensive work. A class is mostly conditioning, bag and pad work, and, for those who want it, sparring. It is one of the fastest ways to build fitness and practical striking. Boxing gyms do not use belts.

Muay Thai and kickboxing

Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand, is called “the art of eight limbs” because it uses fists, elbows, knees and shins, plus clinch fighting. Kickboxing is a broader term for sport styles that combine punches and kicks. Classes are conditioning-heavy, with pad work and partner drills. Most gyms do not use belts, though some add their own levels.

Grappling arts

Grappling arts control an opponent at close range: throws, takedowns, pins, joint locks and chokes. Because you can train at full effort against a resisting partner without striking them, grappling is often recommended for practical self-defense.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ)

BJJ grew in Brazil from Japanese jujutsu and judo taught there in the early 20th century, and it centers on ground fighting: getting to a dominant position and finishing with a joint lock or choke. A class is usually a warm-up, technique practice with a partner, and live sparring called rolling. It suits adults and kids alike, and size matters less than in many arts. BJJ has a slow, respected belt system. See the BJJ belt order.

Judo

Judo was founded in Japan by Kanō Jigorō in 1882 and is an Olympic sport. It focuses on throws, pins and, for older students, chokes and arm locks. Classes teach safe falling (ukemi) first, then throws practiced with a partner, then randori (free practice). Judo is where the kyu and dan rank system began. See the judo belt order.

Wrestling

Wrestling is among the oldest combat sports in the world. In the US most people meet it through scholastic folkstyle wrestling, with freestyle and Greco-Roman at the Olympic level. Training is intense: takedowns, control on the mat and a lot of conditioning. It has no belts, and it is a strong base for MMA.

Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese art that uses an attacker’s movement to throw or pin them, with joint locks and flowing, cooperative practice. Classes are partner-based, with little or no competition. It suits people who want a traditional, low-impact practice and uses kyu and dan ranks.

Weapons arts

Weapons arts train with a sword, stick or other tool, often alongside empty-hand work.

• Kendo is Japanese fencing with bamboo swords and armor. It ranks by kyu and dan without colored belts.
• Fencing is the European sword sport with foil, épée and saber, contested at the Olympics.
• Filipino martial arts (often called Kali, Eskrima or Arnis) train with sticks and blades first and carry the same movement into empty-hand work.
• Many kung fu and karate styles also teach traditional weapons, such as the staff, as part of the curriculum.

Hybrid and self-defense systems

Mixed martial arts (MMA)

MMA combines striking (mostly boxing, Muay Thai and kickboxing) with grappling (wrestling and BJJ). It is both a combat sport and a way of training. Many MMA gyms teach the parts as separate classes, so a student might do boxing on Monday and BJJ on Wednesday. Most do not use belts for MMA itself, though their BJJ classes may.

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a self-defense system developed in Israel. Classes focus on realistic scenarios, defending against grabs, strikes and weapons, and on striking back hard and getting away. It suits adults who want self-defense rather than a sport. Some Krav Maga organizations use levels or belts.

Tai chi and internal arts

Tai chi is a Chinese internal art practiced today mostly as slow, flowing forms for balance, health and focus, and it is one of the most accessible arts for older adults. Most classes use no ranks.

How to choose a martial art

Start with the goal, not the style:

• For a child: look for a structured kids program with clear goals, which usually means a belt system (karate, taekwondo, judo or BJJ), and an instructor your child likes.
• For self-defense: look for live training against a resisting partner (BJJ, judo, wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai, MMA) or a dedicated self-defense program such as Krav Maga.
• For fitness: boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai are the most conditioning-heavy.
• For competition: judo and taekwondo are Olympic sports; BJJ, boxing, wrestling and Muay Thai have large tournament circuits.
• For a lifelong practice: karate, aikido, kung fu and tai chi all reward decades of training.

Whatever you pick, try a class at two or three martial arts schools. The instructor, the class culture and the schedule decide whether you stay far more than the style does.

For owners: many styles, one system

Many martial arts schools teach more than one style: karate for kids and BJJ for adults, or boxing alongside MMA. Each one needs its own ranks (or none), its own schedule and often its own pricing, while families and billing stay in one place.

BlackBeltCRM runs memberships, billing and attendance for every program a business offers, and each program can have its own ranking system or none at all. A karate ladder, a BJJ ladder with stripes and a boxing class with no ranks can run side by side. See belt tracking software for how promotions work, or martial arts membership software for the whole picture. The same system runs gyms, dance studios and other membership businesses. Try it with your own programs on the 14-day free trial.

Belt order guides

• Karate belt order
• Taekwondo belt order
• BJJ belt order
• Judo belt order
• Kung fu sash order

Sources: Wikipedia (Karate, Taekwondo, Chinese martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo, Aikido, Kendo, Muay Thai, Mixed martial arts, Krav Maga); International Olympic Committee program (judo, taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, fencing).

Questions people ask

What are the main types of martial arts?

Most styles fall into four groups: striking arts (karate, taekwondo, boxing, Muay Thai, kung fu), grappling arts (Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling), weapons arts (kendo, fencing, Filipino martial arts) and hybrid or self-defense systems (MMA, Krav Maga). Many styles cross these lines.

What is the best martial art for kids?

There is no single best one. Karate, taekwondo, judo and BJJ all run structured kids programs with belts that give children regular goals. The instructor and the class culture usually matter more than the style.

What is the best martial art for self-defense?

Styles that train against a resisting partner, such as BJJ, judo, wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai and MMA, build skills that hold up under pressure. Krav Maga focuses directly on self-defense scenarios. How a martial arts school trains matters as much as which style it teaches.

Which martial arts use belts?

Karate, taekwondo, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and aikido use belt ranks; many kung fu schools use sashes. Boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai and MMA generally do not use colored ranks, though some gyms add their own levels.

What is the difference between striking and grappling?

Striking arts hit with punches, kicks, knees or elbows, usually from a distance. Grappling arts control an opponent at close range with throws, takedowns, pins, joint locks and chokes, often on the ground.

Which martial art is easiest to start as an adult?

Any style with a beginner class is a good start. BJJ, boxing and tai chi are common choices for adults; the best one is the class you will keep attending. Try a free class at two or three martial arts schools before you sign up.

Is MMA a martial art?

Yes, a hybrid one. Mixed martial arts combines striking (mostly boxing, Muay Thai and kickboxing) with grappling (wrestling and BJJ), and is both a combat sport and a training method.