i) Students of kyu rank
ii) Students of dan rank

The founder of the art (O' Sensei), his son (the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba), and his grandson (the present Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba), according to Japanese custom, are above the ranking system. The students who hold dan rank from 1st dan upward, wear the black belt over their uniforms (gi) and under the divided skirt or trousers (hakama).

*In Aikido Federation (Singapore) dojos, female students who have passed their grading are allowed to wear the hakama. However, the colour of the hakama is restricted to blue for these students, as the traditional black hakama is worn only by students who have attained dan ranking (regardless of gender).

The following is a table of the categories as well as the ranks of the Aikido hierarchy adopted by Aikido Federation (Singapore).

i) Examination (or grading)
ii) Honorary
iii) Combination of Examination and Honorary

In the case of examination (grading), for each kyu class and dan rank, there are certain precise requirements pertaining to hours practiced, techniques mastered, etc., which must be fulfilled. However these requirements may differ according to dojo. Honorary promotion is given for contributions to the introduction and promotion of aikido. The third method is the combination of both examination (grading) and honorary, one supplementing the other.