Types of Martial Arts.
A martial artist performing a flying side kick silhouetted against a sunset sky

Every martial art, classified.

154 styles across four families — striking, grappling, weapons, and hybrid — each with its origin, training focus, and lineage. Built on open data, classified editorially, no hype.

Martial arts style-picker cheat sheet

All major styles by type, contact level, and training focus on one page. Free.

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Hero photo: Benjamin Bellamy / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Answer five quick questions and our free style-finder points you to the family of martial arts that fits — plus a few well-known styles to begin with. Instant, no sign-up.

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A karateka in a white gi delivering a high kick during training
Photo: Yogi shihan selvakumar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Striking, grappling, weapons & hybrid

Every style is classified into one of four families and given its origin (where recorded), training focus, and lineage — plain facts, no hype, no “deadliest style” claims.

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The four families

Striking53 stylesGrappling29 stylesWeapons-based36 stylesHybrid36 styles

Most searched styles

boxingStriking · EnglandjudoGrappling · JapankarateStriking · Japan (Okinawa)taekwondoStriking · North Korea; South Korea; KoreawrestlingGrapplingfencingWeapons-basedsumoGrappling · JapanaikidoGrappling · JapanMuay ThaiStriking · Thailandmixed martial artsHybridjujutsuGrappling · JapankickboxingStriking · Japan

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Built on open data

The taxonomy starts from Wikidata (CC0) and adds our own editorial classification. Where a fact like origin isn't recorded, we leave it blank rather than guess. See the numbers behind the dataset.

Two Muay Thai fighters exchanging strikes inside the ring
Photo: Gerrit Phil Baumann / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Guides

How to Choose a Martial ArtHow to Evaluate a Martial Arts School Near YouMartial Arts Gear by Style TypeBelts & Ranking Systems, ExplainedMartial Arts for Kids: What to Look For

Martial arts by the numbers — our data study →

Martial arts style-picker cheat sheet

All major styles by type, contact level, and training focus on one page. Free.

Free, and your email stays private — unsubscribe in one click anytime.
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