Armies have military rank systems that are often used by other military services such as air forces or marines.
To aid in the comparison of ranks in the armed forces of different countries, NATO rank codes are used. These are established codes for determining the seniority of officer and other ranks in NATO countries for a particular joint task group or command structure, although specific appointments designate a higher level of seniority over other equivalent rank codes in a given situation. Officer ranks go from OF-1 (applying to all subaltern officers below captain) up to OF-10; OF(D) being a special category for trainee officers awaiting a commission. Other Ranks (those considered enlisted men in the United States forces) are classified from OR-1 to OR-9. Warrant Officers in the United States forces are a special case as they are single track career specialists between the enlisted and officer ranks in terms of seniority, and have no NATO rank code. The system should not be confused with the pay grades used in the US military.
While countries outside the NATO command structure do not strictly fall into this classification structure and there may be incidences of overlap (particularly in OR ranks between countries), the codes still provide a useful gauge in determining what ranks are broadly equivalent.
These are the highest ranks. Promotion to OF-10 rank is now rare and usually reserved for wartime.
Note that there is doubt about rank equivalency in countries that have no brigadier-generals but both colonel-generals and full generals, such as the German Empire and Russia - often it is considered that in these countries a colonel-general equates to an OF-9 rank, a general to OF-8, a lieutenant-general to OF-7, and a major-general to OF-6 (i.e. the ranks below colonel-general all move down one grade).
Country | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | Albania | - | - | Gjenerallejtnant | Gjeneralmajor | Gjeneralbrigad |
Argentina | - | Teniente General | General de División | General de Brigada | Coronel Mayor |
Austria | - | General | Generalleutnant | Generalmajor | Brigadier |
Azerbaijan | - | - | General-Polkovnik | General-Leytenant | General-Mayor |
Belarus | - | - | General-polkovnik | General-leytenant | General-mayor |
Belgium¹ | - | Général Generaal | Lieutenant-général Luitenant-generaal | Général-major Generaal-majoor | Général de Brigade Brigadegeneraal |
Bosnia | General Armije General of the Armies | General General | General-pukovnik Lieutenant-general | General-major Major-general | Brigadni General Brigadier-general |
Brazil | Marechal | General de exército | General de divisão | General de brigada | - |
Canada² | - | General général | Lieutenant-General Lieutenant-général | Major-General major-général | Brigadier-General brigadier-général |
Chile | Capitan General | General de Ejército | General de División | General de Brigada | Brigadier |
China (Modern) | Yi Ji Shang Jiang 一級上將 (Rank existed only 1988-1994; never held) | Shang Jiang 上将 | Zhong Jiang 中将 | Shao Jiang 少将 | Da Xiao 大校 |
China 1950s | Da Yuan Shuai 大元帅----Yuan Shuai 元帅----Da Jiang 大将 | Shang Jiang 上将 | Zhong Jiang 中将 | Shao Jiang 少将 | Da Xiao 大校 |
Colombia | - | General del Ejército | Teniente General | Mayor General | Brigadier General |
Croatia | Stožerni general | General zbora | General pukovnik | General bojnik | Brigadni general |
Egypt | Musheer مشير | Fariq Awwal (فريق أول) | Fariq (فريق) | Liwa (لواء) | Amid (عميد) |
Finland3 | Sotamarsalkka Fältmarskalk | Kenraali General | Kenraaliluutnantti Generallöjtnant | Kenraalimajuri Generalmajor | Prikaatikenraali Brigadgeneral |
France | Maréchal de France | Général d'Armée | Général de Corps d'Armée | Général de Division | Général de Brigade |
Georgia | - | armiis generali (არმიის გენერალი / Army General) | general-leitenanti (გენერალ-ლეიტენანტი / Lieutenant General) | general-maiori (გენერალ-მაიორი / Major General) | brigadis generali (ბრიგადის გენერალი / Brigadier General) |
Germany (modern) | - | General | Generalleutnant | Generalmajor | Brigadegeneral |
German Empire | Generalfeldmarschall | Generaloberst | General der Infanterie (Kavallerie, Artillerie, etc.) | Generalleutnant (until 1899, Generallieutenant) | Generalmajor |
Nazi Germany (Wehrmacht rank) | Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches
Generalfeldmarschall | Generaloberst | General der Infanterie (Panzertruppen, Flieger, Artillerie, etc.) | Generalleutnant | Generalmajor |
Nazi Germany (SS rank) | Reichsführer-SS | Oberstgruppenführer | Obergruppenführer | Gruppenführer | Brigadeführer |
Greece | - | Strategos (Στρατηγός / General) | Antistrategos (Αντιστράτηγος / Lieutenant General) | Hypostrategos (Υποστράτηγος / Major General) | Taxiarkhos (Ταξίαρχος / Brigadier General) |
Hungary | (tábornagy) | Vezérezredes | Altábornagy | Vezérőrnagy | Dandártábornok |
India | Field Marshal | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier |
Indonesia | Jenderal Besar | Jenderal | Letnan Jenderal | Mayor Jenderal | Brigadir Jenderal |
Israel | - | - | Rav-aluf (רב-אלוף) | Aluf (אלוף) | Tat-aluf (תת-אלוף) |
Italy (since 2002) | - | Generale | Generale di Corpo d'Armata | Generale di Divisione | Generale di Brigata |
Italy (1923–1946) | Maresciallo d'Italia | Generale (design.) d'Armata | Generale di Corpo d'Armata | Generale di Divisione | Generale di Brigata |
Italy (MVSN) | Comandante Generale | Luogotenente Generale Capo di S.M | Luogotenente Generale | - | Console Generale |
Japan (Imperial Japanese Army) | Gensui 元帥 | Taishō 大将 | Chūjō 中将 | Shōshō 少将 | - |
Japan Ground Self Defense Force | - | Rikujō-Bakuryōchō 陸上幕僚長 | Rikushō 陸将 | Rikushō-ho 陸将補 | - |
Jordan4 | Musheer (Field Marshal) | Fariq Awwal (General) | Fariq (Lieutenant General) | Liwa'a (Major General) | A'mid (Brigadier General) |
Latvia | - | - | Ģenerālleitnants | Ģenerālmajors | Brigādes ģenerālis |
Lebanon | - | - | 'Imād (General) | Liwā' (Major General) | 'Ameed (Brigadier General) |
Lithuania | - | - | Generolas leitenantas | Generolas majoras | Brigados generolas |
Republic of Macedonia | - | Генерал | Генерал Потполковник | Генерал Мајор | Бригаден Генерал |
Malaysia | Marshal Darat | Jeneral | Leftenan Jeneral | Mejar Jeneral | Brigedier Jeneral |
Mexico | Comandante Supremo de Las Fuerzas Armadas | General Secretario de La Defensa Nacional | General de División | General de Brigada | General Brigadier |
Moldova | - | - | general de corp | general de divizie | general de brigadă |
Mongolia | Маршал | Генерал | Дэслэгч генерал | Хошууч генерал | Бригадын генерал |
Myanmar | Bo Gyoke Hmu Gyi (Senior General, Commander in Chief of Myanmar Armed force) | Du Bo Gyoke Hmu Gyi (Vice Senior General, Vice Commander in Chief of Myanmar Armed force)----Bo Gyoke Kyee (General) | Du Bo Gyoke Kyee (Lieutenant General) | Bo Gyoke (Major General) | Bo Hmu Gyoke (Brigader General) |
Netherlands | Veldmaarschalk | Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Brigade-generaal |
New Zealand | - | - | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier |
Nigeria | Field Marshal | General | Lieutenant-General | Major-General | Brigadier |
North Korea | Daewŏnsu
Konghwagukwŏnsu
Inmingunwŏnsu | Chasu
Daejang
Sangjang | Jungjang | Sojang | Daejah |
Norway | - | General | Generalløytnant | Generalmajor | Brigader |
Pakistan | Field Marshal | General | Lieutenant-General | Major-General | Brigadier |
Philippines | Field Marshal (obsolete) | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier General |
Poland | Marszałek Polski | Generał | Generał broni | Generał dywizji | Generał brygady |
Portugal (since 1999) | Marechal | General | Tenente-general | Major-general | Brigadeiro-general |
Portugal (1929–1999) | Marechal | - | General | Brigadeiro | - |
Romania | Mareșal | General | General-locotenent | General-maior | General de brigadă |
Russian Federation | Marshal of the Russian Federation | General of the Army----Colonel-General | Lieutenant-General | Major-General | - |
Russian Empire | General-feldmarshal | General ot infanterii (kavalerii, artilerii) | General-leytenant | General-mayor | Brigadir (until 1798) |
Saudi Arabia | - | Fariq Awwal (فريق أول) | Fariq (فريق) | Liwa (لواء) | Amid (عميد) |
Serbia | - | General | General-potpukovnik | General-major | Brigadni-General |
Singapore | - | - | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier General |
South Africa | - | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier General |
South Korea | Wonsu (원수) | Daejang (대장) | Jungjang (중장) | Sojang (소장) | Junjang (준장) |
Soviet Union | Generalissimus of the Soviet Union----Marshal of the Soviet Union | Chief Marshals of branches, Marshals of Branche----General of the army----Colonel-General | Lieutenant-General | Major-General | - |
Spain | Capitán General | General de Ejército | Teniente General | General de división | General de Brigada |
Sri Lanka | Field Marshall | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier |
Sweden | Fältmarskalk | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral5 |
Switzerland | - | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier General |
Taiwan (Republic of China) | Teji-shangjiang 特級上將 | Yiji-Shangjiang 一級上將 ----Erji-Shangjiang二級上將 | Zhongjiang 中將 | Shaojiang 少將 | - |
Thailand | Chom Phon (Field Marshal) | Phon Ek (General) | Phon Tho (Lt Gen) | Phon Tri (Maj Gen) | Phan Ek Phiset (Senior Col) |
Turkey | Mareşal | Orgeneral | Korgeneral | Tümgeneral | Tuğgeneral |
Ukraine | Генерал армії України (Heneral armiï Ukraïny) | Генерал-полковник (Heneral - polkovnyk) | Генерал-лейтенант (Heneral - ley̆tenant) | Генерал-майор (Heneral - may̆or) | - |
United Kingdom | Field Marshal | General | Lieutenant-General | Major-General | Brigadier |
United States | General of the Armies----General of the Army | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier General |
Vietnam | - | Đại Tướng (General, rank of Minister of Defense, usually only one in active)----Thượng tướng (Colonel General, rank of Chief of General saff, usually 7 capacity in active ) | Trung Tướng (Lieutenant General, rank of military zone commander) | Thiếu Tướng (Major General, rank of corp commander) | Đại tá ( Senior Colonel, rank of brigade commander and division commander) |
Country | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 |
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Country | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | Albania | Kolonel | Nënkolonel | Major | Kapiten | Toger | Nëntoger | |
Argentina | Coronel | Teniente Coronel | Mayor | Capitán | Teniente Primero | Teniente | Subteniente |
Austria | Oberst | Oberstleutnant | Major | Hauptmann | Oberleutnant | Leutnant | |
Azerbaijan | Polkovnik | Polkovnik-leytenant | Mayor | Kapitan | Bash Leytenant | Leytenant | Kichik Leytenant |
Belarus | Polkovnik | Podpolkovnik | Mayor | Kapitan | Starshiy leytenant | Leytenant | Mladshiy Leytenant |
Belgium¹ | Colonel Kolonel | Lieutenant-colonel Luitenant-kolonel | Major Majoor
Capitaine-commandant Kapitein-commandant | Capitaine Kapitein | Lieutenant Luitenant | Sous-lieutenant Onderluitenant | |
Brazil | Coronel | Tenente-coronel | Major | Capitão | 1º Tenente | 2º Tenente | Aspirante a oficial |
Canada² | Colonel colonel | Lieutenant-Colonel lieutenant-colonel | Major major | Captain capitaine | Lieutenant lieutenant | Second Lieutenant sous-lieutenant | Officer Cadet; |
Chile | Coronel | Teniente Coronel | Mayor | Capitan | Teniente | Subteniente | Alferez |
China | Shang Xiao 上校 | Zhong Xiao 中校 | Shao Xiao 少校 | Shang Wei 上尉 | Zhong Wei 中尉 | Shao Wei 少尉 | |
China 1950s | Shang Xiao 上校 | Zhong Xiao 中校 | Shao Xiao 少校 | Shang Wei 上尉, Also exists one rank above: Da Wei 大尉 | Zhong Wei 中尉 | Shao Wei 少尉 | Zhun Wei 准尉 |
Colombia | Coronel | Teniente Coronel | Mayor | Capitán | Teniente | Subteniente |
Croatia | Brigadir | Pukovnik | Bojnik | Satnik | Nadporučnik | Poručnik | |
Denmark | Oberst | Oberstløjtnant | Major | Kaptajn | Premierløjtnant | Løjtnant | |
Egypt | Aqid عقيد | Mokadem مقدم | Ra'ed رائد | Naqeeb نقيب | Molazem Awal ملازم اول | Molazem Thani ملازم ثاني | |
Finland3 | Eversti Överste | Everstiluutnantti Överstelöjtnant | Majuri Major | Kapteeni Kapten | Yliluutnantti Premiärlöjtnant
Luutnantti Löjtnant | Vänrikki Fänrik | |
France | Colonel | Lieutenant-Colonel | Commandant | Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sous-Lieutenant | Aspirant; |
Georgia | polkovniki (პოლკოვნიკი / Colonel) | vitse-polkovniki (ვიცე-პოლკოვნიკი / Lieutenant-Colonel) | maiori (მაიორი / Major) | kapitani (კაპიტანი / Captain) | ufrosi leitenanti (უფროსი ლეიტენანტი / Senior Lieutenant) | leitenanti (ლეიტენანტი / Lieutenant) | |
Germany (modern) | Oberst | Oberstleutnant | Major | Stabshauptmann
Hauptmann | Oberleutnant | Leutnant | |
German Empire | Oberst | Oberstleutnant (until 1899, Oberstlieutenant) | Major | Hauptmann/Rittmeister | Oberleutnant (until 1899, Premierlieutenant) | Leutnant (until 1899, Sekondelieutenant or Secondlieutenant) | |
Nazi Germany (Wehrmacht rank) | Oberst | Oberstleutnant | Major | Hauptmann/Rittmeister | Oberleutnant | Leutnant | |
Nazi Germany (SS rank) | Oberführer
Standartenführer | Obersturmbannführer | Sturmbannführer | Hauptsturmführer | Obersturmführer | Untersturmführer | |
Greece | Syntagmatarkhes (Συνταγματάρχης / Colonel) | Antisyntagmatarkhes (Αντισυνταγματάρχης / Lieutenant-Colonel) | Tagmatarkhes (Ταγματάρχης / Major) | Lokhagos (Λοχαγός / Captain) | Hypolokhagos (Υπολοχαγός / Lieutenant) | Anthypolokhagos (Ανθυπολοχαγός / Second Lieutenant) | |
Hungary | Ezredes | Alezredes | Őrnagy | Százados | Főhadnagy | Hadnagy | |
India | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | | |
Indonesia | Kolonel | Letnan Kolonel | Mayor | Kapten | Letnan Satu | Letnan Dua | |
Israel | Aluf mishne | Sgan aluf | Rav seren | Seren | Segen | Segen mishne | |
Italy | Colonello comandante di corpo
Colonnello | Tenente Colonnello | Maggiore | Primo Capitano
Capitano | Primo Tenente
Tenente | Sottotenente | |
Italy (MVSN) | Console | Primo Seniore | Seniore | Centurione | Capomanipolo | Sottocapomanipolo | |
Japan (Imperial Japanese Army) | Taisa 大佐 | Chūsa 中佐 | Shōsa 少佐 | Taii 大尉 | Chūi 中尉 | Shōi 少尉 | |
Japan Ground Self Defense Force | Ittō-Rikusa (Issa) 一等陸佐(一佐) | Nitō-Rikusa (Nisa) 二等陸佐(二佐) | Santō-Rikusa (Sansa) 三等陸佐(三佐) | Ittō-Rikui (Ichii) 一等陸尉(一尉) | Nitō-Rikui (Nii) 二等陸尉(二尉) | Santō-Rikui (San'i) 三等陸尉(三尉) | |
Jordan4 | A'qid (Colonel) | Muqaddam (Lieutenant Colonel) | Ra'id (Major) | Naqib (Captain) | Mulazem Awwal (1st Lieutenant) | Mulazem (Thani) (2nd Lieutenant) | |
Latvia | Pulkvedis | Pulkvežleitnants | Majors | Kapteinis | Virsleitnants | Leitnants | |
Lebanon | 'Aqeed (Colonel) | Muqaddam (Lieutenant Colonel) | Rā'id (Major) | Naqeeb (Captain) | Mulāzim 'Awwal (First Lieutenant) | Mulāzim (Lieutenant) | |
Lithuania | Pulkininkas | Pulkininkas leitenantas | Majoras | Kapitonas | Vyresnysis leitenantas | Leitenantas | |
Republic of Macedonia | Полковник | Потполковник | Мајор | Капетан | Поручник | Потпоручник | |
Malaysia | Kolonel | Leftenan Kolonel | Mejar | Kapten | Leftenan | Leftenan Muda | |
Mexico | Coronel | Teniente Coronel | Mayor | Capitan Primero | Capitan Segundo | Teniente | Subteniente |
Moldova | Colonel | Locotenent-colonel | Maior | Căpitan | Locotenent major | Locotenent | |
Mongolia | Хурандаа | Дэд хурандаа | Хошууч | Ахмад | Ахлах дэслэгч | Дэслэгч | |
Netherlands | Kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel/ Overste | Majoor | Kapitein (cavalry: Ritmeester) | Eerste luitenant | Tweede luitenant | |
New Zealand | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | |
North Korea | Daejwa
Sangjwa | Jungjwa | Sojwa | Daewi
Sangwi | Jungwi | Sowi | |
Norway | Oberst | Oberstløytnant | Major | Kaptein (cavalry: Rittmester) | Løytnant | Fenrik | |
Pakistan | Colonel | Lieutenant-Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | |
Republic of the Philippines | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | 1st Lieutenant | 2nd Lieutenant | |
Poland | Pułkownik | Podpułkownik | Major | Kapitan | Porucznik | Podporucznik | |
Portugal | Coronel | Tenente-coronel | Major | Capitão | Tenente | Alferes | Aspirante an oficial |
Romania | Colonel | Locotenent-colonel | Maior | Căpitan | Locotenent | Sublocotenent | |
Russian Empire | Polkovnik | Podpolkovnik | Mayor (until 1884)----Kapitan | Shtabs-Kapitan | Poruchik | Podporuchik | Praporshchik |
Russian Federation | Polkovnik (Полковник) | Podpolkovnik (Подполковник) | Mayor (Майор) | Kapitan (Капитан) | Starshiy leytenant (Старший лейтенант) | Leytenant (Лейтенант) | Mladshiy Leytenant (Младший лейтенант) |
Saudi Arabia | Aqid (عقيد) | Muqaddam (مقدم) | Raid (رائد) | Naqib (نقيب) | Mulazim Awwal (ملازم أول) | Mulazim (ملازم) | |
Serbia | Pukovnik | Podpukovnik | Major | Kapetan | Poručnik | Potporučnik | |
Singapore | Colonel | Senior Lieutenant-Colonel----Lieutenant-Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | |
South Africa | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | |
South Korea | Daeryeong (대령) | Jungryeong (중령) | Soryeong (소령) | Daewi (대위) | Jungwi (중위) | Sowi (소위) | |
Spain | Coronel | Teniente coronel | Comandante | Capitán | Teniente | Alférez | |
Sweden | Överste 1. graden6
Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |
Switzerland | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | |
Taiwan (Republic of China) | Shangxiao 上校 | Zhongxiao 中校 | Shaoxiao 少校 | Shangwei 上尉 | Zhongwei 中尉 | Shaowei 少尉 | Zhunwei 准尉 |
Thailand | Phan Ek (Colonel) | Phan Tho (Lt. Col) | Phan Tri (Major) | Roi Ek (Captain) | Roi Tho (Lieutenant) | Roi Tri (Sub-Lieutenant) | |
Turkey | Albay | Yarbay | Binbaşı | Yüzbaşı | Üsteğmen | Teğmen | Asteğmen |
Ukraine | Полковник (Polkovnyk) | Пидполковник (Pidpolkovnik) | Майор (May̆or) | Капитан (Kapitan) | Старший лейтенант (Starshyy̆ ley̆tenant) | Лейтенант (Ley̆tenant) | Молодший лейтенант (Molodshyy̆ ley̆tenant) |
United Kingdom | Colonel | Lieutenant-Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | - |
United States of America | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | 1st Lieutenant | 2nd Lieutenant | - |
Vietnam | Thượng Tá (Colonel, rank of regiment commander) | Trung Tá (Lieutenant Colonel, rank of battalion commander) | Thiếu Tá (Major, rank of vice battalion commander) | Đại Uý (Captain, rank of company commander)
Thượng Uý (Senior Lieutenant, rank of platoon commander) | Trung Uý (Lieutenant) | Thiếu Uý (Sub-Lieutenant) | Học viên (Office Cadet) |
Country | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 |
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¹ Belgium has three official languages, French, Dutch and German.
² Canada has two official languages, English and French.
³ Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish.