How Many Degrees Are There in Freemasonry?
How many degrees are in Freemasonry? There are three in the lodge itself. Here is how the Scottish Rite's 33 and the York Rite's 10 fit in.
The short answer: there are three degrees in Freemasonry. Every Mason receives the same three in his local lodge, and the third, Master Mason, is the highest degree in the fraternity. The confusion comes from optional groups that Master Masons can join afterward, which have their own numbered degrees.
The Three Degrees of the Lodge
The local lodge, often called the Blue Lodge or Craft Lodge, confers three degrees:
- **Entered Apprentice (1st degree):** the new member's first step into the fraternity.
- **Fellowcraft (2nd degree):** focused on learning and personal growth.
- **Master Mason (3rd degree):** full membership, with every right the fraternity offers.
These degrees are modeled on the ranks of medieval stonemasons: apprentice, journeyman, and master. For a fuller look at each step, see our guide to the three degrees of Freemasonry or the Masonic degrees page.
Why You Hear About 32 or 33 Degrees
After becoming a Master Mason, a member can choose to join appendant bodies. These are optional and offer further ceremonies and study. The two best known in the United States are the Scottish Rite and the York Rite.
The Scottish Rite numbers its degrees from the 4th through the 32nd, building on the three lodge degrees. The 33rd degree is an honor given to a small number of members for outstanding service, not a degree anyone can apply for. You can read more in What is a 33rd degree Mason?
The York Rite's 10 Degrees and Orders
The York Rite does not use a single numbered ladder. In the United States it is made up of three bodies:
- **Royal Arch Chapter:** Mark Master, Past Master (Virtual), Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
- **Cryptic Council:** Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master.
- **Commandery of Knights Templar:** the Order of the Red Cross, the Order of Malta, and the Order of the Temple.
That adds up to 10 degrees and orders. See the York Rite explained for details. Customs vary by country, and some jurisdictions arrange these bodies differently.
Does a 32nd Degree Mason Outrank a Master Mason?
No. This is the most common misunderstanding. The Scottish Rite and York Rite degrees add education and fellowship, but they do not give anyone authority over a lodge. A lodge is governed by its own officers and its Grand Lodge. A Master Mason with no further degrees and a 33rd degree Mason are equals in the lodge room.
Quick Answers
- Freemasonry has three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.
- Master Mason is the highest degree in the fraternity.
- The Scottish Rite adds the 4th through 32nd degrees, plus the honorary 33rd.
- The York Rite in the US adds 10 degrees and orders across three bodies.
- These extra degrees are optional and do not outrank the Master Mason degree.
Sources
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