One of the most common questions about Freemasonry is: what is the mason highest degree? Or more broadly, what is the highest degree of freemasonry? The answer depends on which branch of Masonry you're asking about, because the degree system is more nuanced than a simple hierarchy. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the masonic degrees chart and freemason degrees chart, explain all freemasonry levels from Blue Lodge to the 33rd degree, clarify masonic rankings, and cover the masonic hierarchy system—including how it differs across the Scottish Rite, York Rite, and foundational Blue Lodge.
Complete Masonic Degrees Chart: All Levels Explained
Here's a comprehensive freemason degrees chart and masonic degrees chart showing all degrees across the major bodies. This visual guide helps answer the question "how many degrees of freemasonry" exist and shows the masonic ranking structure. Whether you're asking about the mason highest degree or seeking to understand all the masonic levels, this chart provides the complete picture:
| Degree # | Degree Name | Masonic Body | Description & Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Entered Apprentice | Blue Lodge | Introduction to Masonic principles, light, and fellowship. First step in all Masonry. |
| 2nd | Fellowcraft | Blue Lodge | Development of intellectual and spiritual growth through the seven liberal arts. |
| 3rd | Master Mason | Blue Lodge | Highest foundational degree. Teaches immortality, integrity, and truth. Gateway to appendant degrees. |
| 4th | Secret Master | Scottish Rite | Bridge between Blue Lodge and higher philosophical degrees. |
| 5th | Perfect Master | Scottish Rite | Explores allegory and moral lessons from Temple tradition. |
| 6th | Intimate Secretary | Scottish Rite | Emphasizes trust, confidence, and confidentiality in fraternal bonds. |
| 7th | Provost and Judge | Scottish Rite | Leadership, wisdom, and moral judgment within the fraternity. |
| 8th | Intendant of the Building | Scottish Rite | Organization, administration, and stewardship of Masonic work. |
| 9th | Elected Knights of Nine | Scottish Rite | Beginning of the philosophical degrees with deeper allegorical content. |
| 10th-14th | Illustrious Degrees | Scottish Rite | Include Master of Harmony, Royal Arch, and architectural degrees. Rich in symbolism. |
| 15th-18th | Philosophical Degrees (The Heart) | Scottish Rite | Knight of the East, Rose Croix, and Kadosh. Considered the most profound Scottish Rite teachings. |
| 19th-30th | Administrative Degrees | Scottish Rite | Organizational and administrative framework. Transitions to final degrees. |
| 31st | Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander | Scottish Rite | Conferred in ordinary course; emphasis on wisdom and justice. |
| 32nd | Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret | Scottish Rite | Final degree in regular progression. Synthesis of Scottish Rite knowledge. |
| 33rd | Inspector General Honorary | Scottish Rite | Honorary only. Highest Scottish Rite degree; conferred by invitation for exceptional service. Does not outrank 3rd degree in lodge. |
York Rite Degrees (Additional System)
The York Rite offers an alternative path with approximately 10-15 degrees across three orders:
- Chapter (4 degrees): Mark Master Mason, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, Royal Arch Mason
- Council (2 degrees): Royal Master, Select Master
- Commandery (3+ degrees): Order of the Temple, Order of Malta, Order of the Red Cross, and others
The Three Major Masonic Bodies
Blue Lodge
Foundational Freemasonry with the essential three degrees that form the basis of all Masonry.
Scottish Rite
Appendant body offering degrees 4-33, including the honorary 33rd degree Inspector General.
York Rite
Alternative appendant system with three orders: Chapter, Council, and Commandery.
Blue Lodge Freemasonry: The Foundation of All Masonic Levels
Every Freemason begins in a Blue Lodge (also called a Craft Lodge), which confers the three Blue Lodge degrees. The Third Degree — Master Mason — is actually the highest degree in foundational Freemasonry. This is an important distinction: no matter how many additional degrees a Mason earns, the Master Mason degree remains the cornerstone. All other degrees are considered "appendant" or "concordant" bodies that expand on the teachings of the third degree but do not outrank it. Understanding these foundational masonic levels is essential to grasping the masonic hierarchy.
1st Degree: Entered Apprentice
Introduces candidates to fundamental Masonic principles and philosophy. The ritual teaches lessons about light (knowledge), education, and the candidate's place in the fraternity. This first level of Freemasonry establishes core values of brotherhood and self-improvement.
2nd Degree: Fellowcraft
Represents progression and development. Emphasizes the seven liberal arts and sciences, representing the craftsman who has gained skill and knowledge. Focus on intellectual and spiritual growth through study and contemplation.
3rd Degree: Master Mason (Highest Foundational Degree)
The culmination of Blue Lodge and foundation of all higher Masonry. Teaches the legend of Hiram Abiff and profound lessons about immortality, integrity, and the resurrection of truth. All Master Masons are equal regardless of additional degrees earned.
Understanding Masonic Levels vs. Degrees in Blue Lodge
It's critical to distinguish between masonic "degrees" (the three education levels) and "levels of leadership" within the lodge. When asking "what are the highest degrees of freemasonry," many confuse this with leadership roles. The three Blue Lodge degrees are fixed, but leadership positions rotate. A newly raised Master Mason can be elected Worshipful Master (lodge president), while a 33rd degree Mason might serve as a Tiler. This separation is fundamental to understanding the true masonic rankings and masonic hierarchy.
Scottish Rite Degrees: The Path to the 33rd Degree
The Scottish Rite is an appendant body that offers the most extensive system of masonic degrees—specifically degrees 4 through 33. The Scottish Rite provides an alternate path after earning the Master Mason degree in Blue Lodge. When asking "what is the highest degree of freemasonry" in terms of breadth of study, the answer is the 33rd degree Scottish Rite, though we must clarify that this honorary degree does not "outrank" the 3rd degree Master Mason within a lodge. The Scottish Rite degrees represent philosophical education and self-development rather than authority hierarchy.
How Many Degrees in the Scottish Rite?
The Scottish Rite contains 29 degrees beyond the Master Mason degree (degrees 4-32), plus the honorary 33rd degree. This gives the Scottish Rite its nickname as "The Rite of the 33 degrees of Freemasonry." Each of the 33 degrees of masonry in this system builds on previous knowledge, progressing from introductory concepts to the most profound philosophical teachings. This is why a freemason degrees chart showing all 33 degrees of masonry is so valuable for understanding the complete structure of the Scottish Rite path.
Degrees 4-8: Introductory Scottish Rite Degrees
These degrees bridge Blue Lodge teachings into higher philosophical thought. They include Secret Master, Perfect Master, Intimate Secretary, Provost and Judge, and Intendant of the Building. Together, they form the gateway to the Scottish Rite system.
Degrees 9-14: Intermediate Masonic Degrees
Known as the "Illustrious Degrees," these explore allegory, geometry, and sacred architecture. Many Masons consider these among the most enriching and intellectually stimulating degrees in Freemasonry.
Degrees 15-18: The Heart of Scottish Rite
These are the most spiritually profound Scottish Rite degrees, including the Knight of the East, Rose Croix, and Kadosh. Known collectively as the "Philosophical Degrees," they blend Masonic teaching with broader philosophical and esoteric traditions.
Degrees 19-30: Administrative Masonic Degrees
These degrees are historically seen as organizational and administrative in nature, dealing with the governance of the fraternity. They transition the candidate toward the final sublime degrees.
Degrees 31-32: The Sublime Degrees
The 31st (Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander) and 32nd (Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret) are the final degrees conferred in the ordinary course. The 32nd degree deals with synthesis of all Scottish Rite knowledge.
33rd Degree: Inspector General Honorary
The highest degree in the Scottish Rite system, purely honorary and conferred by invitation for exceptional service and leadership. Does not confer authority within a Blue Lodge—a 33rd degree Mason and a 3rd degree Master Mason have equal standing in lodge business.
York Rite Degrees: The Alternative Path Through Masonic Hierarchy
The York Rite represents an alternative and complementary appendant system to the Scottish Rite. Where the Scottish Rite offers 33 degrees, the York Rite provides approximately 10-15 degrees organized into three distinct orders. Both systems require that candidates first achieve the Master Mason degree in Blue Lodge. The York Rite offers a different interpretation of Masonic philosophy and tradition, and many Masons pursue both Scottish Rite and York Rite degrees to experience the full spectrum of Masonic education.
Chapter Degrees: Royal Arch Masonry
The Chapter confers four degrees: Mark Master Mason, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason. Many Masons view the Royal Arch degree as the natural and essential completion of the Master Mason degree. The Royal Arch degree is particularly revered and is sometimes described as "the completion of Freemasonry."
Council Degrees: Cryptic Masonry
The Council confers two degrees: Royal Master and Select Master. These degrees explore obscure and cryptic aspects of the Temple narrative and delve into hidden mysteries of Masonic knowledge, providing context for the Royal Arch degree.
Commandery Degrees: Knights Templar
The Commandery confers several degrees, with the Order of the Temple (Knights Templar) being the most prominent. These are military and chivalric in character, requiring professed Christian faith and emphasizing chivalry, honor, and moral courage. The Commandery degrees are unique in their emphasis on Christian faith.
York Rite vs. Scottish Rite: Understanding the Difference
Both York Rite and Scottish Rite are legitimate and recognized appendant bodies, but they differ in structure, philosophy, and approach. The Scottish Rite uses the degrees system extensively (33 degrees total), while the York Rite uses three separate orders with fewer total degrees. Some Masons pursue one, some pursue both. Neither is "higher" or "better"—they represent different paths through Masonic philosophy. Understanding these masonic degrees chart variations helps clarify what "the highest level of Freemasonry" actually means in practical terms.
Masonic Rankings and Hierarchy: How Freemasonry Levels Are Organized
Understanding masonic rankings requires grasping that Freemasonry has two completely separate hierarchical systems operating simultaneously. When someone asks "what is the masonic hierarchy?" or "what are masonic rankings?", they're often conflating these two independent systems, which leads to confusion about masonic levels.
The Degree Hierarchy vs. The Officer Hierarchy
The first hierarchy involves masonic degrees—the educational and spiritual progression through rituals. The second involves elected positions and organizational authority. A Mason might hold an extremely high degree (like the 33rd in Scottish Rite) while serving in a relatively low organizational position, or vice versa. This fundamental distinction explains why there's no single "highest-ranking Freemason"—authority is distributed, not centralized.
The Two Masonic Hierarchies
- Degree Hierarchy: Blue Lodge (1-3), Scottish Rite (4-33), York Rite (varies). Educational progression.
- Officer Hierarchy: Blue Lodge officers, Grand Lodge officers. Elected authority positions.
Degrees vs. Rank: A Critical Distinction
Two Separate Systems
Many people confuse "degrees" with "levels" of authority or rank. In Freemasonry, these are completely independent systems operating in parallel:
- Degrees are educational lessons conveyed through ritual and ceremony, representing knowledge gained and personal spiritual development.
- Rank or "office" refers to elected positions within a lodge: Worshipful Master (president), Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, and various other officer positions.
A newly raised Master Mason can be elected Worshipful Master of his lodge. An experienced Mason with the 33rd degree can serve as a Tiler (entry officer). A 33rd degree Mason and a 3rd degree Master Mason have equal authority within the lodge.
Grand Lodge Officers and Authority
At the state or regional level, Grand Lodges are led by Grand Lodge Officers, including the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary, and others. These leadership positions are separate from and independent of the degree system. While candidates for Grand Master are typically experienced Masons with many years of service, someone could theoretically be elected to any position based on the jurisdiction's bylaws and qualifications.
The Grand Master, while holding one of the highest positions of authority in Masonry, is not "higher in degree" than a 3rd degree Master Mason. The Grand Master's authority comes from his elected office, not from possessing more degrees. This is a common source of confusion for those new to Masonry or learning about it from the outside.
The Shriner Connection
Shriners are members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (also known as the Shriners). To become a Shriner, you must first be a Master Mason in a recognized Blue Lodge. Being a Shriner is not a "degree" in the traditional sense, but rather membership in another Masonic-related fraternal organization.
The Shriners focus more on charitable work and social fellowship than on additional degree work. Shriners are known for their charitable hospitals, their annual conventions and parades, and their distinctive red fez hats. The organization maintains its own hierarchy and leadership structure separate from both the degree system and the Grand Lodge system.
So What's Actually the Highest?
If you're asking about the highest degree, the answer depends on context:
- In Blue Lodge: The Master Mason (3rd degree) is the highest and most important.
- In the Scottish Rite: The 33rd degree (Inspector General Honorary) is the highest, though it's an honorary degree conferred only by invitation.
- In the York Rite: The Knight Templar degree is typically considered the highest honor, though the Royal Arch Mason is essential.
- In terms of actual authority within a lodge: The Worshipful Master, regardless of his degrees, holds the highest authority as lodge president.
The key takeaway: Degrees represent education and personal development. Authority and rank are earned through election and service to the fraternity. The two systems are completely independent.
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Find a Lodge Near YouFrequently Asked Questions About Masonic Degrees and Hierarchy
Understanding Masonic Rankings: The Complete Picture
When researching masonic rankings, degrees, and the freemasonry hierarchy, most questions boil down to one key misunderstanding: people assume Freemasonry has a single chain of command like a military or corporate structure. It doesn't. Instead, Freemasonry has two completely independent hierarchies that coexist. Understanding this distinction is essential to comprehending what the "highest level" of Freemasonry actually is.
The Two Freemasonry Hierarchies Explained
Degree Hierarchy (Educational): This is vertical and progressive. It starts with Entered Apprentice (1st degree), advances to Fellowcraft (2nd), then Master Mason (3rd). If you pursue Scottish Rite, it continues through degrees 4-33. If you pursue York Rite, you take an alternative path with different degrees. This hierarchy represents knowledge, education, and personal spiritual development.
Officer Hierarchy (Organizational): This is circular and rotational. A Blue Lodge has elected officers: Worshipful Master (president), Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, and other positions. At the Grand Lodge level, there's a Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and other officers. These positions rotate among qualified Masons. Authority comes from election, not degree attainment.
The Key Insight: A Mason's position in one hierarchy is completely independent of his position in the other. A 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason (highest educational level) might be a Junior Deacon (low officer position). A 3rd degree Master Mason (foundational education) might be Worshipful Master (highest officer position in the lodge). This radical separation of education from authority is unique to Freemasonry and confuses outsiders.
Masonic Degrees Chart Summary: All Levels at a Glance
Here's a quick reference for anyone asking "what are all the masonic levels" or "show me a masonic chart":
- Blue Lodge Degrees: 1st (Entered Apprentice), 2nd (Fellowcraft), 3rd (Master Mason)
- Scottish Rite Degrees: 4th-32nd (various philosophical and administrative degrees), 33rd (Honorary)
- York Rite Degrees: Chapter (4 degrees including Royal Arch), Council (2 degrees), Commandery (3+ degrees including Knight Templar)
- Other Bodies: Shriners (not degrees, but membership), appendant organizations
The fact that a Mason has earned the 33rd degree (the highest in Scottish Rite) means nothing about his authority over lodge operations. His authority comes from being elected Worshipful Master—a position that could be held by a Master Mason who only has the three Blue Lodge degrees. This is what makes the masonic hierarchy so unique and why understanding the difference between degrees and rank is absolutely essential.