CLB Calculator: Convert Your Test Scores to CLB / NCLC
Enter your language test scores to get your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for English, or NCLC for French, in each ability, using IRCC's official equivalency charts. You'll also see how many CRS points those levels are worth.
Your CLB levels
- Listening–
- Reading–
- Writing–
- Speaking–
- Lowest level (used by most programs)–
CRS points for these levels as your first official language: 0 single, 0 with a spouse.
Calculate your full CRS score →CLB equivalency chart: all tests
The minimum score in each skill for every level, from IRCC's language test equivalency charts. Scores are listening / reading / writing / speaking.
| CLB / NCLC | IELTS General | CELPIP | PTE Core | TEF Canada | TCF Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 / 8.0 / 7.5 / 7.5 | 10 | 89 / 88 / 90 / 89 | 546 / 546 / 558 / 556 | 549 / 549 / 16 / 16 |
| 9 | 8.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 | 9 | 82 / 78 / 88 / 84 | 503 / 503 / 512 / 518 | 523 / 524 / 14 / 14 |
| 8 | 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 | 8 | 71 / 69 / 79 / 76 | 462 / 462 / 472 / 494 | 503 / 499 / 12 / 12 |
| 7 | 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 | 7 | 60 / 60 / 69 / 68 | 434 / 434 / 428 / 456 | 458 / 453 / 10 / 10 |
| 6 | 5.5 / 5.0 / 5.5 / 5.5 | 6 | 50 / 51 / 60 / 59 | 393 / 393 / 379 / 422 | 398 / 406 / 7 / 7 |
| 5 | 5.0 / 4.0 / 5.0 / 5.0 | 5 | 39 / 42 / 51 / 51 | 352 / 352 / 330 / 387 | 369 / 375 / 6 / 6 |
| 4 | 4.5 / 3.5 / 4.0 / 4.0 | 4 | 28 / 33 / 41 / 42 | 306 / 306 / 268 / 328 | 331 / 342 / 4 / 4 |
Need a target score for one level? See CLB to IELTS. Full ranges for each test are below.
IELTS General Training
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
CELPIP-General
CELPIP levels match CLB levels directly: a CELPIP score of 9 is CLB 9 (scores of 10–12 count as CLB 10).
PTE Core
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 89–90 | 88–90 | 90 | 89–90 |
| 9 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 88–89 | 84–88 |
| 8 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 79–87 | 76–83 |
| 7 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 69–78 | 68–75 |
| 6 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 60–68 | 59–67 |
| 5 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–59 | 51–58 |
| 4 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 41–50 | 42–50 |
TEF Canada (tests taken after December 10, 2023)
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 546–699 | 546–699 | 558–699 | 556–699 |
| 9 | 503–545 | 503–545 | 512–557 | 518–555 |
| 8 | 462–502 | 462–502 | 472–511 | 494–517 |
| 7 | 434–461 | 434–461 | 428–471 | 456–493 |
| 6 | 393–433 | 393–433 | 379–427 | 422–455 |
| 5 | 352–392 | 352–392 | 330–378 | 387–421 |
| 4 | 306–351 | 306–351 | 268–329 | 328–386 |
TCF Canada
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
What is CLB?
The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are Canada's national scale for English ability, from CLB 1 (beginner) to CLB 12 (advanced). Its French equivalent is NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens), which uses the same numbers. IRCC doesn't use your test's own scores directly: it converts each skill (listening, reading, writing and speaking) to a CLB or NCLC level, and those levels decide your eligibility and your CRS points.
Is there a CLB test?
No, not for immigration. There is no "CLB test" you can book for Express Entry or citizenship. Instead, you take one of the approved tests and IRCC converts your results to CLB or NCLC levels:
- English: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core
- French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada
CLB placement assessments used for free government language classes (such as LINC) are not accepted as proof of language for Express Entry. To prepare, practise for the specific test you book: each one has its own format, timing and official practice materials. Not sure which to take? Compare them in IELTS vs CELPIP vs PTE Core.
CLB levels explained
| Level | What it means for Express Entry | CRS per skill (single) |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | Maximum language points. Higher scores add nothing more. | 34 |
| CLB 9 | Unlocks the maximum skill transferability points with a degree or foreign experience. | 31 |
| CLB 8 | Strong, but just below the CLB 9 threshold where transferability points jump. | 23 |
| CLB 7 | Minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and for CEC with a TEER 0–1 job. | 17 |
| CLB 6 | Enough for CEC with a TEER 2–3 job, but below the FSW minimum. | 9 |
| CLB 5 | Minimum for CEC with a TEER 2–3 job, and for FST speaking and listening. | 6 |
| CLB 4 | Minimum for FST reading and writing. Also the citizenship level for speaking and listening. | 6 |
Need the test score for a specific level? See CLB to IELTS for every level from CLB 4 to CLB 10.
Why your CLB level matters
- Eligibility: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Canadian Experience Class with a TEER 0–1 job, need at least CLB 7 in every skill. CEC with a TEER 2–3 job needs CLB 5 in every skill. The Federal Skilled Trades Program needs CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
- Your lowest skill counts: program minimums apply to each skill, so one weak skill can make you ineligible even with a high overall score.
- CRS points: each skill is scored separately, up to 34 points at CLB 10 (single), or 136 for all four.
- CLB 9 in all four skills unlocks the higher skill transferability points, often the fastest way to raise your CRS score.
- French: NCLC 7 in all four skills adds up to 50 bonus points and qualifies you for French-language draws.
FAQ
What is a CLB level?
A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level is Canada's measure of English ability, from 1 to 12. IRCC converts each skill of your language test to a CLB level (or NCLC for French) to decide your eligibility and CRS points.
What CLB level do I need for Express Entry?
CLB 7 in every skill for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and for the Canadian Experience Class with a TEER 0 or 1 job. CLB 5 in every skill for CEC with a TEER 2 or 3 job. For the Federal Skilled Trades Program, CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
What is the difference between CLB and NCLC?
CLB measures English and NCLC measures French. They use the same 1 to 12 scale, so NCLC 7 in French is the same level as CLB 7 in English.
Is there an overall CLB score?
No. Each of the four skills gets its own CLB level. Program minimums apply to every skill, and CRS points are added up skill by skill.
Which language tests are accepted for Express Entry?
For English: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core. For French: TEF Canada and TCF Canada. IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and the IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted. Results are valid for 2 years.
Is there an official CLB test I can take?
No. For Express Entry you take IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada, and IRCC converts your scores to CLB or NCLC levels. CLB placement assessments for government language classes are not accepted.
How long are CLB results valid?
Language test results are valid for 2 years from the test date, and they must still be valid on the day you submit your application for permanent residence.
What CLB level do I need for Canadian citizenship?
Most applicants aged 18 to 54 need CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening. You can prove it with approved test results, a certificate from a government-funded language program, or education completed in English or French.
Source
IRCC, language test equivalency charts. This calculator is unofficial; your official levels are determined by IRCC.