IELTS to CLB Calculator
IELTS is the most popular English test for Express Entry. Only IELTS General Training is accepted, not IELTS Academic, and not the IELTS One Skill Retake. Your four band scores are converted to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels, and each ability earns CRS points separately. Need the opposite, the IELTS score for a target level? See the CLB to IELTS chart.
Your CLB levels
- Listening–
- Reading–
- Writing–
- Speaking–
- Lowest level–
CRS points as your first official language: 0 single, 0 with a spouse.
Calculate your full CRS score →IELTS to CLB conversion chart
Minimum IELTS score for each level (IRCC equivalency chart), and the CRS points per ability for your first official language.
| Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | CRS (single) | CRS (spouse) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 34 | 32 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 31 | 29 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 23 | 22 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 17 | 16 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 9 | 8 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6 | 6 |
IELTS scores you need
| Goal | Minimum IELTS scores |
|---|---|
| CLB 7: minimum for FSW and CEC (TEER 0–1) | Listening 6.0 · Reading 6.0 · Writing 6.0 · Speaking 6.0 |
| CLB 9: maximum skill transferability | Listening 8.0 · Reading 7.0 · Writing 7.0 · Speaking 7.0 |
| CLB 10: maximum language points | Listening 8.5 · Reading 8.0 · Writing 7.5 · Speaking 7.5 |
Tips for IELTS test takers
- The listening and reading bands needed for each CLB level are not the same: CLB 9 needs 8.0 in listening but only 7.0 in reading.
- The jump from CLB 8 to CLB 9 is the most valuable: it adds 8 points per ability and doubles most skill transferability points.
- Results are valid for 2 years from the test date, and must still be valid on the day you submit your PR application.
- Book IELTS General Training "for UKVI" or standard; both General Training versions are accepted, but Academic is not.
FAQ
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
CLB 7 needs at least 6.0 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking on IELTS General Training.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
CLB 9 needs listening 8.0, reading 7.0, writing 7.0 and speaking 7.0 on IELTS General Training.
Is IELTS Academic accepted for Express Entry?
No. Only IELTS General Training is accepted for Express Entry. IELTS Academic and the One Skill Retake are not.
Other tests
CELPIP · PTE Core · TEF Canada · TCF Canada · All tests in one CLB calculator · CRS points for language
Source: IRCC, language test equivalency charts. Unofficial tool; IRCC determines your official levels.