IELTS to CLB Converter
Also converts CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Type the scores from your test report and see your Canadian Language Benchmark for each ability, what it unlocks, and the exact scores for your next level.
- Uses the official IRCC equivalency tables
- Built by a licensed RCIC
- Free, no sign-up needed
Part 1 of 2
Your test scores
Pick your test and type the score from your report for each ability. The levels update as you type.
Band scores from 0 to 9 in steps of 0.5. General Training only.
Part 2 of 2
Plan your next target
Choose a level to see the minimum IELTS score you would need in each ability. IRCC counts all four abilities from one test report, so a retest means the whole test.
| Ability | Your score | Minimum for CLB 7 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Not entered | 6.0 or higher | Enter a score |
| Listening | Not entered | 6.0 or higher | Enter a score |
| Reading | Not entered | 6.0 or higher | Enter a score |
| Writing | Not entered | 6.0 or higher | Enter a score |
Conversion tables by test
Each row shows the minimum score you need in that ability to reach the level. Scores above the minimum stay at the same level until they cross the next row.
IELTS General Training to CLB
| Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 10+ | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
Band scores from 0 to 9 in steps of 0.5. General Training only.
CELPIP-General to CLB
| Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| CLB 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| CLB 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| CLB 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| CLB 10+ | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Levels from M to 12. Enter 0 for M.
PTE Core to CLB
| Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 42 | 28 | 33 | 41 |
| CLB 5 | 51 | 39 | 42 | 51 |
| CLB 6 | 59 | 50 | 51 | 60 |
| CLB 7 | 68 | 60 | 60 | 69 |
| CLB 8 | 76 | 71 | 69 | 79 |
| CLB 9 | 84 | 82 | 78 | 88 |
| CLB 10+ | 89 | 89 | 88 | 90 |
Scores from 10 to 90. PTE Core only, not PTE Academic.
TEF Canada to NCLC
| Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 4 | 181 | 145 | 121 | 181 |
| NCLC 5 | 226 | 181 | 151 | 226 |
| NCLC 6 | 271 | 217 | 181 | 271 |
| NCLC 7 | 310 | 249 | 207 | 310 |
| NCLC 8 | 349 | 280 | 233 | 349 |
| NCLC 9 | 371 | 298 | 248 | 371 |
| NCLC 10+ | 393 | 316 | 263 | 393 |
Speaking and writing are out of 450, listening out of 360, reading out of 300. Use the previous score equivalency values on your results, not Score / 699.
TCF Canada to NCLC
| Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 4 | 4 | 331 | 342 | 4 |
| NCLC 5 | 6 | 369 | 375 | 6 |
| NCLC 6 | 7 | 398 | 406 | 7 |
| NCLC 7 | 10 | 458 | 453 | 10 |
| NCLC 8 | 12 | 503 | 499 | 12 |
| NCLC 9 | 14 | 523 | 524 | 14 |
| NCLC 10+ | 16 | 549 | 549 | 16 |
Speaking and writing are out of 20, listening and reading out of 699.
Common questions about CLB levels
What is a CLB level?
CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmark. IRCC uses it to compare results from different English tests on one scale. Each ability (speaking, listening, reading and writing) gets its own level. For French tests the scale is called NCLC. When a program says you need CLB 7, it means every one of the four abilities must be at CLB 7 or higher.
Which IELTS test counts for Express Entry?
Only IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic is not accepted for Express Entry, even with high scores. If you took Academic for school, you will need to sit General Training before you submit a profile.
What IELTS scores do I need for CLB 7 and CLB 9?
CLB 7 needs 6.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking. CLB 9 needs 8.0 in listening and 7.0 in reading, writing and speaking.
Is CELPIP General LS accepted?
No, not for Express Entry. CELPIP General LS tests only listening and speaking, so it is accepted for citizenship but not for permanent residence programs. Express Entry needs CELPIP General, which covers all four abilities.
Does PTE Academic count?
No. IRCC accepts PTE Core for economic immigration programs like Express Entry. PTE Academic is a different test and is not on the approved list.
How long are language test results valid?
Two years from the test date. Your results must still be valid on the day you submit your Express Entry profile and on the day you apply for permanent residence. If they expire while you are in the pool, your profile can become ineligible, and an ineligible profile cannot be updated: you would have to create a new one. Retest and update your profile before they expire.
What CLB do I need for Express Entry?
It depends on the program. Federal Skilled Worker needs CLB 7 in all four abilities. Canadian Experience Class needs CLB 7 if your Canadian work was in a TEER 0 or 1 job, and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3. Federal Skilled Trades needs CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing. Higher levels earn more CRS points, and CLB 9 in all four abilities unlocks the top skill transferability tier.
Can I combine my best abilities from two different tests?
No. IRCC counts all four abilities from a single test report. If one ability is short, you sit the whole test again and use the new report. You can, however, use a second test in the other official language to claim second language points.
Last reviewed by Cancord Immigration Services Inc.: October 2026. Reviewed against the Canada.ca language test equivalency tables, the Express Entry program minimums, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot language requirements, and the citizenship language rules.
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