IELTS to TOEFL Score Conversion Calculator
See step-by-step calculation
Select your exam (IELTS or TOEFL iBT), enter your score, and the calculator instantly shows the equivalent on the other scale plus your CEFR level. The mapping is table-based — derived from the ETS concordance study (updated 2023) — because neither ETS nor British Council publishes a single algebraic formula. IELTS uses a 9-band holistic scale (0–9, in 0.5 steps); TOEFL iBT is scored 0–120 across four skills (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, each 0–30). Use this tool when applying to universities, immigration programs, or employers that set minimum requirements in the other exam's scale.
**IELTS 7.0 = TOEFL iBT 94–101 = CEFR C1.** IELTS 6.5 = TOEFL iBT 79–93 (CEFR B2). IELTS 8.0–9.0 = TOEFL iBT 102–120 (CEFR C2). IELTS 5.0 = TOEFL iBT 35–45 (CEFR B1). No algebraic formula exists; all conversions are based on the ETS concordance table (2023).
When to use this calculator
- A student with TOEFL iBT 100 applies to a UK university requiring IELTS 7.0 — the converter confirms the score maps to IELTS 7.0–7.5, meeting the requirement.
- A Canadian Express Entry applicant holds IELTS 6.0 and needs to know the TOEFL iBT equivalent (≈ 60–78) to decide whether to retake.
- An employee relocating to Australia under a skilled-worker visa needs IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) and wants to submit an existing TOEFL iBT 105 — maps to IELTS 7.5.
- A graduate admissions officer needs a consistent CEFR level to rank IELTS and TOEFL applications on the same proficiency scale.
- A test-prep instructor advises students on whether their IELTS 5.5 practice score (TOEFL iBT ≈ 46–59, B1/B2) meets a program's minimum.
- An HR department sets a C1 (CEFR) language requirement and needs equivalent IELTS / TOEFL cutoffs for job applicants.
Example: IELTS 7.0 → TOEFL iBT
- Exam: IELTS — Score: 7.0
- Equivalent: TOEFL iBT 95–101
- CEFR: C1 (Advanced)
How it works
3 min readIELTS to TOEFL Conversion Table (ETS Concordance, 2023)
The table below is the most widely cited mapping — derived from an ETS linking study comparing real test-taker performance across both exams. ETS updated the guidance in 2023 after the TOEFL iBT was restructured (Reading and Listening sections shortened).
| IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT Range | TOEFL Approx. Mid | CEFR Level | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118–120 | 119 | C2 | Mastery |
| 8.5 | 110–117 | 114 | C2 | Mastery |
| 8.0 | 102–109 | 106 | C2 | Advanced+ |
| 7.5 | 94–101 | 98 | C1 | Advanced |
| 7.0 | 94–101 | 97 | C1 | Advanced |
| 6.5 | 79–93 | 86 | B2 | Upper-Intermediate |
| 6.0 | 60–78 | 69 | B2 | Upper-Intermediate |
| 5.5 | 46–59 | 53 | B1+ | Intermediate |
| 5.0 | 35–45 | 40 | B1 | Intermediate |
| 4.5 | 32–34 | 33 | B1 | Elementary+ |
Source: ETS TOEFL/IELTS Score Comparison; Cambridge English CEFR alignment.
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TOEFL iBT to IELTS Conversion Table
| TOEFL iBT | IELTS Band | CEFR | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115–120 | 8.5–9.0 | C2 | Native-level programs, elite UK/US universities |
| 100–114 | 7.5–8.0 | C1–C2 | Top US/UK graduate programs (MIT, Oxford) |
| 94–99 | 7.0–7.5 | C1 | Most research universities; Australian PR |
| 79–93 | 6.5 | B2 | Standard US graduate admission; UK Tier 4 |
| 60–78 | 6.0 | B2 | Most US undergrad programs; Canadian CLB 7 |
| 46–59 | 5.5 | B1+ | Foundation/pathway programs |
| 35–45 | 5.0 | B1 | Language schools, some community colleges |
| <35 | <5.0 | A2 | Below typical admission thresholds |
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Key Thresholds by Destination
| Destination / Program | Minimum IELTS | Minimum TOEFL iBT | CEFR |
|---|---|---|---|
| US graduate programs (standard) | 6.5 | 80 | B2 |
| US top research universities | 7.0 | 100 | C1 |
| UK Tier 4 Student Visa | 6.0 | 80 | B2 |
| Canadian Express Entry (CLB 7) | 6.0 | 83 | B2 |
| Australian General Skilled Migration | 7.0 | 94 | C1 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced exam | 7.0–7.5 | 94–101 | C1 |
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How the Converter Works
No algebraic formula maps IELTS to TOEFL. The converter applies the ETS concordance band ranges:
For TOEFL → IELTS: TOEFL 115+ → IELTS 8–9 (C1–C2), TOEFL 95+ → IELTS 7 (C1), TOEFL 60+ → IELTS 6 (B2), TOEFL 35+ → IELTS 5 (B1).
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Common Errors to Avoid
1. Treating the conversion as exact. IELTS 7.0 and TOEFL iBT 94 are statistically comparable, not mathematically equal. Admissions offices may weight them differently.
2. Ignoring sub-score requirements. Many programs require minimum scores per skill (e.g., Writing ≥24/30 on TOEFL iBT). An overall band match does not guarantee sub-skill eligibility.
3. Using pre-2023 concordance tables. ETS revised guidance after the TOEFL iBT was restructured in August 2023. Older tables may be off by 2–5 points.
4. Confusing IELTS Academic vs. General Training. Immigration programs often accept IELTS General Training; universities require IELTS Academic. The CEFR mapping is the same but test difficulty and acceptability differ.
5. Rounding IELTS bands incorrectly. IELTS reports in 0.5 increments. A raw average of 6.25 rounds to 6.5 — using 6.25 as input produces a misleading conversion.
Frequently asked questions
What is IELTS 7.0 in TOEFL iBT?
IELTS 7.0 equals TOEFL iBT 94–101 (midpoint ≈ 97) on the ETS concordance table. This corresponds to CEFR C1 (Advanced) — the standard accepted by most top-tier English-medium universities worldwide, including those in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
What TOEFL iBT score equals IELTS 6.5?
IELTS 6.5 maps to TOEFL iBT 79–93 (midpoint ≈ 86), CEFR B2. This is the most common cutoff for US graduate admission — programs typically require TOEFL iBT ≥80 or IELTS ≥6.5. For Canada Express Entry, the equivalent CLB level is 8.
Is there an official IELTS-to-TOEFL conversion formula?
No. There is no algebraic formula. ETS published a concordance table based on a statistical linking study — test-takers who sat both exams. The table gives ranges, not exact equivalents. IELTS 7.0, for instance, spans TOEFL iBT 94–101 (8 points). Always verify the institution's own equivalency policy.
What CEFR level is IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 100?
IELTS 7.0 is CEFR C1 (Advanced), as aligned by Cambridge English and ALTE. TOEFL iBT 100 also falls in the C1 range (94–109). C1 means a user can express ideas fluently, spontaneously, and flexibly for academic and professional purposes. IELTS 8.0+ / TOEFL iBT 110+ reaches C2 (Mastery).
Do US universities accept IELTS instead of TOEFL?
Yes — virtually all accredited US universities accept both IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT as of 2024. A common undergraduate minimum is TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5 (CEFR B2). Competitive graduate programs (MIT, Stanford, Harvard) typically require TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0 (CEFR C1). Sub-score minimums vary — always check the specific program.
What score do I need for UK Tier 4 / Student Visa?
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires IELTS Academic ≥6.0 overall for degree-level entry (individual component ≥5.5). TOEFL iBT is accepted at some institutions but UKVI does not recognize it for the Student Route visa directly — check whether your university is a licensed UKVI sponsor and which exams they accept.
How does the 2023 TOEFL iBT restructuring affect conversions?
In August 2023, ETS shortened the TOEFL iBT: Reading dropped from 3–4 passages to 2 (35 min) and Listening from 4–6 lectures to 3 (36 min). The maximum score remains 120. ETS updated its concordance guidance to reflect the revised structure. Concordance tables from before July 2023 may be off by 2–5 points on older pre-restructure scores.
Can I use TOEFL iBT for Canadian or Australian immigration?
Canada (Express Entry): IRCC accepts TOEFL iBT — TOEFL iBT ≥83 total (with per-skill minimums) maps to CLB 7, which earns 50 CRS language points. Australia (General Skilled Migration): IELTS is the primary exam, but PTE Academic is also accepted. TOEFL iBT is accepted in some visa subclasses since 2014 — check the specific visa subclass on the official Home Affairs website.
How long are IELTS and TOEFL scores valid?
Both exams have a standard validity of 2 years from the test date. Most universities, immigration authorities (IRCC, UK Home Office, Australian DIBP), and professional licensing bodies reject scores older than 24 months at time of application. Some institutions impose a stricter 1-year window for conditional offers. Always check the application deadline against your test date.
What is the minimum IELTS / TOEFL for CEFR B2?
CEFR B2 (Upper-Intermediate) starts at IELTS 5.5–6.0 / TOEFL iBT 46–78. The B2/C1 boundary sits at IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 94. B2 is the minimum for most undergraduate and many graduate programs, as well as for Canadian CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 per component).