Duolingo to IELTS conversion
Convert Duolingo English Test scores to IELTS bands: DET 120 ≈ IELTS 6.5, DET 130 ≈ 7.0, DET 140 ≈ 7.5. Plus when Duolingo is not accepted.
Maintained by CD IELTS Prep Standards Desk · Not an immigration adviser; verify current requirements with IRCC · Last reviewed
On Duolingo's official concordance, a DET score of 120 corresponds to roughly IELTS 6.5, 130 to about 7.0, and 140 to about 7.5. Some universities independently map DET 120 to IELTS 7.0. The DET is accepted by over 2,200 US institutions — but far fewer than IELTS worldwide, and not for most professional licensure.
| DET score | Approximate IELTS band | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | 8.5 - 9.0 | Top of the DET scale |
| 150 | 8.0 | Selective graduate admission |
| 140 | 7.5 | Competitive programmes |
| 130 | 7.0 | Most graduate programmes |
| 120 | 6.5 | Standard undergraduate; some map this to 7.0 |
| 110 | 6.0 | Undergraduate minimum at many institutions |
| 100 | 5.5 | Pathway programmes |
When is Duolingo not enough?
The DET costs about $70 and can be taken at home in an hour, which is why candidates reach for it first. The limits show up later. For US nursing licensure, the CGFNS VisaScreen certificate requires IELTS Academic or TOEFL — at-home tests are not accepted. Australia's Department of Home Affairs stopped accepting online and remote-proctored results in August 2025. Canada's IRCC does not accept the DET for Express Entry.
The pattern is consistent: the DET works well for university admission at institutions that list it, and stops working the moment a government body or professional regulator is involved. If any part of your plan involves a visa points test, professional registration, or immigration, sit IELTS.
Why do two universities map DET 120 differently?
Because the concordance is a statistical mapping, not a rule institutions must follow. Duolingo publishes its own comparison, and each university decides where to draw its line — some treat DET 120 as IELTS 6.5, others as 7.0. Always read the specific programme's admissions page rather than a general table, including this one.
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What is Duolingo 120 in IELTS?
Duolingo's official concordance places DET 120 at approximately IELTS 6.5, though some universities map it to 7.0. Check the specific institution's published equivalence.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for immigration?
Generally no. Canada's IRCC does not accept it for Express Entry, and Australia removed online and remote-proctored tests from its accepted list in August 2025. IELTS remains the safer choice wherever a government body is involved.
Is Duolingo easier than IELTS?
It is shorter and cheaper, but it is adaptive and covers different task types. Candidates who need a specific band per skill — as most immigration and licensure routes require — get more useful, targeted feedback from IELTS practice.