IELTS to CEFR level conversion
Map IELTS band scores to CEFR levels: IELTS 6.5-7.0 = B2/C1, 7.5-8.0 = C1, 8.5+ = C2. What each level means for study and work in Europe.
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IELTS bands map to the Common European Framework roughly as follows: 4.0-5.0 is B1, 5.5-6.5 is B2, 7.0-8.0 is C1, and 8.5-9.0 is C2. CEFR describes what you can do with the language; IELTS measures it on a 9-band scale, so the mapping is a broad correspondence rather than an exact equivalence.
| IELTS band | CEFR level | What the level describes |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5 - 9.0 | C2 | Proficient: understands virtually everything read or heard |
| 7.0 - 8.0 | C1 | Advanced: fluent, flexible use for academic and professional purposes |
| 5.5 - 6.5 | B2 | Upper intermediate: handles complex text and spontaneous interaction |
| 4.0 - 5.0 | B1 | Intermediate: manages familiar matters and predictable situations |
| 3.0 - 3.5 | A2 | Elementary: basic, routine exchanges |
| 2.0 - 2.5 | A1 | Beginner: simple phrases and immediate needs |
Where does the CEFR level actually matter?
European universities and employers commonly state requirements in CEFR terms — a course might ask for B2, a role for C1. If you hold an IELTS result and need to answer 'what CEFR level is that', this table is the mapping to quote, and your IELTS Test Report Form itself shows a CEFR level.
Some UK visa routes also reference CEFR levels rather than bands. Where a route requires a Secure English Language Test at a stated CEFR level, only an approved SELT — IELTS for UKVI, not standard IELTS — satisfies it.
Why one band can sit across two levels
CEFR levels are wide. B2 spans a considerable range of ability, so several IELTS half bands fall inside it, and a band on the boundary — 6.5, for instance — can be described as high B2 or low C1 depending on the source. When a requirement is stated in CEFR terms, aim for the middle of the band range rather than its very bottom edge.
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Start practisingCommon questions
What CEFR level is IELTS 6.5?
IELTS 6.5 is generally mapped to CEFR B2, at the upper end of that level. Some institutions treat 6.5 as approaching C1.
What IELTS score is C1?
CEFR C1 corresponds to roughly IELTS 7.0 to 8.0. Programmes asking for C1 usually publish an IELTS equivalent of 7.0.
Does my IELTS certificate show a CEFR level?
Yes — the Test Report Form displays the CEFR level alongside your band scores, so you can cite it directly rather than converting.