IELTS to CLB Converter and Chart
Free CLB calculator: map IELTS General Training bands to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for Express Entry, the PGWP and citizenship
Maintained by CD IELTS Prep Standards Desk · Not an immigration adviser; verify current requirements with IRCC · Updated
To convert IELTS to CLB, take each IELTS General Training band separately and find the highest CLB level whose minimum it meets on IRCC’s equivalency table. 6.0 in all four abilities is CLB 7; Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0 (the “8777” profile) is CLB 9; and CLB 10 needs Listening 8.5, Reading 8.0, Writing 7.5 and Speaking 7.5. There is no averaging: a program that asks for CLB 7 needs CLB 7 in every ability, so your weakest ability sets your result.
Immigration disclaimer
This converter restates the official IELTS General Training → CLB equivalency published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is provided for orientation only and is not immigration advice. Always confirm the current requirement against the official IRCC source before making any decision, and note that only IELTS General Training (not Academic) is accepted for Express Entry.
Enter your IELTS General Training band for each skill.
Overall CLB level (Express Entry)
7
Your overall CLB is the lowest of the four skills — limited by Listening & Reading & Writing & Speaking.
IRCC IELTS (General Training) → CLB table
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Each cell is the minimum IELTS band required to reach that CLB level.
How to convert IELTS to CLB in four steps
- Take the four ability bands from your IELTS General Training Test Report Form: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Ignore the overall band.
- For each ability, find the highest CLB row whose minimum your band meets or beats. A band between two rows counts at the lower level: Listening 7.0 is CLB 7, because CLB 8 needs 7.5.
- Compare each ability with your program’s minimum. Every ability must meet it on its own; a strong ability cannot make up for a weak one.
- For Express Entry, look up the CRS points for each ability’s CLB level and add the four together. The table below shows the points per ability.
IELTS CLB chart: official table with CRS points
The official IRCC IELTS General Training thresholds for CLB 4 to CLB 10, with the Express Entry CRS points each level earns in your first official language. CRS points are awarded per ability, so multiply by four if every ability is at the same level.
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | CRS, no partner | CRS, with partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 34 | 32 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 31 | 29 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 23 | 22 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 17 | 16 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 9 | 8 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6 | 6 |
Band columns: minimum IELTS General Training band for that CLB level (IRCC equivalency table). CRS columns: first-official-language points per ability, without or with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner (IRCC CRS criteria). Below CLB 4 earns 0 points. CLB 4 and CLB 5 both earn 6 points per ability.
How CLB differs per ability: IELTS band to CLB lookup
The same IELTS band does not give the same CLB level in every ability. IRCC sets a separate threshold for each one, and the columns do not move together:
- Listening needs the highest bands from CLB 8 up: 7.5 for CLB 8, 8.0 for CLB 9 and 8.5 for CLB 10, and also at CLB 4 (4.5 against 4.0). With the same band in every ability, Listening alone sets the result at 4.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0.
- Reading needs less than Writing and Speaking from CLB 4 to CLB 6 (4.0 for CLB 5 against 5.0), the same at CLB 7 to CLB 9, and more at CLB 10 (8.0 against 7.5).
- Writing and Speaking share the same threshold at every level, from 4.0 for CLB 4 to 7.5 for CLB 10.
- CLB 7 is the only level where all four abilities need the same band: 6.0.
| IELTS band | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 |
| 8.5 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 |
| 8.0 | CLB 9 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 |
| 7.5 | CLB 8 | CLB 9 | CLB 10 | CLB 10 |
| 7.0 | CLB 7 | CLB 9 | CLB 9 | CLB 9 |
| 6.5 | CLB 7 | CLB 8 | CLB 8 | CLB 8 |
| 6.0 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 |
| 5.5 | CLB 6 | CLB 6 | CLB 6 | CLB 6 |
| 5.0 | CLB 5 | CLB 6 | CLB 5 | CLB 5 |
| 4.5 | CLB 4 | CLB 5 | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| 4.0 | Below 4 | CLB 5 | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| 3.5 | Below 4 | CLB 4 | Below 4 | Below 4 |
Read across a row to see how one band converts in each ability. Bands above the CLB 10 threshold stay CLB 10.
Worked examples: 8777, 7666, 6555 and other common scores
Scores are written Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking, the order on the Test Report Form, so “8777” means Listening 8.0 and 7.0 in the other three. CRS points are the first-official-language factor only, summed across the four abilities.
| IELTS (L/R/W/S) | CLB per ability | Lowest CLB | CRS: no partner / partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 / 8 / 7.5 / 7.5 | 10 / 10 / 10 / 10 | CLB 10 | 136 / 128 |
| 8777 | 9 / 9 / 9 / 9 | CLB 9 | 124 / 116 |
| 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 | 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 | CLB 8 | 92 / 88 |
| 7777 | 7 / 9 / 9 / 9 | CLB 7 | 110 / 103 |
| 7666 | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 | CLB 7 | 68 / 64 |
| 6555 | 7 / 6 / 5 / 5 | CLB 5 | 38 / 36 |
- 8.5 / 8 / 7.5 / 7.5: CLB 10 in every ability, which earns the most first-official-language points the CRS awards. A higher band in any ability adds no further language points. Skill-transferability language tier: CLB 9+ in all four (higher tier). Meets the language minimum for: Federal Skilled Worker, CEC (TEER 0/1), CEC (TEER 2/3), Federal Skilled Trades, PGWP (university), PGWP (college) and Citizenship.
- 8777: CLB 9 in all four abilities, the higher language tier for skill-transferability points. Each ability is still 3 points, with or without a partner, short of the CLB 10 maximum. Skill-transferability language tier: CLB 9+ in all four (higher tier). Meets the language minimum for: Federal Skilled Worker, CEC (TEER 0/1), CEC (TEER 2/3), Federal Skilled Trades, PGWP (university), PGWP (college) and Citizenship.
- 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5: CLB 8 across the board. Half a band more in every ability (Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0) reaches CLB 9. Skill-transferability language tier: CLB 7+ in all four, at least one under 9 (lower tier). Meets the language minimum for: Federal Skilled Worker, CEC (TEER 0/1), CEC (TEER 2/3), Federal Skilled Trades, PGWP (university), PGWP (college) and Citizenship.
- 7777: Reading, Writing and Speaking 7.0 are CLB 9, but Listening 7.0 is only CLB 7: Listening needs 7.5 for CLB 8 and 8.0 for CLB 9. Skill-transferability language tier: CLB 7+ in all four, at least one under 9 (lower tier). Meets the language minimum for: Federal Skilled Worker, CEC (TEER 0/1), CEC (TEER 2/3), Federal Skilled Trades, PGWP (university), PGWP (college) and Citizenship.
- 7666: CLB 7 in every ability. Listening 7.0 earns no more than 6.0 would: Listening stays at CLB 7 until 7.5, so the extra marks there do not change the CLB result. Skill-transferability language tier: CLB 7+ in all four, at least one under 9 (lower tier). Meets the language minimum for: Federal Skilled Worker, CEC (TEER 0/1), CEC (TEER 2/3), Federal Skilled Trades, PGWP (university), PGWP (college) and Citizenship.
- 6555: Listening 6.0 is CLB 7 and Reading 5.0 is CLB 6, but Writing and Speaking 5.0 are only CLB 5. Reaching CLB 7 in all four would need 6.0 in Reading, Writing and Speaking. Skill-transferability language tier: None (an ability below CLB 7). Meets the language minimum for: CEC (TEER 2/3), Federal Skilled Trades, PGWP (college) and Citizenship.
Language also unlocks CRS skill-transferability points when combined with education or foreign work experience. IRCC uses two language tiers: CLB 7 or more in all four abilities with at least one under CLB 9, and CLB 9 or more in all four. Two or more post-secondary credentials (one of three years or longer) or a master’s, professional or doctoral degree earn 25 points at the lower tier and 50 at the higher; three or more years of foreign work experience likewise earn 25 or 50; a post-secondary credential of one year or longer earns 13 or 25. Skill-transferability points are capped at 100 in total (IRCC CRS criteria). These examples are not a full CRS score: age, education, Canadian experience and other factors are added separately. Work out your full CRS score with our CRS calculator, which converts your IELTS bands with the same IRCC table.
What CLB do you need? Requirements by program
Each program sets its own minimum, and the minimum applies to every listed ability. The IELTS column converts that minimum with the IRCC table above.
| Program | Minimum | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Programcanada.ca: Federal Skilled Worker Program | CLB 7 in all four abilities (first official language) | Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0 |
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 jobcanada.ca: Express Entry language test results | CLB 7 in all four abilities | Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0 |
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 jobcanada.ca: Express Entry language test results | CLB 5 in all four abilities | Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0 and Speaking 5.0 |
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Programcanada.ca: Express Entry language test results | CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing | Listening 5.0, Reading 3.5, Writing 4.0 and Speaking 5.0 |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or other university programcanada.ca: PGWP eligibility | CLB 7 in all four abilities | Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0 |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit: college, polytechnic or other non-university programcanada.ca: PGWP eligibility | CLB 5 in all four abilities | Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0 and Speaking 5.0 |
| Canadian citizenship, applicants aged 18 to 54canada.ca: Citizenship eligibility | CLB 4 in speaking and listening | Listening 4.5 and Speaking 4.0 |
Federal Skilled Worker. Below CLB 7 in any ability you are not eligible to apply. FSW also has its own 100-point selection grid with a pass mark of 67, separate from the CRS. Language is worth up to 28 of those points: 4, 5 or 6 per ability in your first official language at CLB 7, CLB 8 and CLB 9 or above, plus 4 points for CLB 5 in all four abilities of your second official language (FSW, language test results).
Canadian Experience Class. The minimum depends on the TEER category of your Canadian job: CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1, CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 (IRCC). The work itself must be at least 1 year, or 1,560 hours, of skilled (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3), authorized, paid work in Canada in the 3 years before you apply (CEC).
Post-Graduation Work Permit. The language requirement applies to PGWP applications submitted on or after 1 November 2024; applications submitted before that date do not need to meet it (PGWP eligibility). IRCC’s PGWP language page converts CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada results (language results). Read more in our IELTS for the PGWP guide.
Citizenship. If you are 18 to 54 on the day you sign your application, you must show CLB 4 in speaking and listening; reading and writing are not assessed (eligibility). IRCC lists the IELTS General Training test at Speaking 4.0 and Listening 4.5 or higher (accepted tests). A diploma, certificate or transcript showing you completed or are attending a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French, in or outside Canada, can also count (language proof). See IELTS for Canadian citizenship.
Provincial Nominee Programs. Each province sets its own language minimums by stream, so check the province’s own page. Our PNP guide covers how they are applied.
Why IELTS Academic is not accepted for Express Entry
IRCC’s Express Entry language page is explicit: for IELTS, you must take the General Training option (IRCC). Its CLB equivalency tables are published for IELTS General Training scores, so an Academic Test Report Form cannot be converted to CLB for Express Entry, however high the bands.
IRCC does not explain the choice on that page, but the two versions are not interchangeable. Listening and Speaking are the same test for both, while Reading and Writing are different papers. General Training Reading uses everyday and workplace texts and a stricter raw-score scale: 30 correct answers out of 40 is band 6.0 on General Training but band 7.0 on Academic. General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter rather than a description of a chart or diagram. Compare the two in IELTS Academic vs General Training.
Two more IRCC rules catch candidates out. IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry, and results must be less than 2 years old both when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. The other accepted English tests are CELPIP-General and PTE Core; French results from TEF Canada or TCF Canada convert to NCLC, the French equivalent of CLB. If you are still choosing a test, see IELTS vs CELPIP and the best English test for Canada PR.
How many correct answers each CLB level needs
Listening and Reading are marked out of 40, so a CLB target can be turned into a number of correct answers. These are estimates from our Listening and General Training Reading band charts; IELTS publishes only four reference points per module (marked *), and other cut-offs can move by about a mark between test versions.
| CLB | Listening | GT Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 10+ | Band 8.5: 37+ of 40 | Band 8.0: 37+ of 40 |
| 9 | Band 8.0: 35+ of 40 * | Band 7.0: 35+ of 40 * |
| 8 | Band 7.5: 32+ of 40 | Band 6.5: 32+ of 40 |
| 7 | Band 6.0: 23+ of 40 * | Band 6.0: 30+ of 40 * |
| 6 | Band 5.5: 18+ of 40 | Band 5.0: 23+ of 40 * |
| 5 | Band 5.0: 16+ of 40 * | Band 4.0: 15+ of 40 * |
| 4 | Band 4.5: 13+ of 40 | Band 3.5: 12+ of 40 |
Writing and Speaking have no raw score: examiners mark them against public band descriptors, so the way to move a CLB level there is targeted practice and feedback. General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter; our letter samples show what each band looks like, and the band score calculator turns practice-test marks into bands.
Find out which ability is holding your CLB back.
General Training mock testsFrequently asked questions
How do I convert IELTS to CLB for Express Entry?
Use the official IRCC equivalency chart: match your IELTS General Training band for each skill to its minimum CLB threshold. Your overall CLB is the lowest of the four skill levels.
Does IELTS Academic count for CLB in Express Entry?
No. Only IELTS General Training results are accepted by IRCC for the CLB conversion used in Express Entry.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
Under the IRCC chart, CLB 9 requires Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0 on IELTS General Training.
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
CLB 7 requires Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0 on IELTS General Training. It is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class TEER 0 or 1 jobs, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit for university graduates.
What IELTS score is CLB 8?
CLB 8 requires Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5 and Speaking 6.5 on IELTS General Training.
What IELTS score is CLB 10?
CLB 10 requires Listening 8.5, Reading 8.0, Writing 7.5 and Speaking 7.5. Any higher band is still CLB 10, the top of IRCC's table, and the CRS pays the same points for CLB 10 or more, so a higher band earns no extra CRS language points.
What IELTS score is CLB 6?
CLB 6 requires Listening 5.5, Reading 5.0, Writing 5.5 and Speaking 5.5 on IELTS General Training.
Is 7.0 in every IELTS band CLB 9?
No. Reading, Writing and Speaking 7.0 are CLB 9, but Listening 7.0 is only CLB 7. Listening needs 8.0 for CLB 9, so 7.0 in every band is CLB 7 in Listening and CLB 9 in the other three.
How many CRS points does CLB 9 give?
CLB 9 earns 31 first-official-language CRS points per ability without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner (124 for all four), or 29 per ability with one (116). CLB 10 is the maximum: 34 and 32 per ability (136 and 128). Estimate your full score with our CRS calculator.
Does my overall IELTS band score matter for CLB?
No. Each ability is converted separately and the overall band is not used. Listening 8.0, Reading 8.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 8.0 is an overall 7.5, but Writing 6.0 holds that profile at CLB 7.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake accepted for Express Entry?
No. IRCC's Express Entry language page states that it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry, so you need a full IELTS General Training result.
How long are IELTS results valid for Express Entry?
IRCC requires results to be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile, and again when you submit your application for permanent residence.
What CLB do I need for a PGWP?
For applications submitted on or after 1 November 2024, IRCC requires CLB 7 in all four abilities for bachelor's, master's, doctoral and other university programs, and CLB 5 for college, polytechnic and other non-university programs. On IELTS General Training that is Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0 for CLB 7, and Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0 and Speaking 5.0 for CLB 5.
What IELTS score do I need for Canadian citizenship?
Applicants aged 18 to 54 need CLB 4 in speaking and listening only. IRCC lists the IELTS General Training test at Speaking 4.0 and Listening 4.5 or higher.
Related CLB and Canada pages
Canada guides
Official sources
Every requirement on this page comes from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages on canada.ca, checked on 1 October 2026. Requirements change; confirm on the source before you book a test or apply.
- Express Entry: Language test results — accepted tests, IELTS General Training only, 2-year validity, FSW / FST / CEC tables
- Post-graduation work permit: How to find your language level based on your test results — IELTS General Training to CLB equivalency table
- Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria — CRS language and skill-transferability points
- Federal Skilled Worker Program — CLB 7 minimum and the 67-point grid
- Canadian Experience Class — skilled (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) Canadian work requirement
- PGWP eligibility — CLB 7 and CLB 5 language requirements
- Canadian citizenship eligibility — CLB 4 speaking and listening, ages 18 to 54
- Language proof for citizenship, step 1 — a diploma, certificate or transcript from a program in English or French
- Language proof for citizenship, step 5 — accepted tests and minimum scores
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