IELTS to TOEFL conversion
Convert IELTS band scores to TOEFL iBT using the 2025 ETS-IELTS concordance: IELTS 6.5 = TOEFL 79-93, 7.0 = 94-101, 7.5 = 102-109, 8.0 = 110+.
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On the 2025 ETS-IELTS Partners concordance study, IELTS 6.5 corresponds to TOEFL iBT 79-93, IELTS 7.0 to 94-101, IELTS 7.5 to 102-109, and IELTS 8.0 to 110-120. Conversions are ranges, not exact equivalents — universities set their own minimum on whichever test you actually sit.
| IELTS band | TOEFL iBT total | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118-120 | Above almost every published requirement |
| 8.5 | 115-117 | Top-tier graduate programs |
| 8.0 | 110-120 | Selective universities; some scholarships |
| 7.5 | 102-109 | Competitive graduate admission |
| 7.0 | 94-101 | Most graduate programs |
| 6.5 | 79-93 | Standard undergraduate and many graduate programs |
| 6.0 | 60-78 | Undergraduate minimum at many institutions |
| 5.5 | 46-59 | Pathway and community college programs |
Why is the conversion a range and not one number?
The two tests measure overlapping but different things, and they report on different scales — IELTS in half bands from 0 to 9, TOEFL iBT as a total out of 120. The concordance study compared scores from candidates who sat both tests, and the honest result is a band of equivalent performance rather than a point. A TOEFL 95 and a TOEFL 100 both map to IELTS 7.0.
That matters when you are close to a threshold. If a program asks for TOEFL 100 and your IELTS is 7.0, you are inside the equivalent range but not obviously above the line — check whether the university publishes its own IELTS minimum rather than converting.
Which test should you actually take for the USA?
More than 99% of US universities that accept TOEFL also accept IELTS, and over 3,400 US institutions accept IELTS — including every Ivy League school. The practical differences are format, not acceptance: IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, while TOEFL Speaking is recorded into a microphone; IELTS Writing is hand-marked, and computer-delivered IELTS returns results in days.
Choose on format preference and test availability, then check your specific programs' published minimums for that test.
Find out where you actually score — free timed practice tests.
Start practisingCommon questions
What TOEFL score is equal to IELTS 7?
IELTS 7.0 corresponds to TOEFL iBT 94-101 on the official ETS-IELTS concordance. Universities asking for TOEFL 100 typically publish an IELTS equivalent of 7.0 or 7.5 — check the programme page rather than converting yourself.
Is IELTS easier than TOEFL?
Neither is easier overall; they suit different candidates. IELTS Speaking is a conversation with a human examiner, which many candidates find more natural, while TOEFL is fully computer-based with recorded speaking. Reading and Listening question styles also differ substantially.
Can I convert my IELTS score officially?
No. Concordance tables are for planning only — you cannot submit a converted score. Universities require an official result from the test you actually sat.