TOEFL to IELTS conversion
Convert TOEFL iBT scores to IELTS bands with the ETS comparison: TOEFL 80 and 90 ≈ IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 94-101 ≈ 7.0, TOEFL 110 ≈ 8.0, 118+ ≈ 9.0.
Maintained by CD IELTS Prep Standards Desk · Not an immigration adviser; verify current requirements with IRCC · Last reviewed
Working from the official ETS comparison in reverse: TOEFL iBT 79-93 corresponds to IELTS 6.5, 94-101 to 7.0, 102-109 to 7.5, 110-114 to 8.0, 115-117 to 8.5 and 118-120 to 9.0. So TOEFL 80 and 90 are both IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 94 and 100 are IELTS 7.0, and TOEFL 110 is IELTS 8.0.
| TOEFL iBT total | IELTS band | What it typically meets |
|---|---|---|
| 118-120 | 9.0 | The top of both scales |
| 115-117 | 8.5 | Selective graduate programmes and scholarships |
| 110-114 | 8.0 | Selective graduate programmes and scholarships |
| 102-109 | 7.5 | Competitive graduate admission |
| 94-101 | 7.0 | Most graduate programmes |
| 79-93 | 6.5 | Standard undergraduate and many graduate programmes |
| 60-78 | 6.0 | Undergraduate minimum at many institutions |
| 46-59 | 5.5 | Pathway and community college programmes |
| 35-45 | 5.0 | Foundation and English-language pathway programmes |
What about TOEFL's new 1-6 score scale?
Since January 2026 TOEFL iBT also reports a band score from 1 to 6, and ETS shows the familiar 0-120 total alongside it during the transition. The chart above uses the 0-120 total. On the new scale, IELTS 6.5 corresponds to roughly TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 7.0 to 5, IELTS 7.5 to 5.5, and IELTS 8.0 and above to 6.
You have a TOEFL score — should you retake on IELTS?
Only if the conversion leaves you short of a threshold and you have a reason to expect a better result on the other format. Candidates who are strong in live conversation but lose marks speaking into a microphone often do better on IELTS Speaking; candidates who prefer typing every answer without an examiner present sometimes prefer TOEFL.
Before switching, confirm your target institutions publish an IELTS minimum. Almost all US universities that take TOEFL also take IELTS, but a small number of programmes and professional bodies name only one test.
What if my TOEFL sits between two IELTS bands?
Round down when planning. A TOEFL 93 is at the very top of the IELTS 6.5 range, not a 7.0 — treat it as 6.5 for meeting requirements. Because IELTS reports in half bands, small differences at the boundary decide whether you meet a cut-off, so aim a half band above the requirement rather than exactly at it.
Find out where you actually score — free timed practice tests.
Start practisingCommon questions
What is TOEFL 100 in IELTS?
TOEFL iBT 100 falls in the 94-101 range, which corresponds to IELTS 7.0. It sits near the top of that range, so institutions asking for TOEFL 100 often accept IELTS 7.0 and sometimes ask for 7.5.
What IELTS score do I need for TOEFL 80?
TOEFL 80 falls in the 79-93 band, which corresponds to IELTS 6.5 — the most commonly requested undergraduate score.
What is TOEFL 90 in IELTS?
TOEFL 90 corresponds to IELTS 6.5. It sits in the 79-93 range, three points below the 94 where IELTS 7.0 begins, so a programme asking for TOEFL 90 will usually accept IELTS 6.5.
Is TOEFL 94 equal to IELTS 7.0?
Yes. TOEFL 94 is the lowest score in the 94-101 range that ETS compares to IELTS 7.0. Because it is right at the boundary, treat it as a minimum 7.0 rather than a comfortable one.
What is TOEFL 110 in IELTS?
TOEFL 110 corresponds to IELTS 8.0, the bottom of the 110-114 range. IELTS 8.5 begins at TOEFL 115 and IELTS 9.0 at TOEFL 118.
Do universities accept converted scores?
No. You must submit an official result from the test you sat. Conversion tables only help you judge which test to book and what to aim for.