IELTS to CLB calculator
Convert IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core scores to Canadian Language Benchmark levels, see the CRS points they earn, and check which Canadian programs they meet.
CLB calculator
Pick your test and enter the score for each section. The calculator uses the conversion tables published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), so the level it shows is the level IRCC will read from your result.
Use the four section bands on your Test Report Form, not the overall band.
Your level
CLB 8
Your level
CLB 9
Your level
CLB 8
Your level
CLB 9
Your CLB level in all four abilities
CLB 8
Set by your lowest abilities: Listening and Writing. A program that asks for a level in all four abilities uses this one.
- CRS language points, no spouse
- 108 / 136
- CRS language points, with spouse
- 102 / 128
To reach CLB 9 everywhere you need Listening 8.0, Writing 7.0 in IELTS General Training.
What these scores meet
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)Language minimum met: CLB 7 in all four abilities
- Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 jobLanguage minimum met: CLB 7 in all four abilities
- Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 jobLanguage minimum met: CLB 5 in all four abilities
- Federal Skilled Trades ProgramLanguage minimum met: CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing
- PGWP, bachelor's, master's or doctoral graduatesLanguage minimum met: CLB 7 in all four abilities
- PGWP, college and other non-university graduatesLanguage minimum met: CLB 5 in all four abilities
- Canadian citizenship (ages 18 to 54)Language minimum met: CLB 4 in speaking and listening
This shows the language minimum only. Each program has other requirements, and provincial nominee streams set their own language levels. Scores below the CLB 4 floor are shown as below CLB 4.
How do you convert IELTS to CLB?
Section by section. IRCC gives every IELTS General Training band in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking its own CLB level, and never uses the overall band. CLB 7 is 6.0 in each section. CLB 9 is Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0. Listening runs higher than the other sections from CLB 8 upward, so a 7.0 in every section is CLB 9 in three abilities and only CLB 7 in listening.
IELTS to CLB conversion chart
IELTS General Training band for each CLB level. Read it the other way to convert CLB to IELTS. Where a range is shown, any band in the range is that level.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0-7.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0-7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.0-5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 4.0-4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0-4.5 | 4.0-4.5 |
Source: IRCC language test results for Express Entry (Canada.ca). Verified 2026-10-03.
Four rules that decide your CLB level
Each section is converted on its own
You do not have one CLB level. You have four, one for each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and they are often different.
The lowest section decides
When a program asks for a level in all four abilities, one section below the line fails the requirement, however high the other three are.
General Training only
IRCC's table is for IELTS General Training. It states that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
Under two years old
Results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and again when you apply for permanent residence.
CELPIP and PTE Core to CLB
CELPIP to CLB is one to one. CELPIP-General was designed around the benchmarks, so CELPIP level 7 is CLB 7, level 9 is CLB 9, and level 10 or above is CLB 10 and above. PTE Core uses a different range for every ability:
| CLB level | CELPIP-General | PTE Core Listening | PTE Core Reading | PTE Core Writing | PTE Core Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | 10 or above | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ | 89+ |
| CLB 9 | 9 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 84-88 |
| CLB 8 | 8 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 76-83 |
| CLB 7 | 7 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 68-75 |
| CLB 6 | 6 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 59-67 |
| CLB 5 | 5 | 39-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 51-58 |
| CLB 4 | 4 | 28-38 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 42-50 |
Source: IRCC language test results for Express Entry (Canada.ca). Verified 2026-10-03.
Still choosing a test? See CELPIP vs IELTS for how the two compare on format, timing and cost.
CLB level required by each Canadian program
| Program | Language minimum | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry) | CLB 7 in all four abilities | IRCC |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job | CLB 7 in all four abilities | IRCC |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job | CLB 5 in all four abilities | IRCC |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing | IRCC |
| PGWP, bachelor's, master's or doctoral graduates | CLB 7 in all four abilities | IRCC |
| PGWP, college and other non-university graduates | CLB 5 in all four abilities | IRCC |
| Canadian citizenship (ages 18 to 54) | CLB 4 in speaking and listening | IRCC |
Federal minimums only, verified 2026-10-03. Provincial Nominee Program streams set their own language levels, so check the stream you are applying to.
CRS language points by CLB level
Comprehensive Ranking System points for your first official language. Points are awarded per ability, so a mixed profile adds up four different rows. Reaching CLB 9 in all four abilities also doubles the skill transferability points you can earn with your education and with foreign work experience, from 25 to 50 each.
| CLB level | Per ability, no spouse | All four, no spouse | Per ability, with spouse | All four, with spouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | 34 | 136 | 32 | 128 |
| CLB 9 | 31 | 124 | 29 | 116 |
| CLB 8 | 23 | 92 | 22 | 88 |
| CLB 7 | 17 | 68 | 16 | 64 |
| CLB 6 | 9 | 36 | 8 | 32 |
| CLB 5 | 6 | 24 | 6 | 24 |
| CLB 4 | 6 | 24 | 6 | 24 |
Source: IRCC Comprehensive Ranking System criteria (Canada.ca). Verified 2026-10-03.
IELTS score for every CLB level
IELTS to CLB FAQs
How do I convert my IELTS score to CLB?
Convert each section on its own. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes a table that gives a Canadian Language Benchmark level for each IELTS General Training band in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. For example, Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0 is CLB 9 in every ability. The overall band is not used.
What is CLB 7 in IELTS?
CLB 7 is IELTS General Training 6.0 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. It is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, for the Canadian Experience Class in a TEER 0 or 1 job, and for a Post-Graduation Work Permit after a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.
What is CLB 9 in IELTS?
CLB 9 is IELTS General Training Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0. Reaching it in all four abilities earns 124 Comprehensive Ranking System points for language without a spouse and doubles the skill transferability points available.
Does IRCC use my overall IELTS band?
No. IRCC converts Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking separately, so you have four CLB levels rather than one. When a program asks for a CLB level in all four abilities, your lowest section is the one that decides whether you meet it.
Which IELTS test does IRCC accept for CLB?
IELTS General Training. IRCC's Express Entry page lists three English tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. It also states that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry, so a result that includes a retaken section cannot be used there.
How do I convert CELPIP to CLB?
CELPIP-General was built on the Canadian Language Benchmarks, so the level on your score report is your CLB level. CELPIP 7 in a component is CLB 7 in that ability, CELPIP 9 is CLB 9, and CELPIP 10 or higher is CLB 10 and above.
How do I convert PTE Core to CLB?
Use IRCC's PTE Core table, which sets a different range for each ability. CLB 7 is Listening 60, Reading 60, Writing 69 and Speaking 68. CLB 9 is Listening 82, Reading 78, Writing 88 and Speaking 84. The calculator on this page applies the full table.
How many CRS points do I get for each CLB level?
For your first official language, each ability earns 6 points at CLB 4 or 5, 9 at CLB 6, 17 at CLB 7, 23 at CLB 8, 31 at CLB 9 and 34 at CLB 10 or more if you have no spouse or partner. With a spouse the figures are 6, 8, 16, 22, 29 and 32. The maximum is 136 points without a spouse and 128 with one.
What CLB level do I need for a PGWP?
CLB 7 in all four abilities if you graduated with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, and CLB 5 in all four if you graduated from a college, polytechnic or other non-university program. The requirement applies to applications submitted on or after 1 November 2024.
How long are language test results valid for Express Entry?
Your results must be less than two years old both when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. IRCC refuses applications submitted with expired results.
Is this an official IRCC calculator?
No. IELTS Mocks is an independent practice-test site and is not affiliated with IRCC, IELTS, CELPIP or Pearson. The conversion tables on this page are IRCC's own, read from Canada.ca on the verification date shown, and each table links to its source so you can check it.
Find out which section is holding your CLB down
One section decides your level. Sit a full, free IELTS mock test and get an AI-graded band for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking before you pay for the real one.