CLB ↔ IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF and TCF converter
Find your CLB/NCLC level from your test scores — or work backwards and see exactly what you need to hit CLB 7, 8 or 9.
- 5 accepted tests
- Official tables
- No sign-up
Only IELTS General Training is accepted for immigration. IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
Your test score
Fill in all four abilities. Each one is assessed separately.
Listening
7
Reading
9
Writing
8
Speaking
9
Overall level
CLB 7
Your lowest of the four abilities is what counts for immigration programs.
Where this result puts you
- Federal Skilled Worker (CLB 7 in all four)Meets
- Canadian Experience Class — TEER 0/1 (CLB 7)Not yet
- Canadian Experience Class — TEER 2/3 (CLB 5)Not yet
- Federal Skilled Trades (listening/speaking 5; reading/writing 4)Meets
- Second official language (CLB 5 in all four)Not yet
Full equivalency tables
Official IRCC ranges per ability. Anything above the top of the range still counts as CLB 10.
IELTS General Training
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5–9.0 | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0–7.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0–7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0–5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0–4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0–4.5 | 4.0–4.5 |
CELPIP-General
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10–12 | 10–12 | 10–12 | 10–12 |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
PTE Core
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 89–90 | 88–90 | 90 | 89–90 |
| 9 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 88–89 | 84–88 |
| 8 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 79–87 | 76–83 |
| 7 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 69–78 | 68–75 |
| 6 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 60–68 | 59–67 |
| 5 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–59 | 51–58 |
| 4 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 41–50 | 42–50 |
TEF Canada
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 316–360 | 263–300 | 393–450 | 393–450 |
| 9 | 298–315 | 248–262 | 371–392 | 371–392 |
| 8 | 280–297 | 233–247 | 349–370 | 349–370 |
| 7 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 | 310–348 |
| 6 | 217–248 | 181–206 | 271–309 | 271–309 |
| 5 | 181–216 | 151–180 | 226–270 | 226–270 |
| 4 | 145–180 | 121–150 | 181–225 | 181–225 |
TCF Canada
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
Tables verified in October 2026.
How the conversion works
The CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) is the official scale IRCC uses to compare different tests. It runs from 1 to 12, but for immigration the practical range is 4 to 10 — anything higher still counts as 10. For French, the same scale is called NCLC.
Each ability has its own cut-off. Someone with CLB 9 reading and CLB 6 speaking has an overall level of 6 for program purposes — and that number decides whether they qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (CLB 7 in all four) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (5 in listening/speaking, 4 in reading/writing).
Use the reverse mode to plan your test: if you need CLB 7, it shows the minimum score in each ability for IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF and TCF.
Frequently asked questions
What are CLB and NCLC?
CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) is the proficiency scale for English; NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the same scale for French. The numbers are equivalent: CLB 7 = NCLC 7.
Do I need CLB 7 in all four abilities?
It depends on the program. The Federal Skilled Worker Program requires CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities in your first official language. The Canadian Experience Class requires 7 for TEER 0/1 jobs and 5 for TEER 2/3. The Federal Skilled Trades Program requires 5 in listening and speaking and 4 in reading and writing. For a second official language, the minimum is 5 in all four.
Is my IELTS Academic accepted for immigration?
No. For Express Entry, IRCC only accepts IELTS General Training. IELTS One Skill Retake is also not accepted for Express Entry — you need a complete test result.
Why does my TEF Canada show two different scores?
The TEF attestation includes an “Équivalence ancien score” column and a “Score / 699” column. IRCC uses the first one. Entering the second in your profile is one of the most common mistakes and can lead to a refusal.
How long are results valid?
Your results must be less than 2 years old both when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. If they expire in between, retake the test or apply before they expire.
Official sources
Informational tool based on IRCC public tables. It is not immigration advice and does not guarantee eligibility: always confirm on the official IRCC page and on your test report.
TEF/TCF → Quebec French scale
Official MIFI conversion. The source publishes level bands, so the result does not invent an exact level.
2026 immigration guides
Understand the process before you decide
- Express Entry in 2026: CRS score, draws, categories and the November 3 changeHow Express Entry works in 2026: the CRS score, the 10 selection categories and the November 3 change to Canadian work experience and job offer points.Read the guide →
- Arrima, PSTQ and PEQ in 2026: how to immigrate to Quebec nowThe PEQ reopened for a limited time and the PSTQ remains the main route to Quebec. How Arrima and the 1,400-point grid work, and what may change next.Read the guide →
- Canada Work Permit in 2026: Open, Employer-Specific, LMIA and Who QualifiesOpen or employer-specific, LMIA, exemptions, PGWP and francophone mobility: how Canada's work permit system works in 2026 and who actually qualifies.Read the guide →