What IELTS score is CLB 7?

6.0 in each of the four skills of IELTS General Training. Listening of 6.0 up to 7.0 is still CLB 7; listening needs 7.5 for CLB 8, while reading, writing and speaking need 6.5.

What IELTS score do I need for CLB 9?

Listening 8.0, reading 7.0, writing 7.0 and speaking 7.0. CLB 9 in all four gives the top tier of skill-transferability points, which is why it's a popular Express Entry target. Check what it adds for you in the CRS calculator.

How do I convert CELPIP to CLB?

For CELPIP-General it's one to one: a 7 is CLB 7, an 8 is CLB 8, up to 9. Scores of 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10. A level below 4 (or M) is below CLB 4.

Is PTE Core accepted for Express Entry?

Yes. PTE Core is one of the three English tests IRCC accepts, alongside IELTS General Training and CELPIP-General. PTE Academic is not accepted. For CLB 7 you need listening 60, reading 60, writing 69 and speaking 68.

Can I use IELTS Academic, TOEFL or Duolingo for Canadian immigration?

No. IRCC accepts only IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French, and says it accepts no other test results. You may have read that TOEFL Essentials is coming: as of this page's last check, it isn't on IRCC's list of accepted tests, so don't book it for permanent residence yet.

How long are my English test results valid?

For Express Entry, results must be less than 2 years old both when you create your profile and on the day you submit your permanent residence application. Plan your test date with that window in mind.

Can French add more CRS points than better English?

Often, yes. NCLC 7 in all four French skills adds 25 bonus points, or 50 if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four, plus up to 24 points for French as a second language. See how in French CRS points explained, or convert TCF/TEF scores with the NCLC converter.

English to CLB

CLB calculator for IELTS, CELPIP and PTE Core

Enter your four English scores to get your CLB level in each skill, using IRCC's official charts. Or flip it around and see the exact score you need for CLB 7, 9 or any level.

Taking a French test instead? Use the NCLC converter

Your English test

Results update as you type. IRCC accepts only these three English tests.

Test

IELTS General Training only (Academic doesn't count). Bands 0–9 in half steps.

Example scores. Type yours to replace them.

Listening

/9CLB 7

0.5 more for CLB 8.

Reading

/9CLB 8

0.5 more for CLB 9.

Writing

/9CLB 7

0.5 more for CLB 8.

Speaking

/9CLB 8

0.5 more for CLB 9.

Example · Your CLB level (lowest skill)

CLB 7

CLB 7 or higher in every skill. That clears the language bar for every federal economic program.

Each skill is judged on its own.

What this unlocks

Canadian citizenship (ages 18–54)CLB 4 in listening and speaking
Federal Skilled TradesCLB 5 in listening and speaking, CLB 4 in reading and writing
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 jobCLB 5 in all four skills
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 jobCLB 7 in all four skills
Federal Skilled WorkerCLB 7 in all four skills, plus 67 of 100 eligibility points

As your first official language, these levels earn 80 of 136 core CRS language points (single applicant).

With a master's or two post-secondary credentials, CLB 9 in all four lifts your education + language points from 25 to 50.

Check FSW eligibility

Add these levels to the CRS calculator Compare with recent draws

Your biggest lever

Already strong in English? French NCLC 7 can add up to 50 + 24 CRS points

Your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills, so NCLC 7 in French would earn the full 50-point bonus, plus up to 24 points for French as a second language, and open French-language draws, which often invite candidates with much lower scores.

Convert TCF or TEF scores to NCLC How French adds CRS points

Check my French level

Last verified Oct 6, 2026Sources:IRCC: Express Entry language test charts(opens in a new tab)IRCC: accepted language tests(opens in a new tab)IRCC: program language minimums(opens in a new tab)IRCC: citizenship language proof(opens in a new tab)

Independent tool, not affiliated with IRCC. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.

How it works

From test report to CLB in three steps

Pick your test
IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core. These are the only English tests IRCC accepts for permanent residence.
Enter all four scores
Use the per-skill scores on your report, not the overall band. Each skill converts to its own CLB with IRCC's chart.
Read the lowest level
Program minimums apply to every skill, so your weakest skill decides which programs you qualify for. CRS points are added skill by skill.

Worked examples

Three profiles, three answers

Illustrative examples, not real people. The numbers come straight from IRCC's charts.

IELTS
Priya: one half-band from CLB 9
IELTS listening 7.5, reading 7.0, writing 7.0, speaking 7.0 gives CLB 8, 9, 9, 9. She meets every federal program minimum.
Listening 8.0 would make her CLB 9 in all four and lift her skill-transferability points.
CELPIP
Marc: CLB 5, a trades profile
CELPIP 6, 7, 5, 6 (listening, reading, writing, speaking) is CLB 6, 7, 5, 6. That's enough for Federal Skilled Trades and CEC with a TEER 2 or 3 job, not for Federal Skilled Worker.
His CLB 5 English already doubles any French bonus: NCLC 7 in French would be worth 50 points.
PTE Core
Aisha: two points short in two skills
PTE Core listening 58, reading 62, writing 70, speaking 66 gives CLB 6, 7, 7, 6. Overall: CLB 6.
Listening 60 and speaking 68 (2 more points each) would make her CLB 7 in all four.

IRCC equivalency charts

IELTS, CELPIP and PTE Core to CLB: the full charts

The same tables IRCC uses for Express Entry and its other economic programs. Find your score in each column, then read the CLB on the left.

IELTS General Training to CLB

IELTS General Training score range for each CLB level, by skill
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 to CLB

CELPIP-General score range for each CLB level, by skill
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 to CLB

PTE Core score range for each CLB level, by skill
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

Scores below the CLB 4 row count as below CLB 4. CLB 10 means "10 and above". It's the highest level IRCC's charts and the CRS reward.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Keep going

Your English is sorted. Now find out where your French stands.

Ten quick questions give you an estimated NCLC level, then a free full mock test shows what to work on for NCLC 7.

Take the free level check