IELTS to CLB Calculator: Convert IELTS to CLB and CLB to IELTS (2026)

What is CLB in IELTS?

CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks, the scale Canada uses to measure English for immigration. IELTS does not give a CLB score. Instead, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes a table that turns each IELTS General Training band into a CLB level from 4 to 10. CLB and IELTS are not the same scale, so a band of 7 is not CLB 7.

How to convert IELTS to CLB

To convert IELTS to CLB, look up each skill on its own in IRCC's table: listening, reading, writing and speaking each give a separate CLB level. Your overall CLB is the lowest of the four, because Canadian programs require the minimum in every skill. For CRS points, each skill earns points at its own level.

1. 1

   Use your General Training result

   IRCC only accepts IELTS General Training for Express Entry. Academic scores cannot be converted for PR.

2. 2

   Convert each skill

   Find the highest CLB row where your band meets the minimum for that skill.

3. 3

   Take the lowest

   Your CLB for program eligibility is the lowest of the four skills.

4. 4

   Add CRS points per skill

   Each skill scores CRS points at its own CLB level, so a higher skill still helps your ranking.

CLB to IELTS chart (IRCC table)

This is IRCC's official CLB equivalency chart for IELTS General Training. Each figure is the minimum band for that skill at that CLB level. CLB 10 covers all higher scores. The same table applies to Express Entry, provincial nominee programs and post-graduation work permits that use CLB.

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, the Canadian Experience Class for TEER 0 and 1 jobs, and a PGWP after a university degree. A 5.5 in any one skill drops you to CLB 6.

What is CLB 5 in IELTS?

CLB 5 is IELTS General Training 5.0 in listening, 4.0 in reading, 5.0 in writing and 5.0 in speaking. It is the minimum for the Canadian Experience Class with a TEER 2 or 3 job, for speaking and listening in the Federal Skilled Trades program, and for a PGWP after a college program.

What is CLB 9 in IELTS?

CLB 9 is IELTS General Training 8.0 in listening, 7.0 in reading, 7.0 in writing and 7.0 in speaking. It earns 31 CRS points per skill for a single applicant and unlocks the maximum skill transferability points, which is why CLB 9 is the most common target for Express Entry.

Most candidates who miss CLB 9 do so on listening (8.0 needed) or writing (7.0 needed). A targeted plan for those two skills usually moves the CRS score more than retaking everything.

What is CLB 8 in IELTS?

CLB 8 is IELTS General Training 7.5 in listening and 6.5 in reading, writing and speaking. It earns 23 CRS points per skill for a single applicant, compared with 17 at CLB 7, so moving from CLB 7 to CLB 8 in all four skills adds 24 points.

What is CLB 6 in IELTS?

CLB 6 is IELTS General Training 5.5 in listening, 5.0 in reading, 5.5 in writing and 5.5 in speaking. It is above the CLB 5 minimums but below CLB 7, so it does not meet the Federal Skilled Worker requirement.

What is CLB 10 in IELTS?

CLB 10 is IELTS General Training 8.5 in listening, 8.0 in reading, 7.5 in writing and 7.5 in speaking, or higher. It is the top level IRCC scores: 34 CRS points per skill for a single applicant, 136 in total.

What is CLB 4 in IELTS?

CLB 4 is IELTS General Training 4.5 in listening, 3.5 in reading, 4.0 in writing and 4.0 in speaking. It is the lowest level IRCC converts and the minimum for reading and writing in the Federal Skilled Trades program. Below CLB 4, you earn no CRS points for that skill.

How many CRS points does each CLB level give?

In Express Entry, your first official language earns CRS points for each of the four skills at its own CLB level. A single applicant gets 17 points per skill at CLB 7, 23 at CLB 8, 31 at CLB 9 and 34 at CLB 10 or more. With a spouse or partner the figures are slightly lower.

CLB 7 or higher also unlocks skill transferability points when combined with education or foreign work experience, and CLB 9 in all four skills gives the maximum for those combinations. Estimate your full score with our CRS score calculator.

What CLB level do you need for Canada?

The minimum CLB depends on the program. Federal Skilled Worker needs CLB 7 in all four skills. Canadian Experience Class needs CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3. Federal Skilled Trades needs CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing. Post-graduation work permits need CLB 7 or CLB 5.

PGWP language requirements apply to applications made on or after 1 November 2024. Provincial nominee programs set their own minimums. For the full picture, read IELTS for Canada.

CLB for CELPIP and PTE Core

IRCC also accepts CELPIP-General and PTE Core for English. CELPIP maps directly: a CELPIP level of 7 in a skill is CLB 7. PTE Core uses score ranges, for example 60 to 70 in listening and 68 to 75 in speaking for CLB 7. The calculator's CLB to IELTS mode shows all three tests side by side.

Deciding between tests? Compare them in CELPIP vs IELTS.

IELTS rules for Canadian immigration

• Only IELTS General Training is accepted for Express Entry. IELTS Academic is for study, not PR.
• IELTS One Skill Retake results are not accepted for Express Entry.
• Results must be less than 2 years old on the day you submit your application.
• Your result must meet the minimum in every skill. A high overall band does not make up for one low skill.

How to move up a CLB level

Find the skill holding your CLB down, because your lowest skill sets your level. For CLB 9 the usual gaps are listening, which needs 8.0, and writing, which needs 7.0. Writing and speaking improve fastest with marked practice and examiner-style feedback, not just more mock tests.