· NextMigrate Team
IELTS to CLB Conversion Chart 2026: CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF and TCF
Imagine you are an accountant in Lahore. Your IELTS results just arrived: listening 7.5, reading 7.0, writing 6.5, speaking 7.0. You feel good. Then a friend says, "That is only CLB 8." How can four good scores become one number, and what is that number worth in Express Entry?
The short answer: IRCC converts each of your four test scores into a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, one ability at a time. Your lowest ability usually decides your real level. For IELTS General Training, CLB 7 means at least 6.0 in every ability. CLB 9 means 8.0 in listening and 7.0 in reading, writing and speaking. CELPIP scores match CLB levels directly. In the CRS, a single applicant gets 31 points per ability at CLB 9, against 23 at CLB 8 (IRCC language test results; IRCC CRS criteria, as of November 2026).
In our story, the accountant's reading and speaking are CLB 9, but her listening of 7.5 and writing of 6.5 are only CLB 8. Those two abilities hold her whole profile back.
The tests IRCC accepts
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts only these five tests (IRCC):
| English | French |
|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | TEF Canada |
| IELTS General Training (not Academic, and not One Skill Retake) | TCF Canada |
| PTE Core (not PTE Academic) |
Your results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply for permanent residence. If you apply with expired results, IRCC will refuse your application.
Which test should you book? We compare the two most common choices in CELPIP vs IELTS General for Canada.
IELTS General Training to CLB
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Minimum band for each level. Source: IRCC, as of November 2026.
Look at listening. It is the hardest jump: 7.5 is CLB 8, but you need 8.0 for CLB 9. Reading is the easiest: 7.0 already gives CLB 9.
CELPIP-General to CLB
CELPIP is the simplest. Your CELPIP level in each ability is your CLB level. A 9 in listening is CLB 9 in listening. A 7 in writing is CLB 7. Scores of 10 or more count as CLB 10 and above (IRCC).
PTE Core to CLB
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ | 89+ |
| 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 |
Source: IRCC, as of November 2026. Only PTE Core counts. If you took PTE Academic for Australia or the UK, it will not work for Express Entry.
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TEF Canada to NCLC
French results use NCLC, the French version of CLB. For TEF Canada, IRCC tells you to use only the scores in the "Équivalence ancien score" column of your results, not the "Score / 699" column. If you enter the wrong scores, IRCC may refuse your application.
| NCLC | 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 |
Source: IRCC, as of November 2026.
TCF Canada to NCLC
| NCLC | 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 |
Source: IRCC, as of November 2026.
NCLC 7 in all four French abilities can add 25 or 50 extra CRS points and makes you eligible for French-language rounds. Read what French actually adds to Express Entry.
What each CLB level is worth in CRS points
Your first official language earns points per ability. These are the core points from IRCC's CRS table.
| CLB per ability | Single: points per ability | With spouse or partner: points per ability | Single: all four abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 or more | 34 | 32 | 136 |
| 9 | 31 | 29 | 124 |
| 8 | 23 | 22 | 92 |
| 7 | 17 | 16 | 68 |
| 6 | 9 | 8 | 36 |
| 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
| Below 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: IRCC CRS criteria, as of November 2026.
That is not the whole story. CLB 9 in all four abilities also unlocks the top skill transferability points for education and foreign work. At CLB 7 or 8, you get the lower tier.
Worked example: CLB 8 or CLB 9?
Take a single applicant, age 29, with a bachelor's degree and 3 years of work outside Canada. On IRCC's tables:
- CLB 8 in all four: 360 points
- CLB 9 in all four: 429 points
That is 69 points from language alone: 32 more core points and 37 more transferability points. For many people, no other change adds that much so fast. Try your own scores in our free CRS calculator. It shows the IELTS band next to each CLB level.
Minimum CLB levels by program
| Program | Minimum level |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | CLB 7 in all four abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job | CLB 7 in all four |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job | CLB 5 in all four |
| Federal Skilled Trades | CLB 5 speaking and listening, CLB 4 reading and writing |
Source: IRCC, as of November 2026. These are the minimums to enter the pool. To be invited, most people need far more.
How to read your own results in 4 steps
Step 1: Check you took the right test
IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Nothing else counts.
Step 2: Convert each ability on its own
Use the table for your test. Write down four CLB levels, one per ability.
Step 3: Find your weakest ability
Your lowest CLB decides your program eligibility and your transferability tier. Your core points are added up ability by ability.
Step 4: Decide if a retake is worth it
If one ability is one step below CLB 9, a retake may be your biggest lever. Our guide on being one band short helps you decide, and IELTS tips for immigration helps you prepare.
When to get licensed help
Most people can convert their own scores with IRCC's tables. If your results are close to an expiry date, or you are unsure which language should be your "first" official language, a licensed professional can review your own case. In Canada, only lawyers, Quebec notaries and licensed consultants (RCICs) may give immigration advice for a fee (IRPA s.91). Check any consultant on the CICC public register.
Frequently asked questions
How much IELTS is CLB 7?
At least 6.0 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking on IELTS General Training. CLB 7 is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
Listening 8.0, reading 7.0, writing 7.0 and speaking 7.0 on IELTS General Training. You need at least those bands in every ability.
What is the difference between CLB 8 and CLB 9?
For a single applicant, CLB 9 gives 31 core points per ability instead of 23, so 32 more points across four abilities. CLB 9 in all four also unlocks higher transferability points. In our example profile, the total gain was 69 points.
Is CELPIP easier to convert than IELTS?
It is simpler to read. Each CELPIP level is the same as the CLB level, so a 9 is CLB 9. Whether the test itself is easier for you is a different question. Some people prefer CELPIP's computer format and Canadian accents, others prefer IELTS.
Does IRCC accept PTE Academic or IELTS Academic?
No. For Express Entry, IRCC accepts PTE Core and IELTS General Training only. IELTS One Skill Retake is also not accepted.
How long are language test results valid for Express Entry?
They must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply for permanent residence. If they will expire while you are in the pool, plan a new test in time.
One ability can change your whole score
Convert your scores honestly, ability by ability. Then find the single weakest one. For many people, that one ability is worth more points than another degree or another year of work.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and it is not advice on your own case. IRCC can change its equivalency tables. Always confirm with IRCC's official page, and for your own situation speak to a licensed consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer before you act.
