Free tool, no account needed
CLB calculator: turn your test scores into CLB levels
Enter your IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada scores and get your Canadian Language Benchmark level for each ability, the CRS points it earns and the Express Entry programs it qualifies for.
Updated
- Free, no sign-up
- IRCC charts as of June 22, 2026
- All five accepted tests
How do I convert my test score to CLB?
IRCC converts each ability separately with a chart for each test. For IELTS General Training, CLB 7 is 6.0 in every ability, and CLB 9 is 7.0 speaking, 8.0 listening, 7.0 reading and 7.0 writing. For CELPIP-General, your score in each ability is your CLB level, up to CLB 10. French tests use the same scale, called NCLC. Your overall level for most program rules is your lowest ability.
- CLB 7 on IELTS
- 6.0 in every ability
- CLB 9 on IELTS
- L 8.0, others 7.0
- CLB 7 on CELPIP
- 7 in every ability
- Results valid
- 2 years
IELTS General Training to CLB
Only IELTS General Training counts for Express Entry. IELTS Academic and the One Skill Retake are not accepted.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | 7.5 to 9.0 | 8.5 to 9.0 | 8.0 to 9.0 | 7.5 to 9.0 |
| CLB 9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 to 7.5 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 to 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 to 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 to 4.5 | 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4.0 to 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 to 4.5 |
CELPIP-General to CLB
CELPIP was designed around the CLB, so each ability score equals the CLB level, up to 10.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 |
| CLB 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| CLB 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| CLB 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| CLB 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
PTE Core to CLB
PTE Core is the Pearson test IRCC accepts. PTE Academic does not count for Express Entry.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10+ | 89 to 90 | 89 to 90 | 88 to 90 | 90 to 90 |
| CLB 9 | 84 to 88 | 82 to 88 | 78 to 87 | 88 to 89 |
| CLB 8 | 76 to 83 | 71 to 81 | 69 to 77 | 79 to 87 |
| CLB 7 | 68 to 75 | 60 to 70 | 60 to 68 | 69 to 78 |
| CLB 6 | 59 to 67 | 50 to 59 | 51 to 59 | 60 to 68 |
| CLB 5 | 51 to 58 | 39 to 49 | 42 to 50 | 51 to 59 |
| CLB 4 | 42 to 50 | 28 to 38 | 33 to 41 | 41 to 50 |
TEF Canada to NCLC
Use the “Équivalence ancien score” on your TEF Canada result, not the score out of 699.
| NCLC | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 393 to 450 | 316 to 360 | 263 to 300 | 393 to 450 |
| NCLC 9 | 371 to 392 | 298 to 315 | 248 to 262 | 371 to 392 |
| NCLC 8 | 349 to 370 | 280 to 297 | 233 to 247 | 349 to 370 |
| NCLC 7 | 310 to 348 | 249 to 279 | 207 to 232 | 310 to 348 |
| NCLC 6 | 271 to 309 | 217 to 248 | 181 to 206 | 271 to 309 |
| NCLC 5 | 226 to 270 | 181 to 216 | 151 to 180 | 226 to 270 |
| NCLC 4 | 181 to 225 | 145 to 180 | 121 to 150 | 181 to 225 |
TCF Canada to NCLC
Speaking and writing are scored out of 20; listening and reading out of 699.
| NCLC | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 16 to 20 | 549 to 699 | 549 to 699 | 16 to 20 |
| NCLC 9 | 14 to 15 | 523 to 548 | 524 to 548 | 14 to 15 |
| NCLC 8 | 12 to 13 | 503 to 522 | 499 to 523 | 12 to 13 |
| NCLC 7 | 10 to 11 | 458 to 502 | 453 to 498 | 10 to 11 |
| NCLC 6 | 7 to 9 | 398 to 457 | 406 to 452 | 7 to 9 |
| NCLC 5 | 6 | 369 to 397 | 375 to 405 | 6 |
| NCLC 4 | 4 to 5 | 331 to 368 | 342 to 374 | 4 to 5 |
What CLB level do you need?
| Program | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 | CLB 5 | CLB 5 | CLB 5 |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | CLB 5 | CLB 5 | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
Meeting the minimum gets you into the pool; higher levels earn more CRS points. CRS points for each CLB level.
CLB levels explained
CLB 10
IELTS 8.5 to 9.0 listening, CELPIP 10+. 34 CRS points per ability. CLB 10 on every test
CLB 9
IELTS 8.0 listening, CELPIP 9. 31 CRS points per ability. CLB 9 on every test
CLB 8
IELTS 7.5 listening, CELPIP 8. 23 CRS points per ability. CLB 8 on every test
CLB 7
IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 listening, CELPIP 7. 17 CRS points per ability. CLB 7 on every test
CLB 6
IELTS 5.5 listening, CELPIP 6. 9 CRS points per ability. CLB 6 on every test
CLB 5
IELTS 5.0 listening, CELPIP 5. 6 CRS points per ability. CLB 5 on every test
CLB 4
IELTS 4.5 listening, CELPIP 4. 6 CRS points per ability. CLB 4 on every test
Where this information comes from
CRS points come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Comprehensive Ranking System criteria, as modified on June 22, 2026.
Language test conversions come from IRCC, Express Entry: language test results, as modified on June 22, 2026.
CVMaple is not affiliated with IRCC. This calculator gives an estimate; your official score is the one in your Express Entry profile. Rules change, so check the IRCC pages before you rely on a number.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
At least 6.0 in each of speaking, listening, reading and writing on IELTS General Training.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
At least 7.0 in speaking, 8.0 in listening, 7.0 in reading and 7.0 in writing on IELTS General Training.
What is my overall CLB level?
IRCC looks at each ability. When a program asks for “CLB 7”, you need CLB 7 in all four, so your overall level is your lowest ability. CRS points are still counted ability by ability.
What is the difference between CLB and NCLC?
They are the same scale. CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) is used for English and NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) for French.
Is IELTS Academic accepted for Express Entry?
No. Only IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.
How long are language test results valid?
Two years from the test date. They must be valid when you create your profile and on the day you submit your application.
Know your CLB? See your full score.
Language is up to 160 CRS points, but age, education and work matter too. The CRS calculator puts them together.
Language levels and Express Entry
- CRS Calculator 2026: Your Express Entry score from real test scores, and the changes that would raise it. Free.
- CRS Score Chart: Every Express Entry points table: age, education, language, work and extra points.
- CLB 7 Equivalent Scores: The IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF and TCF scores for CLB 7, and its CRS points.
- CLB 9 Equivalent Scores: The IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF and TCF scores for CLB 9, and its CRS points.
- How to Improve Your CRS Score: Language, French, work, ECAs and nominations, each priced in real CRS points.
- CRS Calculator for CEC: Canadian Experience Class rules, sample scores and your CRS as a worker in Canada.