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Enter your IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF, or TCF scores and see your CLB level for each ability instantly — using the official IRCC equivalency tables that power Express Entry.
Canada converts your official test scores to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, 1–12, for each ability. Your CLB level — not the raw score — determines eligibility and CRS points. CLB 7 in all abilities is the Federal Skilled Worker minimum.
Enter all four scores to see your CLB level.
Conversions use the official IRCC equivalency tables. Results are an estimate for planning; always confirm with your official test report and canada.ca.
The official IRCC equivalency between IELTS General Training scores and CLB levels.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
CELPIP-General aligns roughly one-to-one with CLB. TEF Canada, TCF Canada, and PTE Core use their own scales — use the converter above for those.
Your CLB level drives a big share of your Express Entry points. Run it through the free CRS calculator to see your full score and where you stand against recent draws.
Calculate my CRS score — freeHow the CLB scale works, and the levels you need.
The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is the national standard Canada uses to describe language ability, on a scale from 1 to 12. For immigration, your official test scores (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core in English; TEF or TCF in French) are converted to a CLB level for each of the four abilities — listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Your CLB level, not the raw test score, is what determines eligibility and CRS points.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program requires a minimum of CLB 7 in all four abilities. The Canadian Experience Class requires CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 or 1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs. The Federal Skilled Trades Program requires CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing. Higher CLB levels (especially CLB 9+) add substantially more CRS points.
CLB 7 corresponds to IELTS General Training scores of 6.0 in each of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. CLB 9 — the level that unlocks the most CRS points — corresponds to Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, and Speaking 7.0.
Almost — CELPIP-General is designed to align closely with the CLB scale, so a CELPIP score of 9 in an ability is roughly CLB 9, a 7 is CLB 7, and so on (capped at CLB 10 for immigration). Enter your CELPIP scores in the converter above to see the exact CLB per ability.
Yes. Program eligibility is based on meeting the minimum CLB in every ability, so your lowest-scoring ability effectively sets your qualifying level. In the CRS, each ability is scored, so a single weak ability both risks eligibility and costs points — often the highest-value area to retest.
For Canadian immigration, language test results are generally valid for two years from the test date and must be valid on the day you submit your application (and when you receive an invitation). If your results are close to expiring, plan to retest.
Calculate your full Express Entry score.
Why language is the fastest lever you control.
How the whole system works in 2026.
See which program your CLB qualifies you for.
General information, not legal advice, reflecting IRCC equivalency tables current as of September 2026. Always confirm with your official test report and canada.ca before you apply.