What is CLB 7 in IELTS?

CLB 7 in IELTS General Training starts at 6.0 in reading, 6.0 in writing, 6.0 in listening and 6.0 in speaking, each ability on its own. CLB 7 in all four abilities is the Federal Skilled Worker minimum, and the Canadian Experience Class minimum for TEER 0 or 1 jobs. Without a partner coming, each ability at CLB 7 earns 17 CRS points.

What is CLB 9 in IELTS?

CLB 9 in IELTS General Training starts at 7.0 in reading, 7.0 in writing, 8.0 in listening and 7.0 in speaking. Without a partner coming, each ability at CLB 9 earns 31 CRS points, against 17 at CLB 7. CLB 9 in every ability also opens the higher skill transferability points in the CRS grid.

Is the CELPIP level the same as the CLB?

Mostly, yes. For CELPIP-General, levels 4 to 9 match CLB 4 to 9 one for one, ability by ability. CELPIP levels 10, 11 and 12 all map to CLB 10. A result of M, or a level under 4, sits below CLB 4 and earns no CRS language points for that ability.

How is the CLB worked out?

IRCC converts each of the four abilities separately, with the published table for the test taken. There is no overall CLB built from an average. Program minimums apply to every ability, so the lowest ability is the one to compare with a minimum such as CLB 7. CRS language points are also counted ability by ability.

What is NCLC 7 in TEF Canada?

NCLC 7 in TEF Canada is 207 to 232 in reading, 310 to 348 in writing, 249 to 279 in listening and 310 to 348 in speaking. These figures use the “Équivalence ancien score” column of the attestation, the one IRCC’s table reads. NCLC 7 in all four French abilities is the level for the French additional CRS points, 25 or 50, and for French-language category rounds.

How does PTE Core convert to CLB?

IRCC maps PTE Core scores, which run from 10 to 90, to CLB levels one ability at a time. CLB 7 starts at 60 in reading, 69 in writing, 60 in listening and 68 in speaking. CLB 9 starts at 78, 88, 82 and 84 in the same order. PTE Core is one of three English tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry.

Which language tests does IRCC accept for Express Entry?

Five: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. IRCC converts each one to the same CLB scale with its own table. IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.

How long are language test results valid for Express Entry?

IRCC requires results that are less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. IRCC says it will refuse an application made with expired results. Check the test date against both moments before you create a profile.

Language Score Converter

Convert IELTS, CELPIP, TEF and TCF scores to CLB

CLB 7 in IELTS General Training takes at least 6.0 in reading, 6.0 in writing, 6.0 in listening and 6.0 in speaking. IRCC converts each ability on its own with its published table, so a lower band in one ability lowers the CLB for that ability only. CLB 9 takes 7.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 7.0 in the same order.

Convert IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada scores to CLB levels with IRCC’s own tables, and see the CRS language points for Express Entry.

Type your test scores. IRCC’s own table maps each one to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, and the CRS grid turns that level into points.

Score → CLB

CLB → Score

Choose your language test

English tests

IELTS GeneralEnglish (bands 0-9)

CELPIP GeneralEnglish (levels 1-12)

PTE CoreEnglish (10-90)

French tests

TEF CanadaFrench (old-score column)

TCF CanadaFrench (100-699 and 0-20)

Scores never leave your browser. All conversion happens on this page, and nothing goes into the web address.

Reading

Range: 0–9

Writing

Range: 0–9

Listening

Range: 0–9

Speaking

Range: 0–9

Type one score to see its level. The full chart for this test is just below.

Use your IELTS General Training scores. IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.

Scores never leave your browser. All conversion happens on this page, and nothing goes into the web address.

Kept in this browser only, so your scores are here next time.

The full chart for IELTS General

Each row is one level. A score maps to the highest level whose lowest score it reaches. Enter a score above to mark its place.

IELTS General scores for each level, by ability
CLB	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
10+	8.0+	7.5+	8.5+	7.5+
9	7.0–7.5	7.0	8.0	7.0
8	6.5	6.5	7.5	6.5
7	6.0	6.0	6.0–7.0	6.0
6	5.0–5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5
5	4.0–4.5	5.0	5.0	5.0
4	3.5	4.0–4.5	4.5	4.0–4.5
Under 4	< 3.5	< 4.0	< 4.5	< 4.0

Bands from IRCC’s language test equivalency tables (page dated October 16, 2026; read November 11, 2026).

Published language minimums

Each row compares the levels you entered with the minimum IRCC publishes for that program. Language is one requirement of several: each program also has work, education and other rules.

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
CLB 7 minimum, all 4 abilities
Enter all four abilities to compare.
IRCC’s page The law: IRPR s. 75
Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0/1)
CLB 7 minimum, all 4 abilities
Enter all four abilities to compare.
IRCC’s page The law: IRPR s. 87.1
Canadian Experience Class (TEER 2/3)
CLB 5 minimum, all 4 abilities
Enter all four abilities to compare.
IRCC’s page The law: IRPR s. 87.1
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing
Enter all four abilities to compare.
IRCC’s page The law: IRPR s. 87.2
Citizenship (ages 18 to 54)
CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening. IRCC’s page lists the proof it accepts.
Enter listening, speaking to compare.
IRCC’s page The law: Citizenship Act s. 5
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Each province sets its own language rules. Check the province’s official page.

These rows compare numbers with a published minimum. An officer decides each application on all of its requirements.

When do my results turn two years old?

IRCC requires results that are less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. IRCC’s rule, on its language test page . IRCC’s page is dated October 16, 2026.

Test date (from your result report)

How to read your result

Worked example

Amira took IELTS General Training and got Reading 7.0, Writing 6.5, Listening 8.0 and Speaking 6.5. IRCC’s table maps those to CLB 9, 8, 9 and 8. Without a partner coming, the CRS grid gives 31 + 23 + 31 + 23 = 108 first-language points. Her lowest level is CLB 8, which is at or above the published FSW minimum of CLB 7 in each ability.

Before you enter a result

IRCC accepts five tests for Express Entry: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English; TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.
IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.
TEF Canada: if you took the test between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024, IRCC says you may need to update your Express Entry profile. Its page explains what to do.
Enter the exact numbers on your report. The table uses each ability on its own, not an overall score.

Source: IRCC language tests page