Free tool
IELTS to CLB calculator
Turn your IELTS General Training bands into Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for Express Entry, Canada's online system for skilled workers. It uses the chart from IRCC, Canada's immigration department.
CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) is Canada's scale of English levels. Pick your IELTS band in each skill to see your CLB level, the Express Entry programmes you meet, and your approximate CRS language points. CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) is the points score Express Entry uses to rank people.
General Training only. Academic is not accepted for Express Entry.
Your overall CLB
CLB 7
- ListeningCLB 7
- ReadingCLB 7
- WritingCLB 7
- SpeakingCLB 7
Express Entry programmes
- Federal Skilled WorkerMeets
- Canadian Experience Class: TEER 0 or 1 jobMeets
- Canadian Experience Class: TEER 2 or 3 jobMeets
- Federal Skilled TradesMeets
About 68 CRS language points (first official language)
Your weakest skills are all at CLB 7. The smallest step: raise Reading from 6.0 to 6.5 to reach CLB 8. This tool's overall CLB is your lowest skill, so it goes up only when all four skills reach CLB 8.
Approximate language points for a single applicant, from the official CRS criteria. Canada has two official languages, English and French. This tool counts your IELTS English as your first official language only, so this is not your full CRS score.
TEER (training, education, experience and responsibilities) is how Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups jobs. TEER 0 jobs are management jobs, and TEER 1 jobs usually need a university degree. TEER 2 and 3 jobs usually need a college diploma or apprenticeship training.
Figures last checked 7 October 2026
Sources:
- IRCC (Canada’s immigration department): language requirements, test equivalency charts (IELTS General Training to CLB)
- IRCC: Express Entry language test results (programme minimums)
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria, official languages
- IRCC: Express Entry for French-speaking skilled workers (choosing your first official language)
- IRCC: find your National Occupational Classification (NOC) and TEER category
Every Canada pathway and its English rule, with sources: IELTS scores for Canada
What score to aim for, One Skill Retake and how old your result can be: IELTS score for Canada PR
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
CLB 7 is IELTS General Training Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0. It is the minimum in every skill for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
CLB 9 is IELTS General Training Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0. The same band can be a different CLB level in different skills, so check each one.
How many CRS points do I get for my IELTS score?
For your first official language, a single applicant gets up to 34 points per skill at CLB 10 or above, so 136 in total. With a spouse or partner it is up to 32 per skill, so 128. These are approximate language points, not your full CRS score.
What are the Express Entry programmes in the results?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers with work experience outside Canada. The Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers with work experience in Canada. The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers qualified in a trade.