FREE TOOL · IELTS · TOEFL iBT · CEFR
IELTS ↔ TOEFL
score conversion.
TOEFL iBT total (1–6)
CEFR: IELTS B2 · TOEFL B2
Sections: Reading 4 · Listening 4.5 · Writing 4.5 · Speaking 4
Old 0–120 scale: about 81
Comparison tables are a general guide, not an exact equivalence: they can’t predict the score one person would get on two different tests. Each university or visa office sets its own minimums for each test.
In short: ETS compares the two tests in a published chart. On the new TOEFL 1–6 scale (tests from 21 January 2026), IELTS 7 lines up with a TOEFL total of 5, IELTS 6.5 with 4.5, IELTS 6 with 4 and IELTS 8 or higher with 6. On the old 0–120 scale, IELTS 7 aligned with about 91 and IELTS 6.5 with about 81. Both tests also map to the CEFR: IELTS 7–8 and TOEFL 5–5.5 are C1. These charts are a guide, not an exact equivalence, so always check the minimum each university or visa office sets for the test you take.
Updated 2 November 2026 · Trestle editorial team, Qoodly
Key takeaways
- New TOEFL scale: IELTS 9, 8.5 and 8 → 6; 7.5 → 5.5; 7 → 5; 6.5 → 4.5; 6 → 4; 5.5 → 3.5; 5 → 2.5.
- Old TOEFL scale: IELTS 7 ≈ 91, 6.5 ≈ 81, 6 ≈ 67, 7.5 ≈ 100, 8 ≈ 108.
- ETS rounds the TOEFL total up to the next half band in this chart to avoid overstating ability.
- Universities set separate minimums for each test; a converted score doesn’t replace them.
IELTS to TOEFL iBT: the ETS chart (2026)
| IELTS | TOEFL total (1–6) | Reading | Listening | Writing | Speaking | Old TOEFL (0–120) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 120 |
| 8.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 115 |
| 8 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6 | 108 |
| 7.5 | 5.5 | 5 | 5 | 5.5 | 5 | 100 |
| 7 | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 4.5 | 91 |
| 6.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 81 |
| 6 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 67 |
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 51 |
| 5 | 2.5 | 3 | 2.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 40 |
| 4.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 26 |
| 4 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 14 |
The 1–6 columns come from ETS’s score-scale update for tests taken from 21 January 2026; ETS notes that totals are the average of the section scores rounded up to the next half band. The 0–120 column is ETS’s comparison of TOEFL iBT totals with IELTS Academic overall bands, for scores from before the change. To move between the two TOEFL scales, use the TOEFL score converter.
TOEFL to IELTS
Read the same chart from the other side: a TOEFL total of 6 sits next to IELTS 8, 8.5 and 9; 5.5 next to 7.5; 5 next to 7; 4.5 next to 6.5; 4 next to 6; 3.5 next to 5.5; 2.5 next to 5. A TOEFL total of 3 isn’t listed: it falls between the rows for IELTS 5 and 5.5. The tool above shows this for any band.
IELTS, TOEFL and the CEFR
| CEFR | IELTS (ielts.org) | TOEFL iBT (1–6, ETS) |
|---|---|---|
| C2 | 8.5 and above | 6 |
| C1 | 7–8 (8 is borderline C1/C2) | 5–5.5 |
| B2 | 5.5–6.5 | 4–4.5 |
| B1 | around 4–5 (ielts.org: band 5 may be B1 or B2) | 3–3.5 |
ielts.org says there is no one-to-one correspondence between IELTS bands and CEFR levels, and that a C1 threshold falls between 6.5 and 7. ETS reports a CEFR level on every TOEFL iBT score report.
ETS says comparison tables are useful guides but can’t predict the exact score a person would get on two different tests. If a programme asks for IELTS 7, it may ask for a TOEFL score that is not exactly 5, so read each requirement separately.
Which test should you take?
If a university accepts both, compare the formats rather than the numbers: see IELTS vs TOEFL. To see where you stand today, use the IELTS score calculator or the TOEFL score calculator.
Questions
What is IELTS 7 in TOEFL?
In ETS’s chart for the new TOEFL scale, IELTS 7 lines up with a TOEFL total of 5 (sections 4.5–5). On the old 0–120 scale it aligned with about 91.
What is IELTS 6.5 in TOEFL?
A TOEFL total of 4.5 on the 1–6 scale, or about 81 on the old 0–120 scale, according to ETS’s comparison.
What is TOEFL 100 in IELTS?
On the old 0–120 scale, ETS aligns 100 with IELTS 7.5. On the new scale, 100 is in the range ETS reports as a band 5 (95–106), which sits next to IELTS 7.
Is the conversion exact?
No. ETS and the IELTS partners both say comparisons are a guide. Universities and visa offices set their own minimums for each test.
Sources
- ETS: TOEFL score scale (1–6) and IELTS comparison
- ETS: TOEFL iBT (0–120) and IELTS score comparison
- IELTS: IELTS and the CEFR (ielts.org)
- ETS: TOEFL iBT score scale update, what you need to know
Formats and scores can change. Confirm the details for your test date with the test maker before you book.
Trestle is independent practice by Qoodly. It is not affiliated with, endorsed or approved by ETS or the IELTS partners. TOEFL, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL ITP are registered trademarks of ETS. IELTS is a registered trademark of the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.