Fill in a skill to start.
By Matthew Zare, CELPIP teacher at CELTESTPIPReviewed against IRCC's language tables
IRCC turns each skill on your test into its own CLB level. CELPIP-General matches one to one: CELPIP 7 is CLB 7. On IELTS General Training, CLB 7 is 6.0 in every skill, and CLB 9 is 8.0 Listening and 7.0 in the rest. On PTE Core, CLB 7 starts at 60 Listening and Reading, 68 Speaking and 69 Writing.
Use the calculator above to see your CLB in each skill and your Express Entry language points, or read the full tables further down. They come from IRCC and use the same skill order every time.
No official score yet? Answer a scored practice set in every CELPIP part, then bring your Listening and Reading scores back here. The first practice set of each part is free after sign-up. Start practising
What is a CLB level, and is it one number or four?
Four. CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmark, the scale Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to read every English test it accepts. Your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking results each get their own CLB level. There is no overall CLB.
That changes how you read your result. Each program sets a minimum for each skill. The Federal Skilled Worker Program asks for CLB 7 in all four, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program asks for CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening and CLB 4 in Reading and Writing (IRCC, Express Entry language test results). One weak skill can sink an application even when the other three are strong.
For what each program needs and how many CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points every level earns, see our guide to CLB minimums and CRS points for Express Entry.
How do IELTS General Training scores convert to CLB?
Find your band in each column, then read the CLB level on the left. You need at least the score in a row to reach that level. IELTS Listening 7.0, for example, clears the CLB 7 row (6.0) but not the CLB 8 row (7.5), so it counts as CLB 7.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 8.5 to 9.0 | 8.0 to 9.0 | 7.5 to 9.0 | 7.5 to 9.0 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Source: IRCC, Express Entry language test results (CLB 7 to 10) and How to find your language level based on your test results (CLB 4 to 6).
Only the General Training version counts for Express Entry. IRCC also says it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.
How do PTE Core scores convert to CLB?
Same method: find your score in each column. PTE Core gives a range for every level, so a score inside the range gets that level.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 89 or higher | 88 or higher | 90 | 89 or higher |
| 9 | 82 to 88 | 78 to 87 | 88 to 89 | 84 to 88 |
| 8 | 71 to 81 | 69 to 77 | 79 to 87 | 76 to 83 |
| 7 | 60 to 70 | 60 to 68 | 69 to 78 | 68 to 75 |
| 6 | 50 to 59 | 51 to 59 | 60 to 68 | 59 to 67 |
| 5 | 39 to 49 | 42 to 50 | 51 to 59 | 51 to 58 |
| 4 | 28 to 38 | 33 to 41 | 41 to 50 | 42 to 50 |
Source: the same two IRCC pages. Express Entry accepts the PTE Core option only.
Look at Writing. CLB 9 sits in a band only two points wide (88 to 89), and CLB 10 needs 90. On PTE Core, the top of the Writing scale is where the levels get tight.
How do CELPIP scores convert to CLB?
One to one. A CELPIP 8 in Reading is CLB 8 in Reading. No table to decode.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Source: the same two IRCC pages, CELPIP-General tables. For Express Entry you must take CELPIP-General.
CELPIP reports levels from 0 to 12, and from level 3 up your CELPIP level is your CLB level, per CELPIP's own score comparison chart. The low end works a little differently; our page on what each CELPIP level means walks through it.
Listening and Reading first turn your correct answers into a level. If you want to see how many correct answers that takes, read the CELPIP Reading score chart or the CELPIP Listening score chart.
How do TEF Canada and TCF Canada scores convert to NCLC?
The same way, on NCLC, the French version of the scale. Express Entry counts an NCLC level exactly like the same CLB level, so NCLC 9 earns the same points as CLB 9.
On TEF Canada, use the "Équivalence ancien score" column of your results. IRCC says not to enter the score out of 699 in your Express Entry profile.
| NCLC level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 316 to 360 | 263 to 300 | 393 to 450 | 393 to 450 |
| 9 | 298 to 315 | 248 to 262 | 371 to 392 | 371 to 392 |
| 8 | 280 to 297 | 233 to 247 | 349 to 370 | 349 to 370 |
| 7 | 249 to 279 | 207 to 232 | 310 to 348 | 310 to 348 |
| 6 | 217 to 248 | 181 to 206 | 271 to 309 | 271 to 309 |
| 5 | 181 to 216 | 151 to 180 | 226 to 270 | 226 to 270 |
| 4 | 145 to 180 | 121 to 150 | 181 to 225 | 181 to 225 |
On TCF Canada, Listening and Reading are scored out of 699, and Writing and Speaking out of 20.
| NCLC level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 549 to 699 | 549 to 699 | 16 to 20 | 16 to 20 |
| 9 | 523 to 548 | 524 to 548 | 14 to 15 | 14 to 15 |
| 8 | 503 to 522 | 499 to 523 | 12 to 13 | 12 to 13 |
| 7 | 458 to 502 | 453 to 498 | 10 to 11 | 10 to 11 |
| 6 | 398 to 457 | 406 to 452 | 7 to 9 | 7 to 9 |
| 5 | 369 to 397 | 375 to 405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331 to 368 | 342 to 374 | 4 to 5 | 4 to 5 |
Source: IRCC, Express Entry language test results, TEF Canada and TCF Canada tables.
French also earns extra points. With NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills, Express Entry adds 25 points, or 50 if you also have CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills (IRCC, CRS criteria).
What is CLB 7 on IELTS, PTE Core and CELPIP?
CLB 7 is the floor for many economic programs, and it's the same "6 across the board" on IELTS.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| IELTS General Training | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| PTE Core | 60 to 70 | 60 to 68 | 69 to 78 | 68 to 75 |
A floor is a floor, not a target. If you're in Express Entry, check what each level is worth in CRS points in our CLB and CRS guide before you settle for 7.
What is CLB 9 on IELTS, PTE Core and CELPIP?
CLB 9 is where IELTS stops being even. You need 8.0 in Listening but 7.0 in the other three.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| IELTS General Training | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| PTE Core | 82 to 88 | 78 to 87 | 88 to 89 | 84 to 88 |
This is the mistake I see most. People read "IELTS 7 = CLB 9", get 7.5 in Listening, and find out they are at CLB 8 in that skill. Check the Listening column on its own.
Thinking about switching tests because of it? Our CELPIP vs IELTS comparison covers the differences skill by skill.
What is CLB 10 on each test?
CLB 10 is the top row in IRCC's tables, written as "10 and above".
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 |
| IELTS General Training | 8.5 to 9.0 | 8.0 to 9.0 | 7.5 to 9.0 | 7.5 to 9.0 |
| PTE Core | 89 or higher | 88 or higher | 90 | 89 or higher |
Notice the IELTS Listening column again: CLB 10 starts at 8.5, while Writing and Speaking start at 7.5.
Which English tests does IRCC accept for Express Entry?
Three: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. IRCC lists them on its Express Entry language test page, and your results must be less than 2 years old both when you create your profile and when you apply.
French tests (TEF Canada and TCF Canada) use NCLC, the French version of the scale, and IRCC publishes their tables on the same page.
Applying for something other than Express Entry? Minimums differ. See the CELPIP score you need for citizenship or CELPIP for a post-graduation work permit.
Why does the calculator show two levels?
Because CELPIP's own chart does. In Listening and Reading, celpip.ca publishes approximate ranges of correct answers for each level, and the ranges overlap. A Listening score of 33 sits in both the level 8 range (30 to 33) and the level 9 range (33 to 35), because questions differ in difficulty from one test to another, so the number of correct answers a level needs can shift slightly. When you see "8 or 9", plan with the lower number and aim a few points higher in your next practice test.
Frequently asked questions
Is CLB the same as CELPIP?
No, but on CELPIP they share numbers. CLB is IRCC's scale for every accepted test. CELPIP is one test. A CELPIP level of 3 or higher is the same number on the CLB scale.
Is my CLB level my lowest score?
No. You have four CLB levels, one per skill. Programs set a minimum for each skill, so your lowest skill decides whether you meet a minimum, but each skill keeps its own level.
Is there a CLB calculator?
Yes, at the top of this page. Pick your test, enter your four scores and it shows your CLB in each skill. The tables below give the same result by hand.
Does CELPIP-General LS convert to CLB the same way?
Yes. CELPIP-General LS reports Listening and Speaking only, on the same level scale, so each level maps to the same CLB. Express Entry does not accept it, though: IRCC asks for the full CELPIP-General. The LS test is used for Canadian citizenship, which needs CLB 4 in Listening and Speaking.
Where do these numbers come from?
From IRCC. Every table on this page is copied from canada.ca, linked under each table. If IRCC changes a table, its page is the one to trust, and we'll update ours.
Use this calculator on your own site. Immigration consultants and teachers can embed it for free. Copy this code:
<iframe src="https://www.celtestpip.com/tools/clb-calculator/embed" width="100%" height="1400" style="border:0;display:block" title="CELPIP score calculator"></iframe>
<script>addEventListener("message",function(e){if(e.origin!=="https://www.celtestpip.com"||!e.data||e.data.type!=="celtestpip:height")return;document.querySelectorAll("iframe").forEach(function(f){if(f.contentWindow===e.source)f.style.height=e.data.height+"px"})});</script>Or link to it: https://www.celtestpip.com/tools/clb-calculator
Find your CELPIP level before you book
Knowing the chart is step one. Knowing your own level is step two. Answer a scored practice set in every CELPIP part and see which skill is holding you below your target. The first practice set of each part is free after sign-up.
For every CELPIP score chart in one place, start at our Scores & CLB guides.
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