CLB to IELTS Conversion Calculator
Two-way converter for Canadian immigration: find the IELTS scores you need for each CLB level, or discover your CLB from your IELTS scores.
Select your target CLB level
Listening
6
minimum
Reading
6
minimum
Writing
6
minimum
Speaking
6
minimum
ℹ️These are minimum IELTS General Training scores required. All four skills must meet the minimum.
CLB to IELTS Conversion Table (General Training)
| CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 |
| CLB 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| CLB 10 | 8.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
IELTS Requirements for Canadian Immigration Programs
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker
Minimum CLB: CLB 7
IELTS Score: L6.0 R6.0 W6.0 S6.0
Minimum; higher scores earn more CRS points
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Minimum CLB: CLB 7 (NOC TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (NOC TEER 2/3)
IELTS Score: L6.0 R6.0 W6.0 S6.0 / L5.0 R4.0 W5.0 S5.0
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Minimum CLB: Varies (typically CLB 4–7)
IELTS Score: Varies by province and stream
Canadian Study Permit
Minimum CLB: Not CLB-based
IELTS Score: 6.0–7.0 depending on institution
Uses IELTS Academic
Need to improve your IELTS score for Canada?
Expert IELTS preparation to reach the CLB level you need for Express Entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is Canada's national standard for describing English language ability. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses CLB levels to assess applicants for programs like Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class, and Provincial Nominee Programs.
For Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) under Express Entry, you need a minimum CLB 7 in all four skills, which corresponds to IELTS General Training scores of at least L6.0, R6.0, W6.0, S6.0.
No. Canadian immigration (Express Entry, PNP, CEC) requires IELTS General Training, not Academic. IELTS Academic is typically required for Canadian university admissions.
Higher CLB levels directly increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. CLB 9 in all skills adds significantly more points than CLB 7. The difference between CLB 9 and CLB 10 in Speaking, for example, is 6 additional CRS points for a single applicant.
Yes. CELPIP-General is accepted by IRCC for Express Entry and other immigration programs as an alternative to IELTS General Training.
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