IRCC converts IELTS General Training bands to CLB separately for each skill, so CLB 7 means 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. There is no single CLB for your whole test. Each of your four band scores is matched to its own CLB level using IRCC's equivalency chart.
The conversion is mostly even, with one exception that is easy to miss: listening needs a higher band than the other skills from CLB 8 upward. This guide gives the full chart, explains each CLB level in IELTS terms, and shows how to calculate your own CLB from a score report.
The IRCC chart: CLB to IELTS General Training
The table below is IRCC's equivalency chart for IELTS General Training, published on its Express Entry language test page. Columns follow IRCC's own order: reading, writing, listening, speaking.
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| CLB 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 10+ | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 8.5–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 |
Read the chart one column at a time. Your reading band places you on a CLB level for reading, your listening band places you on a level for listening, and so on. A band that falls between two rows counts at the lower row. For example, a reading band of 5.5 is above the CLB 6 figure (5.0) but below the CLB 7 figure (6.0), so it converts to CLB 6.
The chart starts at CLB 4. If you want to understand what the 12 benchmarks describe in the first place, see our guide to what CLB is.
What is CLB in IELTS terms?
CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks. The Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks describes them as "a descriptive scale of language ability in English as a Second Language (ESL) written as 12 benchmarks". The CLB was developed by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks and is the property of IRCC.
IELTS uses band scores from its own scale, so IRCC publishes a chart that places those bands on the CLB scale. When someone asks "what is CLB level in IELTS", the honest answer is that a CLB level corresponds to a set of four IELTS bands, one per skill. CLB measures each ability on its own, and the CLB guidance for learners notes that it is common to have different benchmarks in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
CLB levels in IELTS, one by one
These are the levels people search for most often. Each entry repeats the chart row and adds what to watch for.
What is CLB 4 in IELTS?
CLB 4 is reading 3.5, writing 4.0, listening 4.5 and speaking 4.0. Listening already sits half a band higher than writing and speaking at this level. CLB 4 matters for citizenship: IRCC asks adults aged 18 to 54 to show speaking and listening at CLB 4 or higher, and for IELTS General Training that means listening 4.5 or higher and speaking 4.0 or higher.
What is CLB 5 in IELTS?
CLB 5 is reading 4.0, writing 5.0, listening 5.0 and speaking 5.0. Reading is the lowest threshold here. CLB 5 is the listening and speaking minimum for the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the minimum for Canadian Experience Class applicants whose job is in TEER 2 or 3.
What is CLB 7 in IELTS?
CLB 7 is 6.0 in all four skills. This is the easiest row to remember and the one most often searched, because CLB 7 in every ability is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. CLB 7 is also the minimum for Canadian Experience Class applicants in TEER 0 or 1 jobs. A 5.5 in any one skill converts to CLB 6 for that skill.
What is CLB 8 in IELTS?
CLB 8 is reading 6.5, writing 6.5, listening 7.5 and speaking 6.5. This is where the chart becomes uneven. Reading, writing and speaking each move up half a band from CLB 7, but listening jumps a full band and a half, from 6.0 to 7.5. A listening band of 7.0 still converts to CLB 7.
What is CLB 9 in IELTS?
CLB 9 is reading 7.0, writing 7.0, listening 8.0 and speaking 7.0. Listening again needs a full band more than the other three skills. If you score 7.0 in every skill, reading, writing and speaking convert to CLB 9 while listening converts to CLB 7.
What is CLB 10 in IELTS?
CLB 10 or higher is reading 8.0 or above, writing 7.5 or above, listening 8.5 or above and speaking 7.5 or above. IRCC groups everything from these bands up to 9.0 into a single CLB 10+ row, so a 9.0 in listening and an 8.5 in listening are treated the same way in the conversion.
How to calculate CLB from your IELTS score
Converting your own results takes four steps. This is the same process whether you are checking one score report or comparing practice results.
- Take the four band scores from your IELTS General Training Test Report Form. Ignore the overall band; IRCC's chart has no row for it.
- For each skill, find that skill's column in the chart above.
- Move down the column to the highest CLB row whose band you meet or exceed. That row is your CLB for the skill.
- Write down all four CLB levels. Compare each one against the minimum for the program you are applying to.
Worked example
Say your report shows listening 8.0, reading 7.0, writing 6.5 and speaking 6.5.
| Skill | IELTS band | Chart row reached | CLB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 8.0 | Meets 8.0 for CLB 9, below 8.5 for CLB 10 | CLB 9 |
| Reading | 7.0 | Meets 7.0 for CLB 9, below 8.0 for CLB 10 | CLB 9 |
| Writing | 6.5 | Meets 6.5 for CLB 8, below 7.0 for CLB 9 | CLB 8 |
| Speaking | 6.5 | Meets 6.5 for CLB 8, below 7.0 for CLB 9 | CLB 8 |
The result is CLB 9 in listening, CLB 9 in reading, CLB 8 in writing and CLB 8 in speaking. Now change one number: if listening had been 7.0 instead of 8.0, listening would drop to CLB 7, because the listening column jumps from 6.0 straight to 7.5.
The lowest-skill rule for minimums
IRCC looks at each ability separately, and program minimums apply to every ability. Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program you need CLB 7 in all four abilities; if any one ability is below CLB 7, you are not eligible. In practice, your weakest skill decides whether you meet a minimum. A profile of CLB 9, 9, 9 and 6 does not meet the FSW requirement.
The Express Entry minimums from IRCC's language test page are:
| Program | Minimum CLB | IELTS General Training equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | CLB 7 in all four abilities | 6.0 in each skill |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 7 | 6.0 in each skill |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 | R 4.0, W 5.0, L 5.0, S 5.0 |
| Federal Skilled Trades | CLB 5 speaking and listening, CLB 4 reading and writing | S 5.0, L 5.0, R 3.5, W 4.0 |
For a fuller walkthrough of program requirements, see CELPIP and CLB scores for Express Entry.
Why each half band can matter for CRS points
Meeting the minimum is only the first check. Under the Comprehensive Ranking System, IRCC awards first official language points per ability, by CLB level. For a candidate without a spouse, each ability is worth 17 points at CLB 7, 23 at CLB 8, 31 at CLB 9 and 34 at CLB 10 or higher.
That makes the listening thresholds worth knowing. Moving listening from 7.0 to 7.5 lifts that ability from CLB 7 to CLB 8, and moving from 7.5 to 8.0 lifts it to CLB 9.
Only IELTS General Training counts
The chart above applies to IELTS General Training. IRCC's language test page states: "You must take the IELTS General Training option." IELTS Academic results are not accepted for Express Entry, even if the band scores are high.
Two other rules affect IELTS results:
- One Skill Retake: IRCC's language testing page states, "We don't accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry." Plan to sit the full test if you need a higher band in one skill.
- Citizenship: IRCC says it only accepts IELTS General Training for citizenship applications, with listening 4.5 or higher and speaking 4.0 or higher.
Results must be less than 2 years old
For Express Entry, IRCC requires language results to be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and again when you submit your application for permanent residence. A strong score report that expires between those two steps will not carry you through.
Citizenship is different: IRCC accepts results for citizenship even if they are expired.
How CELPIP and PTE Core compare
IELTS General Training is one of three English tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry. The other two are CELPIP-General and PTE Core. The CLB chart is the common yardstick across all three.
| Test | How scores convert to CLB |
|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | Level equals CLB, one to one, for levels 4 to 10+. A CELPIP 8 is CLB 8. |
| IELTS General Training | Band scores per skill, using the chart above. Listening needs higher bands from CLB 8 up. |
| PTE Core | Score ranges per skill, using IRCC's PTE Core chart below. |
CELPIP's one-to-one mapping means there is no conversion step at all. The CELPIP score chart covers its levels in detail, and CELPIP vs IELTS compares the two tests side by side.
For PTE Core, IRCC uses score ranges on the same language test page:
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 33–41 | 41–50 | 28–38 | 42–50 |
| CLB 5 | 42–50 | 51–59 | 39–49 | 51–58 |
| CLB 6 | 51–59 | 60–68 | 50–59 | 59–67 |
| CLB 7 | 60–68 | 69–78 | 60–70 | 68–75 |
| CLB 8 | 69–77 | 79–87 | 71–81 | 76–83 |
| CLB 9 | 78–87 | 88–89 | 82–88 | 84–88 |
| CLB 10+ | 88+ | 90+ | 89+ | 89+ |
If you are weighing a switch to CELPIP because the IELTS listening thresholds feel steep, you can try a full-length practice run with PrepAmigo's CELPIP mock tests before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What is CLB 7 in IELTS?
CLB 7 is 6.0 in each of the four IELTS General Training skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. All four must reach 6.0 to count as CLB 7 across the board.
Is IELTS 7 equal to CLB 9?
Only for reading, writing and speaking. A 7.0 in listening converts to CLB 7, because listening needs 7.5 for CLB 8 and 8.0 for CLB 9.
How do I check my CLB level for an IELTS score?
Take each of your four band scores and look up that skill's column in IRCC's IELTS General Training chart. Your CLB for that skill is the highest row where your band meets or exceeds the figure shown. Do this four times, once per skill.
Does IRCC use my overall IELTS band score?
No. IRCC's chart converts each skill separately and has no row for the overall band. Program minimums are checked against each ability, so one low skill can make you ineligible even when the overall band looks strong.
Can I use IELTS Academic for Express Entry?
No. IRCC states that you must take the IELTS General Training option for Express Entry. IRCC also only accepts IELTS General Training for citizenship applications.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake accepted for Express Entry?
No. IRCC states that it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.
How long are IELTS results valid for Express Entry?
Your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence.
Sources and further reading
- IRCC: Language test equivalency charts for Express Entry, for the IELTS General Training and PTE Core to CLB charts, CELPIP's one-to-one mapping, program minimums, the General Training requirement and the 2-year validity rule.
- IRCC: Language testing for Express Entry, for the One Skill Retake rule.
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Workers, for CLB 7 in all four abilities.
- IRCC: Citizenship language test results, for citizenship scores and IELTS General Training only.
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System criteria, for first official language points per ability.
- Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks: About the CLB, for the definition of the 12 benchmarks and IRCC ownership.
- Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks: For language learners, for different benchmarks across the four skills.