CRS Score Tool
Express Entry · Language tests

CLB Calculator: Convert Your Test Scores to CLB Levels

Enter your four test scores to get your CLB or NCLC level in each ability, what it means for Express Entry, and the exact score you need to move up a level.

Your language test

Lowest level –See result

CLB levels and Express Entry

Each ability gets its own level, and your lowest ability decides most things: whether you can apply under a program, and your CRS skill transferability points. The minimums are (IRCC, language requirements):

Program Minimum level, all four abilities
Federal Skilled Worker CLB 7
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job CLB 7
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job CLB 5
Federal Skilled Trades CLB 5 speaking and listening, CLB 4 reading and writing

Accepted tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core for English, TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Results must be less than two years old.

CRS points for each CLB level

Points are given per ability for your first official language (IRCC, CRS criteria):

CLB level No spouse With spouse coming
Below 4 0 0
4 or 5 6 6
6 9 8
7 17 16
8 23 22
9 31 29
10 or more 34 32

The biggest jumps are from CLB 6 to 7 (+8 per ability) and from CLB 8 to 9 (+8 per ability). CLB 9 in all four abilities also unlocks the top skill transferability points, up to 50 more. Use the CRS calculator to see the full effect on your score.

IRCC equivalency charts

The calculator above uses these tables from IRCC's language test equivalency charts. Each number is the lowest score for that level.

IELTS General Training

CLB Listening Reading Writing Speaking
10 8.5 8.0 7.5 7.5
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

CELPIP-General

The CELPIP level is the CLB level: a 9 in listening is CLB 9 in listening. CELPIP 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10.

PTE Core

CLB Listening Reading Writing Speaking
10 89 88 90 89
9 82 78 88 84
8 71 69 79 76
7 60 60 69 68
6 50 51 60 59
5 39 42 51 51
4 28 33 41 42

TEF Canada (Équivalence ancien score)

NCLC Listening Reading Writing Speaking
10 316 263 393 393
9 298 248 371 371
8 280 233 349 349
7 249 207 310 310
6 217 181 271 271
5 181 151 226 226
4 145 121 181 181

TCF Canada

NCLC Listening Reading Writing Speaking
10 549 549 16 16
9 523 524 14 14
8 503 499 12 12
7 458 453 10 10
6 398 406 7 7
5 369 375 6 6
4 331 342 4 4

French as a second language

If English is your first official language, French at NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities adds up to 50 CRS points, and NCLC 7 also qualifies you for French-language draws. The calculator shows your NCLC level for TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Then add the test as your second language in the CRS calculator and compare with recent French draws.

Retaking a test? The FSW 67 points calculator and the CEC CRS calculator show what a higher level changes for those programs.

Frequently asked questions

What is CLB?

CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks, the scale IRCC uses for English. NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the same scale for French. IRCC converts your test scores into a CLB or NCLC level from 1 to 12 for each ability - listening, reading, writing and speaking. For Express Entry points, everything from level 10 up counts the same.

What IELTS score is CLB 7?

IELTS General Training 6.0 in all four abilities. CLB 9 needs listening 8.0, reading 7.0, writing 7.0 and speaking 7.0. CLB 10 needs listening 8.5, reading 8.0, writing 7.5 and speaking 7.5.

What PTE Core score is CLB 9?

Listening 82, reading 78, writing 88 and speaking 84, or higher. Only PTE Core is accepted for Express Entry, not PTE Academic.

Which TEF score do I enter?

The "Équivalence ancien score" column on your TEF Canada results. IRCC says to enter only those scores in Express Entry, whatever your test date. Entering the scores out of 699 can give the wrong NCLC level.

Why does my lowest ability matter so much?

Program minimums apply to every ability. If you have CLB 9 in three abilities and CLB 6 in one, you don't meet the CLB 7 needed for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. CRS skill transferability points also use your lowest ability.

How long are language test results valid?

Two years. Your results must be less than two years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.