IELTS Band Score Converter

IELTS reports each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and an overall band on a 0 to 9 scale in half-band steps. A 0 means the candidate did not attempt the test, 4 is a limited user, 5.5 is a modest user, 6.5 is competent, 7 is good, 8 is very good, and 9 is the expert user. The overall band uses the same scale as each section so a single number captures full proficiency.

Add the four section scores, divide by four, and round to the nearest half band using the official IELTS rule. If the raw average lands at .25 above a band, it rounds up to the next half band (6.25 to 6.5). If it lands at .75 above a band, it rounds up to the next full band (6.75 to 7.0). A 6.875 rounds to 7.0 because it sits closer to 7.0 than to 6.5; a 6.625 rounds down to 6.5. The calculator follows this rule exactly.

You can select the current TOEFL iBT 1 to 6 scale introduced in January 2026 or the legacy 0 to 120 comparison. ETS does not publish an IELTS equivalent for every current half-step, so the calculator leaves those unmapped instead of inventing a range.

IELTS and CEFR were not designed as one-to-one scales. Published guidance places bands in approximate CEFR ranges, but boundaries can overlap by skill and purpose. Use the requirement stated by the institution rather than treating one IELTS band as an exact CEFR certification.

Requirements vary by institution, program, degree level, and section. A university may set both an overall minimum and a minimum for each skill. Check the current official admissions page for the exact program rather than relying on a regional or prestige-based range.