CELPIP to IELTS score converter (with the CLB chart)
Convert your CELPIP level to an equivalent IELTS band — free interactive tool. Both tests map to the CLB, so here's the exact per-skill equivalency IRCC uses.
⚡ The short version
- There's no official direct CELPIP↔IELTS conversion — both tests are mapped to the CLB, and the CLB is the bridge between them.
- CELPIP levels equal CLB one-to-one (CELPIP 9 = CLB 9). Each CLB then maps to a minimum IELTS band that differs by skill.
- Use the interactive tool below to convert your four CELPIP scores to equivalent IELTS General Training bands.
If you've studied for CELPIP and someone asks for your "IELTS score," there's no switch to flip — the two tests don't convert directly. But there is a precise way to compare them, because IRCC maps both to the same yardstick: the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Convert your scores below, then read on for exactly how the equivalency works.
| Skill | CELPIP | CLB | IELTS (min band) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Level 9 | CLB 9 | 8.0 |
| Reading | Level 9 | CLB 9 | 7.0 |
| Writing | Level 8 | CLB 8 | 6.5 |
| Speaking | Level 7 | CLB 7 | 6.0 |
There is no official direct CELPIP↔IELTS conversion — both are mapped to the CLB, so this bridges through it (CELPIP is 1:1 with CLB; the IELTS figure is the minimum General Training band for that CLB per the IRCC equivalency chart). IELTS Academic is not accepted for Canadian immigration. Always confirm current requirements with IRCC.
Fair warning: the IELTS figures are the minimum General Training band that reaches each CLB level. Confirm current requirements with IRCC for your program.
Why there's no direct CELPIP-to-IELTS conversion
CELPIP and IELTS are built by different organizations on different scales — CELPIP reports Levels 1–12, IELTS reports bands 1–9. Neither owner publishes a chart converting one to the other, and you should be wary of any tool that claims a exact one-to-one swap.
What does exist is official: IRCC converts every accepted test to the CLB so it can compare applicants fairly. That makes the CLB the honest bridge:
- Your CELPIP level → CLB (this part is easy — they're identical).
- That CLB → the equivalent IELTS band (per skill).
Step 1 — CELPIP maps 1:1 to CLB
CELPIP-General was designed against the CLB, so each skill converts with no math: a CELPIP Level 8 in Reading is CLB 8 in Reading, and so on. The only wrinkle is at the top — Levels 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10 for Express Entry, because CLB 10 is the highest band the points grid rewards. (More on the levels in CELPIP levels explained.)
Step 2 — CLB to IELTS General Training, skill by skill
Here's the part people get wrong: the IELTS band for a given CLB is not the same across skills. Listening needs the highest bands; Reading the lowest. This is the official IRCC CLB ↔ IELTS General Training equivalency:
| CLB (= CELPIP level) | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (CELPIP 10–12) | 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 |
Read a row across and you have your full conversion. A CELPIP 9 (CLB 9 in every skill) is about an IELTS 8.0 Listening / 7.0 Reading / 7.0 Writing / 7.0 Speaking — note how the Listening bar is a full point higher than Reading for the same benchmark.
The catch: your weakest skill sets everything
Immigration eligibility is decided per skill, and your programs care about your lowest one. If your CELPIP is 9/9/9/6, you don't have "a CLB 9" — you have a CLB 6, because Speaking drags you down. The same is true on IELTS. That's why the tool above shows each skill separately and flags your floor — see what CELPIP level you need for PR for the program minimums.
Going the other way (IELTS → CELPIP)
The same chart works in reverse: find your IELTS band in a skill's column, and the CLB on the left is your CELPIP-equivalent level for that skill. Because IELTS bands sometimes span a benchmark (e.g. Reading 7.0 and 7.5 both land at CLB 9), always round to the lower CLB the band reaches.
One thing the converter can't tell you: which test to take
The scores are interchangeable through the CLB, but the experience isn't. If you're still deciding, CELPIP vs IELTS breaks down the format differences — computer vs paper, a recorded Speaking task vs a live interview, accents, and turnaround. And whichever you pick, the fastest way to move up a level is to find your weakest skill and drill it:
You can practise Reading and Listening free, and get AI-scored Writing and Speaking feedback — so you walk in knowing exactly where your CLB floor is.
Equivalency figures above are the official IRCC CLB ↔ IELTS General Training chart (IELTS Academic is not accepted for economic immigration) and the CELPIP-General → CLB one-to-one mapping, current as of July 2026. IRCC can revise requirements — confirm the latest on canada.ca before you rely on a specific band for your application.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official CELPIP to IELTS conversion?
No. CELPIP and IELTS are separate tests with different scales, and IRCC does not publish a direct CELPIP-to-IELTS chart. Instead, both are mapped to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). CELPIP levels equal CLB one-to-one, and IELTS General Training bands convert to CLB using IRCC's official equivalency chart — so the CLB is how you compare the two.
What IELTS score is equal to CELPIP 9?
CELPIP Level 9 equals CLB 9 in every skill. In IELTS General Training, CLB 9 needs a minimum of Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, and Speaking 7.0. So a CELPIP 9 across the board is roughly an IELTS Listening 8.0 / Reading 7.0 / Writing 7.0 / Speaking 7.0.
What IELTS score equals CELPIP 7?
CELPIP Level 7 equals CLB 7. In IELTS General Training, CLB 7 is a 6.0 in each of the four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. CLB 7 is the common Federal Skilled Worker minimum.
Does IELTS Academic work for Canadian immigration?
No. For IRCC economic immigration (Express Entry and most PNPs) you must take IELTS General Training, not IELTS Academic. CELPIP-General is the CELPIP version accepted for permanent residence.
Which is easier, CELPIP or IELTS?
Neither is officially easier — a CLB 9 is a CLB 9 on either test. CELPIP is fully computer-delivered with a computer-based Speaking task and all-Canadian/North American accents; IELTS General Training has a face-to-face Speaking interview and a wider mix of accents. Pick the format that suits you.
