CELPIP to IELTS Score Converter
CELPIP and IELTS convert through CLB, one skill at a time. CELPIP 7 equals IELTS 6.0 in every skill, but from CELPIP 8 up, IELTS Listening needs a higher band than the other three skills.
CELPIP to IELTS chart
Convert your own scores
Pick the test you took and enter each skill. The results show the CLB and the matching score on the other two tests.
CLB per skill
Choose your scores above to see your CLB for each skill.
- Listening—
- Reading—
- Writing—
- Speaking—
Programs
- Enter all four scores
Federal Skilled Worker
- Enter all four scores
Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0 or 1 job)
- Enter all four scores
Canadian Experience Class (TEER 2 or 3 job)
- Enter all four scores
Federal Skilled Trades
- Enter all four scores
PGWP (university program)
- Enter all four scores
PGWP (college program)
- Enter all four scores
Citizenship (ages 18–54)
CRS points for your first official language
Enter all four scores to see CRS points.
Same CLB on other tests
Enter a score to see what it equals on the other tests.
How the conversion works
There's no direct CELPIP-to-IELTS formula. IRCC publishes a chart that turns each accepted test's scores into Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels. Two scores are equal when they reach the same CLB level in the same skill.
CELPIP is the easy side: a CELPIP score of 4 to 9 is the same CLB level, and 10, 11 or 12 is CLB 10+. So to convert CELPIP to IELTS, read the IELTS band for that CLB level in that skill.
Listening is where IELTS differs
At CLB 7, the IELTS band is 6.0 in every skill. From CLB 8 up, IELTS Listening needs a full band more than Writing and Speaking:
| CELPIP (each skill) | IELTS Listening | IELTS Reading | IELTS Writing | IELTS Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 10, 11 or 12 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
That's why "CELPIP 8 equals IELTS 6.5" is only true for three skills, and why an IELTS score of 7.0 in every skill gives CLB 9 in Reading, Writing and Speaking but only CLB 7 in Listening.
Converting IELTS to CELPIP
Go the other way by finding the highest CLB row your IELTS band reaches. IELTS 6.5 in Listening is CLB 7, because CLB 8 starts at 7.5. IELTS 6.5 in Reading is CLB 8. So an IELTS result of 6.5 in every skill converts to CELPIP 7 in Listening and CELPIP 8 in the other three.
The converter above does this for you: switch the test to IELTS, enter your four bands, and it shows the CLB and the matching CELPIP and PTE Core scores for each skill.
Which number matters for your application
Programs set minimums in CLB, so the conversion only tells you which test result meets which requirement. Federal Skilled Worker needs CLB 7 in all four skills: CELPIP 7, or IELTS 6.0, in each. For what every level unlocks, see the CLB level guides or use the CLB calculator with your real scores. If you're still choosing a test, CELPIP vs IELTS compares the two formats.
CELPIP to PTE Core chart
| CELPIP | CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–12 | CLB 10+ | 89+ | 88+ | 90 | 89+ |
| 9 | CLB 9 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 88–89 | 84–88 |
| 8 | CLB 8 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 79–87 | 76–83 |
| 7 | CLB 7 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 69–78 | 68–75 |
| 6 | CLB 6 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 60–68 | 59–67 |
| 5 | CLB 5 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–59 | 51–58 |
| 4 | CLB 4 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 41–50 | 42–50 |
Frequently asked questions
In three skills, yes. CELPIP 8 is CLB 8, which is IELTS 6.5 in Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening is the exception: CLB 8 needs IELTS 7.5 in Listening.
IELTS 6.0 in each skill. CELPIP 7 is CLB 7, and IRCC's chart sets CLB 7 at IELTS 6.0 for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking alike.
For Reading, Writing and Speaking it is: CELPIP 9 and IELTS 7.0 are both CLB 9. For Listening, CLB 9 takes IELTS 8.0.
CELPIP 9 in all four skills. IELTS Listening 8.0 and Reading, Writing and Speaking 7.0 are each CLB 9, and CLB 9 is CELPIP 9.
Listening 8.5, Reading 8.0, Writing 7.5 and Speaking 7.5. Those are the IELTS minimums for CLB 10+, the top of IRCC's chart. CELPIP 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10+.
No. IRCC converts each skill on its own and ignores the overall band, just as it ignores the CELPIP Average Score. Convert your four skill scores one by one.
Based on IRCC's official tables. IRCC makes the final decision on your application. For Express Entry and PGWP, results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.