Free tool · Canada
IELTS to CLB calculator
Your IELTS General Training bands as CLB levels, the CRS language points they earn, and the half band that adds the most points.
116 / 136 CRS language points
CLB 8+ in every skillBest next half band: Writing 7.0 adds 8 points. Check an essay to see what holds your Writing back.
Uses the IRCC equivalency chart and CRS first official language points (checked 6 October 2026). Language points only, for the principal applicant; “with spouse” assumes your partner comes with you and is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.
IELTS General Training to CLB chart
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | CRS per skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 34 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 31 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 23 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 17 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 9 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6 |
Bands are the minimum for each level. CRS points are per skill for a single applicant (first official language).
Getting Writing to 7.0
For many applicants, Writing is the skill that stands between CLB 8 and CLB 9, and that step also decides your skill transferability tier: see what your Writing score is worth in CRS points. The band descriptors explained page shows what changes from 6.5 to 7, and the essay checker marks the sentences holding your essay back. General Training Task 2 is marked the same way as Academic.
Questions
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
6.0 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking (IELTS General Training). CLB 7 in all four skills is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0. CLB 9 earns 31 CRS points per skill for a single applicant, against 23 at CLB 8, so it is often the biggest jump available.
What IELTS score do I need for a PGWP?
CLB 7 in all four skills (IELTS General Training 6.0 in each) if you studied at a university, or CLB 5 for college programmes. The result must be under 2 years old when you apply. The PGWP IELTS guide covers the details.
Does Express Entry accept IELTS Academic?
No. Express Entry accepts IELTS General Training, not Academic. The CLB chart on this page is for General Training.
Why does Writing matter so much for CLB 9?
Writing needs 7.0 for CLB 9, and it is the skill many test takers find hardest to raise. Going from 6.5 to 7.0 in Writing adds 8 CRS points for a single applicant.
Is this an official calculator?
No. It uses the IRCC equivalency chart and CRS first-language points as published on canada.ca (checked 6 October 2026). It covers the language part of your core score only, not your full CRS score. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.