Ranges follow the official ETS TOEFL iBT and IELTS score comparison. The comparison is a guide, not an exact equivalence, so confirm the score your university accepts.
TOEFL to IELTS conversion table
Based on the official ETS comparison of TOEFL iBT total scores and IELTS Academic bands, with the 2026 TOEFL 1.0–6.0 band and CEFR level for each row.
| IELTS band | TOEFL iBT (0–120) | 2026 TOEFL band | CEFR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118–120 | 6.0 | C2 |
| 8.5 | 115–117 | 5.5 | C1 |
| 8.0 | 110–114 | 5.5 | C1 |
| 7.5 | 102–109 | 5.0 | C1 |
| 7.0 | 94–101 | 4.5 | B2 |
| 6.5 | 79–93 | 4.0 | B2 |
| 6.0 | 60–78 | 3.5 | B1 |
| 5.5 | 46–59 | 3.0 | B1 |
| 5.0 | 35–45 | 2.5 | A2 |
| 4.5 | 32–34 | 2.0 | A2 |
| 4.0 or below | 0–31 | 1.0–1.5 | A1 |
1. How TOEFL and IELTS Scores Compare
TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic report on different scales. TOEFL has used a 0–120 total for years, and from January 2026 it also reports a 1.0–6.0 band. IELTS reports a single 0–9 band. To let universities read one against the other, ETS ran a concordance study and published the comparison this converter uses. A TOEFL total maps to a range of IELTS bands, and each IELTS band maps back to a range of TOEFL totals.
The comparison is an alignment, not an exact equivalence. The two tests measure English differently, so a converted score is the best available estimate rather than an official second result. ETS itself advises institutions to treat the table as guidance and to set their own requirements. Use the converted band to see roughly where you stand, then check the exact figure each university lists.
If you only have section scores from a practice test, work out your overall first with the TOEFL score calculator, then bring the total back here to convert it.
2. Common TOEFL to IELTS Conversions
These are the lookups people search for most. Each one comes straight from the ETS comparison table above.
- TOEFL 110 sits in 110–114, which maps to IELTS 8.0 (CEFR C1).
- TOEFL 100 sits in 94–101, which maps to IELTS 7.0 (CEFR B2).
- TOEFL 90 sits in 79–93, which maps to IELTS 6.5 (CEFR B2).
- TOEFL 80 sits in 79–93, which maps to IELTS 6.5 (CEFR B2).
- TOEFL 70 sits in 60–78, which maps to IELTS 6.0 (CEFR B1).
- TOEFL 60 sits in 60–78, which maps to IELTS 6.0 (CEFR B1).
The jump from IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 is the one to watch. It is the difference between TOEFL 93 and 94, a single point, yet it is the cutoff many graduate programs use. If you are close, a short push on your weakest section can move you across the line.
3. Section-by-Section Comparison
ETS also publishes section-level comparisons for Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, because a university may enforce a minimum on one skill as well as on the overall score. The converter on this page works on the total, which is what most admissions pages quote. If a programme lists a per-skill IELTS minimum, convert your overall first, then check each TOEFL section against the published band for that skill.
A practical habit: clear the headline number with room to spare, then make sure no single section is dragging. A profile that is even across the four skills converts more cleanly than one with a strong total hiding a weak section.
4. TOEFL or IELTS: Which Should You Take?
If both tests are accepted, pick the format that plays to your strengths. TOEFL is fully computer based: you type your essays and record your speaking answers into a microphone. IELTS offers a face to face speaking interview with an examiner and, in many centres, a paper option for the written sections. Test takers who freeze in a live interview often prefer TOEFL; those who find typing under time pressure harder may prefer IELTS.
The scores convert either way, so this is a comfort and logistics decision more than a scoring one. For a full breakdown of format, timing, and cost, see TOEFL vs IELTS 2026. To practise the TOEFL format end to end, take a free full TOEFL mock test and convert the score you get.
5. Using Your Converted Score to Apply
Once you know your IELTS equivalent, line it up against the requirement for each course. Most universities publish both a TOEFL and an IELTS minimum, so you can often submit whichever test you took. Where only one is listed, the converted band tells you whether you are in range before you pay to send an official report.
Browse cutoffs by institution on the university TOEFL requirements pages, and read how the 2026 band and 0–120 scales fit together in the TOEFL scoring guide.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
What is a TOEFL 100 in IELTS?▾
A TOEFL iBT total of 100 falls in the 94 to 101 range, which the official ETS concordance aligns with IELTS band 7.0. On the 2026 TOEFL 1 to 6 scale that is about band 4.5, or CEFR level B2.
How do I convert my TOEFL score to IELTS?▾
Find your TOEFL iBT total (0 to 120) in the official ETS comparison table and read across to the IELTS band. For example, TOEFL 79 to 93 maps to IELTS 6.5, and TOEFL 102 to 109 maps to IELTS 7.5. The converter above does the lookup for you in either direction.
Is IELTS 6.5 equal to TOEFL?▾
IELTS 6.5 corresponds to a TOEFL iBT total of 79 to 93 in the ETS concordance, which is CEFR B2 and roughly a 2026 TOEFL band of 4.0. Many universities that ask for IELTS 6.5 accept TOEFL 79 to 93 instead.
Are TOEFL and IELTS scores officially interchangeable?▾
No. ETS publishes the comparison as a guide, not an exact equivalence, because the two tests measure English differently. Always confirm the specific score your target university accepts. The ranges shown here come from the official ETS concordance study.
Which is easier, TOEFL or IELTS?▾
Neither is reliably easier; they suit different strengths. TOEFL is fully computer based with typed answers and recorded speaking, while IELTS offers a face to face speaking interview and a paper option. Choose the format you are most comfortable with and the test your universities accept.