Canada, Express Entry
IELTS to CLB calculator
Pick your four IELTS General Training bands. Each skill gets its own CLB level from IRCC's table; the lowest one is what a "CLB 7 in every skill" rule checks.
Your CLB levels
CLB 7
Your lowest skill sets the level a rule like "CLB 7 in every skill" checks.
- Federal Skilled Worker minimum: CLB 7 in every skillMet in all four skills.
- Listening 7.0: CLB 7CLB 8 needs 7.5.
- Reading 6.5: CLB 8CLB 9 needs 7.0.
- Writing 6.0: CLB 7CLB 8 needs 6.5.
- Speaking 6.5: CLB 8CLB 9 needs 7.0.
IELTS General Training to CLB
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 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 |
More free IELTS tools
Questions people ask
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
6.0 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
Listening 8.0, and 7.0 in Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Does IRCC accept IELTS Academic?
Not for Express Entry. You need IELTS General Training, and IRCC does not accept a One Skill Retake.
How long is my result valid?
It must be less than 2 years old when you make your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.
Sources
- 1IRCC, language testing and CLB equivalency (IELTS General Training)Checked 6 October 2026.
- 2IRCC, Express Entry language test resultsChecked 6 October 2026.