TOEFL to IELTS Score Converter
Convert between TOEFL iBT and IELTS band scores.
See approximate equivalencies for university and immigration applications.
TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic measure English language proficiency but use entirely different scoring scales, requiring a conversion formula for cross-application purposes.
Score scales:
- TOEFL iBT: 0–120 (four sections × 0–30 each: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing)
- IELTS: 0–9 in 0.5 increments (four skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing)
Approximate conversion table (ETS and British Council concordance):
| IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT Score |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118–120 |
| 8.5 | 115–117 |
| 8.0 | 110–114 |
| 7.5 | 102–109 |
| 7.0 | 94–101 |
| 6.5 | 79–93 |
| 6.0 | 60–78 |
| 5.5 | 46–59 |
| 5.0 | 35–45 |
A linear formula you will see quoted, and why not to use it
IELTS ≈ (TOEFL iBT / 120) × 9
At the top of the range this looks fine. TOEFL 95 gives 7.1, and the concordance table puts 94–101 at IELTS 7.0, so the two agree and the formula seems trustworthy.
It falls apart below that, badly. TOEFL 60 gives 4.5 by the formula and IELTS 6.0 by the table: a gap of one and a half bands. TOEFL 46 gives 3.5 against a table value of 5.5, which is two full bands out. The reason is that the two scales are not proportional to each other. The IELTS band scale compresses hard at the bottom, so a large stretch of the TOEFL range maps into a narrow span of bands, and a straight line through the origin cannot follow that.
The practical rule: use the table, not the formula. This calculator uses the table.
Why any conversion is only ever approximate
The two tests measure overlapping but different things, and they weight the four skills differently. Someone strong in writing and weak in speaking can land a full band apart depending on which test they sit. Universities know this, which is why many publish separate minimums for each test rather than converting between them, and why a fair number also set minimum section scores that an overall band cannot satisfy on its own.
Treat a converted score as a way to judge whether you are in range before you book a test. Once an application is real, take the test the institution actually asks for.
University admission minimums (approximate):
- Top research universities (MIT, Oxford): IELTS 7.0–7.5 / TOEFL 100–110
- Standard university admission: IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL 79–93
- Community college / pathway programs: IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 46–59
Important: These conversions are approximate. Always check the institution’s specific requirements — some only accept one test or require minimum section scores in addition to the overall band.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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