English language test
IELTS to CLB conversion chart
IELTS General Training is scored per ability (band score per skill, 0–9 in half-band steps). Express Entry converts each ability to a CLB level, then awards CRS points on each one separately. Here is the full chart, with the points attached.
Band score per skill, 0–9 in half-band steps
As first official language
0
CRS points
As second official language
0
CRS points
Select your IELTS scores to see your CLB levels and CRS points.
IELTS scores required for each CLB level
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | CRS points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 136 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 124 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 92 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 68 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 36 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 24 |
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 24 |
Each cell is the minimum IELTS score that reaches that CLB level in that ability. CRS points assume the same level in all four abilities as a first official language, with no accompanying spouse.
How the conversion is applied
Your abilities are converted one at a time. A candidate with IELTS results that land at CLB 9 in listening and CLB 7 in writing is scored at each of those levels separately — there is no averaging, and the weakest ability does not drag the others down.
That matters for planning. Because points per ability rise unevenly between levels, the cheapest CRS gain is usually the one ability sitting just under a threshold, not a broad retake. A single ability moving from CLB 7 to CLB 8 is worth 6 points on its own.
Second official language
A second official language is scored on the same CLB scale but on a much smaller grid, and the total is capped. At CLB 9 across all four abilities, a second language adds 24 points with no accompanying spouse.
Frequently asked questions
- How does IELTS convert to CLB?
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada publishes a minimum IELTS score for each CLB level in each of the four abilities. Your CLB is assessed per ability, not as an average — listening, reading, writing, and speaking are each converted separately, and the CRS awards points on each one individually.
- What IELTS score do I need for CLB 9?
- Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0. Holding CLB 9 across all four abilities is worth 124 CRS points as a first official language with no accompanying spouse.
- Is a higher IELTS score always worth more CRS points?
- Only up to CLB 10. Points stop increasing above CLB 10, which caps the first official language at 136 points without an accompanying spouse. Scoring beyond that threshold adds nothing to your CRS total.
- Does a CLB below 4 earn any points?
- No. The CRS language grid starts at CLB 4, and results below that level earn zero points for that ability.
See what your IELTS results are worth in full
Language is one factor of many. PR Buddy runs the complete CRS formula on your whole profile and ranks every way to gain points — quick wins first.
Download PR Buddy