CLB Converter: IELTS, CELPIP & PTE Core to Canadian Language Benchmark
Your CRS language points are based on your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, not your raw test score. This converter turns your IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, or PTE Core results into the CLB level IRCC uses — so you know exactly where you stand before you run the full calculator.
Convert your test score
What is the Canadian Language Benchmark?
The Canadian Language Benchmark is a national standard that describes language ability on a scale from 1 to 12. Express Entry uses your CLB level in each of the four abilities — listening, reading, writing and speaking — to award CRS points. Because the CRS is built around CLB rather than any one test, IELTS, CELPIP and PTE Core are all accepted, and IRCC publishes official equivalency charts so results can be compared on the same scale.
Two things matter for your score. First, points are calculated per ability, so a single weak skill can hold back your total even if the others are strong. Second, the jumps between CLB 7, 8 and 9 are where most of the points sit — reaching CLB 9 in every ability is the threshold that unlocks the highest core language points and the largest skill-transferability bonuses.
IELTS General Training to CLB
These are the official minimum band scores for each CLB level. You need to reach the listed band in a given ability to be credited with that CLB level for it.
| 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 |
CELPIP General to CLB
CELPIP is the most direct mapping of the three: the CELPIP level you score in each ability is the same number as your CLB level. A CELPIP 9 in reading is CLB 9 in reading, and so on.
| CELPIP level (each ability) | CLB |
|---|---|
| 10, 11, 12 | 10+ |
| 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 |
PTE Core to CLB
PTE Core was added as an accepted Express Entry test, with its own official conversion. The ranges below show the minimum PTE Core score needed in each ability for a given CLB level.
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 89 | 88 | 90 | 89 |
| 9 | 82 | 78 | 88 | 84 |
| 8 | 71 | 69 | 79 | 76 |
| 7 | 60 | 60 | 69 | 68 |
| 6 | 50 | 51 | 60 | 59 |
| 5 | 39 | 42 | 51 | 51 |
| 4 | 28 | 33 | 41 | 42 |
What about French — TEF and TCF?
French tests (TEF Canada and TCF Canada) also convert to CLB, which is called NCLC on the French scale. The conversion uses raw score ranges that differ by ability and are updated periodically, so rather than risk an out-of-date number we recommend confirming French equivalencies directly on the official IRCC language-testing page. Reaching NCLC 7 or higher across all four French abilities is the threshold for the 50-point French-language bonus in the CRS.
Equivalency tables reflect the official IRCC charts for IELTS General Training, CELPIP General and PTE Core as published on canada.ca, current as of June 2026. IRCC can revise these charts; always confirm against the official language-testing page before relying on a borderline score. This tool provides estimates, not an official assessment.