Nivelo
Blog
IELTS Band Score to CEFR Level

Nivelo

IELTS Band Score to CEFR Level

An IELTS band of 5.5–6.5 maps to about CEFR B2, and 7.0–8.0 to C1. IELTS itself calls the alignment approximate — here's the full table, plus a free 5-minute test to see your CEFR level.

Free · No signup required · 5 minutes

IELTS band to CEFR level: the full table

IELTS reports an overall band from 0 to 9; the CEFR is a 6-level scale from A1 to C2. There's no exact one-to-one conversion — a band spans a range of CEFR ability — but the widely used approximate mapping is:

CEFR levelIELTS band (overall)
A23.0–3.5
B14.0–5.0
B25.5–6.5
C17.0–8.0
C28.5–9.0
Approximate IELTS ↔ CEFR alignment. IELTS/Cambridge treat this as indicative, not exact — always confirm the requirement with your institution.

Why the IELTS–CEFR mapping is approximate

IELTS uses a 9-band scale with half-band steps; the CEFR uses six broad levels. So one CEFR level covers more than one band, and a single band (like 6.5) sits near the B2/C1 boundary depending on your per-skill profile. That's why the same band can be described as "high B2" or "low C1".

Treat the mapping as a guide, not a rule. Universities and visa programs publish their own IELTS requirement (often 6.0–6.5 for undergraduate, 6.5–7.0 for postgraduate) — verify the exact number at the source before you rely on it.

Ready to find out?

Take the free 5-minute test

Frequently asked questions

What IELTS score is B2?▾

Approximately an overall band of 5.5 to 6.5. B2 is the level most undergraduate programs ask for, which is why 6.0–6.5 is such a common requirement. Your per-skill scores matter too — a 6.5 overall with a 5.5 in writing may not clear a program that needs 6.0 in every band.

What IELTS score is C1?▾

Roughly 7.0 to 8.0 overall. C1 is the bar for many competitive or postgraduate programs and for professional registration in some fields. Above 8.0 approaches C2 (near-native).

Is 6.5 B2 or C1?▾

6.5 is usually mapped to high B2, right at the B2/C1 boundary. Whether it "counts" as C1 depends entirely on the institution's own cutoff — some treat 6.5 as sufficient for C1-level programs, others require 7.0. Check the specific requirement.

Does IELTS give you a CEFR level?▾

IELTS publishes an approximate CEFR alignment but reports your result as a band score, not a CEFR level. To see your CEFR level directly, take a CEFR-aligned test — Nivelo's free 5-minute test gives you a range (e.g. B2–C1) graded against the CEFR descriptors.

CEFR-based proficiency assessment. Not an official certification from Cambridge, Cervantes, or the Council of Europe.