IELTS to CEFR: which IELTS band is B1, B2, C1 or C2?

IELTS bands 4 to 5 are CEFR level B1, bands 5.5 to 6.5 are B2, bands 7 to 8 are C1, and bands 8.5 and 9 are C2. This IELTS to CEFR guide comes from IELTS itself, on ielts.org. However, IELTS does not give a band for the two lowest levels, A1 and A2.

The match is not exact, because bands 5, 6.5 and 8 sit close to the line between two levels. So this page shows every band, explains the three border bands, and lists the UK visa score for each level.

Find your CEFR level from your IELTS scores

Choose your four IELTS band scores. You will see your overall band, its CEFR level, and the level of your lowest skill.

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

A guide from the chart on ielts.org, not an official result.

The IELTS to CEFR chart

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) has six levels, from A1 for beginners to C2 for the very best users. The Council of Europe made it, and it was first published in 2001. Today schools, universities and governments all over the world use it.

IELTS, however, uses a different scale with nine bands. So IELTS has studied for many years how its bands match the six levels. The chart below is the result. Note that it uses your overall band, not your four skill bands.

IELTS to CEFR chart: overall band scores and CEFR levels
CEFR level	Type of user	IELTS overall band
C2	Proficient user	8.5–9
C1	Proficient user	7–8
B2	Independent user	5.5–6.5
B1	Independent user	4–5
A2	Basic user	No IELTS band
A1	Basic user	No IELTS band

For the two lowest levels, IELTS has separate tests. In the UK, for example, IELTS Life Skills A1 and A2 are used for some family visas.

Every IELTS band and its CEFR level

Find your overall band below. Each line gives its CEFR level and shows where the band sits inside that level.

Band 9 is level C2, so it is the top of both scales.

IELTS counts 8.5 and higher as C2, so band 8.5 is level C2 too.

Band 8 is level C1, but IELTS calls it a border band with C2.

At 7.5 you are safely in the middle of level C1.

Band 7 is level C1, and it is the first band at that level.

With 6.5 you are at level B2, but you are very close to C1.

Band 6 is level B2, and it sits right in the middle of the level.

The first band at level B2 is 5.5, so it is the start of the level.

Band 5 is level B1, but IELTS calls it a border band with B2.

A band of 4.5 is level B1, in the middle of the level.

Band 4 is level B1, and it is the lowest band that IELTS links to a level.

Below band 4, IELTS does not link your band to a CEFR level.

Is IELTS 6.5 B2 or C1? The three CEFR border bands

IELTS is older than the CEFR, so its bands never lined up exactly with the six levels. As a result, three bands sit near the line between two levels. Here is what IELTS says about each one.

Is IELTS 6.5 B2 or C1?

The chart says B2. However, IELTS research puts the start of C1 between 6.5 and 7. So many students with 6.5 are already at C1, but some are a little below it. For this reason, a university that must be sure of C1 may ask for 7 instead of 6.5.

Is IELTS 8 C1 or C2?

The chart puts band 8 in C1, and IELTS calls it a border band. C2 starts at 8.5, so a band 8 student is at the very top of C1.

Is IELTS 5 B1 or B2?

IELTS says it is not clear whether band 5 is B1 or B2. The chart puts it in B1, and B2 starts at 5.5. So if you need B2, plan for 5.5 or more.

What each CEFR level means in real life

The Council of Europe describes what a learner can do at each level. Here is a short version in simple words, together with the IELTS name for the same bands.

CEFR C2: IELTS bands 8.5 to 9

Almost everything you hear or read is easy for you to understand. You also speak very fluently and exactly, even about difficult things.

CEFR C1: IELTS bands 7 to 8

Long, difficult texts are fine for you, and you notice meaning that is not said directly. You speak fluently, so you rarely search for words. Clear, well-organised writing on complex subjects is also possible, for study or for work.

CEFR B2: IELTS bands 5.5 to 6.5

The main ideas of complex texts are clear to you, including technical ones in your own field. Talking with native speakers takes little effort on either side. You can also write clear, detailed texts and explain the good and bad sides of an idea.

CEFR B1: IELTS bands 4 to 5

Clear English about familiar things, such as work, school and free time, is easy to follow. Most situations when you travel are fine too. You can also write simple texts on familiar topics and give short reasons for your opinions.

Your overall band or each skill? The UK visa trap

The IELTS to CEFR chart uses your overall band. Your overall band is the average of your four skill bands, rounded to the nearest half band. If the average ends in .25, it goes up to the next half band. Similarly, if it ends in .75, it goes up to the next whole band.

However, UK visas check each skill, not the overall band. For B2, for example, you need at least 5.5 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. So one low skill can stop you, even with a good overall band.

The overall band is 6.5, which is B2. But Writing 5 is below 5.5, so this result does not meet the UK B2 rule.

CEFR levels and IELTS scores for UK visas

These are the main UK rules, from ielts.org and GOV.UK. Since 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants need B2. People who had the visa before that date need only B1 to extend it.

CEFR level	IELTS score you need	Used for
C1	7.0 in each skill	Visas that ask for C1
B2	5.5 in each skill	Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Scale-up, High Potential Individual, and Student visa at degree level
B1	4.0 in each skill	Student visa below degree level
A1–B1	IELTS Life Skills: Pass	Family visas, settlement and British citizenship (Listening and Speaking only)

For most of these visas, you must take IELTS for UKVI in person at an IELTS for UKVI centre. For a Student visa at degree level, however, ielts.org says IELTS or IELTS for UKVI. Rules change often, so always check GOV.UK before you book.

B2 First and C1 Advanced scores as IELTS bands

Cambridge exams, such as B2 First and C1 Advanced, give a score on the Cambridge English Scale. Cambridge also publishes how these scores compare with IELTS bands, so you can read one as the other.

Cambridge English Scale score	IELTS band
191	7.5
185	7.0
176	6.5
169	6.0
162	5.5
154	5.0

Be careful with tables for other tests, though. IELTS says that tables which match other tests to IELTS bands should be treated with caution, because many tests do not check all four skills in the same depth.

How to move up one CEFR level in IELTS

For most students, the big step is from B2 to C1, which means from 6.5 to 7. At this point, half a band more in one skill can change your overall band, and so your CEFR level.

Find your weakest skill
Take a free IELTS mock test on a screen like the real computer test. Then you will know which skill pulls your overall band down.
Know the marks you can lose
In Listening and Reading, band 7 allows only a few mistakes. Our Listening band score chart and Reading band score chart show every score out of 40.
Check your writing
Writing is often the lowest skill. So try our free IELTS Writing checker, and read the Writing band descriptors for band 7.
Learn C1 words by topic
At C1 you talk about complex topics without searching for words. Our IELTS vocabulary lists give you the words for 20 common topics.

IELTS to CEFR: common questions

Is IELTS 7 B2 or C1?

Band 7 is C1, and it is the first band at that level. IELTS also says that C1 is the level most universities in English-speaking countries accept.

Is IELTS 5.5 B2?

Yes. Band 5.5 is the first band at level B2. For a UK visa at B2, however, you need 5.5 in each of the four skills.

Is IELTS 6 B2 or C1?

Band 6 is B2. It sits in the middle of the level, between 5.5 and 6.5.

What is CEFR A1 or A2 in IELTS?

The IELTS Academic and General Training tests do not give a band for A1 or A2. For these levels, the UK uses IELTS Life Skills A1 and A2, which test Listening and Speaking. You need a Pass.

How is my overall IELTS band worked out?

Add your four band scores and divide by four. Then round to the nearest half band: .25 goes up to the next half band, and .75 goes up to the next whole band. For example, 6.25 becomes 6.5, and 6.75 becomes 7.

Can I use an IELTS to CEFR table for other tests?

Be careful. IELTS says that tables which match other tests to IELTS bands should be treated with caution. Many tests do not check writing and speaking in the same depth.

Which level are you today?

A chart only tells you what a band means. A real test tells you your band. Try a free full IELTS mock test, with your band in each skill at the end.

Start the free mock test Band score calculator

Facts checked on 5 November 2026 with official sources