Convert a TOEFL iBT total into an IELTS Academic band
The TOEFL iBT (0-120) and IELTS Academic (0-9 bands) both certify academic English, and ETS publishes an official table mapping ranges of TOEFL totals onto IELTS bands. This converter takes your TOEFL total and returns the equivalent IELTS band so you can compare your standing against programs that quote requirements in either system.
How it works
The conversion is a lookup, not a continuous formula — ETS groups TOEFL totals into ranges and assigns each range an IELTS band:
| TOEFL iBT total | IELTS band equivalent |
|---|---|
| 118–120 | 9.0 |
| 115–117 | 8.5 |
| 110–114 | 8.0 |
| 102–109 | 7.5 |
| 94–101 | 7.0 |
| 79–93 | 6.5 |
| 60–78 | 6.0 |
| 46–59 | 5.5 |
| 35–45 | 5.0 |
| 32–34 | 4.5 |
| 0–31 | 4.0 or below |
The tool finds the band whose TOEFL range contains your score and reports it.
What these bands mean for common admissions thresholds
Most English-language graduate programs cluster around IELTS 6.5–7.0 as their minimum. Here is how common requirements translate:
- IELTS 6.0 = TOEFL iBT approximately 60–78. The minimum for many undergraduate entry routes.
- IELTS 6.5 = TOEFL iBT approximately 79–93. Common for taught master’s programs at mid-ranking universities.
- IELTS 7.0 = TOEFL iBT approximately 94–101. Standard for competitive programs and many UK research degrees.
- IELTS 7.5 = TOEFL iBT approximately 102–109. Required by some top-ranked programs, medicine, law, and teacher-education courses.
Why the conversion is approximate, not exact
TOEFL and IELTS measure academic English using different formats. IELTS uses a face-to-face speaking examiner and hand-marked writing; TOEFL uses computer-scored speaking tasks and machine-assisted writing evaluation. The two tests weight the four skills slightly differently, and neither exam measures identical constructs. A test-taker’s relative strengths — strong reading but weaker speaking, for example — can produce scores where the converted equivalent does not reflect the actual profile the institution cares about.
For borderline scores (for example, a TOEFL of 101 which sits at the top of the 7.0 range, just below the 7.5 cut-off at 102), treat the converted band with caution. Some institutions will interpret a TOEFL score directly without converting it; always check the programme-specific requirements page rather than relying on converted equivalents alone.
Should I take TOEFL or IELTS?
If your target institution accepts both — which the majority do — the choice often comes down to format preference. TOEFL is fully computer-based, which suits test-takers comfortable typing rather than handwriting, and its speaking section uses a microphone rather than an examiner. IELTS Academic has a pen-and-paper option and a face-to-face speaking interview, which some candidates find less stressful than speaking into a machine. Both are accepted by most UK, US, Canadian, and Australian universities.
Use this converter to estimate where you stand relative to requirements, then confirm the exact test and score your programme accepts before booking.