| Updated On - Jul 18, 2026
The IELTS to TOEFL conversion for Indian students starts with the official ETS concordance chart: an IELTS overall band of 6.5 maps to a TOEFL iBT score of 79 to 93 on the old 0 to 120 scale, and to a TOEFL band of 4.5 on the new 2026 scale. That single mapping decides whether an IELTS Test Report Form clears the cutoff at a target US, UK, Canadian or Australian university, or whether a TOEFL retake is worth the fee.
- The ETS conversion chart is directional, not exact, and admissions officers treat it as guidance rather than a binding equivalence.
- The January 2026 TOEFL redesign introduced a 1 to 6 band scale that lines up cleanly with IELTS bands and CEFR levels.
- The right test is decided by the university list, not by which exam feels marginally easier.
- Sending an IELTS score to a TOEFL-preferring school works only when the university officially lists both tests as accepted.
Indian test takers often score highest in IELTS Reading and Listening but lose ground in Speaking on either test, which is why the section-wise chart matters far more than the overall band alone. Getting the conversion right saves an INR 18,000 retake, six weeks of prep and a delayed application to the next intake.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| IELTS scale | 0 to 9 in 0.5 band increments |
| TOEFL iBT legacy scale | 0 to 120, four sections of 0 to 30 |
| TOEFL iBT new scale (from January 21, 2026) | 1 to 6 in 0.5 band increments |
| Common mid-range mapping | IELTS 6.5 = TOEFL 79 to 93 = TOEFL band 4.5 |
| Dual reporting window | January 2026 to January 2028, both scales printed on score reports |
| Concordance study base | 1,153 test takers who sat both exams (ETS) |
| Official source | ETS TOEFL Score Comparison Tables and CEFR alignment chart |
Also Read:
- TOEFL iBT 2026 Complete Overview
- TOEFL Essentials 2026: Fees in India, Exam Pattern, Scores
- IELTS Test Booking 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
How the IELTS to TOEFL Conversion Works
The IELTS to TOEFL conversion is built from an ETS concordance study of 1,153 candidates who sat both exams, then mapped statistically to align equivalent skill levels across the two scales. The tables are guidance, not a formula, and admissions offices state clearly that the chart cannot predict the exact score any single test taker will earn on the other exam.
ETS publishes four separate charts, one per skill, plus an overall comparison. The overall table covers the IELTS band range from 0 to 9 against the TOEFL iBT legacy total of 0 to 120 and now also the new 1 to 6 band. Each row lists a TOEFL score range because a single IELTS band spans multiple TOEFL totals. That range is the honest picture of how the two tests measure the same ability differently.
Three practical reasons the conversion matters for Indian applicants:
- University policy varies: some schools accept both tests, some accept only one, and some publish minimum scores only for TOEFL and leave IELTS in a footnote.
- Retake decisions: using the chart to see where an IELTS 7.0 lands on TOEFL avoids a second exam if the cutoff is already met.
- Section balance: a TOEFL Speaking of 22 does not equal an IELTS Speaking of 6.5 in every case, and the section chart shows the gap.
Note: ETS marks certain rows in its tables as "highest degree of confidence" comparisons. Those are the mid-range bands (5.5 to 7.5) where most Indian graduate applicants sit, so the chart is at its most reliable exactly where you need it.
Also Read:
- IELTS Reading 2026: Practice Tests, Band Score, and Tips
- IELTS Academic 2026: Test Format, Fees, Practice Papers
- IELTS Preparation 2026: Check Tips, Books, Resources
Official IELTS to TOEFL Score Chart
The official ETS chart maps every IELTS overall band to a TOEFL iBT range on both the legacy 0 to 120 scale and the new 1 to 6 scale introduced in January 2026. Indian students should use the mid-band rows (6.0 to 8.0) as the working reference, since these carry the strongest concordance and match the cutoffs at most graduate programmes.
| IELTS Overall Band | TOEFL iBT (0 to 120) | TOEFL Band (1 to 6) | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118 to 120 | 6.0 | C2 |
| 8.5 | 115 to 117 | 6.0 | C2 |
| 8.0 | 110 to 114 | 6.0 | C1 to C2 |
| 7.5 | 102 to 109 | 5.5 | C1 |
| 7.0 | 94 to 101 | 5.0 | C1 |
| 6.5 | 79 to 93 | 4.5 | B2 |
| 6.0 | 60 to 78 | 4.0 | B2 |
| 5.5 | 46 to 59 | 3.5 | B1 to B2 |
| 5.0 | 35 to 45 | 2.5 | B1 |
| 4.5 | 32 to 34 | 2.0 | A2 to B1 |
| 4.0 | 0 to 31 | 1.5 | A2 |
If your IELTS overall is 7.0, then your equivalent TOEFL total sits at 94 to 101 on the legacy scale and around 5.0 on the new band scale. That means you clear the minimum at most US graduate schools that publish a TOEFL floor of 90 to 100.
Also Read:
- IELTS Band Scores in 2026: Full Guide for Test Takers
- What is a Good IELTS Score for Study Abroad in 2026
Section Wise IELTS to TOEFL Mapping
The section wise IELTS to TOEFL conversion uses four separate tables, one each for Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, and Indian students should read the Speaking row most carefully because that section drives the largest score gap between the two tests.
| IELTS Section Band | TOEFL Reading (1-6) | TOEFL Listening (1-6) | TOEFL Writing (1-6) | TOEFL Speaking (1-6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 8.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 8.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 7.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| 7.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| 6.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| 6.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
The section mapping tells you three things at a glance:
- Reading and Listening move together, so a strong reader on IELTS usually converts to a comparable TOEFL Reading band.
- Speaking drops half a band at almost every IELTS level once converted to TOEFL, because the TOEFL Speaking format is recorded rather than face to face.
- Writing holds up best, and integrated writing tasks on TOEFL often reward the same summarising skill that IELTS Task 1 tests.
What the mapping gives you
- A realistic starting estimate for TOEFL prep planning after an IELTS attempt.
- A view of which section needs the most format-specific practice.
- A defensible answer when an admissions office asks for equivalence justification.
What the mapping does not cover
- Task-specific scoring rules (TOEFL integrated tasks pull from Reading and Listening simultaneously).
- Rater variability, which can move a Speaking score by 0.5 band across two attempts.
- The impact of the January 2026 TOEFL redesign on question types and adaptive Reading.
The mapping is easier to interpret alongside the full IELTS syllabus and section breakdown, since section balance depends on which skills IELTS actually tested you on.
IELTS to TOEFL Conversion After 2026 Update
The IELTS to TOEFL conversion changed on January 21, 2026, when ETS moved TOEFL iBT scoring from the legacy 0 to 120 total to a 1 to 6 band scale in 0.5 increments, aligned directly with the CEFR framework. The concordance to IELTS remains valid, but every conversion now uses two scales in parallel until January 2028.
Three changes matter for Indian applicants:
- Dual score reports: from January 2026 to January 2028, TOEFL score reports print the CEFR level, the 1 to 6 band and a comparable 0 to 120 total side by side.
- Averaging method: the overall TOEFL is the average of four section scores rounded to the nearest half band, so a section average of 5.25 rounds to 5.5.
- Adaptive format: the redesigned TOEFL uses adaptive Reading and Listening sections, changing how raw performance translates into the 1 to 6 band.
For universities, the transition is administrative. Most graduate schools still list TOEFL minimums in the 0 to 120 range through the 2026 to 2027 admissions cycle, so an Indian applicant sending a new-scale TOEFL 5.0 will be read as roughly 95 or higher on the legacy scale for cutoff purposes. The full breakdown of the 2026 TOEFL updates covers what shifted in question types, timing and reporting.
If a university has not yet updated its cutoff to the new band scale, then the dual score report protects you. That means both scales are always visible on the report, and admissions can read either without needing a separate conversion.
The concordance stays reliable because ETS repeated the linking study during the 2026 rollout, using data from the same 1,153-candidate pool and vertical linking research. That evidence base is why admissions offices continue to accept the ETS chart as authoritative rather than the countless third-party calculators that still use the 2010 tables.
Also Check:
| PTE Academic 2026 Overview | GRE General Test 2026 | Study in USA Without IELTS |
| Study in Canada Cost and Visa | UK Exam Score Requirements | IELTS Exam 2026 Complete Guide |
The IELTS to TOEFL conversion is a decision tool, not a mandatory step. Indian students with a recent IELTS score should first check every target university’s admissions rules against the ETS concordance chart before paying another INR 18,000 for a second exam. When the chart clears the cutoff and the university accepts IELTS, the retake is wasted spend and lost application time. When one high-priority school refuses IELTS or the section mapping shows a shortfall, the switch is the right call and six weeks of prep closes the format gap for most existing 6.5 to 7.5 test takers.
FAQs
Ques. What is the equivalent TOEFL score for IELTS 7.0?
Ans. An IELTS overall band of 7.0 converts to a TOEFL iBT total of 94 to 101 on the legacy 0 to 120 scale and a band of 5.0 on the new 1 to 6 scale introduced in January 2026. This range covers the minimum requirement at most US graduate programmes and mid-tier universities in Canada and Australia. Verify the specific university cutoff and any section minimums before treating the equivalence as final.
Ques. Is IELTS 6.5 enough for TOEFL 80?
Ans. Yes. An IELTS 6.5 maps to a TOEFL iBT range of 79 to 93 on the legacy scale, which comfortably clears an 80 minimum. On the new 2026 scale, this equals a TOEFL band of 4.5. Most universities that publish a TOEFL 80 floor accept IELTS 6.5 as the direct equivalent.
Ques. Can I submit my IELTS score to a university that prefers TOEFL?
Ans. Only if the university officially lists IELTS as an accepted alternative. Read the admissions page carefully, since some schools state a TOEFL preference but still accept IELTS with a comparable band. If the university lists TOEFL as the only accepted test, the IELTS to TOEFL conversion chart does not create acceptance; a fresh TOEFL registration is required.
Ques. How does the new TOEFL 2026 band scale change the IELTS conversion?
Ans. The concordance itself does not change. ETS re-ran the linking study and confirmed the same mid-band mappings, so an IELTS 7.0 still equals roughly a TOEFL 5.0 (new scale) or 94 to 101 (legacy). During the January 2026 to January 2028 transition window, every TOEFL score report prints both scales alongside the CEFR level, so admissions offices see both numbers together.
Ques. Which is easier for Indian students, IELTS or TOEFL?
Ans. Neither is universally easier. IELTS Speaking is face to face with a human examiner, which many Indian test takers find more natural, and IELTS Listening features accents from the UK, Australia, Canada and India. TOEFL uses American English almost exclusively and records Speaking on a microphone, which suits candidates comfortable with a computer-based flow. The score gap on the conversion chart is typically half a band on Speaking.
Ques. Do all US universities accept IELTS in place of TOEFL?
Ans. Most do, but not all. The vast majority of US graduate programmes accept both IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT with published cutoffs for each. A small number of specialist programmes still list TOEFL only. The safest approach is to confirm on each university’s admissions page rather than relying on a general acceptance rule.
Ques. What is the TOEFL equivalent of an IELTS 8.0?
Ans. An IELTS overall 8.0 converts to a TOEFL iBT range of 110 to 114 on the legacy scale and a band of 6.0 on the new scale, aligned with CEFR level C1 to C2. This clears the Oxford TOEFL floor of 110 and matches the ceiling at almost every US graduate programme.
Comments