Where this comes from
ETS has published score-comparison research linking TOEFL iBT results to IELTS Academic scores, based on analysis of test-takers who sat both exams. The two tests measure similar underlying ability but score on completely different scales — TOEFL's new 1–6 band (old scale 0–120) versus IELTS's 0–9 band — so this is a statistical correspondence, not an exact conversion.
Conversion table
- TOEFL band 3.5 (old-scale ≈60) ≈ IELTS 5.5
- TOEFL band 4.0 (old-scale ≈72–86) ≈ IELTS 6.0–6.5
- TOEFL band 4.5 (old-scale ≈94) ≈ IELTS 7.0
- TOEFL band 5.0 (old-scale ≈102) ≈ IELTS 7.5
- TOEFL band 5.5 (old-scale ≈110) ≈ IELTS 8.0
For the full TOEFL band-to-old-score breakdown these are built from, see our score conversion chart.
Why this matters
Some universities and visa/immigration programs publish requirements in IELTS terms even when they also accept TOEFL. If you already know your TOEFL result (or your estimated band), this table tells you roughly where that lands on the scale your target actually lists — useful for confirming you clear the bar without booking a second exam.
An important caveat
Conversion tables are a statistical average across many test-takers, not a guarantee for any individual. Someone strong in reading and weak in speaking might convert differently than someone with the reverse profile, since the two tests weight skills somewhat differently. If a requirement is close, check directly with the institution or use ETS's own official comparison tool rather than relying on any single chart, including this one.
Deciding which test to take
If you haven't taken either yet, see our TOEFL vs IELTS comparison for the practical differences (format, cost, and which one tends to suit which kind of test-taker).