Canada · English testCELPIP to IELTS, skill by skill
IRCC’s Express Entry charts give these scores for each CLB level. We’ve put the CELPIP-General chart and the IELTS General Training chart side by side. CELPIP levels match CLB one to one, so one column covers both. The other four columns are IELTS General Training bands for each skill:
| CLB and CELPIP | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 8.5+ | 8.0+ | 7.5+ | 7.5+ |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
A plus sign means that score or higher. IRCC checks each skill on its own, so one high score doesn’t make up for a low one.
Is CELPIP easier than IELTS?
Neither IRCC nor Paragon calls one test easier. IRCC accepts both for Express Entry and citizenship and sets its minimums as CLB levels, whichever test you take.
So choose on format and on what suits you. CELPIP is on a computer in one sitting, and in Speaking you answer prompts on the screen out loud, with no separate speaking session. The IELTS page covers how IELTS is taken for Canada.
Which IELTS and CELPIP count for Canada
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts IELTS General Training, not IELTS One Skill Retake, and CELPIP-General. For citizenship, it accepts IELTS General Training but not IELTS Academic, and either CELPIP-General or CELPIP-General LS.
Sources: IRCC · CELPIP and 2 more. Checked November 2026.
- IRCC: Language test results for Express Entry ↗
- IRCC: Language proof for citizenship, step 2 ↗
- IRCC: Language proof for citizenship, step 5 ↗
- CELPIP: Canadian residency ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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