IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Test Should You Take in 2026?
Need a UK or Canadian visa? Take IELTS, because neither country accepts TOEFL for immigration. For universities, including in the US, both are widely accepted, so choose the format you score higher on.
Visa rules checked against the official lists on September 23, 2026. Fees, dates and results times change often, so check the official site before you book.
At a glance
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Computer or paper | Computer only |
| Length | About 2 h 45 min | Under 2 hours (2026 format) |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking (face to face) | Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking (recorded) |
| Score scale | Bands 1–9, in half bands | 0–120 (four sections, 0–30 each) |
| Fee | Set by country, often US$200–270 | Set by country, about US$200–300 |
| Results | 3–5 days on computer, about 13 on paper | About 4–8 days |
| Validity | Usually 2 years | 2 years |
| Where you sit it | Test centre | Test centre or at home |
| Who accepts it | Universities worldwide, plus UK, Canadian, Australian and NZ visas | Universities worldwide, plus Australian and NZ visas. Not accepted for UK or Canadian visas. |
Which should you take?
Start with the organisation you need the score for. It decides which tests count.
UK visaUKVI
- IELTS
- AcceptedTake IELTS for UKVI
- TOEFL iBT
- Not accepted
TOEFL is not on the UK's approved SELT list. For a visa, take IELTS for UKVI or another approved SELT.
Canada immigrationIRCC, Express Entry
- IELTS
- AcceptedTake General Training
- TOEFL iBT
- Not accepted
IRCC does not accept TOEFL. For Express Entry, take IELTS General Training, CELPIP or PTE Core.
Australian visaDepartment of Home Affairs
- IELTS
- AcceptedAcademic or General Training
- TOEFL iBT
- Accepted
Home Affairs accepts both. If you take TOEFL, choose "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when you register.
US universitiesAdmissions offices
- IELTS
- AcceptedWidely accepted
- TOEFL iBT
- Accepted
US universities widely accept both tests. A US student visa does not require an English test.
Score equivalence
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|
| 6.0 | 60–78 |
| 6.5 | 79–93 |
| 7.0 | 94–101 |
| 7.5 | 102–109 |
| 8.0 | 110–114 |
These equivalences are approximate. Each university or visa route sets its own minimum for each test. Full IELTS score equivalency chart →
Common questions
Is IELTS or TOEFL easier?
Neither test is universally easier. IELTS may be easier if you prefer face-to-face speaking and are familiar with British English. TOEFL may be easier if you are a strong typist, comfortable with American English, and prefer computer-based tasks. Take a practice test of each to see which format suits you.
Do universities prefer IELTS or TOEFL?
Most universities worldwide accept both tests equally. UK and Australian universities have traditionally preferred IELTS, while US universities historically preferred TOEFL. However, acceptance has converged significantly — all Ivy League schools accept IELTS, and most global universities accept both.
What IELTS score equals TOEFL 100?
A TOEFL score of 100 is approximately equivalent to IELTS 7.0-7.5. The exact mapping depends on the score distribution across sections, but IELTS 7.0 (TOEFL 94-101) is the closest match.