TOEFL to IELTS Score Converter 2026

A TOEFL iBT score of 79 is approximately equivalent to IELTS 6.5. This is one of the most critical thresholds because IELTS 6.5 is the minimum requirement for many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes worldwide. If you have scored TOEFL 79, you are right at the lower boundary of the IELTS 6.5 equivalent range (TOEFL 79-93). A score of 78 would drop you to the IELTS 6.0 equivalent range.

For UK university admissions, TOEFL 79 typically meets the minimum for most courses that require IELTS 6.5. For Canadian Express Entry, this score sits at a useful threshold, though immigration authorities in Canada primarily use IELTS or CELPIP rather than TOEFL for permanent residency applications.

A TOEFL iBT score of 94 is approximately equivalent to IELTS 7.0. This is the standard requirement for competitive university programmes, including many MBA and postgraduate degrees, and corresponds to a strong upper-intermediate to advanced level of English. At TOEFL 94, you are at the lower end of the IELTS 7.0 band range (TOEFL 94-101), so any score from 94 to 101 maps to the same IELTS 7.0 equivalent.

Many top-ranked universities in the US, UK, and Australia list TOEFL 94-100 or IELTS 7.0 as their minimum. If you are applying to programmes that specify IELTS 7.0, a TOEFL score of 94 or above should satisfy the requirement at most institutions that accept both tests.

A TOEFL iBT score of 100 falls within the IELTS 7.0 equivalent range (TOEFL 94-101). This is one of the most commonly required scores for admission to top US universities, including many Ivy League and top-50 programmes. At TOEFL 100, you are near the upper boundary of the IELTS 7.0 range, meaning your English proficiency is solidly at the 'Good User' level.

If you scored TOEFL 100 and are debating whether to retake for a higher score, the next meaningful jump is TOEFL 102, which enters the IELTS 7.5 equivalent range. That two-point difference can matter for competitive scholarships or programmes at universities like Oxford, Cambridge, or MIT that require IELTS 7.5.

A TOEFL iBT score of 110 is approximately equivalent to IELTS 8.0. This is a high-proficiency score that meets the requirements for virtually all university programmes worldwide and the highest English thresholds for immigration. Achieving TOEFL 110 or above places you in the top tier of test takers globally.

For context, only about 3-5% of TOEFL test takers reach this level. If you have this score and are considering IELTS instead, be aware that IELTS 8.0 requires strong performance across all four sections, and the face-to-face speaking interview format may be a significant adjustment if you are accustomed to TOEFL's computer-recorded speaking tasks.

Test delivery: TOEFL iBT is exclusively computer-based and can only be taken at designated test centres or at home via TOEFL iBT Home Edition. IELTS offers both computer-delivered and paper-based options at test centres worldwide, giving candidates more flexibility in how they take the test.

Speaking format: TOEFL speaking is entirely computer-recorded — you speak into a microphone in response to on-screen prompts, including integrated tasks that combine reading, listening, and speaking. IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner lasting 11-14 minutes. The IELTS format allows follow-up questions and a more conversational dynamic.

MyBest Scores: TOEFL offers a MyBest Scores feature (also called 'superscoring') that combines your highest section scores from all valid test dates within the past two years. IELTS does not offer superscoring — each test result stands on its own, so you must achieve your target in all four sections on a single test date.

Results timeline: TOEFL iBT results are typically available within 4-8 days after the test date. IELTS computer-delivered results take 3-5 days. IELTS paper-based results take up to 13 calendar days. If speed is your priority, IELTS computer-delivered now matches TOEFL, though TOEFL's at-home option provides additional scheduling flexibility.

IELTS is the necessary choice for UK immigration and visa purposes. UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requires IELTS SELT for most visa categories — TOEFL is not accepted for UK visa applications. If you are applying for a Tier 2 or Tier 4 visa, IELTS is your only option among the two tests.

If you perform better in face-to-face communication and find speaking into a microphone unnatural, IELTS will likely yield a higher speaking score. The IELTS interview allows you to ask for clarification, adjust your pace, and demonstrate conversational fluency in ways that TOEFL's computer-recorded format does not. Many test takers who struggle with TOEFL's integrated speaking tasks — where you must read, listen, and respond within tight time limits — find the IELTS format less pressured.

If you prefer handwriting your essays, IELTS paper-based gives you that option. Some candidates write more fluently by hand and find the physical act of writing helps them organise their thoughts. TOEFL requires all responses to be typed, which can disadvantage slower typists or those unfamiliar with English keyboard layouts.

TOEFL is the preferred test for most US university admissions. While many American universities now accept both TOEFL and IELTS, some admissions offices are more familiar with TOEFL scoring and may view TOEFL scores more favourably. If your primary target is a US institution, TOEFL is the safer choice.

TOEFL's MyBest Scores feature is a significant advantage if you perform inconsistently across sections. With superscoring, you can combine your highest Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing scores from multiple test attempts over two years. This means a strong Reading score from one sitting can be combined with a strong Speaking score from another — something IELTS does not allow.

If you are a confident typist and prefer an entirely computer-based experience, TOEFL's format may suit you better. There is no handwriting component, and all tasks — including speaking — are completed at a computer terminal. Some test takers also prefer that TOEFL speaking is recorded privately rather than conducted face-to-face with an examiner.

If you are switching from TOEFL to IELTS, the good news is that your core English skills transfer directly. Your reading comprehension, vocabulary, listening skills, and grammar knowledge do not change between tests. What changes is the format, timing, and the way you are expected to demonstrate those skills.

The biggest adjustment is the Speaking section. TOEFL speaking involves six tasks — two independent opinion tasks and four integrated tasks that combine reading, listening, and speaking. IELTS Speaking is an 11-14 minute face-to-face conversation with a real person. You need to practice sustaining extended answers, handling follow-up questions, and speaking naturally under the social pressure of an interview. This is where most TOEFL-to-IELTS switchers lose marks.

IELTS Writing also differs significantly. TOEFL's integrated writing task requires you to summarise a lecture in relation to a reading passage — a format with no direct IELTS equivalent. IELTS Writing Task 2 requires a 250-word essay with clear paragraphing, a developed argument, and sophisticated cohesion. Task 1 (Academic) requires you to describe data, while Task 1 (General) requires a letter. Dedicated practice on these IELTS-specific formats is essential.

For Reading and Listening, the skills are very similar, but the question types differ. IELTS uses True/False/Not Given, matching headings, and sentence completion — question formats that require different strategies than TOEFL's predominantly multiple-choice approach. Spend time learning IELTS-specific question types rather than just drilling general comprehension.