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IELTS Band Score Calculator

An IELTS band score calculator converts the number of correct answers out of 40 in Listening and Reading into the 0–9 band scale, then averages all four paper bands and rounds to the nearest half band to give your overall score. Enter your scores below, or use the conversion tables and rounding rules underneath.

IELTS Listening raw score to band

Listening has 40 questions worth one mark each, and the same conversion applies to IELTS Academic and General Training.

Correct answers (out of 40)Band
39–409.0
37–388.5
35–368.0
32–347.5
30–317.0
26–296.5
23–256.0
18–225.5
16–175.0
13–154.5
10–124.0
8–93.5
6–73.0
4–52.5
32.0
1–21.0

IELTS Academic Reading raw score to band

Academic Reading has 40 questions on three long passages from books, journals and newspapers.

Correct answers (out of 40)Band
39–409.0
37–388.5
35–368.0
33–347.5
30–327.0
27–296.5
23–266.0
19–225.5
15–185.0
13–144.5
10–124.0
8–93.5
6–73.0
4–52.5
32.0
1–21.0

IELTS General Training Reading raw score to band

General Training Reading needs more correct answers than Academic Reading for the same band, because its workplace and everyday texts are easier.

Correct answers (out of 40)Band
409.0
398.5
37–388.0
367.5
34–357.0
32–336.5
30–316.0
27–295.5
23–265.0
19–224.5
15–184.0
12–143.5
9–113.0
6–82.5
4–52.0
1–31.0

How the overall IELTS band is rounded

Add the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands and divide by four. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band; other averages round to the nearest half band.

Example: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 5.0 and Speaking 7.0 average 6.25, which is reported as an overall band of 6.5.

Writing and Speaking bands

Writing and Speaking are not marked out of 40. Examiners score four criteria from 0 to 9 and average them, and in Writing, Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1.

IELTS Writing model answers

Band 9 model essays, letters and templates from the Writing library. Browse all 118 in the Learning Hub.

Latest IELTS and study-abroad news

Daily articles on IELTS changes, visa rules and university admissions.

IELTS Speaking and Writing practice

Cue cards, speaking questions and Writing Task 1 questions with band 9 sample answers, plus a free band score calculator.

IELTS exam guides

Frequently asked questions

How is the IELTS overall band score calculated?

Add the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands and divide by four. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band; other averages round to the nearest half band. For example 6.5, 6.5, 5.0 and 7.0 average 6.25, reported as 6.5.

How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in IELTS Listening?

About 30 out of 40. In the typical conversion, 30–31 correct is band 7, 32–34 is band 7.5 and 35–36 is band 8.

How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in IELTS Reading?

About 30 out of 40 in Academic Reading, and about 34 out of 40 in General Training Reading, because the General Training texts are easier.

Is a band score calculator result official?

No. It applies the typical published conversion, which can shift by a mark or two between test versions. Only a result from an IELTS test centre is official.

Which IELTS band is equal to CEFR B2?

IELTS bands 5.5 to 6.5 are generally aligned with CEFR level B2, and bands 7.0 to 8.0 with C1.