Free Express Entry language tool
CRS language points calculator
Each English skill earns CRS points by its CLB level: 31 per skill at CLB 9 and 34 at CLB 10 for a single applicant, or 29 and 32 with a spouse or partner. IELTS 8/7/7/7 is CLB 9 in every skill, worth 124 points single. A flat IELTS 7.0 is only 110, because listening 7.0 is CLB 7.
Checked 25 October 2026 against IRCC’s CRS criteria and Express Entry language test tables. BandLadder is an independent preparation platform.
The calculator runs on this device. Your scores are not saved or sent to analytics.
This calculator covers first-official-language points and, optionally, the skill transferability points that combine language with education or foreign work experience. It is not your full CRS score. If you also have Canadian work experience, IRCC caps each education and foreign-work group at 50, so the transferability shown here can be lower in your profile.
Worked examples
IELTS 8/7/7/7, single
Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0 (IELTS) is CLB 9, CLB 9, CLB 9, CLB 9. That is 124 CRS points single. Best next step: raise listening to 8.5 for +3.
IELTS 7.0 in every skill, single
Listening 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0 (IELTS) is CLB 7, CLB 9, CLB 9, CLB 9. That is 110 CRS points single. Best next step: raise listening to 7.5 for +6.
PTE Core at the CLB 9 minimums, with a spouse
Listening 82, Reading 78, Writing 88, Speaking 84 (PTE Core) is CLB 9, CLB 9, CLB 9, CLB 9. That is 116 CRS points with a spouse or partner. Best next step: raise listening to 89 for +3.
Adding a bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ foreign work
With CLB 9 in all four skills, IELTS 8/7/7/7 adds 25 for education and 50 for foreign work, a total of 199 language-linked points. Flat 7.0 has a lowest skill of CLB 7, so it earns the lower tier: 13 + 25, a total of 148. One band in listening, 7.0 to 8.0, is worth 51 points here.
CRS points per skill by CLB
| CLB | Single, per skill | With spouse, per skill | Single, all four |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 34 | 32 | 136 |
| 9 | 31 | 29 | 124 |
| 8 | 23 | 22 | 92 |
| 7 | 17 | 16 | 68 |
| 6 | 9 | 8 | 36 |
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
Below CLB 4 earns 0. Score thresholds for each level are on the CLB score chart.
What this calculator leaves out
French as a second official language, the spouse’s own language points, the certificate of qualification combination for trades, and every non-language CRS factor. Use IRCC’s CRS criteria for the full score.
Convert scores to CLB
Use the IELTS to CLB calculator or the PTE Core to CLB calculator. Choosing a test? Read PTE Core vs CELPIP.
FAQ
- How many CRS points is IELTS 8777?
- IELTS General Training listening 8, reading 7, writing 7 and speaking 7 is CLB 9 in every skill. That is 124 first-language CRS points for a single applicant (31 per skill) or 116 with a spouse or partner (29 per skill). CLB 9 in all four also unlocks the top skill transferability tier.
- How many CRS points is CLB 9?
- 31 points per skill for a single applicant and 29 with a spouse or partner, so 124 or 116 for all four skills. CLB 10 or more gives 34 (single) or 32 (with spouse) per skill.
- Is IELTS 7 in each band CLB 9?
- No. Reading, writing and speaking 7.0 are CLB 9, but listening 7.0 is CLB 7: listening needs 8.0 for CLB 9. Flat 7.0 gives 110 points single, 14 fewer than 8/7/7/7. Raising listening to 7.5 adds 6.
- Does PTE Core give the same CRS points as IELTS?
- Yes, for the same CLB. IRCC converts each skill of IELTS General Training, PTE Core or CELPIP-General to a CLB level, and CRS points depend only on the CLB. The scores needed differ by test: CLB 9 is PTE Core listening 82, reading 78, writing 88 and speaking 84, or CELPIP 9 in each skill.
- How do I increase my CRS score with IELTS?
- Raise the skill whose next CLB step adds the most points. Moving a skill from CLB 8 to CLB 9 adds 8 points single, and getting your lowest skill from CLB 8 to CLB 9 can add up to 50 more skill transferability points if you also have a qualifying degree and foreign work experience. The calculator ranks each skill’s next step.
- Are IELTS Academic or PTE Academic accepted for Express Entry?
- No. For English, IRCC accepts IELTS General Training, PTE Core and CELPIP-General only. It does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake. Results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you apply.