IELTS vs TOEFL at a glance
TOEFL fees are from ETS's fee page and score timing from ETS, read 10 October 2026; test content from ETS. IELTS details are from ielts.org, IDP India and our IELTS fee in the USA guide.
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Score scale | Bands 0–9 | 1–6 in half bands since 21 Jan 2026 (reports also show 0–120) |
| IELTS 7.0 equals | 7.0 | 5 (ETS comparison) |
| IELTS 6.5 equals | 6.5 | 4.5 |
| Length | 2 h 45 min | About 2 h (adaptive) |
| Speaking | 11–14 min face-to-face with an examiner | About 8 min recorded: Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview |
| Results | 1–5 days on computer | In your ETS account 3 days after the test |
| Fee in India | INR 19,000 | USD 164 (excludes taxes) |
| Fee in Pakistan | PKR 75,600–76,240 | USD 230 |
| Fee in the USA | USD 325 at most centres | USD 280 |
| Extra score reports | Up to 5 free by post; e-delivery unlimited | USD 29 each |
What US universities actually ask for
The US student visa sets no English score of its own; your university's requirement is the one that leads to your Form I-20. These minimums are from each university's own page, and every one accepts both tests.
| University and level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Other tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford graduate | 7 | 4.5 (old 90) | Only TOEFL and IELTS accepted |
| UC Berkeley graduate | 7 | 5 (old 90) | Duolingo not accepted |
| UCLA graduate | 7.0 | 4.5 (old 87) | Only TOEFL and IELTS accepted |
| Harvard GSAS | 7 (Speaking 6.5) | 5 (old 95) | No PTE or Duolingo |
| MIT undergraduate | 7 (7.5 recommended) | 5 (old 90) | PTE 65, Duolingo 120 |
| Columbia undergraduate | 7.5 | 5.5 (old 105) | Duolingo 135 |
| Arizona State graduate | 6.5 | 4 (old 80) | PTE 60, Duolingo 105 |
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Outside the US, IELTS is accepted more widely
If any non-US option is still open, check the TOEFL rules there. UKVI's SELT list does not include TOEFL (GOV.UK), and IRCC does not accept it for Express Entry (IRCC). Australia's Home Affairs accepts TOEFL iBT only if you choose "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when registering (Home Affairs), and NZQA says non-university providers cannot accept the new-format TOEFL from 21 January 2026 (NZQA). Some Australian universities, such as UNSW, were not yet accepting the new TOEFL format (UNSW).
Choose TOEFL if… / choose IELTS if…
Choose TOEFL if you are applying only to US universities, want the lower fee (USD 164 before tax in India, USD 280 in the US) and scores in three days, and are comfortable with short recorded speaking tasks.
Choose IELTS if you are also considering the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you prefer a conversation with an examiner, or you plan to send scores to many schools (TOEFL charges USD 29 per extra report). Our TOEFL scale guide explains old and new TOEFL scores.
Frequently asked questions
I'm applying for an MS in the US and maybe a backup master's in the UK. Should I take IELTS or TOEFL?+
IELTS. US universities accept both, but UKVI's list of approved SELTs does not include TOEFL, and an IELTS result covers both plans.
My university asks for TOEFL 90. What is that on the new TOEFL scale, and what IELTS score matches it?+
ETS recommends that institutions which asked for 90 now ask for 4.5, and its comparison places IELTS 6.5 at TOEFL 4.5. Check whether your university has published its own new-scale figure.
Which is cheaper for an Indian student, IELTS or TOEFL?+
On 10 October 2026 ETS listed TOEFL iBT at USD 164 in India, excluding taxes, while IELTS costs INR 19,000 at IDP India. Add USD 29 for each extra TOEFL score report.
Does Stanford accept PTE or Duolingo for graduate admission instead of IELTS or TOEFL?+
No. Stanford's graduate admissions page says it accepts only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic.
How fast will I get scores if my application deadline is next week?+
ETS says TOEFL scores are in your account 3 days after the test. IELTS on computer takes 1 to 5 days, so either can work, but book at least a week before the deadline.
Keep reading
Related
- TOEFL 1–6 score scale explained
- English test score comparison
- IELTS for the USA
- IELTS requirements by university
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 970 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 10 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy