Free tool
PTE to CLB calculator
Turn your PTE Core scores into a Canadian Language Benchmark. Slide in your four skills and this free calculator shows your CLB per skill and overall, using IRCC's official equivalency ranges, so you know exactly where you stand for Canadian Express Entry.
One thing to get right first: for Express Entry, IRCC accepts PTE Core, not PTE Academic. If you are unsure which test you need, read PTE Core vs PTE Academic.
Slide each skill to your PTE Core score. The tool maps each against IRCC's official PTE Core to CLB ranges and shows your Canadian Language Benchmark instantly. Your overall CLB is set by your weakest skill, the way Express Entry reads it.
Your overall Canadian Language Benchmark
CLB 7
Meets the Federal Skilled Worker minimum (CLB 7) and the general Express Entry bar. Pushing your weakest skill to CLB 9 unlocks more CRS points.
Indicative only, based on IRCC's published PTE Core to CLB ranges. CRS language points also depend on your second official language and other factors. Always confirm current equivalencies on canada.ca before you apply.
Based on IRCC's published PTE Core to CLB equivalency ranges. Last reviewed 14 August 2026. Indicative only, not affiliated with Pearson or IRCC.
The official mapping
PTE Core to CLB score chart
IRCC's equivalency ranges, per skill, from CLB 5 to CLB 10. Your overall benchmark is set by your lowest skill.
| CLB level | S | W | R | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 89–90 | 90 | 88–90 | 89–90 |
| CLB 9 | 84–88 | 88–89 | 82–87 | 82–88 |
| CLB 8 | 76–83 | 79–87 | 69–81 | 71–81 |
| CLB 7 | 68–75 | 69–78 | 60–68 | 60–70 |
| CLB 6 | 59–67 | 60–68 | 51–59 | 50–59 |
| CLB 5 | 51–58 | 51–59 | 40–50 | 39–49 |
S, W, R, L are Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening. Source: IRCC PTE Core to CLB equivalency. Confirm current values on canada.ca before relying on them.
CLB 9 is the target that unlocks maximum language points.
CLB 7 gets you eligible; CLB 9 in all four skills maximises the language portion of your CRS score, which is often what separates an invitation from the pool. On PTE Core that is roughly Speaking 84, Listening 82, Reading 82, Writing 88. Writing and Speaking are usually the skills that hold candidates back, the same pattern we see in speaking practice.
FAQ
PTE to CLB, answered
For Express Entry economic immigration, IRCC accepts PTE Core, not PTE Academic. PTE Core was approved for Canadian economic programs, and its scores map to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). PTE Academic is used for study and for Australia, so make sure you sit PTE Core if Canadian permanent residence is your goal.
CLB 9 needs roughly Speaking 84, Listening 82, Reading 82 and Writing 88 on PTE Core (each skill counted separately). CLB 9 is the level that unlocks the maximum CRS points for your first official language, so it is the usual target for a competitive Express Entry profile.
CLB 7 is about Speaking 68, Listening 60, Reading 60 and Writing 69 on PTE Core. CLB 7 is the minimum language level for the Federal Skilled Worker program, but it earns fewer CRS points than CLB 9.
By your weakest skill. Each of the four skills is converted to a CLB separately, and your overall benchmark is the lowest of the four, because Express Entry programs require you to meet the level in every skill, not on average.
CLB 7 meets the Federal Skilled Worker eligibility minimum, but it is rarely enough to be competitive on its own. Most successful Express Entry candidates aim for CLB 9 in all four skills, which maximises the language portion of the CRS score.
Language is one of the largest CRS factors. Points are awarded per skill and rise sharply from CLB 7 to CLB 9, and there are additional points when strong English is combined with education or a second official language. Always check the current CRS grid on canada.ca.
Yes. The ranges in the calculator and table come from IRCC's published PTE Core to CLB equivalency chart. We show them for planning only, so confirm the current values on canada.ca before you submit an application, as equivalency tables can be updated.
Yes. You can take a PTE Core mock test on PTE Mocks with AI scoring for speaking and writing, so you get a per-skill estimate and can see which skill is holding your CLB back before you pay for the real exam.
See which skill is holding your CLB back.
Take a PTE Core mock test with AI scoring for speaking and writing. Get a per-skill report and know exactly where you stand against CLB 7 and CLB 9 before you book the real exam.