IELTS and TOEFL are the two most accepted English tests in the world. Both check the same four skills, both are valid for 2 years, and both are accepted by more than 12,000 universities and organisations. The main differences are simple. IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face talk with a human examiner, while TOEFL Speaking is recorded into a computer. IELTS is the test to use for UK, Canadian and Australian immigration, while TOEFL is mainly for university study, especially in the United States. And from January 2026, TOEFL uses a new 1 to 6 score scale. This guide compares them and helps you choose.
IELTS vs TOEFL at a glance
Here is a side-by-side look at the two tests. The differences in speaking, accents and acceptance matter most when you choose.
| Feature | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | British Council, IDP and Cambridge | ETS (United States) |
| Score scale | 0 to 9 bands | 1 to 6 (new 2026), was 0 to 120 |
| Skills tested | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | The same four |
| Speaking | Face-to-face with an examiner | Recorded into a computer |
| Accents | British, Australian and others | Mainly North American |
| Length | About 2 hours 45 minutes | About 2 hours |
| Delivery | Computer (paper withdrawn in 2026) | Computer only |
| Results | 1 to 5 days | About 3 days |
| Best known for | UK, Canada and Australia immigration | US university admission |
From 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT reports on a new 1 to 6 scale, in half points, instead of the old 0 to 120 scale. The overall score is now the average of the four sections, just like IELTS. The new scale is tied to the CEFR levels, so a 5 means C1. During a transition period until 2028, your score report shows both the new 1 to 6 score and the old 0 to 120 score, so any university can read it. You can confirm this on the official ETS scoring page.
IELTS to TOEFL score conversion
Universities often list their requirement in one test's scale, so it helps to compare. This table is a rough guide only. The tests measure English in different ways, and each university or visa office sets its own scores. Always check the exact requirement before you apply.
| IELTS band | CEFR level | TOEFL (new 1 to 6) | TOEFL (old 0 to 120) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 to 5.5 | B1 to B2 | 3.5 to 4.0 | 35 to 59 |
| 6.0 | B2 | 4.0 | 60 to 78 |
| 6.5 | B2 | 4.5 | 79 to 93 |
| 7.0 | C1 | 5.0 | 94 to 101 |
| 7.5 | C1 | 5.0 to 5.5 | 102 to 109 |
| 8.0 to 9.0 | C1 to C2 | 5.5 to 6.0 | 110 to 120 |
To understand the IELTS side of this table, see our IELTS band scores guide, or work out your own band with the band score calculator.
The biggest difference: the speaking test
This is the difference most people care about. In IELTS, you speak to a real examiner, in person or by video call. The examiner can smile, nod and repeat a question, so it feels like a normal conversation. In TOEFL, you speak into a microphone and your answers are recorded, then scored by a mix of computer and human raters. There are no follow-up questions.
A human conversation
An 11 to 14 minute talk with an examiner who responds to you in real time.
- Good if you like talking to people
- You can ask for a question to be repeated
- Feels closer to real life
Recorded to a computer
You record short answers into a microphone, with strict timing and no human in front of you.
- Good if you are comfortable with computers
- No live person to react to
- Some tasks mix reading or listening with speaking
What I have seen in my coaching
In my 5 years coaching IELTS, the clearest difference between IELTS and TOEFL is often about personality, not just English. The speaking format suits some students and works against others. Here are two real examples from my own students.
The first student wrote well, read quickly and explained his ideas clearly in normal practice. But under IELTS Speaking exam conditions, he froze. He gave short answers, avoided eye contact and second-guessed himself after every follow-up question. After 2 IELTS attempts, his Speaking score was still stuck at 6.0. So we tried TOEFL instead. Speaking into a microphone felt strange at first, but it took away the pressure of sitting in front of an examiner. Once he learned the TOEFL speaking structure, his answers became more controlled and confident. TOEFL did not make English easier for him. It simply matched his personality better.
I have seen the opposite happen too. Another student was not a fast typist and disliked long computer tests, but she was naturally confident in conversation. In TOEFL-style speaking, the timer made her tense, and her answers became robotic as she tried to fit everything into the time limit. In IELTS Speaking, the live examiner format helped her. She treated it like a normal chat. She smiled, expanded her answers and recovered quickly from small mistakes. She scored much higher than she did in the TOEFL tasks.
The lesson is simple. If you are strong on computers but get nervous in live conversation, TOEFL can be the smarter choice. If you are socially confident and can think aloud, IELTS often gives you more room to show your fluency. This is exactly why taking a practice test of each is worth your time.
Which test is accepted where?
Both tests are accepted by thousands of universities. But there is a key split for visas. IELTS is the only English test accepted by all four main immigration authorities: the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. TOEFL is not accepted for UK visas, and it is not the test used for Canadian or Australian immigration. So for those visa routes, you need IELTS.
For university study, both are widely accepted. TOEFL has long been popular in the United States, but IELTS is now accepted by over 3,400 US institutions, including all the Ivy League universities. To see how IELTS works for specific countries, read our guides for the UK and Canada, or start with what IELTS is.
Which should you choose?
Neither test is easier overall. The right test is the one your university or visa accepts, and the one that fits your strengths.
It fits your goal
IELTS suits many study and migration plans.
- You need a UK, Canada or Australia visa
- You prefer a face-to-face speaking test
- You find British accents easier
It fits your goal
TOEFL suits some US study plans.
- Your US university prefers it
- You are happy typing and speaking to a computer
- You find American accents easier
Still unsure? Take a short practice test and see which format feels more natural to you. The test that suits you will usually give you a higher score.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing
Assuming scores convert exactly
An IELTS band and a TOEFL score are not a direct swap. Use the table as a guide and check your institution.
Choosing by region alone
Check the actual requirement of your university or visa, not just a general rule about countries.
Using TOEFL for a UK visa
TOEFL is not accepted for UK visas. For UK, Canadian and Australian immigration, you need IELTS.
Using old TOEFL prep materials
Practice from before January 2026 uses the old 0 to 120 scale and format. Use updated materials.
Key takeaways
- IELTS and TOEFL test the same four skills and are both valid for 2 years.
- IELTS Speaking is with a human examiner. TOEFL Speaking is recorded into a computer.
- From January 2026, TOEFL uses a new 1 to 6 scale, with the old 0 to 120 shown until 2028.
- For UK, Canadian and Australian immigration, you need IELTS, not TOEFL.
- TOEFL is mainly for university study, and is popular in the United States.
- Take a practice test of each, then pick the one that suits your strengths.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS or TOEFL easier?
Neither is easier overall. They test the same four skills in different ways. IELTS suits people who like a face-to-face speaking test and British accents. TOEFL suits people who are comfortable typing and speaking to a computer. The best test for you is the one that fits your strengths.
What is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?
The main differences are the speaking test, the accents and the acceptance. IELTS Speaking is with a human examiner and uses British and other accents. TOEFL Speaking is recorded to a computer and uses North American accents. IELTS is used for UK, Canada and Australia immigration, while TOEFL is mainly for US university study.
What is IELTS 7.0 in TOEFL?
An IELTS 7.0 is roughly a TOEFL 5.0 on the new 1 to 6 scale, or about 94 to 101 on the old 0 to 120 scale. Both sit at CEFR level C1. This is approximate, so always check the exact score your university or visa needs.
What is the new TOEFL score scale in 2026?
From 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT reports on a new 1 to 6 scale in half points, tied to the CEFR levels. The overall score is the average of the four sections. During a transition period until 2028, your report also shows the old 0 to 120 score.
Is TOEFL accepted for a UK visa?
No. TOEFL is not accepted for UK visas. For a UK visa you need an approved Secure English Language Test, and for IELTS that means IELTS for UKVI. TOEFL is also not the test used for Canadian or Australian immigration.
Should I take IELTS or TOEFL for the US?
Both are widely accepted in the United States. TOEFL has long been popular there, but IELTS is now accepted by over 3,400 US institutions, including all the Ivy League universities. Check your target university's requirement and choose the test that suits you better.
Sources: the official IELTS website (ielts.org) and the official TOEFL website from ETS (ets.org), including the 2026 TOEFL score scale update, reviewed in June 2026. Score conversions are approximate, and each university or visa office sets its own requirements, so always check the official source before you book.