IELTS · Articles · October 19, 2026 · 3 min read
IELTS vs TOEFL in 2026: differences and which one to take
Both tests check reading, listening, writing and speaking, and both are accepted by thousands of universities. They differ in format, scoring, length and how you can take them. The TOEFL iBT changed significantly on 21 January 2026, so comparisons in older articles are out of date.
IELTS and TOEFL iBT side by side
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | British Council, IDP and Cambridge University Press & Assessment | ETS |
| Length | about 2 hours 45 minutes | about 1.5 hours; Reading and Listening are adaptive |
| Speaking | 11–14 minutes, face to face with an examiner | about 8 minutes, answers recorded on computer |
| Writing | 60 minutes: a chart description or letter, and an essay | about 23 minutes: an email, an academic discussion post, building sentences |
| Scale | 0 to 9 in half bands | 1 to 6 in half steps; the old 0–120 score also appears during a transition period |
| Results | 1–5 days | about 3 days |
| Valid for | 2 years | 2 years |
| At home | IELTS Online in some countries, not accepted everywhere | TOEFL iBT Home Edition, widely available |
Data from ielts.org and ets.org as of October 2026. Fees for both tests depend on the country.
The difference in practice
- Speaking. IELTS is a three-part conversation with a real examiner: questions about you, a two-minute talk from a card, and a discussion. TOEFL answers are recorded on computer: you repeat what you hear and answer interview questions.
- Writing. IELTS has two longer tasks in 60 minutes: a chart (or a letter in General Training) and an essay of 250+ words. TOEFL tasks are shorter: an email and a reply in an academic discussion.
- Reading and Listening. IELTS has 40 questions in each, with many gap-fills using words from the text or recording. TOEFL is adaptive: the set of tasks adjusts to your answers.
- Versions. IELTS has Academic for study and General Training for work and migration. TOEFL iBT is academic only.
Which one to choose
- Study in the UK: usually IELTS; student visas often need IELTS for UKVI.
- Study in the US, Europe or Asia: most universities accept both. Check the minimum score in the course requirements and choose the format you are more confident in.
- Migration and work: the immigration authority sets the list. For Canada, Australia and New Zealand, IELTS General Training is the most common option.
- No test centre nearby: the TOEFL Home Edition may be easier to arrange than travelling to an IELTS centre.
Common questions
Which is easier, IELTS or TOEFL? Neither is objectively easier; universities treat the scores as comparable. The difference is format. People who prefer talking to a person usually feel more comfortable with IELTS; people who are confident speaking into a microphone and like short tasks often prefer TOEFL.
How do TOEFL scores convert to IELTS? ETS publishes official comparison tables, and universities usually set a separate minimum for each test. Go by the course requirement, not by a conversion.
Can I prepare for both at once? For general English, yes, but the formats are too different. Pick one test and prepare for its tasks.
If you are leaning towards IELTS, start with Speaking: the live interview is the biggest difference from TOEFL. The full structure is in the IELTS test format guide.