TOEFL · Guides · October 25, 2026 · 7 min read
TOEFL score chart 2026: the new 1–6 scale, CEFR levels and 0–120 equivalents
Since 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT reports scores on a 1–6 scale in half bands: one score for each of Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, plus an overall score that is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half. Band 6 corresponds to CEFR C2, 5–5.5 to C1, 4–4.5 to B2. For a two-year transition period, the score report also shows a comparable total on the old 0–120 scale, so a university that still asks for “100” can read your result. Scores are valid for two years from the test date.
Figures are from ETS’s “Understanding TOEFL Scores” page and the 2026–27 TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin, as of October 2026.
TOEFL score chart: 1–6 vs 0–120 and CEFR
| Band (1–6) | CEFR level | Comparable 0–120 total |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | C2 | 114–120 |
| 5.5 | C1 | 107–113 |
| 5 | C1 | 95–106 |
| 4.5 | B2 | 86–94 |
| 4 | B2 | 72–85 |
| 3.5 | B1 | 58–71 |
| 3 | B1 | 44–57 |
| 2.5 | A2 | 34–43 |
| 2 | A2 | 24–33 |
| 1.5 | A1 | 12–23 |
| 1 | A1 | 0–11 |
On a new-format score report, the comparable 0–120 figure is a single number that ETS describes as the midpoint of the corresponding total range. It is an estimate for admissions offices, not a separate measurement.
Section scores on the old 0–30 scale
ETS also publishes how old section scores (0–30) line up with the new bands. This is the table to use if you have an old score and want to know where you stand today.
| Band | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 29–30 | 28–30 | 28–30 | 29–30 |
| 5.5 | 27–28 | 26–27 | 27 | 27–28 |
| 5 | 24–26 | 22–25 | 25–26 | 24–26 |
| 4.5 | 22–23 | 20–21 | 23–24 | 21–23 |
| 4 | 18–21 | 17–19 | 20–22 | 17–20 |
| 3.5 | 12–17 | 13–16 | 18–19 | 15–16 |
| 3 | 6–11 | 9–12 | 16–17 | 13–14 |
| 2.5 | 4–5 | 6–8 | 13–15 | 11–12 |
| 2 | 3 | 4–5 | 10–12 | 7–10 |
| 1.5 | 2 | 2–3 | 5–9 | 3–6 |
| 1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 |
Notice that the bands are not evenly spaced on the old scale. A Speaking 23 and a Reading 22 both sit at 4.5, but a Reading 12 is already 3.5 while a Speaking 12 is only 2. Each section has its own conversion.
How the overall score is calculated
- You get four section scores, each from 1 to 6 in half bands.
- ETS averages them.
- The average is rounded to the nearest half band.
Two examples from ETS: an average of 5.25 becomes 5.5, and an average of 5.125 becomes 5.
A worked example: Reading 5, Listening 5.5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4.5. The sum is 19.5, the average 4.875, and the nearest half band is 5. Because the overall is a plain average, a weak section pulls the total down as much as a strong one pushes it up. Raising your weakest skill by one band moves the overall by a quarter band, often enough to cross a rounding line.
How each section is scored
- Reading and Listening are two-stage adaptive. Everyone starts with a middle-level module; strong performance leads to a harder second module that gives access to the top bands. The score reflects both the number of correct answers and which module you reached. Some items are unscored try-outs.
- Writing. Build a Sentence items are right or wrong; the email and the Academic Discussion post are each scored 0–5 on ETS rubrics.
- Speaking. Each Listen and Repeat and each interview answer is scored 0–5. The section score combines them.
The structure of each section is explained in the new TOEFL format. Unofficial Reading and Listening scores appear on screen at the end of the test; official scores are posted to your ETS account about three days later.
How universities set requirements on the new scale
ETS sets no pass or fail mark: each institution sets its own requirement, and ETS’s own answer to “what is a good score” is the score your target programme asks for. Requirements were being rewritten for the new scale through 2026, so look at a few real pages before you set a target.
What universities actually publish (checked October 2026):
- University of California: in April 2026 the UC Academic Senate set a new systemwide minimum of 4.5 on the 1–6 scale for undergraduate admission, replacing the old 80. Individual campuses may set a higher bar.
- Boston University School of Law (graduate programmes): overall 5.0 with at least 4.5 in each section for tests from 21 January 2026; older tests are judged on the 0–120 requirement.
- Purdue University, Software Engineering (graduate): overall 4 for tests from 21 January 2026, alongside 80 for older tests.
Many universities ask for section minimums as well as an overall score, and some still list only 0–120 figures. ETS says that is fine: your report carries both scales, and the admissions office compares the 0–120 estimate with its listed requirement. Always take the number from the programme’s own page, not from a conversion table or a prep site. The overall and section minimums of 12 US, UK and Canadian universities are collected in what is a good TOEFL score in 2026.
TOEFL score equivalent to C1
C1 is 5 or 5.5 overall, which corresponds to a comparable total of about 95–113 on the old scale. C2 is 6 (114–120), and B2 is 4–4.5 (72–94). If a scholarship or employer asks for “C1 in English”, a 5 is the lowest TOEFL iBT band that meets it. Check whether they also need C1 in every section: an overall 5 with Speaking 4.5 is C1 overall but B2 in Speaking.
TOEFL score validity
TOEFL iBT scores are valid for two years from the test date. After two years ETS will not report or verify them, so you cannot send an old score even if a university would accept it. Plan your test so that the score is still valid on the application deadline, and check whether a programme needs it valid on the enrolment date too.
MyBest scores in 2026
MyBest scores still exist under the new scale. They combine your best score in each section from all valid TOEFL iBT tests in the last two years, and they appear on the score report next to your selected test date. On a report from a new-format test, older 0–120 scores are converted to the 1–6 scale in the MyBest section. On a report from an old-format test, MyBest shows only old-scale scores.
Whether MyBest counts is the institution’s decision: some accept it and some do not. Ask before you rely on combining sections from different dates.
Score reports, reviews and cancelling
- Your test fee includes four free score reports, chosen before the test. Extra reports cost a fee; see TOEFL exam fee 2026.
- You can ask for a review of Speaking and/or Writing within 30 days of the test, for a fee, as long as you have not already sent the scores anywhere. Reading and Listening cannot be reviewed.
- At the end of the test you can cancel all scores. There is no refund, and cancelled scores can be reinstated within 60 days for a fee.
How to estimate your band before the test
Take a full mock test under exam conditions and work out the gap section by section. Nomto’s adaptive mock tests, full or one section, end with a report on the 1–6 scale for each section, the overall band and the 0–120 total. Speaking and writing are scored 0–5 on the official rubrics by AI and marked as an estimate; Reading, Listening and Build a Sentence are checked instantly with explanations in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, Turkish or Indonesian. A free account gives you 10 Reading, Listening and Build a Sentence items and 3 spoken and 1 written answer scored by AI; a pass ($15 a week, $49 for 3 months, $79 for 6 months, $119 a year) opens all courses.
If your weakest section is Speaking, start with Listen and Repeat; if it is Writing, the quickest gains are in Build a Sentence and Write an Email. Comparing TOEFL bands with IELTS? See IELTS vs TOEFL.
Common questions
What is the maximum TOEFL score in 2026? 6 in each section and 6 overall, shown with a comparable 0–120 total during the transition.
Is a 4.5 a good TOEFL score? It is B2 and meets, for example, the University of California systemwide minimum. Some graduate programmes ask for more, such as the 5.0 at Boston University School of Law.
How long will the 0–120 score appear? ETS shows the comparable 0–120 total for a two-year transition period after January 2026.
Do I need to convert my score for an application? No. The report shows both scales, and the university compares the one it uses.
TOEFL® and TOEFL iBT® are registered trademarks of ETS. Nomto is not endorsed or approved by ETS.
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