Official IELTS Band Score Calculator (2026 Rules)

Calculate your overall IELTS band from the four section scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The calculator applies the official IELTS rounding rule — the average is rounded to the nearest half band (0.25 rounds up, 0.75 rounds up).

How is the IELTS overall band calculated?

Your overall band score is calculated by taking the average of the four component scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). The average is then rounded to the nearest half or whole band according to the official rule:

• The 0.25 Rule: If the average ends in .25, it rounds UP to the next half band (e.g., 6.25 becomes 6.5).
• The 0.75 Rule: If the average ends in .75, it rounds UP to the next whole band (e.g., 6.75 becomes 7.0).
• Other averages round to the nearest 0.5

Worked examples of IELTS overall band rounding

Add the four section bands, divide by four, then apply the rounding rule. These examples use common score combinations:

Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Average	Overall band
7.0	7.5	6.5	6.0	6.75	7.0
7.5	7.5	6.0	6.0	6.75	7.0
9.0	9.0	7.5	7.5	8.25	8.5
6.0	6.5	6.5	6.0	6.25	6.5
6.5	6.5	5.5	6.0	6.125	6.0
8.0	7.5	7.0	7.0	7.375	7.5

The same rule is used by both IDP and the British Council, for IELTS Academic and General Training. An average such as 6.125 is closer to 6.0 than 6.5, so it rounds down; 7.375 is closer to 7.5, so it rounds up.

IELTS band score for Canada PR

For Canada Express Entry, the minimum is CLB 7 in all four skills — that's IELTS L 6.0 / R 6.0 / W 6.0 / S 6.0. For maximum CRS points, aim for CLB 9 (L 8.0 / R 7.0 / W 7.0 / S 7.0). Use our IELTS to CLB calculator to convert.

IELTS band requirements (typical)

Purpose	Typical IELTS
UK student visa (degree)	6.0–6.5
Australia PR (skilled)	6.0–7.0
Canada Express Entry (max CRS)	7.0+ (CLB 9)
US universities (Master's)	6.5–7.5