TOEFL Score 2026: Converter, Chart and Good Scores

Riya scored 95 on the TOEFL in 2025. Her dream university in Canada now asks for "4.5 overall." Is she in or out?

If that question sounds familiar, you are not alone. The TOEFL score changed shape on January 21, 2026. ETS, the organisation that runs the test, replaced the familiar 0 to 120 scale with a new 1 to 6 band scale.

This guide converts any TOEFL score between the two scales. It shows what a good score looks like for your target country. And it helps you decide whether to apply, retake, or switch tests.

Quick answer: The TOEFL now scores you from 1 to 6 in half-band steps. A 4.5 equals 86 to 94 on the old scale. A 5 equals 95 to 106. Many master's programs abroad ask for a 4.5 to 5 overall, often with minimum section scores.

• The TOEFL moved to a 1 to 6 band scale on January 21, 2026.
• Your overall band is the average of four sections, rounded to the nearest half band.
• 4 equals 72 to 85, 4.5 equals 86 to 94, and 5 equals 95 to 106 on the old scale.
• Score reports show a comparable 0-120 score until January 2028.
• Section minimums decide as many applications as overall scores.
• Old-scale scores stay valid for two years from the test date.
• University admission and visa acceptance are separate checks.

The new TOEFL score scale reports your English level from 1 to 6 in half-band steps. You get four section scores for Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking, plus one overall score. ETS introduced it on January 21, 2026, to align TOEFL scores with the CEFR.

The CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Schools and universities around the world use it to describe English levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery).

Why ETS Moved From 0-120 to 1-6

ETS gave three reasons for the change:

1. 1.Clearer CEFR alignment. A band score now maps straight to a CEFR level.
2. 2.A link to prior learning. Many students already know the CEFR from school English exams.
3. 3.Consistency across sections. A 5 in any section now means C1 level in that skill.

That third point fixes a real problem. On the old scale, the same number meant different things in different sections. A 24 in Reading converts to a band of 5. A 24 in Speaking converts to 4.5. The new scale removes that confusion.

The scale change is about how ETS reports your ability. Your target university still decides what score it needs.

How the Overall Score Is Calculated Now

The way your overall score is built has changed. This matters when you plan which section to improve.

The Old Method: Sum of Four Sections

On the 0-120 scale, ETS added your four section scores together.

Example: Reading 25 + Listening 24 + Writing 22 + Speaking 24 = 95 overall.

The New Method: Average of Four Sections

On the 1-6 scale, ETS averages your four section scores and rounds to the nearest half band.

How to calculate your new TOEFL overall score:

1. 1.Add your four section bands.
2. 2.Divide the total by 4.
3. 3.Round to the nearest half band.

Example 1: Reading 5, Listening 5.5, Writing 5, Speaking 5.5. The total is 21. Divided by 4, that gives 5.25. ETS rounds this up to 5.5.

Example 2: Reading 5, Listening 5, Writing 5, Speaking 5.5. The total is 20.5. Divided by 4, that gives 5.125. ETS rounds this down to 5.

Both examples come straight from ETS. Notice how one half band in a single section can move your overall score by half a band.

What Your 2026 Score Report Shows

Until January 2028, every new TOEFL score report shows three things:

1. 1.Your CEFR level
2. 2.Your 1-6 overall and section scores
3. 3.A comparable 0-120 overall score

The Comparable 0-120 Score During the Transition

The comparable score is not your "real" old score. It is the midpoint of the 0-120 range that matches your band. For example, ETS shows a 4.5 band alongside a comparable score of 90.

ETS says you do not need to convert anything yourself. If a university still lists a 0-120 requirement, compare it with the comparable score on your report.

How MyBest Scores Work Across Both Scales

MyBest scores combine your best section scores from different test dates.

• If your latest report is on the new scale, MyBest converts your older 0-120 scores into 1-6 bands.
• If your latest report is on the old scale, MyBest shows only old-scale scores.

Check before you rely on MyBest. Some universities do not accept it. The University of British Columbia, for example, does not accept MyBest scores for graduate applications and wants all minimums met in a single sitting.

The scale change is simple on paper. In practice, it leads to costly mistakes. These are the three we see most often.

Mistake 1: Reading a Band Like an Old Score

A 4.5 looks low if you still think in 0-120 terms. It is not. It sits at B2 level and equals 86 to 94 on the old scale.

The reverse mistake is just as common. A band of 5 does not mean exactly 100. It covers 95 to 106. If your target program asks for "100 or 5," ETS recommends the band of 5 as the equivalent. Universities that list both numbers usually follow that guidance.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Section Minimums

Many students check only the overall score. Admissions teams check every section.

At the University of Arizona's Civil and Architectural Engineering graduate programs, the overall minimum is 4.0. But Speaking must be at least 5. A student with 4.5 overall and 4.5 in Speaking meets the first rule and fails the second.

Mistake 3: Retaking When You Did Not Need To

Each TOEFL attempt in India costs ₹16,900. Families sometimes pay for a retake because a score "looks" too low on one scale. Check both scales and every section requirement first. You may already qualify.

How Universities Are Reading New-Scale Scores

ETS asked universities to publish both scales during the transition, with clear test dates for each. Many now do exactly that. A typical listing reads like this:

• Tests taken before January 21, 2026: minimum 90, with section minimums
• Tests taken on or after January 21, 2026: minimum 4.5, with section minimums

Not every university has updated its website at the same pace. If a page shows only one scale, your score report covers you. It carries both your band and a comparable 0-120 score.

TOEFL Overall Score Conversion Chart

Source: ETS TOEFL iBT score comparison tables. Ranges run from each band's ETS starting point to one point below the next band.

Common old scores, converted:

• 72 or 79 converts to 4
• 80 converts to 4
• 90 converts to 4.5
• 95 or 100 converts to 5
• 110 converts to 5.5

TOEFL Section Score Conversion Chart (0-30 to 1-6)

Source: ETS.

Look at Speaking. You needed 25 in Speaking to reach a band of 5, but only 22 in Listening. Each section has its own conversion. Always convert section by section.

TOEFL, IELTS and CEFR in One Table

Source: ETS comparison of the 1-6 scale with IELTS, for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026.

To find the CEFR level, use the overall conversion chart above. For example, a TOEFL 4.5 (IELTS 6.5 equivalent) sits at B2.

ETS notes that comparison tables are guides. They cannot predict the exact score one person would get on two different tests. Your university may also set separate requirements for TOEFL and IELTS.

How to Convert Your TOEFL Score in 3 Steps

1. 1.Check your test date. Before January 21, 2026 means an old-scale score. On or after that date means a new-scale score.
2. 2.Find your range. Use the overall chart to see your band and its 0-120 range.
3. 3.Check each section. Convert every section score and compare it with your university's section minimums.

There is no passing TOEFL score. A good TOEFL score is the one your target university requires. As a general guide, many programs that once asked for 80 now ask for 4. Those that asked for 90 now ask for 4.5. Those that asked for 100 now ask for 5.

TOEFL Score Tiers

The 80, 90, and 100 equivalents follow ETS guidance to universities.

Good TOEFL Scores by Country

Each university sets its own TOEFL score requirement. These real examples show how requirements look during the transition.

Sources: each university's official admissions page. Requirements change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.

Some programs ask for more than the university minimum. Always check the program page, not just the general admissions page.

USA

There is no national TOEFL standard in the USA. Each university, and often each department, sets its own score. Engineering and business programs frequently add a Speaking minimum, as the Arizona example shows. TOEFL remains a common choice for US applications.

UK

ETS states that all UK universities accept the TOEFL iBT for admission. The visa question is separate, and we cover it below. Some UK universities have been slower to update their TOEFL pages for the new scale. If your university's page looks out of date, email admissions before you book a test.

Canada

Canadian universities set their own TOEFL requirements and many list both scales. Note how UBC asks for a higher Listening band than its overall minimum. Check study permit rules separately on the IRCC website.

Australia

ETS states that all Australian universities accept the TOEFL iBT Australia test. If you need your score for an Australian visa, book TOEFL iBT Australia at an authorised test centre. The Home Edition is not accepted for Australian visa purposes.

Ireland and Germany

ETS states that all Irish universities accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition without conditions. In Germany, each university sets its own English requirement for English-taught programs. Check the program page or the DAAD database for each course.

Good TOEFL Scores by Program Type

ETS gives universities two model requirements, which many now follow:

Source: ETS guidance on publishing updated score requirements.

Writing-heavy programs such as law, humanities, and many MBAs often set a Writing minimum. Teaching and healthcare programs often set a Speaking minimum.

Section Minimums: The Cutoff Students Overlook

Before you book or retake, check three things on your program page:

• Section floors. Look for "minimum component score" or "minimum section score."
• Single-sitting rules. Some universities, like UBC, need all minimums met in one test.
• MyBest acceptance. If the page does not mention MyBest, ask admissions.

Thousands of Indian students still hold valid old-scale scores. Here is how to use them well.

Is My Old 0-120 TOEFL Score Still Valid?

Yes, for two years from your test date. A test taken in March 2025 stays valid until March 2027. ETS will not send scores older than two years.

What If a University Lists Cutoffs Only on the New Scale?

Use the conversion chart to find your band. Universities use the same ETS tables.

Remember Riya from the start of this guide? Her 95 converts to a band of 5. That clears the 4.5 her university asks for, as long as each section also meets its minimum.

Watch the edges of each range. A score of 86 and a score of 94 both convert to 4.5. If your score sits at the bottom of a range and the program is competitive, email admissions with your exact score.

What If a University Lists Only the Old 0-120 Scale?

If you took your test after January 21, 2026, look at the comparable 0-120 score on your report. Compare that number with the requirement. ETS confirms you do not need to convert anything else.

Old Paper-Based Scores (500, 570, 600) Explained

Google often shows questions like "Is 570 a good TOEFL score?" These numbers come from the old paper-based TOEFL, which used a different scale that went up to 677. They do not convert to the iBT scale in this guide.

The TOEFL ITP still uses a similar scale. Many universities do not accept TOEFL ITP for admission. UBC, for example, lists it as not accepted. If you hold one of these scores, plan to take the TOEFL iBT.

University admission and visa approval are two separate checks. A university can accept your TOEFL score even when the visa authority has its own rules.

Sources: ETS country pages, UK university guidance, Australian Government. Visa rules change often. Confirm on the official government website before you apply.

When You Need IELTS or PTE Instead

Choose IELTS or PTE when:

• You plan to join a UK pre-sessional or below-degree course that needs an SELT
• Your university does not list TOEFL, or lists it with conditions you cannot meet
• You want one test result that works for several countries on your shortlist

Not sure which test suits you? Our IELTS guidance explains the alternative.

Answer three questions before you pay for another attempt.

1. 1.What is the gap? Compare your overall score and every section with the requirements.
2. 2.How much time do you have? ETS releases scores 3 days after the test. Allow extra time for preparation and for universities to receive scores.
3. 3.What will it cost? Add the fee to the cost of missing an intake.

When to Retake

Retake if your overall score or any section falls below the requirement, and you have enough time to prepare before the deadline. Focus your preparation on the weakest section. Remember that one extra half band in one section can lift your overall band.

When to Apply With Your Current Score

Apply now if you meet the overall and section minimums on either scale. Also consider applying if a university offers conditional admission or a pathway program for students just below the cutoff.

When to Switch to IELTS or PTE

Switch if your destination's visa rules need a different test, as with UK courses below degree level. Switch, too, if most universities on your shortlist prefer another test.

What a TOEFL Retake Costs in India

Source: ETS India. Fees include taxes. Check the live fee page when you book.

A cheaper option to consider: If you missed a requirement only in Speaking or Writing, you can request a score review within 30 days of your test. It costs less than a retake. ETS does not review Reading or Listening, and you cannot request a review after your scores have been sent to any institution. A review may not change your score, so weigh the odds with a counsellor.

For parents: A new-scale score is not a lower score. A 4.5 band reflects the same level as roughly 86 to 94 on the old scale. Before paying for a retake, ask two questions. Does the score meet the university's overall and section minimums? And is the deadline close enough that a retake could delay the application?

How Aliff Can Help With Your TOEFL Score

Reading a TOEFL score is one step. Turning it into the right university shortlist is the next.

Aliff Overseas helps you:

• Check your score against the exact requirements of your shortlisted universities, section by section
• Decide your next move: apply now, retake, request a score review, or switch tests
• Match universities to your score across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and more
• Plan your application and visa from start to finish

Our counsellors work from 100+ offices across India.

Book a free TOEFL score evaluation

Your TOEFL score in 2026 tells the same story in a new format. Convert it using the ETS tables, check every section against your program, and confirm visa rules for your country. Most confusion disappears once you look at ranges instead of single numbers.

Do not book a retake based on how a score looks on one scale. First, convert your TOEFL score, then compare every section with your program's published requirement. If you are within half a band, talk to a counsellor about score reviews, conditional offers, and pathway options before you spend ₹16,900 on another attempt.