TCF Canada score to CLB: the official conversion table
Updated for 2026 · sourced from IRCC's official test-equivalency chart.
TCF Canada → CLB / NCLC conversion table
NCLC 7 is the same level as CLB 7 - NCLC is simply the French label for the benchmark scale. Find your score in each column to read off your level.
| CLB / NCLC | ListeningCompréhension orale | ReadingCompréhension écrite | SpeakingExpression orale | WritingExpression écrite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| 7Express Entry | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
Listening and reading use the 0–699 scale; speaking and writing use the 0–20 scale. Note the thresholds differ slightly between skills - CLB 7 needs Listening 458 but Reading 453.
How to read your TCF result and find your CLB
Convert one skill at a time, then take the lowest of the skills your draw counts:
- Find your TCF Canada score for each of the four skills on your attestation.
- Read the band it falls into above to get the CLB / NCLC level for that skill.
- Your usable level is the lowest CLB across the skills the draw requires.
Worked example - a candidate scores Listening 480, Reading 460, Speaking 12, Writing 10:
| Skill | Score | Band | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 480 | 458–502 | CLB 7 |
| Reading | 460 | 453–498 | CLB 7 |
| Speaking | 12 | 12–13 | CLB 8 |
| Writing | 10 | 10–11 | CLB 7 |
That's CLB 7, 7, 8, 7. The strong speaking score doesn't lift the others - the usable level is CLB 7, the lowest across the four skills. One skill below the bar caps you, so it's worth knowing exactly where each one lands.
CLB / NCLC and CEFR - what each level means
The TCF is built on the CEFR: your answers are first rated against CEFR levels, then converted to NCLC for Canadian immigration. Here's roughly what each level looks like in practice.
| CLB / NCLC | CEFR (approx.) | What you can roughly do |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | A2 | Handle simple, routine exchanges on familiar topics. |
| 5–6 | B1 | Manage most everyday situations; follow clear standard speech. |
| 7 | B2 | Follow a news report, hold a work conversation, and argue a point. |
| 8 | B2+ / C1 | Deal with complex, abstract topics fluently and spontaneously. |
| 9–10 | C1 | Use French flexibly for social, academic and professional life. |
There is no official CLB–CEFR regulation - this mapping is the widely-used industry consensus, and roughly two NCLC levels span each CEFR band. The official TCF Canada result reports a CEFR level per skill.
Two things most score guides get wrong
What CLB level do you actually need?
Most French-category Express Entry draws and the Federal Skilled Worker Program require CLB / NCLC 7 in all four skills; some programs accept as low as CLB 5. Check the rules for the program you're applying under on IRCC's Express Entry pages.
What it's worth: French as your first official language can add up to 50 CRS points on top of your core language points - often the difference that clears a draw. (IRCC proposed changes to this bonus in 2026, so confirm the current rules before you rely on it.) TCF Canada results are valid for two years.
Frequently asked questions
What CLB is a TCF Canada listening score of 480?
CLB 7. A TCF Canada listening score of 480 falls within the 458–502 band, which equals CLB / NCLC 7.
What TCF Canada score do I need for CLB 7?
The CLB 7 minimums are: Listening 458, Reading 453, Speaking 10, and Writing 10. Each skill is converted independently, so you must reach CLB 7 in every skill the draw requires.
What TCF Canada score do I need for CLB 9?
The CLB 9 minimums are: Listening 523, Reading 524, Speaking 14, and Writing 14.
Is a TCF Canada writing score of 11 enough for CLB 7?
Yes. Writing and speaking are scored from 0 to 20, and a score of 10–11 equals CLB 7.
What CEFR level is NCLC 7?
Roughly CEFR B2. The mapping is industry consensus, not an official regulation - there is no government CLB–CEFR equivalency table.
What is the difference between CLB and NCLC?
They are the same scale. CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) is the English label; NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French label used for French-test results. NCLC 7 = CLB 7.
Does one low skill lower my overall level?
Yes. Your usable level for an Express Entry draw is the lowest CLB across the skills that draw counts - a high score in one skill does not lift a lower score in another.
How long are TCF Canada results valid for Express Entry?
Two years from the date of the test. After that you must retake the exam to use the result in an Express Entry profile.
Does my TCF Canada “/699” certificate score go straight into Express Entry?
No. For attestations issued after 10 December 2023, the raw “Score / 699” figure is not compatible with the Express Entry profile system and can produce an incorrect equivalency. Use the per-skill CLB / NCLC table instead.
By French TCF editorial team · Data source: IRCC (Government of Canada) · Last verified 19 June 2026
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