How does the TOEFL 2026 1–6 scale work?

From January 21, 2026, each TOEFL section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) is reported on a 1.0–6.0 scale in half-point steps, aligned to CEFR. A section 5 corresponds to CEFR C1.

What is a good TOEFL Speaking score in 2026?

A Speaking band of 5 (old 25–26) is CEFR C1 — advanced, and enough for most universities. A 4 (old 20–22) is upper-intermediate B2.

TOEFL Score Converter (2026): 0–120 to the new 1–6 band

Convert an old TOEFL total (0–120) or Speaking section (0–30) to the new 2026 1–6 band, with the CEFR level and what it means.

Your old total score (0–120)

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Full conversion reference

Old score	2026 band	CEFR	What it means
114–120	6	C2	Near-native command — handles any academic task with ease.
107–113	5.5	C1	Advanced — fluent, well-structured academic speech.
95–106	5	C1	Advanced — ready for most university-level study.
86–94	4.5	B2	Upper-intermediate — effective, with occasional gaps.
72–85	4	B2	Upper-intermediate — solid functional academic English.
58–71	3.5	B1	Intermediate — conveys ideas but limited range.
44–57	3	B1	Intermediate — manages familiar topics.
34–43	2.5	A2	Elementary — short, simple exchanges.
24–33	2	A2	Elementary — basic phrases only.
12–23	1.5	A1	Beginner — isolated words and set phrases.
0–11	1	A1	Beginner — minimal spoken production.
28–30	6	C2	Near-native command — handles any academic task with ease.
27	5.5	C1	Advanced — fluent, well-structured academic speech.
25–26	5	C1	Advanced — ready for most university-level study.
23–24	4.5	B2	Upper-intermediate — effective, with occasional gaps.
20–22	4	B2	Upper-intermediate — solid functional academic English.
18–19	3.5	B1	Intermediate — conveys ideas but limited range.
16–17	3	B1	Intermediate — manages familiar topics.
13–15	2.5	A2	Elementary — short, simple exchanges.
10–12	2	A2	Elementary — basic phrases only.
5–9	1.5	A1	Beginner — isolated words and set phrases.
0–4	1	A1	Beginner — minimal spoken production.

Based on ETS official score-comparison tables (Jan 2026). Speaking/Writing use rubric-based, statistically equated scoring, so old-scale ranges are approximate. During the 2-year transition ETS shows both the 1–6 band and a comparable 0–120 total.

FAQ

How does the TOEFL 2026 1–6 scale work?: From January 21, 2026, each TOEFL section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) is reported on a 1.0–6.0 scale in half-point steps, aligned to CEFR. A section 5 corresponds to CEFR C1.
What is a good TOEFL Speaking score in 2026?: A Speaking band of 5 (old 25–26) is CEFR C1 — advanced, and enough for most universities. A 4 (old 20–22) is upper-intermediate B2.