Overall band calculator
Choose your four band scores to see your overall band.
How the overall IELTS band is worked out
Your overall band is the average of your four skill bands (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), rounded to the nearest half band. IELTS uses two special rounding rules:
- An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band. For example, 6.25 becomes 6.5.
- An average ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band. For example, 6.75 becomes 7.0.
- Anything else goes to the nearest half band. For example, 6.125 becomes 6.0 and 6.375 becomes 6.5.
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Average | Overall band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.25 | 6.5 |
| 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.875 | 4.0 |
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.125 | 6.0 |
Your overall band is not the whole story. Most visa and registration rules also set a minimum for each skill. Australian PR points and Ahpra registration both look at your lowest skill, so one weak skill (often Writing) can hold you back even with a high overall band.
Listening and Reading: correct answers to band
Enter how many answers you got right.
Approximate. IELTS adjusts the conversion slightly for each test version.Approximate correct answers needed
Listening and Reading each have 40 questions worth one mark each. IELTS publishes these approximate averages. The exact numbers change a little from test to test.
| Band | Listening | Academic Reading | General Training Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 35 | 35 | – |
| 7 | 30 | 30 | 35 |
| 6 | 23 | 23 | 30 |
| 5 | 16 | 15 | 23 |
| 4 | – | – | 15 |
General Training Reading needs more correct answers for the same band, because its texts are easier than Academic Reading.
Writing and Speaking are marked differently
Writing and Speaking have no answer key. Trained examiners mark them against four criteria each. In Writing, Task 2 counts for about twice as much as Task 1, so a strong Task 2 essay matters most. Read what the Task 2 band descriptors mean in plain English, or get a free estimate for your own essay.
Frequently asked questions
How is the IELTS overall band score calculated?
Add your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands, divide by four, and round to the nearest half band. Averages ending in .25 round up to the next half band, and averages ending in .75 round up to the next whole band.
Is 6.75 rounded to 7 in IELTS?
Yes. An average of 6.75 rounds up to an overall band of 7.0. An average of 6.25 rounds up to 6.5.
How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in IELTS Listening?
About 30 out of 40. IELTS says the exact number varies slightly between test versions.
Why do I need more correct answers in General Training Reading?
General Training Reading uses everyday texts that are easier than Academic Reading, so you need more correct answers for the same band. For band 6 you need about 30 in General Training and about 23 in Academic.
Can I calculate my Writing band with this calculator?
No. Writing is marked by an examiner against four criteria, not with an answer key. You can get a free estimate of your Task 2 band with the BandIQ Writing Band Check.