TOEFL Score Guide: What's a Good TOEFL Score?
For tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT reports Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing and the overall score on a 1–6 scale in half-point steps. During the transition through January 2028, reports also show a comparable 0–120 overall score. There is no universal "good" score: your target university sets the minimum, though 5.0 aligns with CEFR C1 and is comparable to 95+ on the former scale.
Last updated: 2026-07-12
TOEFL 1–6 to former 0–120 score comparison
ETS publishes these comparable total-score thresholds for interpreting results across the two systems. The 0–120 figure is a comparison, not four current 0–30 section scores added together.
| Current TOEFL score | CEFR | Comparable former total |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | C2 | 114+ |
| 5.5 | C1 | 107+ |
| 5.0 | C1 | 95+ |
| 4.5 | B2 | 86+ |
| 4.0 | B2 | 72+ |
| 3.5 | B1 | 58+ |
| 3.0 | B1 | 44+ |
| 2.5 | A2 | 34+ |
| 2.0 | A2 | 24+ |
| 1.5 | A1 | 12+ |
| 1.0 | A1 | 0+ |
How TOEFL scoring works
Each of the four sections is scored 1–6 in half-point steps, and your overall score is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band — the same method IELTS uses (e.g. an average of 5.25 rounds to 5.5). For two years after January 2026, reports also show a comparable 0–120 overall score so institutions can transition.
Because the overall is an average, a single weak section pulls it down — so most score gains come from lifting your weakest section rather than polishing your strongest.
What's a good TOEFL score?
"Good" is relative to your goal. On the 1–6 scale, a 5 (CEFR C1, ≈ the old 95+) is the level many universities expect, with 5.5–6 for competitive and graduate programs, often with minimum section scores. Always check the exact requirement — overall and per-section — for each program, in whichever scale it still lists.
Section scores and what they mean
Current reports give each section a 1–6 score and a CEFR level. A 5.0 or 5.5 aligns with C1, 4.0 or 4.5 with B2, 3.0 or 3.5 with B1, 2.0 or 2.5 with A2, and 1.0 or 1.5 with A1. Institutions may set section minimums as well as an overall requirement, so read the admissions page carefully.
How to read requirements still listed out of 120
Some universities are still updating their admissions pages. Your transition-period score report already includes a comparable 0–120 overall score, so use that reported figure when a program still publishes an older total. Do not add or invent 0–30 section conversions for a current test unless the institution specifically tells you to do so.
As a practical benchmark, ETS maps former requirements of 100, 90, 80 and 70 to recommended current requirements of 5.0, 4.5, 4.0 and 3.5 respectively. Always confirm the exact overall and section minimums directly with the institution.
How to raise your TOEFL score
Target your weakest section, and for Speaking and Writing use rubric-based feedback so you know which dimension to fix. Langujet scores your Speaking and Writing against the TOEFL rubrics and gives instant, repeatable feedback so you can run many timed reps before test day.
Common questions
Know the score you need — then close the gap
Practise TOEFL Speaking and Writing with instant rubric-based AI feedback.
Langujet is an independent preparation platform and is not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council, IDP, Cambridge Assessment English, ETS, TOEFL, or any other test provider. Exam formats and requirements can change — always confirm current details on the official test website.