Band scores
IELTS band scores explained
A clear guide to the IELTS band scale. It covers what each band label means, how your four section bands become one overall score, which raw scores IELTS publishes for Listening and Reading, and how Writing and Speaking are assessed.
By Stride team · Published 15 October 2026
The short answer
IELTS reports each of the four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) on a scale from 1 to 9. Scores can be whole bands or half bands, such as 6 or 6.5. Your overall band is the average of the four section bands, rounded to the nearest half band. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, so 6.25 becomes 6.5. An average ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band, so 6.75 becomes 7.
| Band | Official label |
|---|---|
| 9 | Expert |
| 8 | Very good |
| 7 | Good |
| 6 | Competent |
| 5 | Modest |
| 4 | Limited |
| 3 | Extremely limited |
| 2 | Intermittent |
| 1 | Non-user |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test |
IELTS's official description of Band 7 begins with 'operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage'. A band, then, describes how well you can use English. It is not a percentage.
Explanation, step by step
Step 1: Listening and Reading start as raw scores
Listening and Reading each have 40 questions. In Academic Reading, each question is worth one mark. Your number of correct answers (the raw score) is then converted to a band. IELTS publishes the reference points below. They are individual points, not a complete conversion table.
| Band | Listening | Academic Reading | General Training Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | — | — | 15 |
| 5 | 16 | 15 | 23 |
| 6 | 23 | 23 | 30 |
| 7 | 30 | 30 | 35 |
| 8 | 35 | 35 | — |
Step 2: Writing is marked on four criteria
- Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2)
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
In both Academic and General Training, Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1. Task 1 needs at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. Task 2 needs at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.
| Criterion | Band 6 (extract) | Band 7 (extract) |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | 'Main ideas are relevant, but some may be insufficiently developed or may lack clarity.' | 'A clear and developed position is presented. Main ideas are extended and supported…' |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 'Cohesive devices are used to some good effect but cohesion… may be faulty or mechanical…' | 'Information and ideas are logically organised, and there is a clear progression throughout the response…' |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 'A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used but flexibility is limited.' | 'A variety of complex structures is used with some flexibility and accuracy… error-free sentences are frequent.' |
Step 3: Speaking is marked on four criteria
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
Step 4: The four section bands are averaged and rounded
- Add your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands together.
- Divide the total by four.
- Round the result to the nearest half band. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
Worked example
The profiles below were written by Stride to illustrate the arithmetic. They are not real results.
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Average | Overall band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6.25 | 6.5 (.25 rounds up) |
| 7 | 7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.75 | 7 (.75 rounds up) |
| 7.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 |
| 7.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.25 | 7.5 (.25 rounds up) |
In the second row, the total is 25. Divided by four, that gives 6.25, which rounds up to 6.5. In the third row, the total is 27, giving 6.75, which rounds up to 7.
Use the band score calculatorWant to check your own numbers? Enter your four section bands into Stride's free calculator. It applies the official rounding.Common mistakes
- Assuming .25 rounds down. It rounds up to the next half band, so 6.25 becomes 6.5.
- Using the Academic Reading figures for General Training. General Training needs more correct answers for the same band.
- Treating the published raw-score points as a full table. IELTS publishes specific points, such as 30 correct for band 7 in Listening. Do not guess the bands in between.
- Giving Writing Task 1 and Task 2 equal attention. Task 2 counts twice as much, so plan your 60 minutes with that in mind.
- Studying only vocabulary for Writing or Speaking. Each skill is marked on four criteria, and the band reflects all of them.
- Treating a practice-platform band as an official result. Estimates from any practice tool, including Stride, are not official scores.
How to practise this
- After each timed Reading or Listening practice test, count your correct answers out of 40. Compare the total with the published points above for your test type.
- For Writing and Speaking, review each practice answer against the four criteria separately. This shows which criterion is holding your band down.
- Read the Band 6 and Band 7 extracts side by side. Then check whether your Task 2 ideas are 'extended and supported' or only stated.
- Set a target for each section, then use the calculator to see which combination of section bands reaches your overall goal.
If you want structured practice, Stride has timed Reading tests (Academic and General Training) that mark instantly with explained answers. It also has Writing and Speaking practice assessed by AI, which gives an estimated band on the four criteria with feedback. These bands are estimates, not official scores. Listening practice is not available on Stride yet. Your first full test is free; see the practice tests page for details.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a section score be a half band?
- Yes. Each section is reported in whole or half bands on the 1–9 scale.
- What does band 0 mean?
- Band 0 is used when the candidate did not attempt the test.
- Are Academic and General Training scored the same way?
- Listening and Speaking are the same test in both. Reading and Writing differ. For Reading, General Training needs more correct answers than Academic for the same band.
- How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in Listening?
- IELTS publishes 30 correct answers out of 40 as corresponding to band 7 in Listening. The same figure applies to band 7 in Academic Reading.
- Does Writing Task 2 matter more than Task 1?
- Yes. In both Academic and General Training, Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1.
- Is an overall average of 6.75 rounded to 6.5 or 7?
- To 7. An average ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
- Are Stride's bands official?
- No. Stride is not affiliated with the IELTS partners. Its Writing and Speaking bands are AI estimates to guide your practice.
Related guides
- How to get band 7 in IELTS
- How to get band 8 (and above) in IELTS
- IELTS vocabulary by topic
- IELTS grammar lessons for Writing and Speaking
Sources
- How IELTS is scored — checked 2026-10-15
- IELTS scoring in detail — checked 2026-10-15
- IELTS Writing band descriptors — checked 2026-10-15
- IELTS Academic Listening format — checked 2026-10-15
- IELTS Academic Reading format — checked 2026-10-15
- IELTS Academic Writing format — checked 2026-10-15
- IELTS General Training Writing format — checked 2026-10-15
- IELTS General Training Reading format — checked 2026-10-15
Practise with real IELTS-style tests
Timed Reading, Writing and Speaking tests with an estimated band and feedback. Your first full test is free.
See the practice tests