This converter takes your Duolingo English Test (DET) overall score and maps it to equivalent scores on four other scales: IELTS, TOEFL iBT, CEFR, and Canadian CLB. If you provide your four subscores, it also analyzes each one individually.

The conversions use Duolingo’s official concordance table, which was developed through research comparing DET performance against IELTS and TOEFL scores from the same test takers. The mapping is not a formula but a lookup table:

IELTS Equivalent = Concordance(Overall Score) from official table

TOEFL Equivalent = Concordance(Overall Score) from research data

Each DET score maps to a range of equivalent scores on other tests. For example, DET 125-130 maps to IELTS 7.0. The conversion is approximate because the tests measure English proficiency in different ways and formats.

The Duolingo English Test reports four subscores, each on a scale of 10 to 160:

Literacy: Measures your reading and writing ability together. This subscore reflects how well you can understand written text and produce written responses.

Comprehension: Measures your reading and listening ability together. This subscore reflects how well you can understand information from written and spoken sources.

Conversation: Measures your speaking and listening ability together. This subscore reflects how well you can participate in spoken interactions.

Production: Measures your writing and speaking ability together. This subscore reflects how well you can produce language in written and spoken form.

Because each subscore combines two skills, they overlap. For example, your reading ability affects both Literacy and Comprehension. This means the four subscores are not fully independent of each other.

The US is the strongest market for Duolingo test acceptance. Over 4,000 US institutions accept DET scores. Ivy League schools like Columbia, Yale, and Brown typically require 130-135. Major state universities commonly ask for 100-115. Community colleges may accept 80-95.

Many UK universities accept Duolingo for admission, including several Russell Group institutions. Typical requirements range from 105 to 130 depending on the university and program. However, Duolingo is NOT accepted for UK visa applications. Students who need a visa must take IELTS UKVI, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT in addition to or instead of Duolingo.

Canada accepts Duolingo for both university admissions and immigration. For Express Entry, Duolingo was added to the IRCC approved test list in 2023. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) requires CLB 7, which maps to DET 105 or higher in each subscore. Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requires CLB 5, which maps to DET 85 or higher in each subscore. University requirements commonly range from 100 to 120.

Some Australian universities accept Duolingo for direct admission, with requirements typically between 100 and 120. However, Australian student visas (Subclass 500) do NOT accept Duolingo. You would need a separately approved test for the visa application. Duolingo is also not accepted for Australian skilled migration visas.

Duolingo acceptance in New Zealand is limited. A small number of institutions may accept it, but it is not widely recognized. For immigration purposes, IELTS and PTE Academic are the standard accepted tests.

Some Irish universities accept Duolingo, typically requiring 105 to 115. However, acceptance is not universal. Check with each specific institution before applying.

Why does a 5-point difference in my DET score change the IELTS equivalent? The concordance table maps DET scores to IELTS bands in 10-point ranges (except at 155 and 160). A DET of 125 maps to IELTS 7.0, but a DET of 124 drops to IELTS 6.5. This is because IELTS bands are broad categories, and the concordance places each DET score into the most appropriate band.

Can I use Duolingo for professional licensing (nursing, engineering, etc.)? In most cases, no. Professional licensing bodies (like NMC in the UK, AHPRA in Australia, or state nursing boards in the US) typically require IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Very few professional bodies accept Duolingo.

What if my subscores are very uneven? Uneven subscores (for example, Literacy 130 but Conversation 85) suggest a clear gap between your written and spoken English abilities. Some universities set minimum subscore requirements to ensure balanced proficiency. If your subscores are uneven, you may need to improve your weaker area before retaking the test.

How does Duolingo’s adaptive scoring work? The Duolingo English Test uses an adaptive algorithm. When you answer questions correctly, the test presents harder questions. When you answer incorrectly, it presents easier ones. Your final score is not based on the percentage of correct answers but on the difficulty level you consistently perform at. This means two test takers with the same number of correct answers can receive different scores.

Can I send my Duolingo score to multiple universities? Yes. When you take the Duolingo English Test, you can send your results to an unlimited number of institutions at no extra cost. This is a significant advantage over IELTS and TOEFL, which charge per score report recipient.