Choosing between IELTS vs TOEFL used to be simple: IELTS for the UK and Australia, TOEFL for the United States. In 2026 the decision has more moving parts. ETS launched a redesigned TOEFL iBT on January 21, 2026, with a shorter, partly adaptive format and a new 1–6 score scale. At the same time, some visa systems accept only specific tests, and a few universities have paused their acceptance of the new TOEFL.
This guide compares format, scoring, exam fees in India and the USA, results time, validity and acceptance, using official IELTS, ETS, government and university sources. The short version is that the right test depends on where you are going and what you need the score for: admission, a student visa, or a work permit or permanent residence later on.
Table of Contents
- IELTS vs TOEFL at a Glance
- What Changed in the TOEFL iBT in 2026
- Exam Format and Duration
- Scoring and Score Conversion
- Exam Fees in India and the USA
- Results Time and Score Validity
- Visa Acceptance: UK, Canada and the USA
- University Score Requirements: Real Examples
- IELTS or TOEFL: Which Should You Choose?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
IELTS vs TOEFL at a Glance
Both tests measure Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The practical differences are how you sit the test, how it is scored, and which immigration authorities recognise it.
| Feature | IELTS (Academic / General Training) | TOEFL iBT (from Jan 21, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Owned by | British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment | ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
| Delivery | Computer at a test centre; paper still offered at some centres (including in India); IELTS Online in some locations | Computer at a test centre, or Home Edition with a live remote proctor |
| Speaking test | Face-to-face with a trained examiner | Recorded on computer and scored centrally |
| Test length | 2 hours 45 minutes | About 90 minutes of base testing time; ETS says to allow about 2 hours |
| Score scale | Bands 1–9, in half-band steps | 1–6 in half-point steps (plus a comparable 0–120 estimate until January 2028) |
| Results | Computer: 1–5 days; paper: 13 days | 3 days after the test |
| Score validity | IELTS recommends a maximum of 2 years | 2 years from the test date |
| UK visa (SELT) | Yes, but only “IELTS for UKVI” or “IELTS Life Skills” | No, ETS is not an approved SELT provider |
| Canada PR / PGWP | Yes, IELTS General Training only | No |
What Changed in the TOEFL iBT in 2026
According to ETS, the updated test launched on January 21, 2026, so older prep material is now partly out of date:
- Adaptive Reading and Listening: these sections are multistage adaptive. Everyone starts with a first module, and the difficulty of the second module depends on how you performed.
- New task types: such as “Complete the Words”, “Write an Email” and “Take an Interview”.
- New 1–6 score scale: section and total scores run from 1 to 6 in half-point steps, mapped to the CEFR levels. For example, a 5 in any section corresponds to C1.
- Faster scores: official scores appear in your ETS account 3 days after the test.
- Transition period: until January 2028, every score report shows the CEFR level, the 1–6 scores and a comparable 0–120 total, so universities still using the old scale can read your result.
Not every university accepts the new test yet (see the university examples).
Exam Format and Duration
IELTS format
IELTS Academic is for university admission; IELTS General Training is for work and migration. Listening and Speaking are the same in both. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on one day with no breaks; Speaking can be the same day or up to a week before or after.
TOEFL iBT format
TOEFL is academic only. Every section, including Speaking, is done on a computer, and time and item counts can vary because Reading and Listening adapt to your level.
| Section | IELTS time | TOEFL iBT (2026) items / base time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes | 47 items / about 29 minutes |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 50 items / about 30 minutes |
| Writing | 60 minutes (2 tasks) | 12 items / about 23 minutes |
| Speaking | 11–14 minutes, face-to-face | 11 items / about 8 minutes, recorded |
| Total | 2 hours 45 minutes | About 90 minutes of base time (allow about 2 hours) |
Scoring and Score Conversion
IELTS gives each skill a band from 1 to 9 and reports an overall band. TOEFL now scores each of its four sections from 1 to 6. The total is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half point. Under the old system, the total was the sum of the sections, out of 120.
The table below combines ETS’s official comparison tables. ETS notes they are general guides, not predictions of an individual’s score.
| IELTS overall band | TOEFL total (1–6) | Old TOEFL total (0–120) range | CEFR level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 – 9.0 | 6 | 114+ | C2 |
| 7.5 | 5.5 | 107–113 | C1 |
| 7.0 | 5 | 95–106 | C1 |
| 6.5 | 4.5 | 86–94 | B2 |
| 6.0 | 4 | 72–85 | B2 |
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 58–71 | B1 |
As a rule of thumb from ETS’s guidance to universities, an old requirement of 100 becomes 5 on the new scale, 90 becomes 4.5 and 80 becomes 4.
Exam Fees in India and the USA
All fees below are as of November 2026; confirm on the official booking page before paying.
IELTS fees in India
IDP has been the sole IELTS provider in India since July 2021, so there is no separate British Council fee. IDP India lists the same fees in every city:
- IELTS on Computer or IELTS on Paper (Academic or General Training): INR 19,000
- IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), on computer or paper: INR 19,250
- IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1): INR 18,000
- One Skill Retake: INR 12,650
Independent guides report the standard fee rose from INR 18,000 on April 1, 2026, so older figures are out of date.
TOEFL fees in India
The ETS India fee page lists TOEFL iBT registration at ₹15,729. The same fee applies to the test-centre exam and the Home Edition. It also lists late registration at ₹3,305.08, rescheduling at ₹5,000 and a Speaking or Writing score review at ₹6,694.92. Some Indian portals quote around ₹18,000 “including GST”, so check the final amount at checkout.
Fees in the USA
In the United States, IELTS fees are set by each test centre. The British Council’s US page gives a range of about $280–$340 depending on location. Centres on ielts.org, such as ELS Boston, showed USD 325 in November 2026.
For TOEFL, the ETS fee page shows the price only after you select your testing location, and US prices exclude sales tax. Independent sites reported US$270 in September 2026 and US$280 in mid-October 2026, so budget about US$280 plus tax. ETS’s service fees include US$49 express registration, US$69 rescheduling and US$29 per extra score report.
IELTS includes up to five free paper result copies and unlimited e-delivery; TOEFL includes four free score reports if you choose recipients by 10 p.m. on test day.
Results Time and Score Validity
How fast you get results
- IELTS on computer and IELTS for UKVI: 1–5 days, according to ielts.org.
- IELTS on paper: 13 days after the test.
- IELTS Online: 6–8 days.
- TOEFL iBT: 3 days, with a PDF score report a day later.
How long scores stay valid
TOEFL iBT scores are valid for 2 years from the test date, and ETS will not send scores after that. The IELTS partners recommend that institutions treat a result as valid for a maximum of 2 years. UK SELT results and Canadian Express Entry results must also be under two years old.
Visa Acceptance: UK, Canada and the USA
United Kingdom: why “UKVI” matters
Many UK visa routes need a Secure English Language Test (SELT). Outside the UK the approved providers are the IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT, Pearson and PSI Services; for IELTS, only IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills qualify. TOEFL is not on the list.
There is an important exception for students. If you are going to study at degree level or above, GOV.UK says your Higher Education Provider can assess your English itself, at the equivalent of CEFR B2. That is why many UK universities accept standard IELTS Academic, and some accept TOEFL. Courses below degree level usually need a SELT, so IELTS for UKVI is the safe choice if unsure.
Canada: SDS has ended, but language tests still matter
Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) closed on November 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. Study permits now go through the regular stream, and your institution sets the English requirement, often accepting both IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT.
The bigger issue comes after graduation. For Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, IRCC requires proof of language ability. University degree graduates need CLB 7 in all four skills. IRCC accepts only CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core in English (or TEF Canada and TCF Canada in French). Express Entry for permanent residence uses the same English tests and does not accept the IELTS One Skill Retake. Neither TOEFL nor IELTS Academic counts for these purposes. CLB 7 on IELTS General Training means at least 6.0 in each skill.
United States
The US has no government-approved test list for student visas; each university sets its requirement, and most accept both TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic.
University Score Requirements: Real Examples
From official admissions pages as of November 2026; requirements vary by programme.
| University (level) | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT (tests from Jan 21, 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT, USA (undergraduate) | Minimum 7, recommended 7.5 | Minimum 5, recommended 5.5 | Older tests: minimum 90, recommended 100. Test strongly recommended for some non-native speakers |
| University of Toronto, Canada (undergraduate) | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 4.5 overall, with 4.5 Writing and 4.0 Speaking | Older tests: 89 total, 22 in Speaking and Writing. IELTS One Skill Retake and MyBest scores not accepted |
| University of Oxford, UK (graduate) | Standard 7.0 (6.5 per component); higher 7.5 (7.0 per component) | Not accepted for tests taken from Jan 21, 2026 | Older TOEFL accepted (100 standard / 110 higher). IELTS Online not accepted |
Oxford says it will not accept TOEFL tests taken from January 21, 2026 until it completes a review of the revised test, so check each university’s TOEFL policy before booking.
IELTS or TOEFL: Which Should You Choose?
Choose IELTS if:
- You are applying to the UK, especially for a below-degree course or any visa route that needs a SELT. Book IELTS for UKVI.
- You plan to work or settle in Canada, where the PGWP and Express Entry need IELTS General Training (or CELPIP or PTE Core).
- You prefer speaking with a real examiner, or want the One Skill Retake option (Oxford and U of T do not accept it).
Choose TOEFL if:
- You are mainly applying to US universities and are comfortable with a fully computer-based, academic-only test.
- You want a shorter test (about 2 hours compared with 2 hours 45 minutes) and results in 3 days.
- Cost matters: in India, the listed TOEFL fee (₹15,729) is lower than the standard IELTS fee (INR 19,000) as of November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TOEFL or IELTS easier?
Neither is officially easier; both map to the same CEFR levels. Take a free official practice test of each and pick the format that suits you.
What is a good TOEFL score on the new 1–6 scale?
Many universities ask for 4.5 to 5. ETS says a 4.5 broadly matches the old 86–94 range and IELTS 6.5, and a 5 matches the old 95–106 range and IELTS 7.0. Your target is whatever your chosen university states.
Can I use TOEFL for a UK student visa?
Only for degree-level study, where your university can assess your English itself, and some (such as Oxford) do not accept TOEFL tests taken from January 21, 2026. TOEFL is not a SELT, so below-degree courses and most other UK visas need a test such as IELTS for UKVI.
Does Canada accept TOEFL?
Many Canadian universities accept TOEFL iBT for admission. IRCC does not accept TOEFL for the Post-Graduation Work Permit or Express Entry, which require CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core in English.
How much is the IELTS exam fee in India in 2026?
As of November 2026, IDP India lists INR 19,000 for IELTS Academic or General Training (computer or paper), INR 19,250 for IELTS for UKVI, and INR 12,650 for a One Skill Retake.
How long are IELTS and TOEFL scores valid?
TOEFL iBT scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. IELTS recommends that institutions accept results for up to 2 years, and most universities and immigration authorities apply the same two-year limit.
Is the old TOEFL 0–120 score still accepted?
Yes, while valid. Tests taken before January 21, 2026 stay valid for two years, and new reports show a comparable 0–120 total until January 2028.
Conclusion
The IELTS vs TOEFL decision in 2026 depends less on which test is better and more on where each score will be accepted. TOEFL iBT is now shorter, partly adaptive, quick to score and cheaper in India, which makes it a strong choice for US-focused applicants. IELTS remains the safer all-rounder. Its UKVI version is a UK Secure English Language Test, and its General Training version is the one Canada uses for work permits and permanent residence. Check every university and visa on your list before you book to avoid paying for a second exam.
Official References
- ETS – TOEFL iBT Score Scale 1 to 6: CEFR and IELTS Comparison
- ETS India – TOEFL iBT Test Content and Structure
- ETS – Understanding TOEFL Scores
- ETS India – TOEFL iBT Registration Fees
- ETS – TOEFL iBT Test Fees (global service fees)
- IDP India – Book an IELTS Test (fees)
- IELTS.org – IELTS Academic Test Format
- IELTS.org – Getting and Sharing Your Results
- IELTS.org – Verifying IELTS Results (validity period)
- IELTS.org – ELS Boston Test Centre (US fee example)
- British Council – IELTS in the USA
- British Council India – IELTS
- GOV.UK – Prove Your English with a Secure English Language Test (SELT)
- GOV.UK – Student Visa: Knowledge of English
- IRCC – End of the Student Direct Stream
- IRCC – Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility
- IRCC – Express Entry Language Test Results
- MIT Admissions – Tests and Scores
- University of Toronto – English Language Requirements
- University of Oxford – Graduate English Language Proficiency