Duolingo to IELTS Score Conversion
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Duolingo to IELTS Score Conversion

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Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Jan 19, 2026 10:57 IST
The Duolingo English Test is an online exam that candidates can take on their personal computers. Various educational institutions are now accepting the Duolingo English Test scores. Therefore, candidates should know where they stand and what they have scored if compared to other popular English Language Proficiency Tests like IELTS and TOEFL.

To convert Duolingo to IELTS, look at the total points. A 120-125 score on Duolingo is usually a 6.5 to 7.0 IELTS band. Lower scores like 95-100 match a 5.5 band. This score conversion helps you see if your English level matches university requirements for your application.

Duolingo English Score

If you are planning to study abroad, you probably know about IELTS and the Duolingo English Test. Many students now pick Duolingo because it is cheaper and you can take it at home. But, most universities still ask for an IELTS band score. This is why you need to understand Duolingo to IELTS score conversion.

The two tests are very different. IELTS uses a 0 to 9 scale, but Duolingo uses a 10 to 160 scale. If you get a 120 on Duolingo, that is usually like a 7.0 on IELTS. If you get lower, like a 100, it is more like a 5.5.

It is not just about the overall score. You also have to look at subscores like Production and Literacy. Sometimes a university wants a specific score comparison for speaking or writing. Knowing these concordance tables helps you see if your English is good enough for the college you want. Using a conversion tool or a simple mapping table makes it easy to see where you stand.

Table of contents
  • Can I convert my Duolingo score to IELTS?
  • Duolingo IELTS Score Conversion
  • Duolingo to IELTS Subscore comparisons
  • Duolingo Test Score Interpretation
  • Institutions Accepting Duolingo Scores

Can I convert my Duolingo score to IELTS?

Changing your Duolingo English Test (DET) score to IELTS band help you see your English skill in format everyone know. Many schools take both test, so knowing how your DET score match IELTS help for admission.

The chart show Duolingo score 10–55 same like IELTS band 0–4.0, and 60 is also IELTS 4.0. When your Duolingo score go up, IELTS band go up too. Like score 105–115 in DET is about IELTS 6.0, and 150–160 in DET same as IELTS 8.0–9.0.

This is big for students who apply to school take many English proficiency test, but mostly want IELTS. Example, University of Toronto say DET score 120 equal to IELTS band 7.0, which needed for graduate program.







Duolingo IELTS Score Conversion

Duolingo is now accepted in various foreign universities, so, students need to know where they stand in comparison to other popular English language exams like IELTS and TOEFL. Below we have given the Duolingo and IELTS score conversions.

Duolingo Score

IELTS Academic Score

160

8.5–9

155

8

150

8

145

7.5

140

7.5

135

7

130

7

125

6.5

120

6.5

115

6

110

6

105

6

100

5.5

95

5.5

90

5

85

5

80

5

75

4.5

70

4.5

65

3.5

60

4

10–55

0–4

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Duolingo to IELTS Subscore comparisons

When you look at Duolingo to IELTS subscore comparisons, you have to remember that Duolingo does not just test one skill at a time. Instead, they combine skills into four groups: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production.

To get an IELTS band, you can use this score conversion table. It shows how your Duolingo subscores match with the four IELTS skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking). Also Check: IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs DET

DET vs IELTS Subscore Conversion Table

Duolingo Score Literacy (Read/Write) Comprehension (Read/Listen) Conversation (Listen/Speak) Production (Write/Speak) IELTS Equivalent
150+ Very Strong Very Strong Very Strong Very Strong 8.0 - 8.5
130 - 145 Strong Strong Strong Strong 7.0 - 7.5
115 - 125 Good Good Good Good 6.5
105 - 110 Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate 6.0
95 - 100 Basic Plus Basic Plus Basic Plus Basic Plus 5.5
80 - 90 Basic Basic Basic Basic 5.0







Duolingo Test Score Interpretation

Your Duolingo English Test report will display your overall as well as subscores. You will be able to view your proficiency as a holistic report which would be marked on a scale from 10 to 160 in five-point increments. The estimation of the DET overall score and DET subscore is done separately. Please note that your overall score is not a sum or average of the individual subscores.

The Duolingo English Test has been designed to assess real-world language ability, by measuring candidates’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The aspirant’s proficiency is reported as a holistic score on a scale from 10-160.

Score

Description

10 – 55

  • Can understand basic English words and phrases
  • Can understand straightforward information and express themselves in familiar contexts

60 – 85

  • Can understand the key points of the speech or writing on routine matters like school and work
  • Can describe ambitions, opinions, plan, and experiences, although with some hesitation

90 – 115

  • Can communicate well and soak even on unfamiliar topics
  • Can understand the key ideas of both concrete and abstract writing
  • Can interact with proficient speakers easily

120 – 160

  • Can understand a variety of demanding written and spoken language including some specialized language use situations
  • Can understand implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language
  • Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes

Basic

  • Can understand basic English words and phrases
  • Can understand straightforward information and express themselves in familiar contexts 

Intermediate

  • Can understand the key points of the speech or writing on routine matters like school and work
  • Can describe ambitions, opinions, plans, and experiences, although with some hesitation

Upper Intermediate

  • Can communicate well and soak even on unfamiliar topics
  • Can understand the key ideas of both concrete and abstract writing
  • Can interact with proficient speakers easily

Advanced

  • Can understand a variety of demanding written and spoken language including some specialized language use situations

Institutions Accepting Duolingo Scores

The DET scores are accepted by over 4,000 institutions located in different countries. Your test results can be sent to as many institutions as you wish. Check out our below-listed articles for figuring out which universities accept DET scores in USA, UK, and Canada.

Related Blogs

Q:   Is Duolingo test score reliable?
A:

Candidates' scores are seen in terms of the other two tests, TOEFL and IELTS. Duolingo scores are linked with the TOEFL scores to find the comparable scores from the test that have similar percentile ranks. This also offers results related to evidence of the validity of the Duolingo test scores.

Q:   Are Duolingo practice tests accurate?
A:

The sample test is shorter only 15 minutes in comparison to the real DET test which is of 45 minutes. Candidates can get an estimated score from the sample test as from the sample test the result is derived from very few questions.

Q:   What is a 110-120 score in Duolingo?
A:

A score of 110 on the Duolingo English Test is estimated to correspond to an IELTS band score of 6.0, while a score of 120 translates to an IELTS band score of 6.5. This range reflects a moderate proficiency in English.

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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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Comments

(20)

can pls tell me the which universities are accepted for DULINGO for enginearing can u pls reply me untill tommrrow i need soon man

Reply to Neela Arun kumar

Hello Neela. Can you please tell which country/countries are you targeting? If you're looking to pursue a course in the USA, please check out our article: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/duolingo-accepted-universities-in-usa-articlepage-81027

tell soon

at first i thought to write the itels but now i chganged my dessition to write the DULINGO and this website is very much usefull to me to check the everything

Reply to Neela Arun kumar

Wishing you the best of luck for your future, Neela. Keep checking our website for the latest updates.

S

Sachin Kumar

3 years ago

I have Score 6 Band in IELTS... AND IN one of them is 5 Band which is not Qualified for UK Universities So My Question Is Can I Convert My IELTS Test To Duolingo Test... With Leagal PRF....?

Reply to Sachin Kumar

P

Piyush Kohli

3 years ago

Hi Sachin, please check the requirements of the university where you are applying and then move ahead with this.

S

Shakil Hossain

3 years ago

Hi I want to go to USA for Undergraduation. which course is good for me(IELTS OR DUOLINGO)

Reply to Shakil Hossain

K

Kushal Tk

3 years ago

IELTS is accepted worldwide

P

Piyush Kohli

3 years ago

Hi Shakil, please check the requirements of the university where you will be applying and then go for either of the exams.

R

Riaz Miakhil

3 years ago

Can anyone refer me to one of an Italian universities which accept 110 of Duolingo English Test? Also, to accept the average of 80 score in conversation module of duolingo test?

Reply to Riaz Miakhil

K

Kushal Tk

3 years ago

university of torento

P

Piyush Kohli

3 years ago

Hi Riaz, please elaborate on your query and let us know which course you want to study further, so, we can assist you better. Also, you can refer to the below URL and check out the entry requirements of the Italian universities: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/italy/universities