Duolingo to IELTS Score Conversion 2026

Meridean Overseas

Updated On 23 January 2026 & Read Time 3 minutes

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If you are a student applying for abroad studies, you might have come across the Duolingo English Test. It is the test that a student can take from home on their personal computers. During this test, candidates have to prove their english p[roficiency. This test is a relief to those students who can not go to the centers for the tests.

duolingo-to-ielts-score-conversion

Table of Contents

Overview
Convert Duolingo Score to IELTS Score
Score Interpretation
FAQs

Convert Duolingo Score to IELTS Score

Various educational institutions are now accepting Duolingo English test results. Therefore, candidates need to know where they stand and what they achieved compared to other popular English proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL. In this article, we will tell you about the score comparison between Duolingo English test scores and IELTS scores.

Score Interpretation

The Duolingo English Language Test is designed to assess real-world language skills by measuring candidates ’reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Applicant proficiency is reported as a holistic score on a scale of 10-160.

10 – 55

Can understand basic English words and phrases.
Can understand simple information and express themselves in familiar contexts.

60 – 85

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

90 – 115

Can communicate well and absorb even unfamiliar topics.
Can understand the key ideas of concrete and abstract writing.
Can easily interact with competent speakers.

120 – 160

Can understand a variety of demanding written and spoken languages, 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.
Can understand basic English words and phrases. Can also understand simple information and express themselves in familiar contexts.

Duolingo	IELTS
10	1.5
15	2
20-25	2.5
30-40	3
45-50	3.5

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

Duolingo	IELTS
55-60	4
65-70	4.5
75-80	5

Can communicate well and absorb even unfamiliar topics.
Can understand the key ideas of concrete and abstract writing.
Can easily interact with competent speakers.

Duolingo	IELTS
55-60	4
65-70	4.5
75-80	5
75-80	5

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

Duolingo	IELTS
125-130	7.5
135-140	8
145-150	8.5
155-160	9

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FAQs

Question: Is Duolingo better than IELTS?

Answer: The Duolingo English test was designed to monitor the actual language skills of test takers. It tests the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of the aspirants. It is shorter compared to IELTS, but completing the test in a short time also requires many good language skills.

Question: Is Duolingo easier than IELTS?

Answer: It is a myth that Duolingo is easier than its counterparts like IELTS and TOEFL. It is also designed to assess good language skills, just like the other two exams are designed to do.

Question: Can Duolingo replace IELTS?

Answer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become difficult to travel to test centers to take standardized tests. Duolingo can be taken at home with the help of the internet and is accepted by many educational institutes alongside IELTS and TOEFL. However, over time, IELTS has also developed an online IELTS Indicator exam, so students who want to take the IELTS can take this exam.