Duolingo to TOEFL & IELTS Score Converter
Instantly see how your Duolingo English Test (DET) score translates to TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and CEFR levels, then find the fastest path to your goal.
Your Proficiency Level
You can understand the main ideas of complex text and interact with a degree of fluency with native speakers.
Not where you need to be? You don't always need the test.
Students who finish Level 6 at Tampa Language Center are admitted to Hillsborough Community College, St. Leo University, Schiller International University, and Full Sail University without an IELTS or TOEFL score. If your score isn't ready yet, our TOEFL & IELTS prep classes can close the gap fast.
| Duolingo (DET) | TOEFL iBT | IELTS | CEFR |
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Get a free plan to hit your target score
Tell us your goal and current level. Our advisors will map out the fastest route: test prep, the Level 6 university pathway, or both.
How to convert your Duolingo English Test score to TOEFL and IELTS
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is scored from 10 to 160. To compare it with the TOEFL iBT (0–120) or IELTS (0–9.0), use the converter above: drag the slider to your DET score and we'll show your estimated TOEFL range, IELTS band, and CEFR level instantly. As a quick anchor, a DET score of 100 lands around TOEFL 79–85, IELTS 6.5, and the B2 (Upper Intermediate) level, the threshold many U.S. universities ask for.
These are estimates drawn from published concordance research, not official one-to-one equivalents. Every school sets its own minimums, so always confirm the exact requirement with your target program before you book a test.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The DET is a computer-adaptive, online English proficiency exam you can take from home in about an hour. Because it's faster and cheaper than the TOEFL or IELTS, thousands of universities now accept it for admissions, but the score scale is unfamiliar to most students, which is exactly why a converter helps. Knowing your DET-to-TOEFL equivalent tells you, at a glance, whether you're already competitive or still have ground to cover.
Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, and CEFR at a glance
- CEFR B1 (Intermediate): roughly DET 60–85, TOEFL 32–66, IELTS 5.0–6.0.
- CEFR B2 (Upper Intermediate): roughly DET 85–105, TOEFL 61–91, IELTS 6.0–7.0.
- CEFR C1 (Advanced): roughly DET 110–130, TOEFL 89–114, IELTS 7.0–8.0.
- CEFR C2 (Proficient): roughly DET 135+, TOEFL 110+, IELTS 8.5–9.0.
If you'd rather start from a TOEFL or IELTS number, our TOEFL & IELTS prep team uses the same concordance tables to set realistic targets for each section.
What score do you actually need?
Most U.S. undergraduate programs want a CEFR B2 or higher: think DET 95–120, TOEFL 79–100, or IELTS 6.5–7.0. Graduate and competitive programs often push into C1 territory. Rather than guessing, find the requirement for your specific school first, then work backward to the DET score you need. From there it's a straight line: close the gap with focused prep, or take the test out of the equation entirely with our level pathway.
How Tampa Language Center helps you get there
We've been helping international students, professionals, and residents master English in sunny Tampa and Sarasota since 1988, over 35 years. Whatever your target score, we adapt to your schedule with private, semi-private, and group classes, both on-site and online, so prep fits around work and family instead of the other way around.
Our TOEFL and IELTS preparation classes drill every section (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) with realistic practice exams and feedback from TEFL-certified instructors. Heading to a U.S. college? Our SAT prep classes in Tampa cover the reading and writing sections too.
Skip the test with our Level 6 university pathway
Here's the option most students don't know about: our English program runs across six levels (each level spans 20 weeks, split into two 10-week sessions), and finishing Level 6 earns you direct admission to Hillsborough Community College, St. Leo University, Schiller International University, or Full Sail University, with no IELTS or TOEFL required. For many learners, that's a faster, lower-stress way to study in the United States without TOEFL than chasing a single test score. Explore our English classes and rates to see where you'd start.
Studying in the U.S.? We handle the visa, too
Getting the score is only half the journey; you also need to be here legally to study. Our Designated School Officials (DSOs) and Principal Designated School Officials (PDSOs) help you change status and get your student visa from start to finish. Even with the new immigration rules under the Trump administration, we make it much easier to obtain and change your visa status, so you can focus on learning instead of paperwork. Ask us how we can help you study in the United States with the right visa in place.
Frequently asked questions
A DET score of 120 is roughly equivalent to a TOEFL iBT of 98–105 and an IELTS band of about 7.5, solidly in the CEFR C1 (Advanced) range. Use the converter above for the exact estimate at every score point.
It's shorter and cheaper, not necessarily easier. The DET is adaptive, so questions get harder as you answer correctly, and it tests the same core skills. Strong TOEFL or IELTS preparation translates directly to a better DET result, which is why our prep classes work for all three exams.
Thousands of universities worldwide now accept the DET, but minimum scores vary widely. Always check your target school's admissions page. Prefer to skip standardized tests altogether? Completing Level 6 at Tampa Language Center gets you into our partner universities with no IELTS or TOEFL score needed.
It depends on your starting level and how often you study, but focused, instructor-led prep moves the needle far faster than self-study. Book a free advising session and we'll give you an honest timeline and a plan tailored to your target score and visa needs.
Yes. Our DSOs and PDSOs assist with obtaining and changing your visa status, even under the latest immigration rules, so you can study in the U.S. with confidence. Reach out and we'll walk you through your options.
