What does M mean on a CELPIP score report?

M covers levels 0, 1 and 2: very limited ability, or not enough language to assess. It is below CLB 3.

Do CELPIP 11 and 12 give more CRS points than 10?

No. The top row of the CRS language table is "CLB 10 or more", and IRCC counts CELPIP 10, 11 and 12 as CLB 10, so all three give the same points per ability.

Are CRS language points the same for every ability?

Yes. The first-official-language table gives the same points per CLB level for reading, writing, listening and speaking, and your total adds up all four.

Where can I check the official numbers?

On the Comprehensive Ranking System criteria page on canada.ca. The numbers on this page are as of November 2026 and can change.

Can AimNine tell me if I'm eligible for Express Entry?

No. We don't give immigration advice. The calculator only adds up the public language points for the CLB levels you enter.

CELPIP Score Chart: CELPIP Levels, CLB and CRS Language Points

Q: Is CELPIP Level 9 the same as CLB 9?

Yes. From Level 4 to Level 12, the CELPIP level and the CLB level are the same number.

This CELPIP score chart shows every CELPIP level, its Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) equivalent and what writing at that level looks like, followed by the public CRS points tables for language. The calculator on this page adds up language points from the four CLB levels you enter.

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CELPIP levels and CLB levels

Each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) gets its own level. From Level 4 to Level 12, the CELPIP level and the CLB level are the same number. The descriptions are our short summaries for Writing, in our own words.

CELPIP level	CLB	Writing at this level, in short
12	CLB 12	Expert. Precise, natural writing for any reader and purpose, with exact details in almost every sentence.
11	CLB 11	Advanced. Clear, accurate writing for a range of purposes, with specialized words and good control of complex grammar.
10	CLB 10	Highly effective. Ideas supported by a range of facts and details, precise word choice, smooth transitions.
9	CLB 9	Effective. Well-organized paragraphs, relevant details, controlled complex grammar, occasional minor errors.
8	CLB 8	Good. A developed main idea with supporting details, some context-specific words, small errors that don't block meaning.
7	CLB 7	Adequate. A clear main idea with some support, organized into paragraphs; errors are frequent but meaning is clear.
6	CLB 6	Developing. Short, coherent texts on everyday topics with common words; the tone is sometimes off.
5	CLB 5	Acquiring. Simple texts with a main idea and a few related ideas, common words and frequent errors.
4	CLB 4	Basic. Simple sentences and short paragraphs about very familiar, personal topics.
3	CLB 3	Limited. Short, simple sentences with some correct grammar.
M	Below CLB 3	Very short, simple phrases, or not enough writing to assess. Levels 0, 1 and 2 are all reported as M.

How to read the CELPIP score chart

A few points that often cause confusion:

Your score report gives a separate level for each skill. A Writing level of 9 is CLB 9 in writing, whatever your other levels are.
For Express Entry, IRCC treats CELPIP levels 10, 11 and 12 as CLB 10. The top row of the CRS language table is "CLB 10 or more", so all three give the same points.
In the CRS tables below, points are given for each ability separately, and the skill transferability points require a minimum level on all four abilities, so they depend on your lowest one.

CRS language points for your CELPIP levels

Enter your level (or target) for each skill. CELPIP levels match CLB levels; 10 and above count as CLB 10.

Reading23 pointsWriting23 pointsListening23 pointsSpeaking23 points

With a spouse or common-law partnerPost-secondary educationForeign work experience

Core language points

Skill transferability (language)

education 13 + foreign work 0

Language-related total

105

CELPIP 9 in every skill would give 149 (+44)

Only the language parts of the CRS, from the public IRCC grid as of November 2026. Your full score also depends on age, education, Canadian experience and more. Check the official CRS criteria before relying on these numbers. This is not immigration advice.

What CLB 7, 9 and 10 usually mean

These three levels come up most often for people preparing for Canadian immigration. Here is what they mean in the CRS tables and in writing. Requirements for specific programs differ and can change, so check the program's own page on canada.ca.

CLB 7: In the CRS tables, CLB 7 on all four abilities is where the language-based skill transferability points start. CLB 7 also appears as a minimum language level in some federal economic immigration programs. In writing, it means organized, understandable texts with a clear main idea, even though errors are frequent.
CLB 9: Going from CLB 8 to CLB 9 in one ability changes its points from 23 to 31 for a single applicant (22 to 29 with a spouse or partner), and CLB 9 on all four abilities moves skill transferability into the higher band. In writing, it means well-organized responses with specific details and only occasional errors.
CLB 10: The top row of the first-official-language table. In writing, Level 10 adds a wider range of support, more precise words and smoother transitions than Level 9.

CRS points for your first official language

Express Entry's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) gives points for each of the four abilities in your first official language. The table shows points per ability. The second column applies when your spouse or common-law partner is coming with you to Canada; canada.ca explains the exact rule. Check the official CRS criteria on canada.ca before relying on these numbers, which are as of November 2026.

CLB level (per ability)	Single applicant	With a spouse or common-law partner
Below CLB 4	0	0
CLB 4 or 5	6	6
CLB 6	9	8
CLB 7	17	16
CLB 8	23	22
CLB 9	31	29
CLB 10 or more	34	32

Adding up the four abilities

CLB 9 in all four abilities, single: 4 × 31 = 124 points CLB 10 in all four abilities, single: 4 × 34 = 136 points CLB 9 in all four abilities, with a spouse or partner: 4 × 29 = 116 points CLB 10 in all four abilities, with a spouse or partner: 4 × 32 = 128 points

Skill transferability points linked to language

The CRS also gives skill transferability points for combining strong language results with education or with foreign work experience. These need a minimum CLB on all four abilities, so your lowest ability decides the band.

Each combination is capped at 50 points, and both sit inside a larger skill transferability section with its own limit. Check the official CRS criteria on canada.ca for the full rules and definitions; numbers as of November 2026.

Combination	CLB 7 or more on all four (one or more below 9)	CLB 9 or more on all four
Language + one post-secondary credential of one year or longer	13	25
Language + two or more post-secondary credentials (one of them three years or longer), or a master's, PhD or certain professional degrees	25	50
Language + 1 or 2 years of foreign work experience	13	25
Language + 3 or more years of foreign work experience	25	50

CELPIP levels and the CEFR

If you are comparing with the European framework, the test maker's score guidance aligns CELPIP Writing levels with the CEFR roughly like this: Levels 4-6 with B1, Levels 7-9 with B2, Levels 10-11 with C1 and Level 12 with C2. Lower levels fall in the A range.

Practice levels are estimates

The levels AimNine gives for practice responses are estimates based on the public level descriptors. They are meant to show your strengths and weaknesses by dimension, not to predict your official result; only the CELPIP test gives an official score.

We don't give immigration advice. For questions about your own application, use the official IRCC pages or a regulated immigration professional.