TOEFLIELTS

TOEFL · Score Requirements

What Is a Good TOEFL Score?

A good TOEFL score depends on your goals. Check the official TOEFL requirement for your target school and see how your 2026 score compares.

Covers 107 US universities · Updated March 2026

Check your target school

There is no single “good” TOEFL score

Whether your score is good depends entirely on where you are applying and for what degree. A Band 4.0 may be sufficient for some undergraduate programs, while a highly competitive master's program at a top 20 university might require 5.0 or above.

  • →Schools vary by country, degree level, and sometimes by individual program.
  • →Some schools publish only an overall minimum. Others also list section minimums for Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
  • →As of early 2026, many universities are still updating from the legacy 0–120 scale to the new 1–6 band scale. We label each school's status clearly.

TOEFL Requirement Checker

Select your target school and enter your 2026 TOEFL scores to see how you compare against the officially published requirement.

Step 1 — Select your target school

Region

Step 2 — Enter your TOEFL 2026 scores

Scores use the 2026 band scale: 1.0–6.0 in 0.5 increments.

Coverage: United States & United Kingdom · Undergraduate & Master's · 107+ universities (QS top 100). Schools are added as official 2026 requirements are confirmed. If your school is not listed, let us know.

General Score Context

These are general benchmarks based on typical published requirements. Always verify the exact requirement for your specific school and program.

2026 BandLegacy (0–120)Typical school range
5.5–6.0110–120Ivy League / top 10 competitive programs
5.0100–109Top 20–30 US universities; many selective graduate programs
4.590–99Most QS top 50 US programs
4.080–89QS top 100 US universities
3.570–79Regional US universities / conditional admission
3.060–69Foundation / pathway programs

Ranges are illustrative. Individual program requirements differ. Use the checker above for official data.

About the 2026 TOEFL Score Scale

On January 21, 2026, ETS launched a redesigned TOEFL iBT that replaced the legacy 0–120 scale with a 1–6 band scale in 0.5 increments. Each of the four sections — Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing — receives a band score, and the overall score is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest 0.5.

Because many universities have not yet updated their admissions pages, you may still see requirements listed as “TOEFL 90” or similar legacy formats. Use our score conversion tool to understand how those translate.

View the full 2026 TOEFL score conversion table

What Should I Aim for Next?

If your score falls short in a specific section, here's where to focus:

R

Reading

A low Reading score may signal difficulty processing academic texts, which affects both admission and coursework success.

Tip: Practice skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details in timed conditions using TOEFL-style academic passages.

Reading practice & guides
L

Listening

Weak Listening can hurt your overall band significantly, as it accounts for a full quarter of the 2026 score.

Tip: Build your listening stamina by regularly working through academic lectures and conversations, taking structured notes.

Listening practice & guides
S

Speaking

Speaking is the section most applicants find hardest to improve quickly — and many schools publish a section minimum for it.

Tip: Record yourself responding to TOEFL prompts and review your pacing, fluency, and use of academic vocabulary.

Speaking practice & guides
W

Writing

Writing section scores often carry strict program-level minimums, especially in humanities, law, and business programs.

Tip: Master the Write an Email and Academic Discussion task formats, focusing on clear structure and precise academic language.

Writing practice & guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good TOEFL score for undergraduate admission?
For most US universities, a 2026 TOEFL band score of 4.0–4.5 (equivalent to roughly 80–90 on the old scale) is considered competitive for undergraduate admission. Highly selective schools such as MIT, Harvard, and Stanford typically expect 5.0 or above. UK universities such as Oxford and Cambridge commonly require 7.0–7.5 IELTS equivalent, which maps to approximately Band 4.5–5.0 on the 2026 TOEFL scale. Always check the official admissions page for the exact requirement.
What is a good TOEFL score for a master's degree?
For master's programs at US research universities, a 2026 TOEFL band of 4.5–5.0 is generally expected. Many top graduate programs — particularly in business, engineering, and public policy — require 5.0 (the equivalent of roughly 100 on the old 0–120 scale). Some programs also set section minimums. UK postgraduate programs typically require Band 4.0–5.0 depending on the institution. Use the checker above to find the specific requirement for your target school.
Do universities require section minimums?
Yes, many universities publish not just an overall TOEFL minimum but also minimum scores for individual sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing). Section minimums are especially common in the UK and at selective US graduate schools. Meeting the overall minimum but falling short on one section can still result in a conditional offer or rejection. Always review the full requirement on the official admissions page.
What if my target school has not updated to the 2026 TOEFL scale?
The TOEFL 2026 format launched on January 21, 2026. As of early 2026, many universities still list requirements on the legacy 0–120 scale and are in the process of updating their admissions pages. If the checker shows 'Legacy Scale Listed', the school has not yet published a confirmed 2026 band requirement. In that case, use the rough conversion (legacy score ÷ 20 = approximate 2026 band) as an informal guide, but always confirm directly with the admissions office. LingoLeap will update this tool as schools publish official 2026 requirements.
Does meeting the TOEFL minimum guarantee admission?
No. Meeting the TOEFL minimum is a necessary but not sufficient condition for admission. It confirms you meet the English language requirement, but admissions decisions also depend on GPA, essays, letters of recommendation, work experience, and other factors. Some competitive programs receive far more qualified applicants than available spots, so meeting the minimum simply keeps your application in consideration.
What is the highest possible TOEFL 2026 score?
The highest score on the 2026 TOEFL iBT is Band 6.0. Section scores also range from 1.0 to 6.0 in 0.5 increments. Band 6.0 corresponds to approximately 110–120 on the old 0–120 scale and is equivalent to IELTS 8.5–9.0 and CEFR C2 (Proficient).

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