TOEFL iBT · IELTS Academic

TOEFL vs IELTS (2026): Which Test Is Easier for You?

TOEFL and IELTS both test reading, listening, writing and speaking, and both are widely accepted for university admission. The real differences are format: the 2026 TOEFL iBT takes about 2 hours, is fully on the computer and is scored 1–6; IELTS Academic takes 2 hours 45 minutes, has a face-to-face Speaking interview and is scored 0–9. Here is how they compare, and how to decide which one suits you.

Facts from ETS and IELTS official pages, read 3 October 2026. Both tests change — confirm details on ets.org and ielts.org before you book.

TOEFL vs IELTS side by side

TOEFL iBT (2026 format) compared with IELTS Academic
	TOEFL iBT (2026)	IELTS Academic
Who runs it	ETS (Educational Testing Service)	Jointly owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Version for university admission	TOEFL iBT	IELTS Academic
Total time	About 2 hours; the test is adaptive, so time and number of items can vary	2 hours 45 minutes
Reading	50 items, about 30 min (Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage)	3 texts, 40 questions, 60 min
Listening	47 items, about 29 min	About 30 min
Writing	12 items, about 23 min (Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Academic Discussion)	2 tasks in 60 min (at least 150 and 250 words)
Speaking	11 items, about 8 min, recorded on the computer (Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview)	11–14 min, face-to-face interview with an examiner (by video call on IELTS Online)
Where you take it	Test center (more than 170 dates a year) or the Home Edition	Test center on computer (some markets offer Writing on Paper), or IELTS Online for Academic in selected countries
Score scale	1–6 in half-band steps (from 21 January 2026)	Bands 0–9 in half-band steps
Results	Posted about 3 days after the test	Usually 1–2 days on computer; 6–8 days for IELTS Online
Score validity	2 years	2 years recommended (organizations may accept older results)
Fee in the US	US$270 (ETS fee list) — all countries	US$340 at IELTS USA centers — all countries

Sources: ETS test content, ETS testing options, ETS Bulletin 2026–27, IELTS Academic, IELTS Speaking, ways to take IELTS, IELTS results. More detail: our TOEFL 2026 format guide and IELTS Reading guide.

The differences that matter most

Speaking: microphone vs examiner. TOEFL Speaking is 11 short items in about 8 minutes, recorded on the computer: you repeat sentences you hear and answer interview questions. IELTS Speaking is an 11–14 minute conversation with a trained examiner in three parts, and it is recorded (IELTS).
Question style. The 2026 TOEFL uses many short tasks — filling in missing letters, short daily-life texts, building sentences, writing an email. IELTS uses fewer, longer texts: three Reading passages in 60 minutes and two Writing tasks in 60 minutes.
Adaptive vs fixed. TOEFL adapts to your performance, so "test time and items may vary" (ETS). IELTS is the same length for everyone.
Paper is going. IELTS says it will no longer offer the paper-based test from mid-2026, with timelines varying by market; in selected markets you can still handwrite the Writing section ("Writing on Paper") (IELTS). ETS lists only the test center and Home Edition for the TOEFL iBT (ETS).
Results speed. Both are fast now: TOEFL scores are posted about 3 days after the test; IELTS on computer usually takes 1–2 days. See when TOEFL scores come out.

Which is easier, TOEFL or IELTS?

Neither ETS nor IELTS publishes a "difficulty" comparison, and universities set equivalent minimums on both, so there is no honest answer for everyone. What differs is which format plays to your strengths. Use this as a guide — it is our reasoning from the official formats, not survey data:

You type faster than you write by hand → TOEFL

Every TOEFL section, Speaking included, is on the computer. IELTS is moving fully to computer delivery from mid-2026 (Writing on Paper stays in selected markets), but its Speaking is still a live conversation with an examiner.

You freeze when talking into a microphone → IELTS

IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, so you get a real listener. TOEFL Speaking is 11 short recorded responses.

You get nervous in front of people → TOEFL

TOEFL Speaking has no examiner in the room — you answer prompts on screen, and the whole section takes about 8 minutes.

You lose focus in long tests → TOEFL

About 2 hours against 2 hours 45 minutes. TOEFL tasks are also shorter and more numerous; IELTS gives longer passages and two long writing tasks.

You write long, structured essays well → IELTS

IELTS Writing is 60 minutes for two extended tasks. TOEFL Writing is about 23 minutes split across a sentence-building task, an email and a short discussion post.

You need a test from home → Either

TOEFL Home Edition is offered worldwide; IELTS Online is Academic only and in selected countries. Check that your university accepts the at-home version.

The best test: take a timed practice set of each. Try our free TOEFL 2026 mock test and a free IELTS practice test, and book the one where you finish closer to your target.

TOEFL vs IELTS scores: what is equivalent?

ETS publishes a comparison of the new 1–6 TOEFL scale with IELTS bands. A few total-score rows from that table (ETS score scale update):

Selected rows of ETS's TOEFL 1–6 v. IELTS comparison (total scores)
IELTS band	TOEFL total (1–6)	CEFR (ETS alignment of the TOEFL score)
8	6	C2
7.5	5.5	C1
7	5	C1
6.5	4.5	B2
6	4	B2
5.5	3.5	B1

ETS notes the totals are section averages "rounded up to the next highest half band", and that different section combinations can give the same total. For the full table, sections and old 0–120 scores, use our TOEFL to IELTS score conversion.

Acceptance: do universities take both?

For university admission, usually yes. ETS says the TOEFL is "accepted by over 13k institutions across 160+ countries" (ETS); IELTS says it is "accepted by all key immigration authorities" (IELTS) and is used for study, work and migration. Three things to check before you choose:

Each program's page. Some list only one test, a minimum per section, or a different minimum for each test.
At-home versions. Acceptance of TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Online is up to each institution.
Visas. Visa rules are separate from admissions. For example, the ETS Bulletin notes that only TOEFL tests taken before 21 January 2026 and TOEFL iBT Australia are currently approved for Australian visas (Bulletin, p.11). For UK visas, IELTS has a separate IELTS for UKVI test.

See which universities accept the new 1–6 TOEFL in our university requirements list.

Duolingo English Test vs IELTS (and TOEFL)

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is the third option many applicants consider. According to Duolingo: you take it online with no appointment, the whole process takes about 1 hour (5 minutes setup, 45 minutes scored assessment, 10 minutes of writing and speaking samples), results arrive in 2 days, and it is "trusted by 6,500+ institutions" (DET). Scores run from 10 to 160 (DET scoring) and are valid for two years.

Compared with IELTS, it is shorter and fully at home, with no examiner. The catch is acceptance: Duolingo's 6,500+ figure is about half of the 13,000+ ETS gives for TOEFL, so confirm that every program on your list takes it before you rely on it.

Leaning toward TOEFL? Test the 2026 format first

Take a free practice set in the new format and get an estimated 1–6 band, then compare it with your universities' minimums. Fees: TOEFL by country · IELTS by country.

Try a free TOEFL mock test

FAQ

Is TOEFL or IELTS easier?

Neither is officially easier — both measure the same four skills and universities set equivalent requirements on each. Which feels easier depends on you: TOEFL is shorter (about 2 hours), fully on the computer and has recorded Speaking; IELTS is 2 hours 45 minutes with a face-to-face Speaking interview and longer writing tasks. Try a practice set of each before you book.

What TOEFL score equals IELTS 7?

ETS's own comparison table for the 1–6 scale puts IELTS 7 at a TOEFL total of 5, IELTS 6.5 at 4.5 and IELTS 6 at 4. Universities set their own minimums, so check each one.

Is TOEFL or IELTS more widely accepted?

Both are widely accepted for university admission. ETS says the TOEFL is accepted by over 13,000 institutions in more than 160 countries; IELTS is accepted by universities, employers and immigration authorities worldwide. What matters is whether your specific programs and visa route accept the test and the version you plan to take.

How long are TOEFL and IELTS scores valid?

Two years for both. ETS will not report TOEFL scores more than 2 years old; IELTS recommends results be considered valid for two years, though some organizations accept older results.

Which is cheaper in the US, TOEFL or IELTS?

In ETS's fee list the TOEFL iBT costs US$270 in the United States; IELTS costs US$340 at IELTS USA (ELS) centers. Fees change, so confirm when you book.

Is the Duolingo English Test accepted instead of IELTS?

Some institutions accept it; the Duolingo English Test says it is trusted by 6,500+ institutions. It is a 1-hour online test scored 10–160. Check each university's requirements before choosing it over TOEFL or IELTS.

Sources

Read 3 October 2026. US fees come from our TOEFL and IELTS fee pages, which cite ETS and IELTS USA.