Level guide · CEFR

CEFR Levels Explained: What A1 to C2 Really Mean

What you can do at each level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), with examples, and how it compares with TOEFL iBT, IELTS and Cambridge exams, based on what each organization publishes.

The CEFR describes language ability on six levels: A1 and A2 (basic user), B1 and B2 (independent user), and C1 and C2 (proficient user). An A1 speaker can introduce themselves and ask simple questions; a B1 speaker can handle travel situations and describe experiences; a B2 speaker can talk fluently and defend a point of view; a C2 speaker understands virtually everything.

Independent guide, not affiliated with Cambridge, ETS or British Council. Updated on September 29, 2026.

What is the CEFR?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a Council of Europe framework that describes what a person can do in a language. Cambridge sums it up as an international standard that describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners up to C2 for those who have mastered a language (Cambridge English). That's why schools, universities, employers and international exams use it as a common reference.

The six levels fall into three groups:

CEFR levels in one sentence
LevelGroupIn one sentence
A1Basic userYou introduce yourself and answer very simple questions if people speak slowly.
A2Basic userYou handle simple everyday tasks: shopping, ordering, talking about your surroundings.
B1Independent userYou manage while traveling, describe experiences and give brief opinions.
B2Independent userYou talk fluently and defend a point of view with pros and cons.
C1Proficient userYou express yourself fluently, without obvious effort, in social, academic and professional settings.
C2Proficient userYou understand virtually everything and express fine shades of meaning.

HelloVozi summary based on the CEFR global scale and the Europass self-assessment grid.

The CEFR levels, one by one

For each level we quote the official Europass CEFR self-assessment grid (published by the European Union) for speaking and listening. The examples are our own and only illustrate what each level sounds like.

Pre-A1

Pre-A1 (sometimes called A0): first steps

Before the first CEFR level

The CEFR global scale starts at A1, so "A0" is not an official level: it's a common way to describe complete beginners. Cambridge does use Pre A1 on its scale for young learners' exams (Pre A1 Starters), with scores from 80 to 99 on the Cambridge English Scale (Cambridge diagram).

What you can do (HelloVozi guidance): recognize greetings, numbers, colors and very common single words, and answer with one word or a gesture.

Example: "What's your name?" "Ana." "How old are you?" "Ten."

A1

A1 level: breakthrough

Basic user

"I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I'm trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics."Europass CEFR grid, spoken interaction A1

Speaking: "I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know" (spoken production A1).

Example: "I live in a small city. I have two brothers. I like pizza."

Exams: Cambridge English Scale 100–119 (A1 Movers; on A2 Key, 100–119 is reported as Level A1). TOEFL iBT: 1–1.5 on the 1–6 scale.

Full A1 level guide →

A2

A2 level: waystage

Basic user

"I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can't usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself."Europass CEFR grid, spoken interaction A2

Speaking: "I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job" (spoken production A2).

Example: "Last weekend I went to the beach with my family. It was sunny and we ate fish. I want to go again in December."

Exams: A2 Key and A2 Flyers (Cambridge English Scale 120–139). TOEFL iBT: 2–2.5. IELTS does not publish a band for A2.

Full A2 level guide →

B1

B1 level: threshold

Independent user

"I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events)."Europass CEFR grid, spoken interaction B1

Speaking: "I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans" (spoken production B1).

Example: "I'd like to study abroad because I think it's a great way to improve my English. The problem is that it's expensive, so I'm saving money and looking for scholarships."

Exams: B1 Preliminary (Cambridge English Scale 140–159). TOEFL iBT: 3–3.5. IELTS: roughly 4.0–4.5 (band 5.0 sits between B1 and B2). In Ecuador, B1 is the English target at the end of high school; we cover it in B1 English level: what it means for Ecuadorian students.

Full B1 level guide →

B2

B2 level: vantage

Independent user

"I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views."Europass CEFR grid, spoken interaction B2

Speaking: "I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options" (spoken production B2).

Example: "Although remote work saves time, I'd argue it can make collaboration harder. In my experience, a hybrid model works best, as long as the team agrees on clear rules."

Exams: B2 First (Cambridge English Scale 160–179). TOEFL iBT: 4–4.5. IELTS: roughly 5.5–6.0 (band 6.5 sits between B2 and C1).

Full B2 level guide →

C1

C1 level: effective operational proficiency

Proficient user

"I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers."Europass CEFR grid, spoken interaction C1

Listening: "I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly" (listening C1).

Example: "What concerns me isn't the cost itself, but the fact that we haven't considered the long-term implications. If we're going to commit to this, we'd better be sure it's sustainable."

Exams: C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Scale 180–199). TOEFL iBT: 5–5.5. IELTS: roughly 7.0–7.5; IELTS says the minimum C1 threshold falls between 6.5 and 7, and band 8 is borderline between C1 and C2.

Full C1 level guide →

C2

C2 level: mastery

Proficient user

"I can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. I can express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If I do have a problem I can backtrack and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it."Europass CEFR grid, spoken interaction C2

Listening: "I have no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided I have some time to get familiar with the accent" (listening C2).

Example: "It's not so much that the proposal is flawed as that it's premature; frankly, we'd be putting the cart before the horse."

Exams: C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Scale 200–230). TOEFL iBT: 6. IELTS: 8.5 and above.

Full C2 level guide →

CEFR score chart: Cambridge, TOEFL iBT and IELTS

Each organization aligns its own exam to the CEFR. There is no official table that converts one exam directly into another: this chart puts together what each one publishes. Use it as guidance, not as an exact equivalence.

Approximate equivalences from official sources (accessed Sep 29, 2026)
CEFRCambridge English Scaleand reference examTOEFL iBT (1–6)from Jan 21, 2026TOEFL iBT (0–120)comparable total scoreIELTS (overall band)
Pre-A180–99Pre A1 Starters——Not reported
A1100–119A1 Movers1–1.50–231 = 0+; 1.5 = 12+Not reported
A2120–139A2 Key, A2 Flyers2–2.524–432 = 24+; 2.5 = 34+Not reported
B1140–159B1 Preliminary3–3.544–713 = 44+; 3.5 = 58+4.0–4.55.0 between B1 and B2
B2160–179B2 First4–4.572–944 = 72+; 4.5 = 86+5.5–6.06.5 between B2 and C1
C1180–199C1 Advanced5–5.595–1135 = 95+; 5.5 = 107+7.0–7.58.0 between C1 and C2
C2200–230C2 Proficiency6114–1206 = 114+8.5–9.0

Cambridge: ranges from the Cambridge English Scale by CEFR level and the results tables for each exam. Each exam also certifies the level just above or below depending on the score (for example, 180–190 on B2 First is reported as C1). TOEFL iBT: ETS alignment for the 1–6 scale and comparison with the 0–120 scale for tests taken before January 21, 2026 (ETS). The 0–120 ranges in the chart run from one threshold to the next. IELTS: HelloVozi's reading of the chart and notes in IELTS and the CEFR: it refers to the overall band (not each skill), IELTS doesn't report A1 or A2, and it notes that its bands "have never aligned exactly" with CEFR transition points. We don't list study hours per level because we could not verify an official source on the access date.

How do I know if I'm B1 or B2?

The clearest difference shows up when you speak. In the Europass grid, a B1 speaker "can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar" and "briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions". A B2 speaker "can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible" and can "take an active part in discussion… accounting for and sustaining" their views.

Try these questions (HelloVozi guidance, not an official test):

  • Can you speak for 2 minutes about a current issue, giving advantages and disadvantages, without going blank? If so, you're likely B2.
  • Do you struggle when the other person changes topic or speaks fast? You're probably B1.
  • Do you understand most TV news and films in standard English? Europass places that at B2 listening.
  • Can you describe an experience and your plans, but mostly with short sentences and simple linking words (and, but, because)? That's a typical B1 profile.

The reliable way to know is an assessment that measures all four skills. To see how these work, read how English placement tests work.

Is B1 or B2 considered fluent?

The CEFR doesn't use "fluent" as a level, but its descriptors talk about fluency. At B2, speakers "can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible". At C1, they "can express [themselves] fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions". So if someone asks for "fluent" English, it makes sense to aim for at least B2, and for C1 if you'll work or study entirely in English. Always ask which exact level they expect.

Level test

Find your English level with Vozi Exam

The Vozi Exam placement test assesses speaking, listening, reading and writing, plus Use of English, and gives you a CEFR-aligned level reference with next steps for practice.

Take the level testPractice speaking at my level

If you're comparing courses to move up a level, see also how much English classes cost in Ecuador.

FAQ

CEFR levels: common questions

What are CEFR levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2?

They are the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference. A1 and A2 are basic user levels, B1 and B2 independent user levels, and C1 and C2 proficient user levels. Each describes what you can do in the language, from introducing yourself (A1) to understanding virtually everything (C2).

What CEFR level is considered fluent?

B2 is the first level where the CEFR describes enough fluency and spontaneity for regular interaction with native speakers. B1 lets you handle familiar situations, but with noticeable pauses. So if you need "fluent" English, aim for at least B2 and confirm the exact level required.

Is B1 or B2 considered fluent?

B2. At B1 you can take part in conversations on familiar topics and briefly explain opinions; at B2 you can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity and defend your views in a discussion.

What is a good CEFR level?

It depends on your goal. B1 covers travel and everyday situations; B2 is a common target for work and study; C1 suits studying or working fully in English. Check the level your school or employer asks for.

How do I know if I'm B1 or B2?

Look at how you speak: at B1 you talk about familiar topics and briefly justify opinions; at B2 you speak fluently and spontaneously and defend a viewpoint with pros and cons. To confirm, take a level test that covers all four skills.

What TOEFL and IELTS scores are B2?

According to ETS, B2 is 4–4.5 on the TOEFL iBT 1–6 scale (from January 2026), comparable to 72 or more on the 0–120 scale. According to IELTS, B2 is roughly bands 5.5–6.0, with 6.5 between B2 and C1.

Sources (accessed September 29, 2026)

Cambridge English, TOEFL® and IELTS are trademarks of their respective owners. TOEFL® is a registered trademark of ETS. This guide is independent and is not affiliated with, approved or endorsed by Cambridge, ETS, IDP or British Council.

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