"What is a good TOEFL score?" depends entirely on what you're using it for, a 4.0 overall is solid for many undergraduate programmes but well short of what a top graduate programme expects. Under the 2026 format, TOEFL is scored 1.0-6.0 per section (0.5 increments), with your overall score being the average of all four sections. This guide explains what's "good" by purpose, with the legacy 0-120 equivalents shown on your score report during the 2026-2028 transition.
2026 Band Scale to Legacy Score Conversion
Your score report shows both scales during the transition. This is ETS's published mapping between the overall band and the legacy total:
| 2026 Overall Band | Legacy 0-120 Equivalent | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 114-120 | C2 |
| 5.5 | 107-113 | C1 |
| 5.0 | 95-106 | C1 |
| 4.5 | 86-94 | B2 |
| 4.0 | 72-85 | B2 |
| 3.5 | 58-71 | B1 |
| 3.0 | 44-57 | B1 |
| 2.5 | 34-43 | A2 |
| 2.0 | 24-33 | A2 |
| 1.5 | 12-23 | A1 |
| 1.0 | 0-11 | A1 |
The bands are not evenly spaced on the old scale, so multiplying a band by 20 gives the wrong answer at most levels. Section scores also convert differently from the total. For the full section-by-section chart and the IELTS comparison, see the TOEFL score chart, or convert a specific score with the TOEFL score calculator.
What Is a Good TOEFL Score: By Purpose
For University Admissions
| University Tier | Typical Minimum (2026 Band) | Legacy Equivalent | "Good" Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top US graduate (MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Ivy League) | 5.0-5.5 | 95-113 | 5.5+ |
| Competitive US MBA (M7) | 5.5+ | 107+ | 5.5-6.0 |
| Most top-50 US graduate programmes | 5.0 | 95-106 | 5.0+ |
| Standard US graduate minimum | 4.5 | 86-94 | 4.5+ |
| Most US undergraduate (competitive) | 5.0 | 95-106 | 5.0+ |
| Most US undergraduate (standard) | 4.0 | 72-85 | 4.0+ |
| UK universities (most) | 4.5-5.0 | 86-106 | 5.0+ |
| Canadian/Australian graduate programmes | 4.5-5.0 | 86-106 | 5.0+ |
Key insight: "good" means above the minimum: the minimum is the eligibility floor, not the competitive bar. For full per-university breakdowns, see our TOEFL Score Requirements for Universities guide.
For Professional Registration and Immigration
Check that TOEFL is accepted at all before you set a target. No TOEFL score is "good" for a body that does not recognise the test:
- NMC (UK nursing): accepts only IELTS Academic and OET. TOEFL does not count towards registration.
- Canada Express Entry: accepts CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. TOEFL iBT is not accepted.
- Australian visas: TOEFL iBT is accepted when taken at a test centre, with a minimum set for each section.
Where TOEFL is accepted, professional bodies often set both an overall minimum and section-specific minimums, so meeting the overall average alone is not sufficient. Always check the specific body's current requirements.
What Is a Good TOEFL Score by Band Number?
| Band (2026) | Legacy Equivalent | CEFR | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 114-120 | C2 | Exceptional, near-native academic English |
| 5.5 | 107-113 | C1 | Highly competitive, top graduate programmes |
| 5.0 | 95-106 | C1 | Competitive graduate level |
| 4.5 | 86-94 | B2 | Standard graduate level |
| 4.0 | 72-85 | B2 | Standard undergraduate level |
| 3.5 | 58-71 | B1 | Developing academic English |
| 3.0 | 44-57 | B1 | Foundation/conditional entry level |
Is 4.0 a Good TOEFL Score?
It depends on your purpose:
- ✅ Good for: most US undergraduate admissions, foundation programmes, some conditional graduate offers
- ❌ Not good enough for: most graduate programmes (typically 4.5+), competitive undergraduate programmes (typically 5.0+), top-50 graduate schools
Is 4.5 a Good TOEFL Score?
- ✅ Good for: standard graduate programme minimums, most UK/Canadian/Australian graduate admissions, competitive undergraduate applications
- ❌ Not good enough for: top-50 US graduate programmes (typically 5.0+), competitive MBA programmes (typically 5.5+)
Is 5.0 a Good TOEFL Score?
- ✅ Good for: most top-50 US graduate programmes, competitive undergraduate admissions, strong applications across most destinations
- May not be sufficient for: the most selective programmes (MIT, Stanford, Ivy League graduate, often 5.0-5.5), competitive MBA (M7, often 5.5+)
Is 5.5+ a Good TOEFL Score?
A 5.5-6.0 overall qualifies you for virtually every English requirement globally:
- ✅ Top-tier graduate programmes (MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Ivy League)
- ✅ Competitive MBA programmes (M7)
- ✅ Teaching Assistant roles requiring high Speaking scores (a legacy Speaking score of 26 corresponds to a Speaking band of 5.0, and 27 to a 5.5; TA-specific Speaking thresholds may be set separately, so check with your programme)
"Good" vs "Competitive" - The Important Distinction
| Situation | "Good" (Meets Requirement) | "Competitive" (Stands Out) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard US graduate minimum | 4.5 | 5.0+ |
| Top-50 US graduate | 5.0 | 5.5+ |
| M7 MBA | 5.5 | 5.5-6.0 |
| Most undergraduate | 4.0 | 4.5-5.0 |
How to Set Your Target Score
Step 1: List every programme you're applying to and find each one's minimum requirement (check whether it's published in the new 2026 band scale or the legacy 0-120 scale, and convert using the table above if needed)
Step 2: Check whether minimums apply to your overall average, each section individually, or both, many programmes require both
Step 3: Set your target 0.5 band above the highest minimum you need to meet, this protects against any single section falling short
Step 4: Take a diagnostic practice session to assess your current level per section; allow roughly 2-8 weeks of focused preparation per 0.5 band of improvement needed (see our TOEFL plateau guide if progress stalls)
Find out your current TOEFL level with Gabble: AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice with instant section scores under the 2026 format, so you know exactly what your target is and how far you need to go.