CEFR framework
English Levels
A plain-language guide to the CEFR levels (A1–C2) — what each level means, how to tell where you are, and where to focus next.
| Level | Name | What you can typically do | Start here |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Understand and use basic phrases, introduce yourself, ask simple questions | A1 Guide |
| A2 | Elementary | Communicate in simple, routine situations on familiar topics | A2 Guide |
| B1 | Intermediate | Handle most everyday situations and give simple opinions and reasons | B1 Guide |
| B2 | Upper-Intermediate | Interact fluently, understand complex text, write clear detailed text | B2 Guide |
| C1 | Advanced | Use English flexibly for social, academic, and professional purposes | C1 Guide |
| C2 | Proficient (Mastery) | Understand virtually everything, express yourself precisely and naturally | C2 Guide |
Every level now has its own guide. Wondering how long each level takes? See our realistic timeline by level.
CEFR levels compared: exams and study hours
How each level lines up with common exams, and roughly how long it takes to reach. Exam equivalents are approximate — always check the exam board's own conversion table before applying to a university or visa programme.
| CEFR | IELTS band | TOEFL iBT (1–6 scale, 2026) | Cambridge exam | Approx. cumulative study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | — | — | — | 90–100 |
| A2 | — | — | A2 Key | 240–280 |
| B1 | 4.0–5.0 | 3–3.5 | B1 Preliminary | 440–530 |
| B2 | 5.5–6.5 | 4–4.5 | B2 First | 690–830 |
| C1 | 7.0–8.0 | 5–5.5 | C1 Advanced | 940–1,130 |
| C2 | 8.5–9.0 | 6 | C2 Proficiency | 1,140–1,430 |
Hours are guided-study estimates from zero, consistent with our learning timeline; real progress depends on practice outside class. Most universities ask for B2–C1; many skilled-work visas set specific minimum scores per skill.
What changes from one level to the next
| Step | The big shift | Grammar to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| A1 → A2 | From single phrases to simple connected sentences about routine and the past | past simple, present continuous, comparatives |
| A2 → B1 | From survival English to independence: travel, opinions, experiences | present perfect, first/second conditional, modals |
| B1 → B2 | From "getting by" to arguing a point clearly and in detail | passive voice, reported speech, third conditional |
| B2 → C1 | From clear to flexible: register, nuance and academic writing | mixed conditionals, inversion, advanced passives |
| C1 → C2 | From flexible to precise: fine shades of meaning and natural style | style control, idiom, collocation (see the C2 guide) |
Notes in this section
A1 English: The Complete Beginner Level Explained
What an A1 learner should know in vocabulary, grammar, and all four skills.
A2A2 English: The Elementary Level Explained
Past simple, comparatives, and what moves you from survival English to routine communication.
B1B1 English: The Intermediate Level Explained
Present perfect, conditionals, and the functional independence exams and employers look for.
B2B2 English: The Upper-Intermediate Level Explained
Passive voice, full reported speech, and independent fluency with native speakers.
C1C1 English: The Advanced Level Explained
Inversion, cleft sentences, and the register precision top universities expect.
C2C2 English: The Proficiency Level Explained
C1 vs. C2, exams that certify C2, a self-check and how to close the final gap.
All levelsFree English Level Test
A quick self-assessment quiz to estimate your approximate CEFR level.
Keep exploring
Related on English Notes
Frequently asked
Questions about english levels
How do I know what CEFR level I'm at?
Try our free English Level Test for a quick estimate. Without a formal placement test, a rough self-check also works: if basic daily phrases are still a struggle, you're likely A1–A2; if you can discuss familiar topics with some errors, you're likely B1–B2; if you can handle nuance and fast native speech comfortably, you're likely C1–C2.
Do all English exams use CEFR levels?
Not directly. IELTS uses its own 0–9 band scale and publishes an official CEFR mapping. Since January 2026 the TOEFL iBT reports a CEFR-aligned 1–6 scale (with the older 0–120 score also shown during a transition period). Cambridge English exams are each designed for a specific CEFR level.
How long does it take to move up one CEFR level?
This varies enormously by starting level, study intensity, and immersion — see our realistic timeline by level for hour-based estimates for each stage.
More english levels notes are added every week.
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