CEFR levels explained: what you can say at A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is the world’s most used scale for language level. It has six levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (near-native). This guide says in plain words what you can do in speaking at each level, how many study hours are usually needed, how it relates to IELTS, and how to find your level.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 8 min read
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The six levels: what you can do when speaking
| Level | Group | In speaking, you can… |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Basic user (beginner) | Introduce yourself and ask and answer simple personal questions (name, where you live, what you have) if the other person speaks slowly and clearly. |
| A2 | Basic user (elementary) | Handle simple, routine exchanges: shopping, directions, ordering food, and describe your family, work and surroundings in simple terms. |
| B1 | Independent user (intermediate) | Deal with most situations when travelling, enter conversations on familiar topics, describe experiences, hopes and plans, and briefly give reasons and opinions. |
| B2 | Independent user (upper intermediate) | Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular conversation with native speakers possible; give clear, detailed descriptions and explain a point of view with pros and cons. |
| C1 | Proficient user (advanced) | Express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much searching for words; use language flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes. |
| C2 | Proficient user (mastery) | Express yourself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, and differentiate fine shades of meaning even in complex situations. |
These are short paraphrases of the Council of Europe’s global scale, written for speaking. The framework also describes listening, reading and writing, and a learner can be at different levels in each skill.
How many hours to reach each level
| Level | Total hours from zero (approx.) | Hours for the step up (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 70–100 (common estimate, not official) | — |
| A2 | 180–200 | ~100 |
| B1 | 350–400 | ~170–200 |
| B2 | 500–600 | ~150–200 |
| C1 | 700–800 | ~200 |
Cambridge English publishes these as guided learning hours, meaning the hours of teaching and guided study, and says the real number depends on your first language, age, how intensively you study and how much you practise outside lessons. Treat them as a planning guide, not a promise. See how long it takes to learn English for what the hours mean per day.
CEFR and exam scores (approximate)
| CEFR | IELTS (overall band) | Cambridge exam |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | 4.0–5.0 | B1 Preliminary |
| B2 | 5.5–6.5 | B2 First |
| C1 | 7.0–8.0 | C1 Advanced |
| C2 | 8.5–9.0 | C2 Proficiency |
Other tests (TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo English Test) publish their own tables, and they differ a little. Always check the table of the institution that will read your score, because a university or employer chooses its own minimum.
Which level do I need?
| Goal | Typical level asked |
|---|---|
| Travel and daily life abroad | A2–B1 |
| Customer-facing or office job in English | B1–B2 |
| Undergraduate study in English | B2 (often IELTS 6.0–6.5) |
| Postgraduate or professional work (law, medicine, management) | B2–C1 |
| Teaching or working at near-native level | C1–C2 |
Each level in more detail, for speaking: A2, B1, B2 and C1 English level.
How to find your level
- Take a quick test. Try the free English level test for an estimate in a few minutes.
- Test your speaking separately. Many people read at B2 and speak at B1. The speaking score tool gives a spoken estimate.
- Use the table above as a mirror. If you can discuss a familiar topic with reasons but you stop often for words, you are B1. If you can keep a conversation going without long pauses, you are around B2.
- Confirm with an official exam when you need a certificate.
Next steps: what B2 sounds like in speaking, how to speak English fluently, how to speak English confidently or practise with an AI tutor.
Frequently asked questions
What are the CEFR levels?
The CEFR has six levels: A1 and A2 (basic user), B1 and B2 (independent user), and C1 and C2 (proficient user). A1 is the beginner level and C2 is the highest, close to native-like mastery.
What does B1 English mean?
B1 is intermediate. You can handle most everyday situations, take part in conversations on familiar topics, describe experiences and plans, and give short reasons and opinions.
What is B2 English level?
B2 is upper intermediate. You can speak with enough fluency and spontaneity to talk regularly with native speakers, and explain a point of view in detail. It is the level many universities and employers ask for.
Which is higher, B2 or C1?
C1 is higher. The order is A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
How many hours does it take to reach B2 in English?
Cambridge English guidance gives about 500 to 600 guided learning hours from zero. Your time may be shorter or longer depending on your first language and how much you speak and listen outside class.
What IELTS score is B2?
An IELTS overall band of about 5.5 to 6.5 corresponds to B2 in the commonly published mapping. Institutions set their own minimum scores, so check the requirement you need.
Can I be at different CEFR levels for speaking and reading?
Yes. The CEFR describes each skill separately, and many learners read and listen at a higher level than they speak. Speaking improves fastest with speaking practice.
Find your speaking level, then raise it
Have a spoken conversation with an AI tutor and get a CEFR-based score on fluency, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. Free for 3 days.
Start your free trialSources
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), Council of Europe
- Guided learning hours, Cambridge English
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Wikipedia