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English Levels · Explained
CEFR English Levels Explained: A1 to C2
A plain-English breakdown of the CEFR scale — what each level from A1 to C2 actually means, roughly how many words each requires, and how it compares to IELTS bands.
A1 to C2 explained
Approximate word counts
IELTS comparison
Written by Bakhtawar Durrani, Founder — CELTA, TESOL & IELTS certified · Last updated Aug 2026
The 6 levels
What Do A1 Through C2 Actually Mean?
| Level | Name | Approx. vocabulary | What you can do |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | 500–1,000 words | Basic personal info, simple everyday phrases |
| A2 | Elementary | 1,000–2,000 words | Simple routine tasks, direct exchange of information |
| B1 | Intermediate | 2,000–3,000 words | Everyday situations, describing experiences and plans |
| B2 | Upper-Intermediate | 4,000–6,000 words | Fluent interaction, detailed text on many subjects |
| C1 | Advanced | 8,000–10,000 words | Flexible, effective use for academic and professional purposes |
| C2 | Mastery | 10,000+ words | Near-native precision and nuance in virtually any context |
Reading the table
Why Do the Word Counts Feel So Approximate?
There's no single official word count per CEFR level — the framework describes what you can do with the language, not a fixed vocabulary list. The word-count ranges above are commonly cited estimates from linguistic research, useful as a rough benchmark rather than an exact target. What matters more in practice is active vocabulary — words you can use correctly in a sentence — versus passive vocabulary you only recognize. Our free vocabulary checker tests exactly that distinction.
Next step
How Do I Move Up a Level?
Moving a full CEFR level typically means meaningfully expanding both active vocabulary and grammatical range, which is exactly what our English speaking courses and private tutoring are built around — starting from a real assessment of where you currently stand, not a generic starting point.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CEFR stand for?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — an international standard used to describe language ability on a six-level scale from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery).
How many words do I need to know for A1 level?
Roughly 500–1,000 words, covering basic personal information, everyday needs, and simple set phrases.
How many words do I need to know for B1 level?
Roughly 2,000–3,000 words, enough to handle most everyday situations, describe experiences, and give simple reasons for opinions.
How many words do I need to know for B2 level?
Roughly 4,000–6,000 words, enough to understand complex text, interact fluently with native speakers, and produce detailed text on a range of subjects.
How many words do I need to know for C1 level?
Roughly 8,000–10,000 words, enough to use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes with only occasional gaps.
How does CEFR relate to my IELTS band?
There's no official 1:1 conversion, but common estimates place IELTS Band 5 around CEFR B1/B2, Band 6.5–7 around B2/C1, and Band 8+ around C1/C2 — useful as a rough reference, not an exact mapping.
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