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LEARN · CEFR GUIDES

Every English level, explained.

The CEFR scale runs from A1 to C2. See what each level means and how long it takes.

Join the early-access list What is CEFR?

Can-do lines from the Council of Europe's own grid

Guided hours to reach each level
  1. A1, Beginner: 90–100 guided hours
  2. A2, Elementary: 180–200 guided hours
  3. B1, Intermediate: 350–400 guided hours
  4. B2, Upper-Intermediate: 500–600 guided hours
  5. C1, Advanced: 700–800 guided hours
  6. C2, Proficient: 1,000+ guided hours

Cumulative from zero, so the hours climb at every step: C2 takes about ten times A1. Commonly cited ranges, not a Carna measurement.

— THE SIX LEVELS

Start with your level.

Each level builds on the last. Open one for what it lets you do, how long it takes, and the step after it.

  • A1

    A1 · Beginner

    A1 is the first step on the CEFR scale: introduce yourself and understand slow, clear speech.

    • ~500 active words
    • Basic user
  • A2

    A2 · Elementary

    At A2 you handle short social exchanges and routine tasks, in simple terms.

    • ~1,000 active words
    • Basic user
  • B1

    B1 · Intermediate

    B1 is where English becomes useful for independent travel and work.

    • ~2,000 active words
    • Independent user
  • B2

    B2 · Upper-Intermediate

    B2 is the level most universities and employers ask for: fluent, spontaneous, detailed English.

    • ~4,000 active words
    • Independent user
  • C1

    C1 · Advanced

    At C1 you use English flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes.

    • ~8,000 active words
    • Proficient user
  • C2

    C2 · Proficient

    C2 is the top of the CEFR scale: you understand virtually everything you hear or read.

    • ~16,000 active words
    • Proficient user

Active-word figures are typical estimates, not a standard.

— IN CARNA TODAY

The same scale, on the screen.

Carna for Schools runs on the CEFR scale today: assigned work shows its level on the card, and so do the books in the student's library. The individual tutor is in early access.

  • CARNA FOR SCHOOLS · LIVE TODAY

    Every card names its level.

    A student's Learn screen lists what the teacher assigned, soonest due first, each module with its CEFR level on the cover.

    A student's Learn screen in Carna for Schools. Carna School London is a sample school; the courses, levels and dates are demo data.

  • CARNA FOR SCHOOLS · LIVE TODAY

    Books with their level on the cover.

    The readers a school publishes carry their CEFR level on the cover, so reading practice can stay at the rung a student is on.

    A student's Library in Carna for Schools. Carna School London is a sample school; the books and levels are demo data.

Book a demo See Carna for Schools

— FIND YOUR LEVEL

Not sure where you stand?

A placement test scores each skill separately, because reading and speaking are rarely at the same level. Carna Test is the assessment platform from Carna, on its own site.

Also from Carna

Carna Test

A three-section placement test (CPT) and a five-section adaptive test with speaking and writing (CAET), on carnatest.com.

Find your level on carnatest.com (opens in a new tab)

EARLY ACCESS

Learning on your own?

Carna's personal tutor is still on its way, so there is no individual sign-up yet. Join the early-access list and we will write to you when it opens. Schools and teams run on Carna today.

Join the early-access list Book a demo