---
title: "Learn English by CEFR Level — A1 to C2 Guides | Carna"
description: "Understand the CEFR scale and every English level from A1 to C2 — what each means, how long it takes, and how to find and reach yours."
canonical: https://carna.ai/en/learn/
lang: en
dateModified: 2026-10-30T00:06:08+03:00
---

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](https://carna.app/individual-waitlist)

[What is CEFR?](https://carna.ai/en/learn/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](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-a1/)
2. [A2, Elementary: 180–200 guided hours](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-a2/)
3. [B1, Intermediate: 350–400 guided hours](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-b1/)
4. [B2, Upper-Intermediate: 500–600 guided hours](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-b2/)
5. [C1, Advanced: 700–800 guided hours](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-c1/)
6. [C2, Proficient: 1,000+ guided hours](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-c2/)

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](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-a1/)

  Use basic everyday phrases. Introduce yourself and answer simple questions when people speak slowly.
  - ~500 active words
  - Basic user

- A2

  ### [A2 · Elementary](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-a2/)

  Handle simple, routine tasks. Describe your background and daily life in simple words.
  - ~1,000 active words
  - Basic user

- B1

  ### [B1 · Intermediate](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-b1/)

  Follow the main points on familiar topics. Cope when you travel, and give reasons for your views.
  - ~2,000 active words
  - Independent user

- B2

  ### [B2 · Upper-Intermediate](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-b2/)

  Understand the main ideas of complex texts. Talk with native speakers without strain, and explain your view.
  - ~4,000 active words
  - Independent user

- C1

  ### [C1 · Advanced](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-c1/)

  Understand long, hard texts and what they only imply. Use English with ease for study and work.
  - ~8,000 active words
  - Proficient user

- C2

  ### [C2 · Proficient](https://carna.ai/en/learn/cefr-c2/)

  Understand almost everything you hear or read, and express fine shades of meaning.
  - ~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 the work the teacher assigned, with the soonest due first. Each module shows 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.

  Each reader a school publishes shows its CEFR level on the cover. So students can read at their own level.

  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](https://carna.ai/en/schools/#demo)

[See Carna for Schools](https://carna.ai/en/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)](https://carnatest.com/)

[See how an English level test works](https://carna.ai/en/learn/english-level-test/), and what your result means.

— KEEP EXPLORING

## Keep learning.

- [What is CEFR?](https://carna.ai/en/learn/what-is-cefr/)
- [IELTS preparation](https://carna.ai/en/use-cases/ielts-prep/)
- [TOEFL preparation](https://carna.ai/en/use-cases/toefl-prep/)
- [AI English tutor](https://carna.ai/en/ai-english-tutor/)
- [Carna for Schools](https://carna.ai/en/schools/)

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](https://carna.app/individual-waitlist)

[Book a demo](https://carna.ai/en/schools/#demo)