# IELTS Writing band score calculator

The four criteria for Task 1 and Task 2 to a Writing band, with Task 2 counted twice.

## How the Writing band is worked out

Each task is marked on four criteria of equal weight, and the task score is their average. Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1, so the Writing band leans towards your essay.

| Task 1 | Task 2 | Weighted average |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 6 | 7 | 6.67 |
| 7 | 6 | 6.33 |
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |

*(Task 1 + 2 x Task 2) / 3*

IELTS does not publish how that weighted average is rounded to a half band, so the calculator shows both half bands when the average falls between them. [Compare Writing answers by band](/ielts/writing/topics) to see what moves a task score.

## Writing score questions

### Is IELTS Writing Task 2 worth more than Task 1?

Yes. Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1, so a weak essay costs more than a weak report or letter.

### What are the four IELTS Writing criteria?

Task achievement (Task 1) or task response (Task 2), coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. They are weighted equally.

### Can I get Band 7 in Writing with Band 6 in Task 1?

Possibly. With 6 in Task 1 and 7.5 in Task 2 the weighted average is 7, because Task 2 counts twice.

**Sources**
- [IELTS: IELTS scoring in detail, checked 25 September 2026](https://ielts.org/take-a-test/your-results/ielts-scoring-in-detail)
- [IDP IELTS: How IELTS Writing is scored, checked 25 September 2026](https://ielts.com.au/australia/results/scores/writing)