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English vocabulary size test online
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The test adapts to your level — A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2!
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English vocabulary by CEFR levels A1–C2 and TOEFL / IELTS scores
(Active vocabulary can differ from passive vocabulary)
Table: vocabulary size by English proficiency level
| Level | CEFR | TOEFL score | IELTS score | Vocabulary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | A1 | 0-15 | 1.0-2.0 | 0-700 |
| Elementary | A2 | 15-45 | 2.5-3.5 | 700-1400 |
| Intermediate | B1 | 45-70 | 4.0-5.0 | 1400-3500 |
| Upper Intermediate | B2 | 70-95 | 5.5-6.5 | 3500-6000 |
| Advanced | C1 | 95-120 | 7.0-8.0 | 6000-10000 |
| Proficient | C2 | — | 8.5-9.0 | >10000 |
Figures are based on statistics from MyWords.app. More on English levels A1–C2.
Interesting facts about vocabulary size
- English has more than 1,000,000 words.
- The Oxford dictionary lists about 273,000 words.
- The My Words dictionary has more than 500,000 words.
- A native English speaker’s vocabulary is typically over 50,000 words.
- An English-speaking teenager’s active (spoken) vocabulary is about 5,000–10,000 words. Passive (reading and understanding) is about 15,000–20,000.
- To read the Harry Potter books, knowing about 6,000–7,000 words is enough.
FAQ about vocabulary size
How many words do you need to start speaking a foreign language?
To get by and understand basic things, 400–500 words is enough. That’s a survival level — A1 on the CEFR scale.
Even 100 words can be a start. Read more in our article on English levels A1–C2.
How many words are there in English?
Modern English has more than 1 million words.
What is a native English speaker’s vocabulary size?
An adult native English speaker typically knows about 50,000 words on average.
What is an English-speaking teenager’s vocabulary size?
By the end of school, an English-speaking teenager’s vocabulary is about 15,000 words and often grows quickly toward 25,000.
How many words do you need for A1?
For A1, 500–700 words is enough.
How many words do you need for A2?
For A2, you need about 700–1400 words.
How many words do you need for B1?
For B1, you need about 1400–3500 words.
How many words do you need for B2?
For B2, you need about 3500–6000 words.
How many words do you need for C1?
C1 typically requires about 6000–10,000 words.
How many words do you need for C2?
C2 vocabulary is typically more than 10,000 words.