What Are Korean Language Levels?
Korean language levels are labels that describe how well someone can use Korean. A level is a statement about ability, such as "can order food and ask prices", not a count of hours or lessons. Three scales are in common use, and they are built differently.
How Does the CEFR Scale Work for Korean?
The CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, has six bands: A1 and A2 (basic user), B1 and B2 (independent user), and C1 and C2 (proficient user). The Council of Europe published it, and its 2020 Companion Volume gives the can-do statements. The scale is language-neutral, so this site adds Korean-specific checkpoints, such as reading any Hangul word aloud at A1.
How Does TOPIK Grade Levels?
TOPIK, the Test of Proficiency in Korean, awards levels 1 to 6 from two papers. TOPIK I (levels 1 and 2) has reading and listening and a total of 200 points. TOPIK II (levels 3 to 6) has listening, writing and reading and a total of 300 points. Speaking has a separate test. The pass marks below come from the official site, topik.go.kr, and should be rechecked there before an exam.
| Level | Paper | Minimum total score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TOPIK I (200) | 80 |
| 2 | TOPIK I (200) | 140 |
| 3 | TOPIK II (300) | 120 |
| 4 | TOPIK II (300) | 150 |
| 5 | TOPIK II (300) | 190 |
| 6 | TOPIK II (300) | 230 |
See the TOPIK, the official Korean proficiency test hub for the exam itself.
The NIKL Standard Curriculum Levels
Korea's National Institute of Korean Language (국립국어원) publishes the International Standard Curriculum for Korean (국제 통용 한국어 표준 교육과정), which sorts classroom Korean into numbered levels from beginner to advanced. It is a syllabus, not a test, so it has no pass marks. This page uses it only as a third reference point.
Korean Language Levels Compared in One Table
The table lines up the three scales with typical hours and Korean can-do statements. Every mapping between scales is unofficial, because the scales measure different things: CEFR covers four skills including speaking, and TOPIK tests reading, listening and (at TOPIK II) writing. Hours are cumulative editorial estimates for English speakers, not official figures or promises.
| CEFR | Unofficial TOPIK match | Typical hours | Korean can-do checkpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | TOPIK 1 | 120-200 | Read any Hangul word aloud; introduce yourself in 해요체; order food |
| A2 | TOPIK 2 | 250-400 | Talk about past and future plans; make requests with -아/어 주세요 |
| B1 | TOPIK 3 | 500-800 | Follow the gist of slow conversation; tell a story with reasons |
| B2 | TOPIK 4 (to 5) | 900-1,400 | Argue a point in a meeting; follow most TV on familiar topics |
| C1 | TOPIK 5-6 | 2,000 or more | Follow lectures and news; write formal reports |
| C2 | Above TOPIK 6 | no typical figure | Near-native range; no TOPIK equivalent |
For hour estimates and what changes them, read how long each level takes.
Beginner Levels: A1 and A2
Beginner levels cover the basic user stage, from Hangul and first sentences to short everyday exchanges. This is where most learners start, and where the biggest early gains happen.
- Korean A1 Level explains what a beginner can do. If you are starting from zero, read what Korean A1 looks like before choosing a course. It gives a can-do checklist, the grammar to expect and a self-test.
- Korean A2 Level covers everyday tasks in the past and present. The Korean A2 page lists the grammar that moves you from sentences to short conversations and how it relates to TOPIK 2.
The step from A1 to A2 is the point where polite speech becomes automatic.
Intermediate Levels: B1 and B2
Intermediate levels cover the independent user stage, where you describe experiences and follow real media. Progress feels slower here because gains are in listening speed and range, not new words alone.
- Korean B1 Level explains what intermediate learners understand and say, the listening gap at this stage and how B1 compares with TOPIK 3.
- Korean B2 Level covers the work and study tasks you can manage, typical words and grammar, and how B2 maps unofficially to TOPIK 4.
Reaching B2 is the usual goal for learners who want to enjoy dramas and read online articles without constant help.
Advanced Levels: C1 and C2
Advanced levels cover the proficient user stage, where Korean is used flexibly for work, study and subtle meaning. The Korean C1 and C2 Level page covers advanced listening, writing and register skills, how they relate to TOPIK 5 and 6, and realistic routes for self-learners. Few learners need C2, and C2 has no TOPIK equivalent.
How Do You Find Your Korean Level?
Find your level by answering four yes/no questions in order, and stop at the first "no". The first "no" shows the page to open.
| Question | If no, open |
|---|---|
| 1. Can you read any Hangul word aloud? | Hangul in a week |
| 2. Can you use 해요체 in the present and past? | Korean A1 |
| 3. Can you hold a five-minute conversation about daily life? | Korean A2 |
| 4. Can you read a news article and say what it argues? | Korean B1 or B2 |
If you answered yes to all four, read what Korean C1 and C2 involve.
For a quick check, take the Korean level test and then open the matching level page. The test is informal and does not give an official level.
What If Your Skills Are at Different Levels?
Report each skill separately, because most learners have an uneven profile. A fan of dramas may listen at B1 but write at A1. A learner who studies from a textbook may read at B1 but speak at A1.
Write the profile like this: listening B1, reading A2, speaking A1, writing A1. Then study the lowest skill first. For choosing a course or textbook, go by your lowest or second-lowest skill, not your highest.
From Levels to a Study Path
Levels tell you where you are, and a roadmap tells you what to do next. The Korean learning roadmap turns these levels into an ordered path with links to each hub. To see which patterns each band expects, use the grammar sorted by level list. Back at the beginner's start page you can choose a course or study plan.
Level labels have limits. They describe ability, not hours, and they cannot predict how quickly you will move. The hour ranges here are typical, not promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TOPIK level 2 the same as A2?
No, but they are close. TOPIK level 2 is the top of TOPIK I and needs at least 140 of 200 points in reading and listening. A2 is a CEFR band that includes speaking and writing. No official table links them, so treat "TOPIK 2 is about A2" as a rough guide.
Which Korean level do I need to work in Korea?
It depends on the job, the employer and the visa type. Some programs and employers set a TOPIK minimum, and some set none. Fluent workplace use usually needs B2 or higher. Check the requirements of your specific visa and employer on official sites, because rules change.
Can I be B1 in listening but A1 in speaking?
Yes, and it is common among learners who mainly watch dramas. Language skills develop at different speeds, so levels describe a profile, not one number. Report each skill separately, for example listening B1, reading A2, speaking A1, writing A1, and study the weakest skill most.
Is there a free way to check my Korean level?
Yes. Use the can-do questions on this page, read the checklist on the level page that matches, and take the free Korean level test on this site. These give an informal estimate. Only TOPIK or another recognised exam gives an official result.
Does Duolingo or an app give a CEFR level for Korean?
Some apps show their own labels or estimates, but those labels are not CEFR certificates and may not match the scale. Treat an app score as a rough hint. For a reliable check, compare your real skills with the can-do statements, or take an exam such as TOPIK.