Planning to take the TOEFL iBT? Understanding the full cost picture before you register can save you hundreds of dollars. The base registration fee is just the beginning — late registration, rescheduling, additional score reports, and cancellation fees all add up fast. This guide breaks down every TOEFL fee for 2026, compares your options, and shows you how to keep costs under control.
The TOEFL iBT registration fee ranges from $215 to $255 depending on your country and test center location. Test takers in the United States pay $235 as of 2026. This fee covers your test session at an authorized Prometric test center and includes four free score reports sent to institutions of your choice.
Registration fees vary by region because ETS sets country-specific pricing to account for local economic conditions. Before registering, always confirm the current fee on the official ETS website for your specific country, as prices can be updated annually.
To register, you need an ETS account, a valid passport, and a payment method. Registration opens up to six months before a test date and closes approximately three weeks before the test — unless you opt for late registration.
If you register within 7 days of your test date, ETS charges an additional $40 late registration fee on top of the standard registration cost. That brings your total US registration cost to $275 for late sign-ups.
Late registration is available on a space-permitting basis — test centers fill up quickly, especially in high-demand markets. If you need a specific test date, always register as early as possible to avoid both the late fee and the risk of a sold-out session.
Every TOEFL registration includes four free score reports that you designate on test day (or up to 10 days after your test). This is one of the most valuable perks of the TOEFL system — use all four wisely before test day.
Additional score reports beyond those four cost $20 per institution. If you are applying to many universities, costs can add up. Order all reports in a single batch when possible, since each $20 charge is per institution per order.
MyBest Scores are completely free. ETS automatically compiles your best section scores across all valid TOEFL iBT attempts in the past two years. Many universities now accept MyBest Scores, so this feature can effectively give you a stronger application without retaking the full test.
Score reinstatement — if you previously canceled your scores and want them restored — costs $20.
Need to change your test date? ETS charges $60 to reschedule if you do so more than 7 days before your test date. This is much cheaper than canceling and re-registering from scratch.
If you reschedule between 4 and 7 days before the test, a higher fee applies (check the ETS site for current amounts). Rescheduling is not available less than 4 days before your test — at that point your only option is cancellation.
The key takeaway: if your plans change, reschedule as early as possible to pay the minimum $60 fee and retain your registration.
TOEFL refunds are limited and partial. If you cancel your registration at least 4 full days before your test date, ETS issues a refund of $80 — regardless of how much you originally paid. The remaining portion of your registration fee is non-refundable.
If you cancel within 4 days of the test date or simply do not show up, you receive no refund. Refund processing takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks and is returned to your original payment method.
This policy makes it especially important to be certain of your test date before registering, and to act quickly if you need to cancel.
The TOEFL iBT Home Edition costs exactly the same as the test center version — $235 in the US. You take the exam from your own computer with live online proctoring through ProctorU. The test content, scoring, and score validity are identical to the center-based exam.
Home Edition is a great option if test centers in your area are booked out or if you prefer testing from a familiar environment. Just ensure your computer, internet connection, and testing space meet ETS technical requirements before registering.
ETS offers TOEFL fee waivers for eligible US-based test takers who demonstrate financial need. Waivers cover the registration fee and are typically distributed through high schools, community organizations, and ETS partner programs. If you are a US resident with financial need, contact your school counselor or check the ETS website for current waiver availability.
Fee waivers are not available in all countries, and supply is limited. Apply well in advance of your intended test date since waivers do not guarantee a test slot.
You must designate your four free score recipients on test day or within 10 days after your test. Many test takers forget to use all four slots, effectively leaving $80 worth of free score sends on the table. Research your target programs before test day so you are ready to enter all four institutions immediately after finishing the exam.
Once you know your score, any additional reports cost $20 each — so planning ahead is the single easiest way to reduce your total TOEFL cost.
Choosing the right English proficiency test involves more than cost, but fees are a real factor worth comparing:
On pure cost, Duolingo is significantly cheaper. However, acceptance is still not universal — many top universities and visa programs require TOEFL or IELTS. Always check each institution's accepted test list before choosing based on price alone.
If your target schools accept both TOEFL and IELTS, compare not just fees but test format, preparation resources, and score validity (TOEFL and IELTS scores are both valid for 2 years).
Whichever test you choose, preparation is your best investment. A well-prepared candidate who passes on the first attempt saves the most money overall. Start with a free TOEFL practice test to gauge your readiness before you register.