Language Learning Goal Planner (Hours to Reach a CEFR Level)

How to use the Language Learning Goal Planner (Hours to Reach a CEFR Level)

1. Choose your current level and the level you want to reach. Pick complete beginner if you are starting from zero.
2. Enter how many minutes you study on a study day, and how many days a week.
3. Pick a start date. If you are learning a language that is harder or easier for you than English is for most learners, change the difficulty multiplier.
4. Read the hours needed, the likely finish dates and the dates of your 7th, 30th, 100th and 365th study sessions.

Example

Worked example (a fictional learner, run through this tool)

• Beginner to B2: Cambridge’s figures give 500 to 600 hours, so the middle estimate is 550 hours
• 30 minutes a day, every day: 1,100 study days, which is about 3 years
• One hour a day instead: 550 study days, or about 18 months
• Difficulty multiplier of 2: Doubles the estimate to 1,100 hours

Limitations

• The hours come from Cambridge’s guided learning hours for English and are cumulative from a complete beginner. They are a guide, not a promise, and Cambridge says language background, age and study intensity change them.
• The tool does not know which language you are learning. Use the difficulty multiplier to allow for a language that is further from your own, but the multiplier is your own assumption and not published data.
• Counting only study days ignores gaps. Missing days push the finish date later.
• Apps, classes and immersion count differently, so measure your real study time rather than app minutes.
• This is an unofficial planner and is not affiliated with Cambridge, Duolingo or any language app.

Sources

• Cambridge English: guided learning hours

Rates and rules last checked against these sources on 2026-10-08.

About this tool

The Language Learning Goal Planner estimates the time between two levels of the Common European Framework (CEFR), using Cambridge’s published guided learning hours: about 90 to 100 hours to A1, 180 to 200 to A2, 350 to 400 to B1, 500 to 600 to B2, 700 to 800 to C1 and 1,000 to 1,200 to C2 for English learners. Pick where you are and where you want to be, enter your daily study time, and it shows the hours needed, the finish date and the dates of your 7th, 30th, 100th and 365th study sessions. You can also adjust for a language that is harder or easier for you.

Also searched for as: how long to learn a language, language learning time calculator, CEFR hours calculator, study streak planner, hours to reach B2, language goal planner.

Language Learning Goal Planner (Hours to Reach a CEFR Level) is part of ToolStack Hub's Date & Time Tools. It runs entirely in your browser, which keeps your data private and makes results instant. There is nothing to install and no account to create. There is no usage limit.

Guides about this tool

• How Long Does It Take to Learn a Language? CEFR Levels and Study Hours

Frequently asked questions