IQ Score Chart
What each score range means, how percentiles work, and where any given score falls.
IQ scores follow a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. About 68% of people score between 85 and 115, roughly 95% between 70 and 130, and only about 2% score above 130 or below 70. The chart below breaks down each classification band — from "Extremely Low" through "Very Superior" — with the score range, population percentage, and what each level typically means for everyday cognition. Use it as a reference to understand where any given score falls relative to the broader population.
IQ Classification Table
The table uses the widely adopted Wechsler classification system. Each band covers a defined IQ range, and the percentile column tells you what proportion of the population scores at or below that range.
| Classification | IQ Range | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Very Superior / Gifted | 130+ | Top 2% |
| Superior | 120–129 | Top 6–9% |
| High Average | 110–119 | Top 16–25% |
| Average | 90–109 | 25th–75th percentile |
| Low Average | 80–89 | 9th–25th percentile |
| Borderline | 70–79 | 2nd–9th percentile |
| Extremely Low | Below 70 | Bottom 2% |
Very Superior / Gifted (130+)
Exceptional cognitive ability. People in this range tend to excel in abstract reasoning, complex problem-solving, and academic pursuits. Many researchers, professors, and high-level professionals score here.
Superior (120–129)
Well above average cognitive functioning. Individuals in this range often thrive in intellectually demanding fields and tend to pick up new concepts quickly and with relative ease.
High Average (110–119)
Above the population mean but not unusually so. This range is common among university graduates and professionals in knowledge-intensive roles.
Average (90–109)
The broad middle of the bell curve, where roughly half the population falls. A score here reflects solid, typical cognitive functioning — nothing more, nothing less.
Low Average (80–89)
Below the population mean but within the normal range. People in this band may find highly abstract or fast-paced cognitive tasks more challenging but function well in everyday life.
Borderline (70–79)
Significantly below average. This range may indicate difficulties with complex reasoning tasks and could warrant further evaluation by a clinical psychologist if accompanied by functional challenges.
Extremely Low (Below 70)
Scores in this range may suggest intellectual disability when accompanied by significant limitations in adaptive functioning. A comprehensive clinical assessment is essential for any diagnosis.
Population Distribution by IQ Band
Top 2%
Top 6–9%
Top 16–25%
25th–75th percentile
9th–25th percentile
2nd–9th percentile
Bottom 2%
Approximate percentage of the population falling within each classification band.
Understanding Percentiles
A percentile tells you what share of the population scored at or below a given IQ. If your IQ is 115, you are at the 84th percentile — meaning you scored higher than about 84% of people. Percentiles are often more intuitive than raw scores because they directly answer the question: "Where do I stand?"
Here is a quick reference for common IQ scores and their corresponding percentiles:
| IQ Score | Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 2nd | Scored higher than about 2% of the population |
| 85 | 16th | Scored higher than about 16% of the population |
| 100 | 50th | Scored higher than about 50% of the population |
| 115 | 84th | Scored higher than about 84% of the population |
| 130 | 98th | Scored higher than about 98% of the population |
| 145 | 99.9th | Scored higher than about 99.9% of the population |
Notice how the gaps widen at the extremes. The difference between the 50th and 84th percentile is just 15 IQ points (100 to 115), but jumping from the 98th to the 99.9th percentile requires another 15 points (130 to 145). Scores become increasingly rare — and increasingly hard to measure precisely — the further you move from the centre.
The Normal Distribution
The bell curve below shows the full IQ distribution with percentage labels for each region. Each coloured band covers one standard deviation (15 points). The symmetry means the same percentage of people fall equally above and below the mean.
Each coloured region spans one standard deviation (15 IQ points). The curve is perfectly symmetrical around the mean of 100.
What Your Score Doesn't Tell You
An IQ score measures a specific set of cognitive abilities: pattern recognition, logical reasoning, verbal comprehension, and spatial manipulation. These are genuinely useful capacities, and they do predict real-world outcomes like academic performance and job complexity. But they are not the whole picture of a person — not even close.
IQ does not capture creativity — the ability to generate novel, valuable ideas. It does not measure emotional intelligence — the skill of reading people, managing conflict, and building trust. It says nothing about practical wisdom, the judgment that comes from experience and reflection. And it is silent on persistence, which research increasingly shows to be one of the strongest predictors of long-term achievement.
Think of your IQ score as one instrument in a much larger dashboard. It tells you something real about your cognitive horsepower, but the direction you drive — and how far you get — depends on much more than that single gauge.
Ready to See Where You Fall?
Take our free IQ test and get your score, percentile, and domain-by-domain breakdown in about ten minutes. No account, no paywall — just honest questions and immediate results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ? +
100, by design. IQ tests are normed so the population mean is always 100, with a standard deviation of 15. This means "average" is not a judgment — it is literally the centre of the distribution. About half the population scores between 90 and 109.
What IQ do you need for Mensa? +
Mensa requires a score in the top 2% of the population, which corresponds to an IQ of about 130 or higher on most standardised scales. The exact threshold varies slightly depending on the test used, but 130 on a scale with SD = 15 is the standard benchmark.
Is a high IQ important? +
It is one predictor among many. Research shows IQ correlates with academic and professional outcomes — the correlation with job performance is around 0.50, which is substantial. But personality traits like conscientiousness, motivation, emotional intelligence, and opportunity matter enormously. A high IQ opens doors; whether you walk through them depends on much more.
How accurate is an online IQ score? +
Quality varies widely. Our test uses ICAR items validated against clinical measures like the WAIS-IV, with correlations in the range of r = 0.70–0.85. That is strong for any psychometric instrument. However, online conditions are uncontrolled — distractions, test anxiety, and screen familiarity can shift scores by 5–10 points. Treat the result as a reliable estimate, not a clinical diagnosis.
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