What Is My IQ?
How to find your score, what it means, and what it doesn't.
Your IQ — intelligence quotient — is a standardised score that shows how your cognitive abilities compare to the general population. The average score is 100, and about two-thirds of people score between 85 and 115. To find out yours, you need to take a validated assessment that tests pattern recognition, verbal reasoning, numerical ability, and spatial thinking. Our free test uses items from the ICAR framework, developed at Northwestern University, and gives you a score, percentile, and domain-by-domain breakdown in about ten minutes. No account required — just honest answers and a quiet ten minutes.
What IQ Scores Mean
IQ scores are organised into classification bands that describe how far a score falls from the population average. The table below shows each band, the score range it covers, how common it is, and what it typically means in practical terms.
| 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.
The Bell Curve Explained
IQ scores follow a normal distribution — a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve centred on 100. The standard deviation is 15, which means each step of 15 points away from the centre captures a predictable proportion of the population. Here is how it looks:
The bell curve shows how IQ scores are distributed. About 68% of people fall within one standard deviation of the mean (85–115).
Notable IQ Scores
The following figures are frequently cited in discussions of intelligence, but a caveat is worth stating plainly: most of these are estimates, not verified clinical scores. Historical figures never sat a modern IQ test, and celebrity claims are often unconfirmed. Treat these as interesting reference points, not settled facts.
Terence Tao Mathematician
IQ ~230 Often called the greatest living mathematician, Tao was solving university-level problems at age nine and won the Fields Medal in 2006.
Marilyn vos Savant Author & Columnist
IQ ~228 Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest recorded IQ, she became famous for her 'Ask Marilyn' column in Parade magazine.
Christopher Hirata Astrophysicist
IQ ~225 A child prodigy who won a gold medal at the International Physics Olympiad at age 13 and was working with NASA on Mars colonisation projects by 16.
Leonardo da Vinci Polymath, Artist & Inventor
IQ ~220 Retrospective estimates place da Vinci's IQ between 180 and 220. His notebooks reveal a mind equally at home with anatomy, engineering, painting, and flight.
Kim Ung-Yong Civil Engineer & Former Child Prodigy
IQ ~210 Entered the Guinness Book as the highest-IQ child, he was auditing university physics classes at age 3 and worked for NASA as a teenager.
Garry Kasparov Chess Grandmaster
IQ ~194 Widely regarded as the greatest chess player of all time, Kasparov became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at age 22.
Bobby Fischer Chess Grandmaster
IQ ~187 Fischer became the youngest US Chess Champion at 14 and defeated Boris Spassky in 1972 in what many call the greatest chess match ever played.
Albert Einstein Theoretical Physicist
IQ ~160 Though he never took a modern IQ test, experts estimate his score around 160 based on his revolutionary work in relativity and quantum mechanics.
Stephen Hawking Theoretical Physicist & Cosmologist
IQ ~160 Hawking famously said that people who boast about their IQ are losers — yet his own estimated score of 160 places him in rarefied cognitive territory.
Elon Musk Entrepreneur & Engineer
IQ ~155 Estimated around 155, Musk's cognitive abilities have fuelled ventures spanning electric vehicles, space exploration, and neural interfaces.
Sharon Stone Actress & Producer
IQ ~154 Stone joined Mensa with a reported IQ of 154 and has spoken about feeling out of place in Hollywood for her intellectual curiosity.
Ready to Find Out?
Our free IQ test takes about ten minutes and covers four cognitive domains: abstract reasoning, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and spatial thinking. You will get an overall IQ score, a percentile ranking, and a breakdown of strengths across each domain. No account required — results appear the moment you finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal IQ score? +
A normal IQ score falls in the 90–109 range, which is classified as "Average." About 50% of the population scores within this band. It reflects solid, typical cognitive functioning — the kind that handles everyday reasoning, learning, and problem-solving without difficulty.
Is 120 a good IQ score? +
Yes. An IQ of 120 places you in the "Superior" range, meaning you scored higher than roughly 91% of the population. People at this level tend to pick up new concepts quickly and often thrive in intellectually demanding fields.
What does an IQ of 130 mean? +
An IQ of 130 puts you in the top 2% of the population, in the "Very Superior / Gifted" classification. This is also the threshold most Mensa chapters use for admission. It indicates exceptional abstract reasoning and complex problem-solving ability.
Can IQ change over time? +
Yes, modestly. Fluid intelligence — the ability to reason through novel problems — tends to peak in early adulthood and gradually decline. Crystallised intelligence — accumulated knowledge and vocabulary — can continue growing well into middle age. Education, mental engagement, physical exercise, and health all influence where you land within your genetic range.
Is this test the same as a clinical IQ test? +
No. Clinical IQ tests like the WAIS-IV are administered one-on-one by a licensed psychologist under controlled conditions. Our test uses peer-reviewed ICAR items that correlate well with clinical measures (r = 0.70–0.85), but it’s an educational screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis. If you need a score for medical, educational, or legal purposes, consult a professional.
Continue Reading
See yourself clearly.
A ten-minute assessment backed by published research. Free, private, instant results.
Start the Free IQ Test