What Is a Good IQ Score? IQ Ranges Explained

A clear breakdown of IQ score ranges, what each tier means, and how the Einstein IQ assessment maps your performance to historical figures—from average to genius level.

If you've ever taken an IQ test—or even thought about taking one—you've probably wondered: what's a good score? The answer is more nuanced than a single number, because intelligence quotient scores exist on a spectrum, and what counts as "good" depends on what you're measuring and why. In this guide, we'll break down the standard IQ ranges, explain what each one means, and show how the Einstein IQ assessment maps your performance to these tiers using historical figures as reference points.

The Basics: How IQ Scoring Works

Modern IQ testing is built on a statistical foundation. The tests are designed so that the median score in the general population is 100, with a standard deviation of approximately 15 points. This means that about 68% of all people score between 85 and 115, roughly 95% score between 70 and 130, and only about 0.5% score above 140.

Here's how the standard IQ classification breaks down:

• Below 70: Extremely low (approximately 2% of the population)
• 70–84: Borderline / low average
• 85–95: Low average to average
• 90–110: Average (the middle 50% of the population)
• 105–115: Average to above average
• 115–129: Above average / superior
• 120–130: Superior / very advanced
• 130–144: Gifted / very superior
• 140–150: Near genius
• 150+: Exceptionally gifted
• 160+: Profoundly gifted / genius

These ranges can vary slightly depending on the specific test used (WAIS, Stanford-Binet, etc.), but the general framework is consistent across modern psychometric assessment.

What's Considered a "Good" IQ Score?

A score of 100 is, by definition, perfectly average. If you score 100, you've performed better than roughly half the population and worse than the other half. Most people consider anything above average to be a "good" score:

• 110–119 is considered above average. You're smarter than roughly 75% of the population.
• 120–129 is classified as superior. Only about 7% of people score in this range.
• 130 and above enters the gifted range, achieved by only about 2% of the population.
• 140 and above is considered near-genius or genius level—fewer than 0.5% of people reach this tier.

So if you're wondering what a "good" IQ score is, the short answer is: anything above 115 is well above average, 130+ is gifted, and 140+ is exceptional.

IQ Ranges and Historical Figures

One of the most engaging ways to understand IQ ranges is to connect them to real people—particularly historical figures whose cognitive abilities are well-documented through their achievements. The Einstein IQ assessment uses a set of historical profiles to give test-takers a relatable reference point for their score. Here's how those profiles map to the standard IQ ranges.

85–95: Low Average to Average

At this level, cognitive abilities are within the normal range but on the lower end. In the Einstein IQ system, this tier is represented by figures like Homer Simpson (estimated IQ 85–95) and Homer of Bronze Age (80–90). While these may seem like playful comparisons, they reflect the fact that intelligence manifests in many forms—Homer of antiquity, after all, composed the Iliad and the Odyssey, works of extraordinary narrative complexity.

100–115: Average to Above Average

The bulk of the population falls in this range. Marilyn Monroe is estimated at 105–115, reflecting above-average cognitive ability combined with exceptional emotional intelligence and charisma. Andy Warhol, estimated at 100–110, represents the creative conceptualist—someone who trades raw logical processing for lateral thinking and artistic vision.

120–130: Superior

This range represents the top 7% of the population. Benjamin Franklin, estimated at 120–130, exemplifies the practical polymath—sharp, curious, and endlessly versatile across statesmanship, science, and invention. Charles Darwin, estimated at 128–138, sits at the upper edge of this tier, reflecting his extraordinary ability to observe patterns in nature and construct a theory that revolutionized biology.

130–145: Gifted

Only about 2% of people score in this range. Stephen Hawking, estimated at 135–145, represents the cosmological theorist whose work probed black holes and the origins of the universe. Albert Einstein, estimated at 140–150, straddles the line between gifted and near-genius—his theory of relativity fundamentally rewrote our understanding of space, time, and energy.

150+: Exceptionally Gifted

This tier is extraordinarily rare. Nikola Tesla, estimated at 155 or above, pioneered alternating current and wireless transmission. Leonardo da Vinci, estimated at 160 or higher, is the quintessential Renaissance polymath, bridging art, anatomy, and engineering in his famous notebooks.

IQ Is Not Destiny

While IQ scores provide a useful framework for understanding cognitive ability, they are far from the whole picture. An IQ score measures specific types of reasoning—logical, verbal, spatial, pattern recognition—but it doesn't capture creativity, emotional intelligence, motivation, curiosity, or the life experiences that shape a person's achievements.

Consider that Marilyn Monroe, with an estimated IQ of 105–115, had a cultural impact that rivaled or exceeded many people with higher scores. Benjamin Franklin's genius lay as much in his social and political intelligence as in his scientific reasoning. And Einstein himself was famous for his persistence—spending a decade refining general relativity—as much as for his raw intellect.

The Einstein IQ assessment measures five dimensions of intelligence: Logical Reasoning, Pattern Recognition, Verbal Intelligence, Spatial Reasoning, and Creative Intuition. This multidimensional approach recognizes that intelligence is not a single number but a profile. Someone might excel at pattern recognition while having average verbal intelligence, or possess extraordinary creative intuition alongside solid logical reasoning.

How Does Your Mind Measure Up?

If you're curious about where you fall on the IQ spectrum, the Einstein IQ assessment offers a free 12-question evaluation that maps your performance to these standard ranges. After completing the test, you'll receive an estimated IQ range, a match with a comparable historical figure, and a detailed cognitive trait profile showing your strengths across five dimensions of intelligence.

Whether you land in the average range or among the gifted, remember that IQ is just one measure of cognitive ability. The real question isn't what your number is—it's what you do with the mind you have. Take the Einstein IQ assessment and see how your cognitive profile compares to history's greatest minds.