What Is a Good IQ Score?

CheckIQ Editorial Team · Updated

Scores from 90 to 109 are average, so a “good” IQ usually means 110 or higher. 110–119 is high average, 120–129 is superior, and 130 or more puts you in the top 2%, roughly the level Mensa requires.

IQ ranges at a glance

  • 110–119, high average: higher than about 75–90% of people.
  • 120–129, superior: higher than about 91–97% of people.
  • 130–144, very superior or gifted: the top 2%.
  • 145 and above: fewer than 1 in 700 people.
IQ score chart: what your score means
IQ scoreClassificationShare of people
130+Very superior2.2%
120–129Superior6.7%
110–119High average16.1%
90–109Average50%
80–89Low average16.1%
70–79Borderline6.7%
< 70Extremely low2.2%

What IQ do you need for Mensa?

Mensa accepts people who score in the top 2% on an approved, supervised intelligence test. On tests with a standard deviation of 15, that’s about 130 or higher. You can’t join Mensa with an online test, but it can show whether you might be close.

What is a genius IQ?

There’s no official “genius” category. In everyday use, people often call 140 or more a genius-level IQ, which is about the top 0.5%. Real achievement depends on much more than IQ: curiosity, persistence and opportunity matter just as much.

Is a high IQ all that matters?

No. IQ is a useful measure of abstract reasoning, but it leaves out creativity, social skills, judgement and many practical abilities. Treat your score as one interesting piece of information, not a label.

Frequently asked questions

Is 120 a good IQ?

Yes. 120 is in the superior range and higher than about 91% of people.

Is 140 a genius IQ?

An IQ of 140 is often described as genius level. It’s higher than about 99.6% of people, roughly 1 in 260.

What is a high IQ?

Most people mean 120 or more (top 10%) or 130 or more (top 2%).

Learn more about IQ