Famous IQ Scores

Explore the reported IQ scores of history's most brilliant minds. From scientists and inventors to entrepreneurs and artists.

Important Disclaimer: Most historical IQ scores are estimates based on biographical analysis rather than verified test results. Only scores marked as "verified" come from documented testing. These figures should be viewed as approximations for educational interest.

Highest Recorded

228

Marilyn vos Savant

Average Range

160-180

Historical geniuses

Verified Scores

Out of 12 listed

Famous IQ Scores

Click column headers to sort the data

			Notable Achievement	Status
Marilyn vos Savant	228	Writer/Columnist	Guinness World Record holder	Verified
Christopher Hirata	225	Astrophysicist	Youngest US Physics Olympiad gold medalist	Verified
Terence Tao	220	Mathematician	Fields Medal winner	Estimated
Garry Kasparov	190	Chess Grandmaster	Former World Chess Champion	Estimated
Leonardo da Vinci	180	Polymath	Renaissance genius (estimated)	Estimated
Isaac Newton	170	Physicist/Mathematician	Laws of motion and gravity	Estimated
Albert Einstein	160	Theoretical Physicist	Theory of relativity	Estimated
Stephen Hawking	160	Theoretical Physicist	Black hole research	Estimated
Bill Gates	160	Entrepreneur	Microsoft founder	Estimated
Steve Jobs	160	Entrepreneur	Apple co-founder	Estimated
Elon Musk	155	Entrepreneur	Tesla/SpaceX CEO	Estimated
Mark Zuckerberg	152	Entrepreneur	Facebook founder	Estimated

Understanding IQ Ranges

130+Highly Gifted

120-129Superior

110-119High Average

90-109Average

80-89Low Average

Important Notes

• Historical figures' IQ scores are often estimated based on their achievements and writings

• Modern IQ tests didn't exist during the lifetimes of many historical figures

• IQ is just one measure of intelligence and doesn't capture all forms of brilliance

• Cultural and educational factors can significantly influence test performance