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Here Is The Highest Possible IQ And The People Who Hold The World Record

Juan Ramos
on
October 23, 2017
 352 Comments 🔥!

Credit: InfoATemeagwaliDOTcom, public domain / wikimedia.og

The highest IQ possible in the world is theoretically 200, although some people have been known to have an IQ of above 200. Let’s discuss how that’s possible below.

Everyone with an IQ score higher than 110 is lucky enough to have an above average intelligence. But there are select individuals with the fortune of much higher IQ scores. Only a minority of people are able to score higher than 110 on an IQ test, which makes it easy to identify the true geniuses in our society (according to this test).

Some of these exceedingly smart people are better known to the general public than others, I’m sure you’ve heard of Albert Einstein and his incredibly high IQ but have you heard of Christopher Hirata? These lesser-known individuals deserve recognition and that’s what we hope to do here.

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. – Albert Einstein

Who Are The People Holding The World Record For High IQ?

The person with the highest IQ ever recorded is Ainan Celeste Cawley with an IQ score of 263. The list continues as follows with the highest possible IQ:

It is also known that people with higher IQ also may have a higher chance of winning in games like poker and blackjack on 지노 사이트 due to their memory and counting skills.

What Is IQ?    

Back in 1916, the American psychologist Lewis Madison Terman (1877-1956) developed the intelligence quotient or IQ. At the time, Lewis was employed by the United States Army. The first mass IQ test was taken by US soldiers during World War I.

The original scale of IQ scores, as devised by Terman, proposes several different classifications.

Alfred Binet invented the first intelligence test. Credit: public domain / Wikimedia

According to Terman’s scale, anyone with a score under 70 is classified as “definite feeble-minded”; anyone with a score between 70 and 79, would have “borderline deficiency”; anyone with a score between 80-89 would be afflicted with dullness. Most people have a score between 90 and 109, which means that they are classed as having a normal or average intelligence.

Intelligence quotient (IQ) Interesting Facts
Founded by Psychologist William Stern
Original name Intelligence quotient
Developed 1912
Median score (theoretical) 100
Two-thirds of the population IQ between 85 and 115
2.5% of the population Above 130
2.5% of the population Below 75

Once you get an IQ score of 110 you begin to take note. A score between 110 and 119 would indicate a superior intelligence; a score between 120 and 140 would mean a very superior intelligence; a score over 140 would indicate genius or near genius.

What is the highest theoretical IQ Possible?

While some of the scores below lie well above an IQ of 200, there is a debate about whether an IQ above 200 is theoretically possible (practicable). When the IQ test was developed, the mean of the normal distribution was arbitrarily placed at 100. This means the normal distribution of intelligence of the human species should center at 100. If you’re below 100, you’re less intelligent than average and above 100 the opposite (note that is just for this test). The IQ score moves 15 points in either direction with each standard deviation.

However, with a standard deviation of 15, the chance that one would have an IQ of 200 makes it nearly impossible. Given a rough estimate of the world population of 7 billion, one can back-calculate what IQ is expected for the “smartest person on the planet” given the normal distribution.

This would equate to an IQ of about 194.6 as the highest IQ out of the approximately 7 billion people on this planet. Hence, we recommend taking some of the numbers below with a grain of salt. It is also hard to calculate IQ scores with high precision and accuracy in the infinitesimally small tail ends of the IQ distribution.

People With The Highest IQ Ever

Albert Einstein (IQ Score between 160 and 190)

Credit: Public Domain / Wikimedia

Albert Einstein is one of the most famous scientists of all time, however, he didn’t have the highest IQ ever recorded. This goes to show that while having a high IQ opens doors, at a certain point Einstein brought a lot more to the table.

Einstein is known for developing the theory of relativity and the famous equation E=mc2 and is the recipient of the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. The IQ score of 160 to 190 is range because Einstein never was officially tested. This number is based on experts evaluating Einstein as a person and developing a reasonable prediction as to what his IQ score would have been if he had been tested. Here’s a great paper on estimating IQ from historical figures.

Stephen Hawking (IQ Score of 160)

Credit: Public Domain / NASA

Stephen Hawking is someone you’ve undoubtedly heard about and know something about. He was a once in a generation scientist who perfectly balanced his scientific endeavors along with connecting science to the general public.

Hawking was famous for his study of black holes and his hit book A Brief History of Time. In addition, held the position of director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge. Hawking battled ALS from 1963 when he was diagnosed until his death in March of 2018. While battling a physically declining condition, he grew in popularity through his live and became somewhat of a pop culture icon. He appeared in The Simpsons, Star Trek, and The Big Bang Theory.

William James Sidis (IQ score between 250-300)

Credit: Public Domain / Wikimedia

This American was born into a family of New York City intellectuals. William James Sidis (1898 – 1944) was gifted from an extremely young age. When he was only 5 years old he was already able to type and had learned several languages including Greek, Latin, French, Hebrew, Russian, German, and, of course, English.

After he was initially turned down when he was 6, William was finally admitted to Harvard University at the age of 11. He didn’t have an easy time in college, later moving to Texas where he became a teacher. He attempted a political career but died young (at age 46), penniless.

Terence Tao (IQ score between 225 and 230)

Credit Gert-Martin Greuel via Wikimedia Commons is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

This Australian-American mathematician was born in 1975 in the Australian city of Adelaide. His parents emigrated from Hong Kong to Australia.

Tao showed an amazing aptitude for math when he was a child. By the age of 20, he’d already earned a Ph.D.

He was awarded several prestigious math awards, including the Fields Medal in 2006. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California where he works at UCLA.

Marilyn Vos Savant (IQ score of 228)

“Marilyn vos Savant” by Ben David via Flickr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

This American entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the person with the highest IQ back in 1986. To this day there are only two other people with a recorded higher IQ than her.

“Although spoken English doesn’t obey the rules of written language, a person who doesn’t know the rules thoroughly is at a great disadvantage.” – Marilyn Vos Savant.

Marilyn Vos Savant was born in Missouri in 1946. She is most famous for her column “Ask Marilyn” where she provides advice and counsel to all sorts of life dilemmas.

“Just as the human body can be strengthened and toned through regular exercise, so the mind can be stretched and sharpened through a programme of Brain Building.”  – Brain Building In Just 2 Weeks by Marilyn vos Savant

Christopher Hirata (IQ score of 225) 

Credit: Ohio State University

Like Terence Tao, Christopher Hirata (1982) was considered a child prodigy. He is an American astronomy professor at Ohio State University.

Among his many achievements are getting a gold medal at the International Physics Olympiad in 1996 at the age of 13, working for NASA at the age of 16, and getting a Ph.D. from Princeton when he was 22.

Kim Ung-Yong (IQ score of 210)

This Korean professor and researcher currently working at Chungbuk National University learned to speak when he was just 6 months old. At that young age, he could only speak his native Korean but by the age of 6, he learned how to read several languages including Korean, English, German, and Japanese.

Kim Ung-Yong began to write at the age of four and earned a Ph.D. when he was just 16 years old.

Edith Stern (IQ score of more than 200)

Edith Stern, born in 1952, is an engineer and IBM inventor with a Ph.D. in Math.

When Edith Stern was only 11 months old she was able to communicate using cards, then at the age of one, she began to be able to identify some of the letters in the Latin alphabet. By the age of 2, she knew the entire alphabet.

She entered college when she was 12 and became a teacher at age 16.

Christopher Michael Langan (IQ score between 190 and 210)

Image byTeaFoam via Flickr is licensed under CC-BY 2.0

Californian resident Christopher Michael Langan (1952) is best known for his “Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe” theory.

He was able to speak when he was only 6 months old and was a self-taught reader at age 3.

Garry Kasparov (IQ score of 194) 

Credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Garry Kasparov was born in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan in 1963.

“I started playing chess when I was five years old. I learned the moves from my mother, then worked with my father – and later trainers. My style became very technical. I sacrificed a lot of things. I was always hunting for the king, for the mate. I’d forget about my other pieces”. – Garry Kasparov.

He is famous for being the best chess player of all time, winning more chess games than anyone else. Garry became the youngest World Chess Champion in 1985 when he was 22 years old. In a highly publicized match, Garry lost to the IBM supercomputer nicknamed Deep Blue.

Philip Emeagwali (IQ score of 190)

This Nigerian born computer scientist, mathematician, engineer, and geologist has several postgraduate degrees from different universities.

At age 13 his schooling was suspended due to the Nigerian Civil War as he was enrolled in the Biafran army. He earned his high school diploma through self-study afterward.

Judit Polgar (IQ score of 170)

Credit: GFHund / Wikimedia

This Hungarian chess player was born in 1976. Judit Polgar became a chess grandmaster when she was only 15.

Judit was a child prodigy, taking part in chess tournaments at 6 years old. She is now considered to be one of the strongest female chess players of all time.

Is It Possible To Increase Your IQ Score?

There are definite, science-backed methods to improve your IQ score. Keep in mind this won’t bring you from below average to genius. Most likely, this will help you increase your score by few points on average. While that may not seem like a lot, the steps below will help keep you sharp and focused, even at an older age.

Studies show it is possible to increase your IQ score (Credit: Scientific American)

Keep in mind when working toward a higher IQ that intelligence comes in many different forms. “Thurstone contended that intelligence comprises seven distinct but interrelated factors: verbal comprehension, verbal fluency, number (arithmetic computation and problem solving), memory, perceptual speed, inductive reasoning, and spatial visualization.” – Intelligence: A Brief History

These are the highest possible IQ scores and the people who hold the world record. Have you taken an IQ test, if so, leave your IQ in the comments below? If anyone has a score of 109, then kudos!

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  • I was tested as a child and scored 118. 10 years later I tested 128. 10 years after that....140. I basically learnt how to do the test by doing loads of them before I took that last test. So, IQ tests can be useful....up to a point. But they must be taken with a huge pinch of salt. Traits like ambition, drive, and mental and physical energy, are as important as intelligence in forging a successful life.
    Possibly even more so.
    Talent + Drive= Success.
    Talent - Drive= Frustration.

  • I have never taken an IQ test on my own. After my mother died I found a letter sent home when I was in grade school stating that i was gifted. I dont think I was ever really told this and there was never anything done about it. I was always lazy in school, never did any homework, not even in college. I was called into the principals office in the beginning of 9th grade office and told i got all the highest scores on the pre/post tests and one of 7 to pass one part at all. In the beginning of my sophomore year i got caught smoking a cig and got sent to continuation school. I had to graduate from there because i needed to take seven classes a day to make up for lost credit and graduate on time. It was obvious I was smart but I never gave it much clout. I just figured my parents and other adults saying im smart and can do better is what they said to all children. I took a test at a temp agency in my late 40s for an elect tech position. They thought i cheated saying no one had ever scored 100% and I was never called back. Ive never taken an IQ test because i didnt want it to limit me in either direction. I subconsciously throw first place in everything i do, not so much a fear of success but more empathy for others. It was fairly recently that I realized how smart i am. A few years ago facebook asked if i wanted to know my IQ and I said what the hell. I have no idea how they came up with the number, I did play luminosity when it was free. They said the internet measured my IQ at 214. Whatever thats worth. It makes sense though, my ex wife thinks im psychic, i am constantly scapegoated and no one ever listens to me, especially my family. I can fix anything and figure out any problem, except life, but i think thats cause im surrounded by idiots who make all the rules and decisions. Pls excuse the lack of aphostrophes and capitals, they take too long.

    • Excuse me Sorry But Just to ask whether is it cool to have an iq of entering the realm of negative i think dont think it so

  • I was recently 6 months a go tested on IQ and scored a 142. It blew my mind because I New I was different because I can't really connect with people and they don't seem to understand me and my way of thinking. But I didn't expect this because my way of thinking is naturally to me.

  • Tested twice about 15 years ago and was 128 plus or minus 2 if I recall. I work in the highly competitive management consulting industry and I’m definitely not the smartest guy in the room in many situations. But I have reached a high level in my career and run a large part of our business. I think there is merit in Malcolm Gladwell’s concept of “smart enough” as it relates to intelligence and success in most fields. I also feel that EQ, ambition, drive and character are often under-rated when compared to intelligence.

  • I was born and raised in Los Alamos, NM (a place full of smarty pants folks). When I was very young, I was always telling my parents that I was stupid. So they had me tested. I scored 125. I'm smarter than the average bear (maybe), but there are far smarter people out there. I work as a a software developer. I'm self taught, and only attended college for a year (where I studied performing arts).

  • 135 here from way back. Meaning what? Not very good at math but developed fairly deep computer skills mainly on my own obsessively fiddling around (is that possible?) But my greatest strength is as an artist. Retired now I was always an artist but now can be that full time. Being a painter is all about choices, analytics, defining stuff in space. Thinking. My advice..leave all the statistics and comparisons like this to well, people you like stuff like this.

  • Marilyn vos Savant Has been seen as having fake high scores, she has been challenged to prove her test and refuses.

  • IQ isn't about smarts,or ability, just an estimation of what might work. In 1952, Grade 8 , A comparison done between North Eastern USA.and Maritime Canada. I scored 140, highest in our group, and jumped to highest expectations in our school. My reading interests and ability was high, and many feel were above the ability of many of the teachers. Most of whom were hired because they were good hockey players and the town was building a winning team. I did well in interesting subjects, but failed in the rest. We had a good Army Cadet program which I enjoyed, and received excellent training in many subjects. after the 4 year program finished, I was chosen for the National summer camp for Canada. I was in the top four that year. I later dropped out of school, helped my father in his Plumbing business, Then started in with a Neighbour doing Propane installations. In a year, I moved to a Company business and soon was qualified for all propane work. I had joined our local Militia Unit, and soon qualified Sgt, and working with a regular Force Unit, qualified as a sniper. After a Year call out with the Army during the Bay OF Pigs fiasco, I returned as Service manager for a larger company, and got a fast promotion to 2Lt. in the Militia. I also took on some instruction with local Scouts and Guides, and joined our Community Association and became one of the leaders there. Started a fund raiser program that raised enough to upgrade the Community Hall, and pay for the heat and lights and youth programs over many years. Became secretary and then Pres. of a County Wildlife Association, Director to the Provincial Federation, Joined a social Square dance group and in a yer my wife and I were leaders in their administration. Had a chance to be employed in a Federal institution, where a BA, was requested, applied and won over 14 others all of which were more educated than me. Won over three promotions in a few years, then boss said I had to get at least a GED high school equivalent, or wouldn't be able to get any more promotions. That month those test were offered in a town a few miles away, and I and a friend in the same status went to write. % tests, one on a Friday night, 2 on Sat, and 2 on Sunday, Each one allowed 2 1/2 hours to write. I finished the first, in about 1 1/2 hours, then noted the friend ws studying the ceiling. Later asked him how long it took for him, he replied about the same as you. So arranged to write the other 4 tests on Sat, with 2 tests in the time allotted for one..Reason being the distance to travel. It worked, and My results were average of 95% and lowest score 93. Three more promotions. By this time was a Capt. in the Militia, Adjutant, and in charge of Heavy Weapons detachment. Taught advanced first aid and some other specialty courses, In Charge of the Winter Training and wilderness living. In Civilian job was offered Co-chair in the New Health and Safety program for 130 employees, as well as working with the Union, and Pres of the Federal Credit Union for the town. Pres of the Staff association. and one that could do temporary work for each of the other sections at the station. A double PhD asked me what qualifications I had for all that. I asked him what he had don wit his schooling, he mentioned his job. Nothing else. I mentioned all the things I had done with my Grade 10 and how did he compare? He shook his head and walked away. Boredom in school, lead to reading outside and learning many things. Ended u Major of the |Militia for 27 years.. On Retirement have been Pres of a county and Provincial Seniors Federation, and director of the National. Wilderness guide, Assistant to wife's Upholstery business and Pres of a Legion, and wife and I did suppers for the Legion community for five years from Oct to June. Camped over much of North America durinf the summers. Only had 5 kids so needed something to do.

  • I’m unsure what my IQ is, but honestly at 29 I have decided being happy is more important than intelligence. I look within myself for the answers I’m seeking, I’m a peaceful warrior fighting the only battles that matter the ones within. I have spoken to many genius level people and can tell they struggle with being social. They are painfully awkward at talking and don’t understand simplistic human emotions. They think love and emotion is just a chemical influx of this or that they constantly have scientific explanations for everything. Trying to make it seem as if love and other emotions can be simplified and understood through science. Yet if they actually loved anything or anyone more then themselves they would understand that it’s not that simple. It’s amazing when people talk about how smart someone is when they are genius level..they never talk how they are so compassionate or loving or empathetic which I’d argue is far more important to living. Solving the mystery of the heart is way more important then solving the heart of a mystery.

  • I don't know why I am writing this, but I did do a high-level untimed IQ test when I was in my 30s and received a score of 170 IQ. I never had an excellent memory, however, having to relearn many things I had (somewhat) mastered previously. Nevertheless I do know a handful of languages (7) and worked as a software engineer. I once took an English vocabulary test with words drawn from various disciplines and the result put me at a level which only 20 people in the US population would have been able to attain. However, I just liked unusual and recondite words and it indicated no more than a brushing acquaintance with numerous fields of enquiry. Aside from a few awards though, I do not feel I have accomplished much and isn't that the real measure of intelligence?

  • This sction of comments is just full of people expressing their IQ score, but it’ll only be useful if you can use your head straight and for the right thing ya know. Many can surpass, as Einstein said, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” If you thoughts are so narrow and not even not considerate then what do you expect to do with your “intelligence”. People can just surpass you if they can think, express and do things better than you, even if they were not of an equal calibur compared to you in the past. Some people here do understand. And if you are wondering what my IQ is, it’s like a 0 maybe and I’m like 0 years old since I was supposed to not exist but did anyways.

  • Psuedopseudohypoparathyroidism, Necrobiosis lipodica diabeticorum. Gubernaculum. If you know these terms without looking for the definition, then your IQ is close to mine (168)

    • Dude, knowledge is NOT the same as intelligence. I'm am not trying to make the point here that you are unintelligent, but having a vast vocabulary does not convey intelligence and in fact is not whatsoever related to the IQ test. You are displaying knowledge and memory, while the IQ test measures reasoning and problem solving, and NEITHER can totally display a complete intelligence "measurement" both because intelligence is relative and we are judging by human standards AND it is so fluid and contains so many variable aspects that it is nearly impossible to obtain a comprehensive measurement.

  • 135 at 15, 136 at 32. So not a genius, but not dumb either. Now I'm 39 and pretty sure my IQ has dropped at least 15 points due to prolonged depression in 2016-2018. I'm a failure on almost every major aspect in life; love/marriage, career/money, fulfilling my parents/friends expectations, etc., but in 2019 I learned the concept of "not to give a f*** about what others think about me" and become more happy about myself, ever. I'm a bit more selfish now (which is quite an achievement for an INFP--if you believe in such things), but I'm feeling more content about my life lately. I find (self-deprecating) humor also helps. That's all I want to share.
    I found this place by accident, I was actually googled about something entirely different, but I found the comment sections very interesting. I'm both intrigued and appalled by the level of narcissism on it. Most of the geniuses here is off putting, but also amusing...I would like to know any of them closer in real life. I imagined to have such a genius to be romantic with (my dear ex husband is a charming but also a shallow, average IQ dude who doesn't like deep conversations), but I'm also afraid that my own low intelligence level would bore them to death and make them hate me. I can't imagine being a genius with IQ over 160...their life must be lonely... I don't even have that high IQ and I already feel lonely because I don't have mentally-equaled friends to talk about deep thoughts/feelings from dusk till dawn in real life. The very few friends I have is nice and loyal people though...I love and appreciate their friendship very much.
    BTW for the people who picking on these genius teenagers, stop it guys...they are KIDS! No matter how high their scores are, they haven't experienced EVERYTHING in REAL LIFE. In this cruel, cruel world, life is way more than just an IQ number...they haven't learned that yet. But they have a bigger chance to be a better person sooner if they read/think and guided in the right direction. They may be narcissistic in their teen age, but later learned about how much people dislikes narcissism and be more humble and more productive (means USEFUL to humanity, not just for themselves). Wish the best for these kids, they are our future. Give them a better example by being positive and supportive adults.
    Sorry if I offended anyone here. And pardon my grammar mistakes, dear Grammar Police, English is not my first (or second, or third) language. Thanks for everyone who kind enough to read this.

    • It can be challenging and isolating to have a high IQ. I personally feel it’s not advantageous in a normal life setting to be too high above the average. Like you said, there’s less people to relate to, and life is about relationships.

      It does feel a bit unfair, to be able to easily pass school tests and achieve the supposed goals of education only to find a bit of nothing at the end. No prizes for the victor, at least that’s been my experience. I’m probably not as intelligent as you, and my skills are on the deduction and mathematical side, rather than language, but I understand the frustration. Luckily i did find a life partner who understands me, and that has been my greatest accomplishment. Most people of greater IQs will doubt me, but i found her through prayer.

    • I have an iq of 137 and I am 13. My friend has an i1 of 140 and he is younger than me by a few months.

    • Thank you for writing your comment. I understand how it is to be fairly intelligent with a decent IQ and yet fail miserably in almost all aspects of life. I fail in my marriage to my wife. I fail at jobs because, typically because they become mundane and boring or because I can no longer tolerate that people get promoted to their highest level of incompetence. I started my own business and because of anxiety and depression from childhood trauma I can't seem to motivate myself to actually make the business grow. I failed at being a man so I transitioned to a woman. Bad sense of humor really. I really did transition, but that's because I've always been a woman. Anyways, I enjoyed your comment and this article. The chances are slim that you'd even see this comment. If somehow you manage to stumble across it again, I would love a new friend to have those intellectual and fun conversations with from dusk til dawn.

  • Gene Yuss,
    It amuses the sh*t out of me that your level of narcissism would in all likelihood delude your ability to accurDunning-kruger

    • Why? Did you know that just because a human qualifies as a genius in one area of life they can fail miserably in what may be simple to you, like relationships. Many fail in all that life has to offer but excel in one or a few areas. It is strange that people assume a "genius" has all the answers when history has shown differently. Steven Hawkings once said "The universe willed itself into existence". That a godzillion tons of matter just popped from nowhere and hurled itself into "space". C'mon, that is as unscientific as atheists seeing a God creating all of this out of nothing. It is not brilliance by any stretch of the imagination but it fit the narrative our "elitists" are happy to preach.

  • Although I am but an incontinent toddler now, I have been imbued with cosmic intelligence. Recruited by an ultra-secretive IQ society at the age of two months, I quickly became its supreme leader. I disbanded the organization after one-hundred days. I dispersed the members far and wide and mandated them with the objective of objectification and clear clarity. Within eight minutes a clear objective was objectively objectified. Clearly this clarity is objectively objective. Now, having ascertained clear clarity, I see well in the dark. I observe a silhouette of intelligence, clearly as a reflection of the pure cosmic mind with which I have been imbued. I urge all of you silhouettes that still hide among the giants to slink back into the shadows and congregate silently, telepathically. Beware of the lesser among you, the mild tasting yogurt devoid of the tiniest bits of fruit. Attain only the living intelligence that steals bits and pieces of you and aggregates them into a gestaltic goo that metamorphosizes into something decidedly more flavorful. My IQ score has been factually determined to be "1".

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