1 Quick Answer
Updated March 28, 2026 by Structural. An IQ percentile tells you where a score sits relative to the wider population. On the standard SD 15 scale, an IQ of 100 is the 50th percentile, 115 is around the 84th percentile, and 130 is around the 97.7th percentile.
Percentiles are often easier to understand than raw IQ points because they immediately show rarity. Saying "97.7th percentile" usually communicates more than saying "130" on its own, especially when different tests can use different scoring conventions.
Average
100
The middle of the standard IQ scale.
SD
15
This calculator assumes the standard deviation is 15.
Approximate
Percentiles
Results are estimates based on the normal distribution.
Best Used With
Age Norms
Real interpretation still depends on proper norming and age comparison.
2 Calculator
Use the tool below to convert an IQ score into an approximate percentile rank, band label, and rarity estimate.
Percentile
50th
Higher than about 50.0% of scores on the standard IQ scale.
Band
Average
This score falls in the broad middle of the distribution.
Rarity
1 in 2
About 1 in 2 people score this high or higher.
Interpretation
Typical
Use this as a percentile guide, not as a substitute for proper age-based norms and a full report.
Important: this calculator is approximate. It assumes the standard IQ distribution and does not replace the specific norms, ceilings, or confidence intervals of any individual test.
3 Common IQ Percentile Examples
| IQ Score | Approx. Percentile | Top / Bottom Share | Common Label |
|---|
| 70 | 2nd | Bottom 2% | Borderline range |
| 85 | 16th | Bottom 16% | Low average |
| 100 | 50th | Middle of the distribution | Average |
| 110 | 75th | Top 25% | High average |
| 115 | 84th | Top 16% | High average |
| 120 | 91st | Top 9% | Superior |
| 130 | 97.7th | Top 2.3% | Gifted range |
| 145 | 99.9th | Top 0.1% | Exceptionally high |
4 What Percentile Actually Means
A percentile rank tells you what percentage of the comparison group scored below a given result.
- 50th percentile means exactly average.
- 84th percentile means higher than about 84% of the comparison group.
- 98th percentile means only about 2% of the comparison group scored higher.
That is why percentiles are usually easier to understand than vague labels. If you are trying to answer the question "is this a good IQ?", percentiles make the answer much clearer.
5 Why You Should Use Percentiles Carefully
Percentiles only mean what the norms mean.
- Age matters. Proper IQ interpretation compares you with same-age peers, not with everyone at once. See Average IQ by Age.
- Battery breadth matters. A percentile from a broad multi-subtest battery means more than one from a very short quiz.
- Small differences are not everything. An 84th percentile result and an 88th percentile result are not radically different in practice.
- Context matters. A cognitive profile, not just one converted percentile, usually gives the best interpretation.
6 Frequently Asked Questions
What percentile is IQ 100?
IQ 100 is the 50th percentile on the standard IQ scale.
What percentile is IQ 130?
IQ 130 is approximately the 97.7th percentile on the standard IQ scale.
Does percentile depend on age?
On a properly normed test, yes. The score should already be interpreted relative to an age-appropriate comparison group.
7 Related Guides
Use these pages to move from simple percentile conversion to fuller interpretation: