1 Quick Answer
Updated March 28, 2026 by Structural. On the standard IQ scale, the average score is 100 and the standard deviation is 15. That means most people fall between 85 and 115, while higher and lower scores become progressively rarer the farther they move from 100.
Average
100
The center of the modern deviation-IQ scale.
Most Common
85-115
About two-thirds of people fall in this band.
Above Average
115+
Scores above 115 are above about 84% of same-age peers.
Gifted Range
130+
Often used as a practical giftedness threshold, though labels vary.
2 IQ Score Chart
This chart assumes a standard IQ scale with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15. Percentiles are approximate, and descriptive labels can vary somewhat by publisher or testing context.
Important: A chart is only as good as the test behind it. Percentiles are meaningful only when the assessment has clear norms, consistent scoring, and an appropriate comparison group.
3 Benchmark Scores at a Glance
Most people do not need every score on the chart. They usually want to know what a few benchmark scores mean. These are the ones people search for most often:
IQ 85
Roughly the 16th percentile. Still within a common range, but below the population mean.
IQ 100
The 50th percentile. Exactly average by design on modern IQ scales.
IQ 115
About the 84th percentile. Clearly above average and easier to notice in school or analytical work.
IQ 130
About the 98th percentile. Rare enough to fall into the gifted range on many charts.
IQ 145
Roughly the 99.9th percentile. Exceptionally high, though exact interpretation depends on the test ceiling.
IQ 160
Extremely rare territory where measurement precision depends heavily on norms and test design.
4 What Is a Good IQ Score?
A "good" IQ score depends on what you mean by good.
- If you mean average: 100 is the population average.
- If you mean above average: 110 to 119 is commonly called high average.
- If you mean clearly uncommon: 120 and above is less common, and 130+ is rare.
- If you mean useful in life: a score is only one part of the picture. Motivation, personality, health, education, and opportunity matter too.
For most people, the most useful question is not "Is my score good?" but "What does my score suggest about how I learn, solve problems, and compare with same-age peers?" For a dedicated breakdown of that question, see What Is a Good IQ?. If you want to convert a score directly into percentile, use the IQ Percentile Calculator.
5 Why IQ Charts Differ Across Sites
Different websites often publish slightly different IQ charts. That does not always mean one of them is wrong. Usually it comes from one of these reasons:
- Different labels: One publisher may say superior where another says very high or gifted range.
- Different ceilings: Some tests stop at 145 or 160, while others publish extended norms above that.
- Different age groups: IQ scores are normally interpreted against same-age peers, not the entire population at once.
- Different technical quality: A chart copied from a weak test is much less useful than a chart tied to a well-normed battery.
For more on what modern IQ tests actually measure, see What IQ Measures. If you are wondering how the average works across the lifespan, see Average IQ by Age. If you want the scoring logic behind the chart, see How IQ Scores Are Normed.
6 How to Interpret Your Own Score Carefully
Use any IQ chart with a few rules in mind:
- Do not over-interpret tiny differences. An IQ of 128 versus 132 is not a life-changing gap.
- Look at percentiles, not just labels. Percentiles tell you rarity more clearly than words like high average or superior.
- Pay attention to the battery. A 20-subtest assessment gives a more complete picture than a 10-question quiz.
- Look beyond one number. Index scores and subtest patterns often tell you more than a single overall IQ.
ACIS context: ACIS uses adult norms based on 2,278 participants ages 16 to 90 and reports both broad-domain scores and subtest-level information. That makes the chart more useful when paired with a structured cognitive profile instead of a single headline number.
7 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ score?
The average IQ score is 100 on modern deviation-IQ scales.
Is 115 a good IQ score?
Yes. An IQ of 115 is above average and is usually around the 84th percentile.
Does every IQ chart use the same labels?
No. Percentiles are mathematically consistent on standard scales, but labels vary by publisher and testing context.
8 Explore Related Score Pages
If you want a more detailed interpretation of a specific score, start with the benchmark pages below: