142

1 Understanding IQ 142

Updated March 28, 2026 by Structural. An IQ of 142 falls in the gifted range on the standard SD 15 scale and corresponds to roughly the top 0.26% of the population.

Relative to the mean of 100, this score is 42 points above average, or about 2.80 standard deviations from the center of the bell curve.

2 Percentile Context

That means roughly 1 in 391 people score this high or higher. Within the gifted range, IQ 142 sits near the upper end of the band.

This matters because exact interpretation depends not only on the raw number, but also on where that number sits relative to the mean, the band cutoffs, and the wider population distribution.

3 Real-World Meaning

In practical terms, IQ 142 should be understood as a gifted range result, not as a complete description of a person.

• This band can reflect unusually fast abstraction, pattern learning, and comfort with complex material.
• Even here, ceiling, norm quality, and measurement context matter because upper-tail interpretation gets harder, not easier.
• Real-world output still depends on execution, depth of study, and sustained work rather than the label alone.

4 Compare Nearby Scores

IQ 142 becomes easier to interpret when placed next to nearby thresholds and reference points:

• Compared with IQ 100: IQ 142 is 42 points above the mean.
• Within the gifted range: this score sits near the upper end of the band and is 12 points above 130 and 2 points below 144.
• Compared with IQ 145: IQ 142 is 3 points below the exceptionally high zone, even though it is already deep into the upper tail.

5 FAQ

Is 142 IQ gifted?
Yes. IQ 142 falls in the gifted range on common SD 15 scales.

What percentile is an IQ of 142?
An IQ of 142 corresponds to roughly the top 0.26% of the population.

How rare is an IQ of 142?
That means roughly 1 in 391 people score this high or higher.

Does IQ 142 automatically mean genius?
No. Gifted-range scores are strong and rare, but upper-tail interpretation should still be careful and should not be reduced to a hype label.

6 Related Guides

Use these pages to interpret IQ 142 with more context:

• Gifted IQ Range for upper-tail interpretation context.
• IQ Rarity Calculator for rarity and frequency conversion.
• IQ Score Chart for nearby score bands and percentiles.
• Standard Deviation 15 Explained for scale and cutoff context.