IQ Percentile Calculator

The IQ percentile calculator is a tool that lets you quickly determine what percentage of the population scored lower or higher than you. You enter your IQ value, choose the standard deviation (15 or 16), and the calculator shows you the exact percentile as well as your position relative to the rest of society. This is not guesswork – it is statistics based on the normal distribution.

For example: an IQ score of 150 with a standard deviation of 15 means your result is higher than 99.96% of people. Only 0.04% may score higher. The calculator presents this both graphically and numerically, without any “eyeballing.” In one second you can see your position – without having to calculate formulas.

Most IQ tests use the same statistical assumptions – mean of 100, SD of 15 – which is why the calculator works precisely. You can check whether your score is within the average range, qualifies as “very high” (above 130), or “below average” (below 85). Everything is clear, numeric, and aligned with modern psychometric knowledge.

What does IQ mean?

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a number that describes a person’s cognitive abilities compared to the rest of the population. In the past, it was calculated as the ratio of mental age to chronological age multiplied by 100. Today, that method is outdated. Modern IQ tests are based on the statistical distribution of results – the mean is 100, and the standard deviation is usually 15 or 16 points.

About 68% of people score between 85 and 115. A score of 130 or more indicates very high cognitive abilities, while a score below 70 may point to intellectual difficulties. The IQ scale is designed to fit the normal distribution, also known as the bell curve. This means the further a score is from the mean, the rarer it is in the population.

It is important to note that IQ does not measure everything. It does not assess creativity, emotional intelligence, or social skills. It does not describe who you are as a person – it only indicates your logical reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving abilities compared to others.

IQ distribution

The distribution of IQ in the population takes the shape of a bell curve, known as the normal distribution. This means most people score close to the mean, while extremely high or low scores occur much less frequently. The average IQ is 100, and the typical standard deviation is 15 points. This statistical framework is the foundation of modern intelligence testing.

About 68% of individuals score between 85 and 115 IQ points. This is called the average range. Scores above 130 are achieved by fewer than 2% of the population – these are people with very high intelligence. On the other hand, a score below 70, found in about 2.2% of people, may indicate cognitive challenges. Each IQ range corresponds to a specific percentage of people, which allows precise positioning of an individual relative to the whole.

Thanks to the normal distribution, any IQ score can be converted into a percentile – indicating what percentage of the population scored lower. For example, an IQ of 115 means that the person is ahead of about 84% of people. This mathematical structure allows comparisons between results and evaluation of abilities on a population scale, regardless of age or background.

IQ percentile

The IQ percentile shows how your score compares to the rest of the population. It is a percentage value that indicates what proportion of people scored lower than you. If your IQ is 125 and your percentile is 95, it means 95% of people scored lower, and only 5% achieved a better result.

A percentile does not state your IQ points – it shows your position relative to others. This is key to understanding that an IQ score by itself only matters in a population context. Two different IQ scores may indicate the same percentile if they come from tests with different standard deviations.

In practice, percentiles are used in psychology, education, and recruitment. They allow for objective assessment of intellectual abilities without the need to compare raw scores. Tools such as the IQ percentile calculator automate this process, converting results into a population percentage in a fraction of a second. It is a quick way to understand how much you stand out compared to the majority.

How to use the IQ percentile calculator?

Using the IQ percentile calculator is fast and intuitive. Simply enter your IQ score and select the appropriate standard deviation (SD) used by the test. Most commonly, SD = 15 is applied, but some tests, such as Stanford-Binet, use SD = 16. Choosing the right value affects calculation accuracy.

Example: if your IQ score is 130 and the test used SD = 15, the calculator will show you are in the 98th percentile – meaning you scored higher than about 98% of the population.

If you input the same score with SD = 16, the percentile will be slightly lower – about 97.2%. The differences are small but statistically significant, especially at the extreme ranges of IQ.

For a score of 100 – regardless of SD – the percentile will be close to 50%. This means half the people score lower and half higher. A score of 70 with SD = 15 places you around the 2nd percentile, while a score of 145 places you in the top range – above 99.9% of the population.

The calculator uses the normal distribution, so it only works correctly when you enter data consistent with the test’s methodology. If you don’t know the standard deviation used, the safest choice is 15 – the standard for most IQ tests. The tool not only converts the score but also displays a chart, making it easy to see where you stand relative to the rest of society.

IQ percentile chart

The IQ percentile chart is a graphical representation of your position compared to the entire population. It usually has the shape of a bell curve, known from the normal distribution. The point corresponding to your IQ score is marked on the horizontal axis, while the area under the curve shows how many people scored lower or higher.

For example: if you score 120 IQ, the calculator will mark this point on the chart and highlight the area corresponding to the 91st percentile. This means 91% of the population scored lower, and only 9% higher. The area to the left of the point is usually in red, and to the right – blue, which helps quickly understand proportions.

Such a chart not only makes interpretation easier but also shows how rare extreme scores are. Noticeable differences appear already above IQ 130 – the chart shows how narrow the segment of the population with better results becomes. For IQ 145, that segment is less than 0.1% of people.

It is worth noting that the percentile chart does not show intelligence development or the causes of a score. It is a statistical tool – it helps you see how far your score deviates from the mean and how unique your position is on a population scale.

IQ classification tables — what is high IQ?

IQ classification tables are used to assign score ranges to specific descriptive categories. They make it easy to understand whether a score is within the norm or above average. These classifications are based on statistical data and standardized by psychometric organizations. One of the most commonly used classifications is based on a standard deviation of 15 points.

Below is an example IQ classification table:

As you can see, high IQ starts at 120, but only a score of 130 or more is classified as very high intelligence. This means that a person with an IQ of 130 or higher belongs to the top 2% of the population. Such a result is often considered when applying for membership in high-IQ societies such as Mensa.

When and why should you use the IQ percentile calculator?

The IQ percentile calculator is useful when you want to quickly and precisely see how your IQ score compares to the rest of society. A raw number, such as 128, does not mean much without context. Only the percentile – e.g., 97th – shows that your score is higher than 97% of people. This is concrete information that is easy to understand and apply.

This tool is particularly helpful after completing a professional IQ test that only provides the raw score. With the calculator, you can find out what percentage of the population you belong to and also get a clear visualization of the distribution. This is important in recruitment, career counseling, diagnostic processes, as well as for educational or personal development purposes.

It is also useful if you want to compare results from different IQ tests. Some are based on different standard deviations (15 or 16), which may distort direct comparisons. The percentile unifies the data – allowing you to objectively determine which score is higher in statistical terms.

Using the IQ percentile calculator is also a good way to better understand your cognitive potential. It is a statistical tool, but its results can support informed educational, professional, or personal development decisions. Most importantly – it does not require advanced knowledge, yet provides a clear answer within seconds.