Gamers vs Non-Gamers IQ
The relationship between gaming and intelligence is complex and much-studied. Research consistently finds that gamers score higher than non-gamers on visual-spatial tasks, reaction time, and divided attention. Whether this reflects gaming causing IQ improvements or smarter people preferring gaming is debated. The most methodologically rigorous studies — randomized controlled trials assigning people to play specific games — find task-specific improvements that do not generalize to full-scale IQ. Self-selection appears to drive most of the observed gamer IQ advantage.
Gamers
Typical range: 100–107
Multiple studies find gamers score modestly higher on IQ tests than non-gamers, particularly on spatial reasoning and visual attention subtests. Action game players show the strongest advantages on reaction time and 3D spatial rotation tasks. The overall IQ advantage is modest but consistently replicated.
Non-Gamers
Typical range: 96–102
Non-gamers average close to the population mean. They may spend time on activities — reading, sports, social activities — that build different types of cognitive skills. Absence of gaming does not indicate lower intelligence; many highly intelligent people simply prefer other activities.
Key Findings
- Gamers average approximately 3–5 IQ points higher than non-gamers in observational studies.
- The advantage is largest on visual-spatial and visual attention subtests — skills directly trained by action games.
- RCT studies find that gaming causes narrow skill improvements that don't transfer broadly to full-scale IQ gains.
- Genre matters: strategy games (StarCraft, chess) provide greater cognitive benefit than simple mobile or casual games.
- Self-selection is likely the primary explanation: higher-IQ individuals are more attracted to cognitively complex games.
Verdict
Gamers score modestly higher on IQ tests than non-gamers — approximately 3–5 points on average — but the relationship is primarily one of selection (higher-IQ individuals may be more attracted to cognitively demanding games) and narrow skill transfer (gaming improves visual attention and spatial rotation, which are measured by IQ tests). There is no evidence that simply playing games broadly raises general intelligence. Game genre matters enormously: strategy and RPG games provide more cognitive benefit than simple mobile games.
For more context, see what different IQ scores actually mean and explore famous people's IQ scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do gamers have higher IQs than non-gamers?
On average, modestly — approximately 3–5 points in observational studies. The advantage is strongest on visual-spatial tasks. However, most of this gap reflects self-selection (higher-IQ people gravitate toward cognitively complex games) rather than gaming causing IQ improvements.
Do video games increase IQ?
Gaming improves specific skills — visual attention, spatial rotation, reaction time — that are measured by some IQ subtests. But RCT evidence shows these improvements are narrow and don't transfer broadly to full-scale IQ increases. General intelligence is not reliably raised by video games.
Which games are best for cognitive improvement?
Strategy games (chess, real-time strategy games like StarCraft), puzzle games (Portal, Tetris), and cognitively demanding RPGs provide more cognitive benefit than simple reflex games or mobile casual games. Games that require planning, strategy, and adaptation over many hours show the strongest associations with cognitive ability.
Are professional esports players highly intelligent?
Studies of professional esports players find very high scores on spatial reasoning, attention, and processing speed — cognitive domains directly relevant to competitive gaming. Whether this reflects gaming-caused development or the extreme selection at professional levels (the best of millions of players) is unclear, though both likely contribute.
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MyIQScores Editorial Team
Researchers in cognitive psychology, psychometrics & educational science
Last updated
May 10, 2026
All content on MyIQScores is reviewed for scientific accuracy against peer-reviewed research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Our editorial team cross-references each article with published literature before publication and updates pages whenever new research warrants a revision.