Is an IQ of 137 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand

What Does an IQ of 137 Mean?

An IQ of 137 is deep in the gifted range at the 99th percentile — higher than 99% of people. Only about 1 in 120 people reach this level. You are approaching the genius threshold of 140 and experience thinking that is qualitatively different from the general population.

An IQ of 137 places you at the 99th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 99% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the Very Superior / Gifted range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of 1 in 120, this score is uncommon and indicates strong cognitive abilities.

To understand how IQ scores are calculated and what they measure, see our complete guide on what IQ is and how it works. For a full breakdown of all score ranges and their meanings, visit our IQ score ranges page.

Career Context for an IQ of 137

At 137, virtually any intellectual career is accessible. Research, academia, advanced technology, and strategic leadership are natural paths.

Cognitive Profile at IQ 137

At IQ 137, cognitive functioning is in the highest tiers of the gifted range, approaching the exceptionally gifted threshold. Abstract reasoning is profoundly advanced — theoretical architecture, formal system construction, and multi-domain conceptual synthesis operate at a level that produces genuinely original intellectual output. Pattern recognition in complex, noisy data environments is exceptional. Verbal comprehension and production are at the level of the most sophisticated academic and professional discourse. Quantitative reasoning handles advanced research mathematics fluently. Working memory sustains extraordinarily complex multi-thread reasoning without degradation. Processing speed is well above average. Individuals at 137 occupy the most intellectually demanding roles in any knowledge domain.

What Research Says About IQ 137

Lubinski's (2016) fifty-year retrospective on the SMPY cohort published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology confirmed that individuals scoring in approximately the top 0.5% of cognitive ability — roughly IQ 140 and above — accumulated scholarly and professional accomplishments that dwarfed even those of individuals in the top 1%. Individuals near IQ 137 are at the leading edge of the populations producing the most consequential intellectual outputs.

Day-to-Day Life with an IQ of 137

A leading theoretical economist at IQ 137 publishes in the Quarterly Journal of Economics and American Economic Review regularly, wins the Clark Medal for contributions to mechanism design theory before age 40, and teaches PhD theory sequences that produce students who go on to top department placements. A senior director of AI safety research leads a team studying alignment approaches, evaluates competing theoretical frameworks for robustness under capability scaling, and publishes influential technical reports read carefully by leading AI labs worldwide. A Supreme Court advocate at this score handles a dozen Supreme Court arguments over a career, winning landmark decisions in administrative law and statutory interpretation.

How Does an IQ of 137 Compare?

Here's how a score of 137 compares to nearby IQ scores:

Famous People with an IQ Around 137

The following well-known figures have estimated IQ scores close to 137:

• Neil Armstrong — First person to walk on the Moon, NASA astronaut (estimated IQ: 135–145)
• J.K. Rowling — Harry Potter author, billionaire writer (estimated IQ: 125–140)
• Joe Biden — 46th US President, Senator for 36 years, foreign policy expert (estimated IQ: 128–140)
• Kamala Harris — 47th US Vice President, former California AG, prosecutor (estimated IQ: 125–140)
• Xi Jinping — President of China, General Secretary of CCP, civil engineering degree (estimated IQ: 130–145)

Careers That Suit an IQ of 137

People with an IQ around 137 are well-suited for the following career paths:

• Consultant (Management) — average IQ range: 120–135
• Nuclear Engineer — average IQ range: 120–135
• Neurosurgeon — average IQ range: 128–140
• Patent Attorney — average IQ range: 125–138
• Statistician — average IQ range: 118–132

See the full IQ by career chart for all professions.

Explore Other IQ Scores

Take our free IQ test to find out where you stand, or learn more about what IQ really measures.