Is an IQ of 149 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand
Classification
Very Gifted
Percentile
99.95th
Rarity
1 in 1,200
High
What Does an IQ of 149 Mean?
An IQ of 149 is profoundly gifted, one point below the 150 threshold that marks 'exceptionally advanced.' At the 99.95th percentile, only about 1 in 1,200 people score this high. Standard IQ tests lose precision at this level.
An IQ of 149 places you at the 99.95th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 99.95% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the Very Gifted range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of 1 in 1,200, 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 149
People at 149 operate at the absolute forefront of their fields. The challenge is finding adequately stimulating work rather than being capable of it.
How Does an IQ of 149 Compare?
Here's how a score of 149 compares to nearby IQ scores:
Nearby IQ Score Comparison
| Score | Classification | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| IQ 134 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99th |
| IQ 135 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99th |
| IQ 136 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99th |
| IQ 137 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99th |
| IQ 138 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99.5th |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 149 genius?
Well beyond it. At the 99.95th percentile, 149 exceeds the 140 genius threshold by 9 points. Only 1 in 1,200 people reach this level.
How rare is 149 IQ?
About 1 in 1,200 people. In a city of 100,000, approximately 83 individuals would score at this level.
What challenges come with 149 IQ?
Intellectual isolation, difficulty finding peers, frustration with standard-paced environments, and sometimes existential concerns. Finding peers at similar cognitive levels is often important for wellbeing.
Explore Other IQ Scores
Take our free IQ test to find out where you stand, or learn more about what IQ really measures.